Chapter 35

35

The next morning, Tessa and Mark were on the set of a morning talk show, sitting across from the show’s hosts.

The assistant director counted down from three on his fingers, then pointed at the female host.

The woman smiled at the camera and spoke for several seconds in Hungarian. Her male counterpart jumped in, and they laughed at a joke neither Mark nor Tessa understood.

The two hosts continued interacting for another half minute and then turned to Mark and Tessa.

The female host said in English, “Tessa Tweed and Mark Weldon, thank you so much for joining us today. We are so very pleased to have you here.”

“Not as pleased as we are to be here,” Tessa said.

The interview was being conducted entirely in English, the translation occurring via voice-over from a sound booth elsewhere in the studio.

For most of the allotted time, the interview went as expected, the hosts tossing out softball questions about Storm’s Eye and Hollywood in general, and Mark and Tessa answering with witty anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories.

Things changed near the end, when the male host said, “Tessa, I hope you don’t mind, but I wanted to ask how you are doing after your ordeal last night.”

“Oh,” she said, caught off guard. “I’m fine. Thank you for asking.”

Lizzie had told her and Mark that she requested the interview stick to Storm’s Eye , since that was the reason they’d been booked, and had been assured by a producer that would be the case.

“For those watching who haven’t heard,” the man said, “last night there was a shooting in Pest, in the vicinity of a commercial that was being filmed, featuring Tessa and pop sensation Mari Chen.” He turned back to Tessa. “Did you see what happened?”

“From where I was standing, I could only see people running around. I didn’t even hear a gunshot and didn’t know what was going on until later.”

“We understand the victim had broken through the crowd barrier and was running toward you.”

“I don’t know if that’s true or not. I never saw her.”

Though the host was doing a good job hiding it, Mark could tell he was frustrated that he wasn’t scoring the scoop he’d thought he would.

Trying a different tactic, he said, “Mark, did you see anything?”

“Sorry, no. I was at the hotel and didn’t even know anything had happened until this morning.”

“Has there been any word on how the victim is doing?” Tessa asked.

“We’ve been told she underwent surgery last night and has been in intensive care since,” the male host said.

“I wish her a speedy recovery,” Tessa said.

“Yes, we all do,” the male host threw in quickly.

Before he could ask anything else, the female host cut in, “So, what projects are up next for both of you?”

When the interview ended, the male host shook hands with both Mark and Tessa and then left the studio as if he couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

As soon as he was gone, his cohost said, “I apologize for my colleague. He is ambitious.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Tessa said. “I was there, so it’s understandable that the topic would come up.”

“But this was not our agreement.”

“No harm, no foul,” Mark said.

The woman’s brow furrowed. “I’m sorry?”

“I mean you shouldn’t worry about it.”

“Ah.”

Mark’s phone vibrated. He pulled it out and saw it was a call from Vesna. “Excuse me. I need to take this.”

He moved to a quiet part of the stage and tapped ACCEPT. “Good morning.”

“You look good on TV.”

“You watched? Aren’t you supposed to be in Berlin?”

“There’s this marvelous new technology called the internet. Lets you see things from around the world. Perhaps you’ve heard of it.”

“It rings a bell.”

“I thought it might,” she said. “You asked me to call you.”

Between his late night at the hospital and early morning appointment at the TV station, he’d only had time to shoot Vesna a text, asking her to call at this time.

“I thought you’d like to hear about my evening.”

“Your evening? What did I miss?”

“Well, for one, your ex-boyfriend.”

“My ex—” She stopped herself. “Dieter was there?”

“In the flesh.”

He told her what had happened.

“I’ll catch the first flight and be there as soon as I can,” she said when he finished.

“I’d rather you stay in Berlin. I can handle things here.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am a highly trained agent.”

“A retired highly trained agent.”

“Which means I’m also experienced.”

“Or rusty. But if you want me to stay here, I’ll stay here. However, if something happens to you, do not blame me.”

“I promise. How are things there?”

“Meeting in an hour with a friend who will be helping with surveillance. We should be up and running by this afternoon.”

“Reliable as always.”

“I do what I can.”

“And it’s appreciated.”

That afternoon, the press tour flew to Zürich, Switzerland, the last stop on their junket before the film festival in Berlin.

On the van ride from the airport to the Baur au Lac hotel, Teddy received a message from Kevin Cushman.

Bad news. Call me.

Kevin was a computer expert known on many online platforms as Warplord924, who had become one of Teddy’s go-to sources when his particular skill set was needed. Teddy had asked him to break into BLS’s computer system and locate the company’s client list.

The conversation was not one to be had in front of the others in the van, so Teddy waited until he was alone in his hotel suite to ring Kevin.

The hacker answered with a mumbled, “Hmmm?”

“Are you sleeping?”

Kevin yawned. “No. Well, maybe.”

“What’s the bad news?”

“Hold on.”

The sound of movement filled the line for several seconds, then came the crisp snap of a soda can being opened and Kevin taking a long drink.

After a smack of the lips, he said, “Okay, that’s better.”

“The news,” Teddy prompted him.

“Right. So, this BLS place isn’t fooling around. Their cybersecurity is, like, NSA level.”

“If I recall, you’ve hacked into the NSA before.”

“True. But it took me almost a week. I’m not saying that’s how long this will take, but you did say you wanted it ASAP. And I’m guessing that in this case your definition of ASAP and mine aren’t going to be the same.”

Teddy frowned. He’d been afraid that might be the case. “Can you give me an estimate?”

“No clue, man. I could break through in the next hour, or it might take days.”

“Keep at it,” Teddy said. “And let me know as soon as you get in.”

“Your wish is my command.”

The line went dead.

If it took days for Kevin to get Teddy the client list, more agents could die. Plus, there was the very real possibility that even after Kevin hacked in, he might not find it.

Teddy saw only one option.

He sent texts to Peter and Stacy, asking them to come to his suite.

Within a few minutes, they had both arrived and were seated in the suite’s living room.

“Anyone want a drink?” Teddy asked.

Peter cocked an eyebrow. “That depends. Do we need a drink?”

Teddy considered it for a moment. “Stacy might.”

“Do not tell me you’re going to need me to cover for you again,” Stacy said.

“Your intuition will serve you well in this business.”

Stacy opened her phone and studied the screen. “Let’s see. This afternoon you have a round of interviews at the hotel. And tonight Billy has the screening at the University of Zürich for Desperation at Dawn , with the Q and A after.”

Desperation at Dawn was the film that won Peter and Billy a best picture Oscar.

Stacy scrolled up. “Tomorrow, TV interviews in the morning for Mark, a lunch thing, also Mark, and a charity dinner in the evening for Billy.” She looked back at Teddy. “Which event are you going to miss?”

Teddy walked over and handed her a glass of wine. “Have a drink.”

“Oh, no.”

“Trust me.”

She took a drink.

“I’m going to miss all of them.”

She blinked, then took another drink. “Why?”

“I need to go to Berlin,” he said.

“When?”

“Right away.”

“But—”

“Don’t worry,” Peter cut in. “Do what you have to do. We can cover everything.”

“Lizzie’s going to be pissed ,” Stacy said.

“Which is why I have you,” Teddy said.

“Gee, thanks.”

“Whatever you’re doing, be careful,” Peter said to Teddy. “I don’t want to have to recast your part in The Scapegoat .”

“Or find a new producer,” Stacy threw in.

Peter shrugged. “Meh. Billy’s replaceable. We’ll just promote you.”

Stacy’s eyes lit up.

Teddy shot her a look. “Don’t you get any ideas.”

“Moi?”