Chapter 45

45

Across town a similar meeting was occurring in a Braun Logistics conference room. The only differences were that none of the fourteen men present had altered their appearance, and only two were wearing tuxedoes.

“If there are any questions, ask now,” Dieter said.

He scanned the group, but as he expected, no one spoke up.

Dieter wished he could have assembled the crème de la crème of the BLS special projects unit. But per Braun’s instructions, they were spread across the globe in position to terminate the remaining Golden Hour agents as soon as Braun and Dieter finished dealing with Fay.

The only trusted men he’d been able to retain had been Rolf, who was the only other person beside himself wearing a tux, and Andreas, who would be overseeing the others.

The other eleven in the room were made up of a mixed bag of freelancers. Not ideal, but they were only there as backup and would be unlikely not to see any action.

“There will be zero tolerance for mistakes today,” Dieter said. “If even one civilian catches on to what we are doing, the mission is blown. Is that understood?”

This was greeted by a less-than-perfect chorus of yeahs .

“Transportation is waiting in the garage.” He nodded at Andreas.

“All right, everyone,” Andreas said. “Get moving.”

He and the others departed, leaving Dieter and Rolf alone.

Dieter handed Rolf a business card with the Trust’s logo on it. “Just in case something happens, and we need to act quickly. Otherwise, Braun will use one of his.”

Rolf nodded and slipped the card into his pocket.

While Andreas and his team would be stationed outside the event, Dieter and Rolf would be accompanying Braun to the film festival’s opening-night event.

Dieter’s phone buzzed.

“Yes?” he answered.

“Barnett just left the hotel,” his watcher reported.

“Alone?”

“No. With his Hollywood friends.”

“You still have eyes on him?”

“He’s three vehicles in front of me. On expected course.”

“Contact me immediately if there’s any deviation.” He hung up and said to Rolf, “It’s time.”

The back door of the BLS Suburban opened, and Mr. Braun climbed in and sat next to Jillian.

She gave him a tight smile into which she hoped he didn’t read anything.

That morning, he’d called her to his office and told her that she would be joining him and Dieter at the film festival.

“I want that steel-trap mind of yours nearby, in case something unexpected comes up,” he’d told her.

She’d wanted to protest, but she was sure that would have only made him angry, and he would have still insisted she go. So, all she could say was, “Yes, Mr. Braun.”

A fashion expert and a makeup artist had been brought in to turn her from her everyday, disheveled self into someone she barely recognized.

Braun looked her up and down. “You look acceptable.”

Not knowing how else to respond, she said, “Thank you.”

The door opened again, and Dieter and Rolf entered.

“So?” Braun asked.

“The van has been in place for an hour,” Dieter said. “Backup team is on its way there.”

“And the hit—” Braun paused, glancing at Jillian before he continued. “The teams covering everyone else?”

“I heard from the last of them thirty minutes ago. They’re all in position and awaiting your word.”

Braun smiled, while Jillian tried to look like she hadn’t been paying attention. It took all her will to keep the horror she was feeling from showing.

The van carrying the Centurion group was nearing the opening-night venue when Teddy received a text from Hans.

Braun just left. Dieter and two others with him.