Chapter 48

48

“The van’s here for any of you ready to head back,” Lizzie said.

It was midnight, and the party had finally begun winding down.

Tessa raised a hand. “Count me in.”

“Me, too,” Hattie said. “I’ve had about as much excitement as I can handle.”

“I guess that means I’m going back, too,” Peter said.

“And me,” Ben said.

“Please tell me we don’t have to be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow.” Adriene said. Even though she still glowed from the evening, she looked ready for sleep.

“Nothing scheduled until the afternoon,” Lizzie said.

“Oh, thank God.”

“The sooner my head is on the pillow, the happier I’ll be,” Stacy said.

“Billy?” Lizzie asked.

“You all go ahead,” Billy said. “I promised Constance I’d say goodbye before I left.”

“I could send the van back for you.”

Before Billy could respond, Stone said, “Ms. Dane and I are staying for a bit longer, too. Billy, you’re welcome to grab a cab with us.”

“Perfect,” Billy said. “I’ll do that.”

As soon as Lizzie led the others away, Billy said, “Where’s Braun?”

“Last I saw, he was leaving with his lady friend,” Vesna said.

“Is your ex with them?”

Her expression soured. “Can we just call him Dieter?”

“Whatever makes you more comfortable. The question remains the same, however.”

“He and the other man are not with them.”

Billy activated the Strategic Services channel on his comm. “Strauss, do you have a location on Dieter Wenz?”

“I do, indeed. He’s thirty meters to your right, behind one of the light towers.”

“Alone?”

“Yes, and out of sight from your position. His companion is closer to the exit, tucked behind one of the movie poster decorations.”

“I’ve been told Braun was heading out. Can you confirm?”

“He and his date are in the queue waiting for their vehicle.”

“It looks like we’ll be going with option B.”

“Option B. Copy.”

“Pass the word. And let me know the moment Dieter or his buddy moves.”

“Will do.”

To Stone and Vesna, Billy said, “Shall we?”

“Let me check you first,” Vesna said.

Billy casually turned his back to her, like he was searching for someone.

After getting a look at the nape of his neck, she whispered, “You’re good.”

“I see Constance,” Billy said, as if Vesna hadn’t spoken. “Care to join me?”

“Why not?” Stone said.

They walked over to the festival’s director, who was speaking with a pair of women.

When their conversation ended, Billy said, “Constance, I wanted to thank you again for giving our movie the perfect kickoff.”

“We should be thanking you,” she said. “The film is marvelous.”

“Thanks. Will I see you at the panel discussion tomorrow?”

“I wouldn’t miss it.”

They said their goodbyes, then Billy, Stone, and Vesna headed for the vehicle pickup line.

When they neared the spot where Dieter’s colleague was hidden, Billy slowed. “How long until our ride gets here?”

Stone made a show of checking his phone. “Ten minutes.”

“Just enough time to use the restroom. You two go ahead. I’ll be back in a few.”

Rolf’s voice came over Dieter’s comm. “Barnett is going to the toilet.”

“Are the others going with him?”

“No.”

“Follow him.”

“The man near the entrance is moving out of cover and appears to be following Mr. Barnett,” Strauss said over the receivers in Stone’s and Vesna’s ears.

Vesna let go of Stone’s arm.

“Be careful,” Stone said.

She gave him a quick smirk. “This is not a word I’m familiar with. I’ll see you at the rendezvous point.”

Quietly, she headed in the direction Billy had gone.

Moments later, Dieter spotted Barnett walking across the area where the party had taken place. Other than him, the only people present now were festival staff and the caterers removing the last of the food and beverages.

Once Dieter’s hiding place was out of Barnett’s sight, Dieter strolled out and joined Rolf in pursuit.

Barnett continued to the main building and entered. The two men followed and were in time to see Barnett turn into the men’s room.

Silently, Dieter directed Rolf to check the other end of the hallway. Rolf jogged down, then signaled that the area was clear.

Dieter stepped around a corner and called Andreas. “It’s going down now. Let the van team know we’ll be using the delivery entrance. Get everyone else back to the sedans.”

“On it,” Andreas said.

“Unidentified van approaching back of main building,” Strauss said.

“I believe that’ll be my ride,” Billy said, voice low.

“The men we’ve been tracking outside the event grounds are on the move, too.”

“Toward the van?”

“No. Back to the cars they arrived in.”

“You know what to do.”