Page 122 of The Last Kingdom

“I didn’t know White House personnel engaged in active field operations,” he said.

“And I wasn’t aware that Magellan Billet agents worked for the CIA.”

“We do when your boss is tryin’ to shut us down.”

“This has turned extra complicated,” Dorner said, not bothering to turn around and face them.

“Care to elaborate?” he asked.

“Our sources have confirmed that the police were provided a tip that a theft was ongoing inside the cathedral. They were told about two men and provided physical descriptions.”

“No woman?” he asked.

“Only two men. Which means whatever was set up was done before Toni was sent there, then something changed and she was added.”

He told her about Christophe and his double agent activities, Marc Fenn, and the errand to the tomb of Ludwig III.

“The whole thing stunk from the start,” he said. “But I had no choice. It became pretty clear when we saw the empty grave.”

“And I saved his ass from being arrested,” Toni added.

“Lucky for you, Mr. Daniels, that Toni was there,” Dorner said.

“I count my blessings every day.”

And he tossed Toni a smirk sideways across the backseat.

The car wove its way through the evening traffic, keeping a steady pace, finally turning onto the entrance ramp for the autobahn, heading south.

“Where are we going?” he asked Dorner.

“Are you always so inquisitive?”

“Only when I’m in a car with somebody who definitely doesn’t seem to like me.”

“Spoken like the nephew of an ex-president.”

“More like the employee of a woman who’s being tormented by your boss.”

Dorner finally turned to face him. “For the record, so we’re clear, I like Stephanie Nelle. I don’t agree with what’s happening to her. And why would you think I don’t like you?”

“’Cause I’ve obviously screwed things up enough that you’ve decided to personally come save the day.”

A slight grin came to the older woman’s thin lips. “I can see why Toni likes you.”

“I didn’t know she did.”

“That’s the whole point of tonight, Mr. Daniels. There’s a lot you don’t know. So how about you sit back, shut up, and enjoy the ride.”

He wasn’t going to allow that rebuke to be the final word, especially since he now knew who’d texted Toni. “We’re going to that castle, aren’t we?”

“That’s exactly where we’re going.”

Then he got it. “Koger and Malone are in trouble.”

Dorner turned around, her attention back out the windshield where the wiper blades kept the snow at bay.

“I’m afraid they are.”

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