Page 134 of Near Miss

“That’s the one.”

The Corporal looked at him, waiting for more, and Teddy looked back, making it clear that was all he was going to say.

“Dieter also said you didn’t talk much.”

“Talking is overrated.”

The Corporal huffed then studied him again. “I like you, Dial. The job runs through Friday night. Ten K, flat fee. You interested?”

“What type of job is it?”

“Termination.”

“Opposition?”

“Potentially considerable.”

“You supply the hardware?”

“Yes. If you have special requests, we can try to accommodate that, too, but no promises.”

Teddy acted like he was considering the offer. “All right, I’m interested. When do I start?”

“Right now.” The Corporal held out his hand and Teddy shook it. “Welcome to the team.”

Chapter 65

Asimov received a call from the Sarge on Thursday afternoon.

“I’ll bring Barrington to you by midnight tomorrow night,” Sarge told him.

“What’s the plan?”

“That’s not important. All you need to know is that his part of our contract will soon be complete.”

Perhaps Asimov didn’tneedto know, but he wanted to. “You can’t tell me anything?”

“If you don’t know, it will be easier for you to deny involvement.”

Though true, Asimov didn’t like the way the Sarge had said it, as if he were teaching Asimov a lesson. “And Rawls? Will he be there, too?”

“He is still in London.”

“Then when will he be dead?”

“When I tell you he will be.”

That was one step too far. Asimov opened his mouth to put the Sarge in his place, then realized the Sarge had hung up.

That son of a bitch.

Asimov took a deep breath. Barrington would soon be dead; that’s what he needed to concentrate on.

The timing could not have been better. A few members of the council who had voted for him had begun to grumble about how long everything was taking. Soon, he knew, they would start having second thoughts about his leadership.

He called his secretary. “Inform everyone we will have a council meeting at nine o’clock tonight, at the usual location.”

“Yes, sir.”

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