Collateral Damage (Stone Barrington 25)

“That means we need to bag her while she’s still in New York. It’s the only place in the country where we’re strong. If she’s able to run and the FBI gets her somewhere else, then it will be out of our hands. The trials could go on for years.”

“I see what you mean,” Holly said.

“Do you? Do you understand fully what’s at stake? Are you prepared to make it happen?”

“I’ll do whatever I can,” Holly

said.

“That’s not good enough. Her two brothers and Dr. Kharl are gone. Jasmine has to join them in whatever hell they’re in.”

Holly took a deep breath. “I’m on board with that, Lance. You can count on me.”

“Good. Now get a good night’s sleep, then go get her. Good night.”

“Good night.” They both hung up, and Holly walked back into the bedroom.

Stone saw the look on her face. “What’s wrong?”

“That was Lance.” She related the substance of their conversation.

“Making your appointment in New York permanent is great news.”

“Yes,” she said, “but I’ve also been appointed Jasmine’s executioner.”

Holly was in her office the following morning when Scotty buzzed her. “The director on line one,” she said.

Holly picked up the phone. “Good morning, Director,” she said.

“Good morning, Holly. Did Lance call you last night?”

“Yes, he did.”

“I wanted to tell you the news, but Lance was eager to speak to you first.”

“I’m delighted for Lance,” Holly said, “but I’m going to miss you. I thought we still had a few months.”

“Will and I talked about it a lot, and we finally agreed that the best way to ensure continuity at the Agency was to get the right person in the job as soon as possible, and I believe Lance is the right person. You’d have to go back a long way to find a director who came out of operations. The professionals who’ve had the job have been analysts, like me.”

“I agree with you entirely, and I’m very happy with the idea of having my temporary appointment in New York made permanent. The time I’ve spent here has reminded me of how much I love this city.”

“I love it, too, and I’m looking forward to sitting on Strategic Services’ board when Will leaves office.”

“I hope I’ll see a lot of you then.”

“You will. Anything new on the search for Jasmine?”

“I’m expecting a call from the commissioner momentarily—we speak nearly every morning. The FBI has been eerily quiet, for which I’m grateful.”

“I think it’s best not to disturb them, unless we have to. When we get a line on the al Qaeda cells in the other cities, then we’ll need their help to break them up. Even if the change in our charter is made permanent, we’ll need to staff up around the country, and that will take time. I’m already looking at recruiting more people and expanding the program at the Farm.”

“Sounds good.”

“I’ll let you know. Call me if the commissioner has anything new.”

“I’ll do that.” Both women hung up, and a moment later Scotty buzzed that the commissioner was on the line.

“Good morning, Holly.”