All he had to do now was learn to control his impulses.
Josh and Holly were driving home from Jack Smithson’s house. “I’m sorry I mentioned the fortifications at your house,” he said. “Too much to drink, I guess.”
“Oh, it’s all right. Part of our training is never to discuss our work, so when somebody does, it sets off alarm bells.”
“I won’t do it again.”
“Thanks.”
“Say, what made you call Jack Smithson ‘Teddy’?”
“That was kind of strange, wasn’t it? I think that, almost unconsciously, he reminded me of someone else.”
“Who’s Teddy?”
“You remember a few years back when an ex-Agency employee went on a killing spree, knocking off various right-wing political figures?”
“Teddy Fay!”
“That’s right.”
“You thought Jack Smithson was Teddy Fay?”
“Not really. He just sort of fits the general description-that is, he looks like Larry David, on Curb Your Enthusiasm-but so do thousands of other men.”
“So I don’t have to worry about another serial killer living in the area?”
“No, you don’t,” Holly said. “If Jack were Teddy, he would never invite me to dinner.”
Teddy and Lauren were getting into bed. “Why do you think Holly called you ‘Teddy’ at dinner?”
“Beats me,” Teddy said. “I guess I remind her of some other fatally attractive man-maybe an old boyfriend.”
“And why did you stop me from talking about our move?”
“I just don’t want a lot of people talking about that. Why, have you decided to come with me?”
She sighed. “Maybe.”
“Keep thinking about it,” Teddy said, “but not talking about it.”
47
Holly’s phone rang. She looked at the clock: seven thirty. She found the TV remote control and switched it off, then picked up the phone. “Hello?”
“It’s Lance. Getting sensitive about being seen in bed with a man?”
“None of your business,” she said.
“Well, I miss your sunny face.”
“It’s Sunday morning. What’s up, Lance?”
“He’s back.”
“Who’s back?”
“Whoever is using the Agency mainframe without authority.”