Exit Strategy (Nadia Stafford 1)

Gallagher said nothing but I could see he was digesting this. I had no idea how loyal Jack was to his regular employers, but Gallagher wouldn't know, either--Jack didn't go around bragging about his clientele. If Gallagher thought he wasn't the only one Jack had abandoned, that should lessen the insult. After a minute, Gallagher relaxed into his chair.

"And that is all Jack wishes to know? The name of the man I hired?"

"That's right."

"I can hardly imagine what use he'd have for such information. The man is no longer even in the business. Retired a year or two ago." He met my gaze. "And he had the civility to inform me of his retirement, and apologize for any inconvenience it might cause."

A mini-tornado whipped up in my gut. Retired a year or two ago? That fit our profile. But if Gallagher respected this man, felt some allegiance to a loyal former employee--

"Wilkes."

I remembered that name. It was the first one Jack had thought...and the one Evelyn had dismissed.

"Wilkes?" I repeated, to be sure.

Gallagher waved his hand. "After John Wilkes Booth, I suppose. These men are hardly creative geniuses. Still, it's better than 'Jack.' Anything is better than Jack. Anyway, Jack knows him. They were...comrades of a sort, back when Jack was more...approachable."

No question then. This was the same Wilkes--Evelyn's former lover.

I related what Jack had told me about Gallagher's traitor. Gallagher accepted the information without any reaction, then called the security room and told them to release Jack. Once Jack was out, Gallagher called him and passed the phone to me, so I'd know he was safe before I left.

"Mind if I use the front door this time?" I said.

"Be my guest. A last word before you go..."

"Hmmm?"

He met my gaze. "You appear to be a bright young lady and I have no doubt you are quite capable at your chosen occupation. Choosing Jack as a mentor speaks well to your intelligence. However, a continued...alliance with him would not. There are three kinds of people in this business, my dear. Those who play the game, those who cannot and those who will not. Only a fool aligns herself with the last. You'd do well to remember that."

"I will. Thank you."

"Should you ever be in need of employment, you know where to find me."

Success. I hadn't realized how much I'd needed that after the opera house. I walked out of that casino with such a spring in my step I attracted the notice of a prostitute standing outside, waiting for winners. She gave me a once-over, as if thinking maybe my gender wasn't a complete deal breaker. I flashed her a wide smile, and she sighed before resuming her vigil.

I stepped into the side alley where I'd agreed to meet Jack. He was there, smoking one of his hated American cigarettes, his free hand drumming against the wall. When he saw me, he exhaled a long stream of smoke, then ground out the cigarette and dropped the butt into his pocket.

"You okay?" he said, squinting through the darkness.

"You're the one I should be asking that. Lose any fingers?"

"None I needed." His gaze slipped to my hand. "Where's your gun?"

"I didn't need it."

"Nadia..."

"What?"

"You do have the gun, right?"

"Sure."

"I mean now. On your body. Not back in the hotel room."

"Would you have taken a gun?"

"Couldn't. Guards found a gun on me--"