Near Miss

He filled her glass, her third already. As he moved to the next guest, he caught movement in the corner of the room. A man and a woman had just entered the ballroom, dressed respectively in a tux and a blue dress with a slit that showed an impressive amount of thigh. Though they were obviously guests, they had come in through a doorway that connected to a staff-only area, instead of using one of the main entrances.

The server moved to the next table, where he filled another glass before stealing a peek at the new arrivals. This time he was sure of who they were.

“Can I get some of that?” a man a few seats away asked.

The server smiled sympathetically. “Of course, but I need to get a new bottle first.”

The man pointed at the one in his hand. “It looks like there’s enough in there for another glass.”

The server smiled again. “I’ll be right back.”

He walked away before the guest could say anything else, leaving the ballroom through the first door he came to. He checked to make sure no one was watching him, then pulled out his phone and sent a text that read: Target in ballroom.

The radio in the truck came back to life with the sound of the Sarge’s voice. “All teams to your positions.”

The Corporal started the engine, then followed the van as it began to move.

“Check your gear,” the Corporal ordered.

Teddy removed his Sig Sauer P320 Nitron 9mm from his shoulder holster, checked the magazine and chamber, then attached the silencer, and set the weapon in his lap.

If the Corporal had been less secretive about the scale of the operation, Teddy could have ended the threat before they’d gotten to this point. But missing a vital piece of the puzzle could have resulted in Stone losing his life. That would be mission fail for Teddy.

The van and truck entered the alley behind the hotel where the banquet was being held.

“Come in team three,” the Sarge said over the radio.

“Go for team three.”

“Status?”

“Everyone is in the ballroom. Ready when you are.”

“Team four,” the Sarge said.

“Go for team four.”

“Start the countdown.”

“Copy. Starting countdown. T-minus ninety seconds.”

The van stopped next to a loading dock at the back of the hotel, and the truck pulled in behind it.

“Sixty seconds,” the man from team four announced.

“Radios on, night vision ready,” the Corporal said, “and everyone out.”

Teddy donned his earbud and night vision goggles, tilting the latter up so they were off his eyes, then he exited the truck with the others. More men climbed out of the van, including the Sarge.

This was the closest Teddy had been able to get to him so far, but he still wasn’t close enough.

The Sarge motioned everyone to a door on the dock, and they all jogged into position.

Over the radio came, “Fifteen seconds.”

The Sarge looked around. “No mistakes.”

The men answered with nods.

“Five... four... three... two... one...”

Chapter 69

In the ballroom, Bill Eggers and Herb Fisher smiled as Stone and Carly walked up to table number one.

“Stone,” Bill said, “we were starting to wonder if we would ever see you again.”

“What?” Stone said. “And deprive you of my charm? Never.” He shook Bill’s hand. “Congratulations on being honored tonight.”

“I think it was the only way they could get me to come to the dinner,” Bill said.

“You and me both.”

“Count me in on that,” Herb Fisher said.

Bill turned to Carly. “And here’s our rising star. Good evening, Carly.”

“Good evening.”

“Carly, don’t you have something to tell Herb?” Stone said.

Bill’s brow creased. “No one’s tried to poach you away from us already, have they?”

“Not officially.”

Her answer did not assuage Bill’s concern.

“Lance Cabot made an inquiry,” Stone said, “but I told him in no uncertain terms she was not available.”

“It’s my understanding he can be tenacious,” Bill said.

“He can be, but so can I. If he does talk to her, Carly and I have already agreed to have a very serious conversation about what a job with Lance would mean.” Stone smiled at Carly. “Isn’t that right?”

“Tell Lance no and talk to you,” she said.

“See,” Stone said to Bill, “nothing to worry about.”

Bill looked appeased.

“You haven’t said what you wanted to tell me yet,” Herb said.

“Oh, right,” Carly said. “I brought in another client. Cabrera Cosmetics.”

“One point five million in billing last year,” Stone said. “And they expect that to go up.”

“That’s fantastic,” Bill said. “At this rate, you’ll be a partner in a year.”

Carly looked at Stone. “See. That’s what I—”

Stone held a finger to his lips, stopping her, and tapped his temple to remind her that was one of those things to keep to herself.

“Right,” she said. “Sorry.”

“Congratulations, Carly,” Herb said. “You know, Stone, you seem to have already taken her under your wing. Maybe we should make it official, and make you her supervisor.”

“If I did that,” Stone said, “I’d miss out on watching your misery.”

They sat down, and a server approached.

“Some sauvignon blanc, sir?” the man asked Stone. “Or, if you prefer, my colleague has pinot noir.”

“Sauvignon blanc will be fine, thank you.”