'One and the same.'
'Figures,' I said, paraphrasing Rink. 'I take it that what you're not telling me is that you've no one in Little Rock, Arkansas.'
'I don't doubt we've got agents there, Hunter, but not on anything you're involved in.'
'You're sure about that?'
'How can you doubt me? I don't have anyone on your case. Okay?'
'Okay, that's good enough for me.' I paused, considering my next words. It was a gamble mentioning anything about the job I was involved in, but it was probably too late for that now. By calling Walter, I'd guaranteed that the CIA would indeed be watching me from now on. 'What about my brother, John Telfer?'
Up in his office at Langley, Walter Hayes Conrad IV went silent.
'I take it by your silence that his name means something to you?'
Walter breathed into the mouthpiece. Was that remorse?
'It does, Hunter, but not for the reason you're thinking.'
'I'm thinking you've got guys on him.'
'Nope. It's not that at all.'
Judging by the ache between my eyebrows, my face was fertile ground begging for a frown. I was afraid to ask. 'What is it then?'
'I take it you haven't looked at the TV lately?'
'No time for TV.'
'Make time. If you're interested in John Telfer, you'd better get yourself acquainted with CNN. Telfer's currently their number one news slot.'
I turned from the phone. 'You got a TV, Harve?'
'Got one at home. Why?'
'What about your computer? Can you get CNN?'
'The news channel? Sure.'
'Do me a favor and log on, will you?'
Harvey's eyebrows danced toward his shaved head. Rink was watching me expectantly. A shrug was all I offered before turning my attention back to Walter. 'I'm just about to take a look now.'
'Might explain a thing or two.'
'So what's the deal?' I asked him.
'Take a look and make up your own mind.'
'Fair enough,' I said. 'But you're telling me this isn't anything to do with you?'
'No matter how many ways I tell you no, you're still going to have reservations, Hunter.'
'Old habits die hard,' I told him.
'You doubt my honesty, but that's okay, I don't bear any grudges. If I were in your shoes, I'd be the same. For the record, I'll say it again. Then it's up to you . . .' His breath came slow and steady. The pause was not for his benefit. Bad news was coming. 'The CIA is not on your case. We're not on your brother's case. But then again, I can't speak for the rest of the civilized world. Or the FBI, in particular.'
'The FBI?'
'Just watch the news. You'll see what I mean.'
'Okay, Walt. I appreciate your help.'
'No problem,' he said. 'Good speaking to you again, Hunter.'
'Likewise.' I paused, considering. Then, 'Walt, seeing as you've been so open with me, there's something I have to tell you.'
'Go on.'
'I was involved in a job an hour or so ago. Guy I was up against said he'd been visited by some of your boys asking about John.'
'Wasn't us.'
'I appreciate that. But I think you might want to look into who's going round posing as government agents. Might cause a stink for you if something goes wrong.'
'I get it now. That's why you wanted to check in with me?'
'Yeah. Just in case I have to defend myself.'
'They're not mine, Hunter. So . . .
Stay safe. This from a sub-division director of black ops. In other words, Walter had just given official sanction to retaliate with lethal force if that situation should arise. What's known in the trade as an executive decision.
'Thanks, Walt.'
