'What's my cover here? I feel like an idiot, but I simply don't know. The field agent in the car said I was official, but official what? Who am I to these people?'
'Mitchell suggested that you say you're a representative from the State Department accompanying the congressman.'
'State?'
'Maybe he wants to blame somebody if things don't work out. I understand it's a popular pastime in Washington.'
'No, he isn't like that… Oh, I do see. If I have to give instructions, I'm in a position to do it.'
'Wouldn't you have to show a State Department ID if someone asked for it?' said Evan.
'Well… yes.'
'You mean you've got one?'
'Well, sort of.'
'That's illegal—’
'We wear different hats at different times, Evan.'
'You also have a gun. That Paiute Indian station chief in the Bahamas told me.'
'He shouldn't have.'
'You wouldn't also happen to work for the Mossad, would you,' said Weingrass, grinning.
'No, but you do—you have. And some of my closest friends do.'
'You're in good hands, bubbelah… More business. Mitchell wants Evan to look at the merchandise here—the one in the bedroom and the bodies; they're under sheets in the garage and they're leaving by air express during the night.'
'And the nurses have no idea they're out there?' said Kendrick, his tone disbelieving.
'Your friend Payton was adamant—fanatic, is more like it. “Containment, containment,” he kept saying over and over again.'
'How are you going to get them past that group of park rangers outside?'
'They've rented a van from Durango. It'll be left at the airport, where someone will pick it up and drive it out here. Then it'll be backed into the garage out of sight, the whole operation supervised by Payton's men. They seem to know what they're doing.'
'They do,' said Khalehla softly. 'Has anyone spoken to the girls about what they're to say, or rather, what they shouldn't say?'
'I did, and for once they took me seriously, but I don't know how long it'll last. They're still shook up and they don't know a quarter of what happened.'
'I'll get them together while you and Evan make your grisly rounds and back you up—very officially. MJ's right. I'll play State Department.'
'Why?' asked Evan. 'Just curious.'
'To keep the Agency out of it. We have no jurisdiction domestically and someone might just remember it and let her imagination run rampant. Simpler is better.'
'Very pro,' said Weingrass approvingly. 'So how do I introduce you?'
'I'm simply a Miss Adrienne from the Department of State. Do you mind lying?'
'Let me think,' said Manny, frowning. 'I once told a lie—I believe it was in July 1937… Let's go.' Grabbing Evan's arm and Khalehla's hand, Weingrass ushered them through the stone arch into the living room, shouting to the three nurses on the enclosed porch beyond. 'Herewith, my coven of uglies, is the true warlock! Pay homage to the man who pays for your sexual indulgences and your excessive cases of muscatel!'
'Manny!'
'They love me,' said Weingrass quietly, while striding across the floor. 'They throw dice for my bed.'
'For God's sake—’
