The Coil by Gayle Lynds Page A

assassins, and the Carnivore was one of them, you were an inevitable target. Anyone who was threatened by the existence of records had already hired a killer at least once, when they hired your father. If they thought you might have evidence of what they’d done, your life wouldn’t be worth an unpaid parking ticket. At the same time, anyone who wanted the files would come after you, too—any way they could. Including abducting your cousin.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell me all of this when we first met? Why try to fool me?”
    â€œAsher was in and out of consciousness, not always making sense. We needed to be certain what happened, and that took time. But because Langley thought the attack on them might be linked to the one on you, I was sent to stand by.”
    She took a deep breath. “Did Langley order my TV series canceled?”
    â€œWe applied pressure,” he admitted. “Now that it’s off the public stage, the threat against you may lessen. We want nothing to compromise our search for Sarah.”
    â€œOr for the files.”
    He shrugged. “Of course.”
    She turned the Toyota onto the Mission Street ramp to the 101 and accelerated west toward the airport. “Okay, so there are two groups involved. The first is Sarah’s kidnappers, who demand the files as ransom. And the second is whoever sent the guy to kill me. Either they’re afraid something incriminating in the alleged files will come out, or they’ve got the files and are worried I’ll help figure out who they are.”
    â€œYes, that’s what we think.”
    â€œWhat’s the situation in Paris now?”
    â€œWe’ve got it under dark wrap. The last thing any of us wants is headlines that one of the Cold War’s top assassins kept records, and that the wife of a CIA officer is being held until we cough them up. To prevent leaks, we’re working closely with the Sûreté, but only with the Sûreté. No other agencies inside or outside France. The hotel staff’s been told Asher was injured in an armed robbery and that Sarah’s been staying with him at the hospital. At the same time, the hospital’s been informed Sarah’s so overwrought that she’s confined to her hotel room, medicated.”
    â€œWhat about the hotel employee who made the dinner reservations?”
    â€œThe concierge. We interviewed him but came up with nothing. He’s being watched.”
    â€œAnd my purpose?”
    â€œYou’re going to buy us time to rescue Sarah. Since the kidnappers were good enough to sandbag Asher and snatch Sarah, we figure they’re smart enough to put their people out to keep tabs, but to do it in such a way that we won’t spot them. When they see you, they’ll think you’re there to arrange the transfer, which means we’re trying to fulfill their demands. That should relieve some of their tension. A lot of the time, kidnappers kill their victims because the pressure’s gotten to them, long before it’s time to collect their loot. They grow antsy and fearful and start imagining the worst.”
    Unfortunately, he was right. One more thing to worry about. “What exactly do you want me to do?”
    â€œVisit Asher first, but pretend to be Sarah, so we can keep the cover story going. If anyone asks, you’re over the terrible shock and want to visit your husband. We’re hoping he’ll remember more when he sees you. Then go to the hotel. You may spot a clue we missed in our search. We want you to use it as if it were your own room.”
    â€œAs Sarah?”
    â€œAs Sarah,” he confirmed. “That way, the hotel won’t need any explanations. Of course, the kidnappers will know it’s you.”
    â€œWhat are you doing to find her?”
    â€œOur people are out on the streets, as well as making discreet inquiries among certain contacts we or the Sûreté have found useful in