"Mayor White was shot and killed. The killer shot him in the head, then threw him down from above the atrium."
In the banquet hall, agents had herded everyone against the wall and lined them up. Only Benjamin stood in the center of the hall, announcing Mayor White's cause of death in a somewhat indifferent tone.
He had stated plenty of things that were obvious to everyone, so impatience showed on many faces. But even worse news was waiting for them.
"I have just received orders from my superiors. To prevent another large-scale wave of spy assassinations like the last one, I must ensure the safety of all important figures on the East Coast."
"From this moment on, no one may leave the Mayor's Mansion. Agents will soon arrange for you to rest in separate guest rooms..."
The crowd erupted, but just as they were about to loudly condemn Benjamin for his audacity, his next words landed on everyone like a bucket of cold water.
"I believe you have all heard the recent uproar over Philby's body case on the radio. You may think those commentators were talking nonsense when they said there was a larger conspiracy behind it, but I can tell you that is not the case."
"Kim Philby, a Soviet spy who infiltrated MI6 and rose to a high position, left behind an important list before his death—a list of Soviet spies embedded in the intelligence networks of Europe and America. We call it the 'Philby List.'"
"According to reliable informants, Philby gave that list to a mysterious agent who had always maintained single-line contact with him. Over years of investigation, it was discovered that every clue pointed to the American East Coast."
The fervent discussions in the hall gradually quieted. Everyone knew that at a time