"So the so-called meeting was breaking into the CIA deputy director's home to open his safe and steal documents, while also swindling some dirty money earmarked for storage from a member of Congress?" Stephanie nodded with interest and sat down in the hotel's single-seater armchair. "If I'd known, I would have gone with you. My own deal was incredibly boring. The Black Armored Interrogators have confirmed that prince's identity, and everything else is proceeding according to protocol. All I had to do was play a clueless buyer. This was a gift from them—a box of cigars. Consider it today's haul. What were you trying to find in the CIA deputy director's safe, my lord? We could have sent assassins or spies for something like this. You didn't need to do it yourself."
"It was a promise, Stephanie." Salomon walked to the window and pulled back the curtains. Afternoon sunlight poured through the glass, glimmering across the rich amber body of the brandy. He raised the glass, smelled it, then took a sip. "The second half of this task was being handled by someone else. All I needed to do was give that person an opportunity."
"Your mission isn't over?"
"No. There's still the revenge part. Once I finish this drink, we'll head to the airport and leave Washington. Washington won't be very safe for the next few days, so don't get dragged into this mess." Salomon said, "Remember to bring the cigars. I'm sure they taste excellent. I can smell them even with the lid still closed."
"I don't believe a CIA deputy director and a member of Congress would turn Washington upside down over their little secrets."
"Indeed, they wouldn't. But what my friend intends to do goes beyond that."
Over the next few days, tension spread across every