Mistress

Chapter 92

I leave Andrei’s house tied up in knots. I’ve now confirmed that there’s a video, which is crucial. But I’ve also confirmed that it’s not a sex tape of the president and his mistress, which is just as significant. And that means I screwed up this morning, when I tried to bluff Craig Carney. And it’s going to cost me.

Carney’s smart, very smart. When I told him I had a copy of the video, he challenged me. He asked me what was on the video. And I gave the wrong answer. So now he knows I’m bluffing.

The video, I now see, has been my chit all along. Carney’s been pressuring me in every way imaginable-threats of prosecution, threats against Anne, shutting down my website, and freezing my assets-but he hasn’t gone all the way and let the local cops arrest me yet. Of course not. Because he was afraid I had a copy of the video and I’d make it public. He was never sure if I had that video.

But now he knows I don’t.

I’ve been playing checkers while the CIA has been playing chess. And now we’re at checkmate. Craig Carney has no fear of me now.

I call my lawyer, Eddie Volker. I assume he’s been trying to reach me but doesn’t know how.

“Ben, I’ve been trying to reach you,” he says when he answers. “I’ve got some bad news.”

I take a long breath and look to the sky. “The Metropolitan Police Department has issued a warrant for my arrest,” I say.

“Yeah, that’s right. How did you know?”

“Let me guess,” I say. “It was issued about, oh, ten thirty or so this morning.”

“That’s right. How did you know that?”

Because I got off the phone with Carney about ten fifteen this morning. He wasted no time, I see. As soon as he realized I didn’t have the video, he pulled the trigger. He took the leash off of Detective Liz Larkin.

“You have to turn yourself in,” says Eddie. “Every cop in this town is hunting for you. You’re a cop killer to them, Ben. You don’t stand a chance.”