Stone met Teddy in the bar. “You look rested,” Stone said.
“I got some sleep. I shouldn’t have. Margo Sappington? The lawyer who bugged your phone?”
“What about her?”
“She’s dead.”
“What?”
“Of an apparent suicide.”
“Why do you say apparent?”
“Give me a break. Did that girl strike you as someone with suicidal tendencies?”
“Certainly not.”
“She didn’t strike me that way, either. But Holly and I talked to her, and the next thing you know she’s gobbling barbiturates.”
“That’s not her.”
“That may not fit her personality profile, but she’s certainly dead.”
“What do the police think?”
“I couldn’t say. They should be getting there about now.”
“I’m not sure I understand.”
“It’s probably better that way.”
“What about the photo on the news of the Middle Eastern suspect?”
“He’s the shooter.”
“Is that confirmed?”
“It is for me. He’s traveling with a phony driver’s license.”
“Why didn’t they release the name?”
“They don’t have it.”
“Do you?”
Teddy smiled.
“Shouldn’t you tell airport security?”
“No need. They have his photo. He’s on a no-fly watch list. He’s not going anywhere. Putting out his name would only tell the kidnappers we know, and get an old friend of mine killed.”
“Well, you know best,” Stone said. “Listen. I’ve got news, and it’s not good.”
“Oh?”
Stone set the padded envelope on the table.
“What’s this?”
“A bloody fingertip. It was delivered to the Speaker this morning. Probably his daughter’s.”
“Shit.”
“Here’s her rap sheet. You can compare the print and make sure.”
“It’s hers. These guys don’t bluff.”
“The Speaker’s a basket case. They’re asking him to go on TV and denounce his own party. I think he’s going to do it.”
“And God knows what they’ll ask him then.” Teddy exhaled. “All right. This is a wake-up call. We’ve got to speed things along.”