AGENT WORKMAN WAS outside Kristin’s building when Teddy emerged the next morning. Teddy wondered if it was proprietary, if the young agent had designs on Kristin. It was not unlikely, and it would complicate things somewhat, and make his motives more difficult to sort out.
Kristin was still sleeping. Teddy wondered if Workman would follow him, or stay behind to confront her. He walked down the street a block. Workman was following him. Teddy wondered if it was too early for the train station. He thought not. He hailed a cab, and took it to the Gare de Lyon Railway Station. He went inside and opened the box of Arnold Mycroft.
Teddy went outside prepared to ditch the young agent, but he didn’t have to. Workman stayed behind, presumably to search the locker.
Teddy hailed a cab and took it to the Café du Soleil.
Jacques was at his table. He looked pleased with himself. He could barely contain himself while Teddy ordered coffee.
“I have all the details,” Jacques said. “I don’t know what to make of them, but I found the connection.”
“What do you mean?”
“It turns out the men I flagged are all registered for a conference at l’Arrington next week. It’s a science conference and exhibition with over fourteen hundred attendees.”
“A science conference? What are they exhibiting?”
“Rare animals.”
Teddy blinked “What?”
“That’s right. In addition to presentations and lectures, there will be select exhibits of rare animals and insects. Top zoologists from around the world will be attending.”
“As well as foreign arms dealers?”
“Yes, but not many. They’re what tipped me off to the convention, but their presence is not at all significant.”
“How can that be?”
“Well, in the Syrian party, for instance, we have Fahd Kassin—a Syrian strongman, but not an arms dealer—his bodyguard, and three zoologists. Their interest would seem to be entirely in the animals. Fahd is likely accompanying the party to keep the scientists in check.”
“What about the other arms dealers?”
“The same thing—all are part of a party that includes primarily zoologists.”
Teddy frowned. “And what are people doing at this conference?”
“They have talks and panels and presentations scheduled, as well as a banquet.”
“Which the Syrians are attending?”
“Yes. In fact, I hacked their website and downloaded their program. All the Syrians, and all the other men flagged, are attending one particular panel. It’s a closed panel, by invitation only. ‘Rarest of the Rare,’ a lecture by a renowned biology professor.”
“I see.”
“There is one other common thread. Several of the conference attendees are also big-game hunters.”
Teddy mouth dropped open. “And they’re all attending that panel?”
“Yes, all of them.”
“So there may be more to that panel than meets the eye. Keep digging. Let me know if you find something.”
“How can I reach you?”
Teddy took out a spare burner phone and gave it to him. “Text me from this phone. No message, just an address. I’ll meet you there.”
“What address?”
“Choose someplace touristy, where there will be a lot of people. You don’t have to say when. I’ll come right away. Just text me where and go.”
“You think it’s that important?”
“Something has to be.”