Free The Woman by David Bishop

could have been anyone. With my two men positioned in the alley, I went into a restaurant/bar where I have often been seen by the locals. I wanted the staff to be able to confirm I had been there when Darby went down.”
    “You could’ve stayed close enough to observe.”
    “To stay near the scene would offer the possibility of someone seeing me there. That would bring me into the investigation. Make it possible for some local to say, ‘The new guy in town. The one who’s always taking pictures, I saw him near the alley.’ Sea Crest is a small town. There was no need for that risk. I had two men handling a small task, and the target was a nonprofessional. To set my alibi, I had dinner and then drank until midnight.”
    “But something did go wrong,” Webster said, his eyes burning into Ryan’s.
    “Yes,” Testler admitted. “Something went wrong, that’s field ops. They often aren’t smooth.”
    “So what happened?”
    “I have no information on that, sir. When the men didn’t report back, I went to the alley after leaving the bar. They were both dead. I didn’t linger.”
    “You saying they bungled the job?”
    “That’s obvious, sir.”
    Webster frowned, and then got up from the couch. “You want something from the mini bar?”
    “No, thank you. I had my fill on the plane.”
    Webster sat back down forgetting about the mini bar. “Were these good men?”
    “I’ve used them several times. They are rough men. One is a great interrogator, and both would behave exactly as two hooligans. They were the right men for that job.”
    “The results don’t say so,” Webster said. “If you’re right about their skills, I can’t imagine any local being able to take them out.”
    “And certainly not the woman on her own,” Testler added. “What counter forces are in play?”
    “That’s not your concern.”
    “Look. I don’t really give a rip what you’re up to. You pay well and I do my job, but the fact remains that your damn compartmentalization complicates things. Had I known what other force might be in the field against my mission, I could have taken that opposition into account.”
    “Perhaps, but, need-to-know is the best policy. And you didn’t. Still don’t.”
    “Generally, sir, I agree. However, your not filling me in on that appears to have contributed to the failing.”
    “Be careful, Testler.” Webster said, pointing his finger. “I don’t tolerate insubordination.”
    “Now listen here, Webster, I have years of getting it done for you, always with proper restraint and respect. You asked for this report, ordered me back here to give it. That makes it my job to lay out what I know and the possibilities of what went wrong. I mentioned you not telling me of any possible forces only as part of that report, albeit mostly supposition.”
    “In that context, I accept your criticism.”
    “Thank you, sir. And, while I’m at it, let me add that I personally watched Linda Darby for more than a week, up close and from a distance. I tapped her phone and searched her home, including electronic surveillance. I even perused her email when she would go out for the night. I don’t believe you have anything with which to be concerned. In my judgment, Linda Darby knows nothing about Cynthia Leclair’s work at SMITH & CO., or that firm’s activities. Therefore, I recommend you leave Darby alone, and let things in Sea Crest return to normal. Another killing isn’t needed. Darby is not part of our world even tangentially. She is an innocent bystander.”
    “You may be right. But what if you are wrong? No. We must be sure. We must question her. Then, she must die.”
    “I don’t think that’s wise, sir.”
    “You aren’t paid to think beyond how best to carry out your assignments.”
    “Your judgment has always been superior,” Testler said, knowing he could not push it further without casting suspicion on his loyalty. “If you don’t have another assignment, then, sir, I think I’ll