Free Hitman: Enemy Within by William C. Dietz

which he was in control? Yes, the Greek decided, that was exactly what he was doing. And it served to amplify the anger Thorakis felt whenDouay finally saw fit to acknowledge him.
    “It was reckless of you to come here,”Douay said sternly.
    “Really?”Thorakis replied heatedly. “That’s amusing, coming from you! Are you and your people insane
    ? I just came from a board meeting where I learned that you and the rest of your morons sent a female operative to eliminate Agent 47, and she failed! That led to a very well-publicized massacre inYakima , followed by an explosion inSeattle , and a great deal of unfortunate news coverage.
    “So, how dare you lecture me on what is and isn’t reckless!” he said, standing and placing his fists on the desk.
    Both ofDouay ’s security people were on their feet by that time, but the Frenchman waved them off. When he spoke, his voice was calm.
    “The attempt to eliminate Agent 47 was a failure,” the Frenchman acknowledged soothingly. “However, I assure you that the mistake will be rectified. And I want you to know that the decision to kill 47 wasn’t made lightly. Comparative analysis shows that while he accounted for a mere three percent of the hits carried out by The Agency during the last fiscal year, those sanctions were the most difficult contracts the organization took on, and therefore constituted 37.2 percent of the organization’s gross profit.
    “That makes 47 the most valuable asset The Agency has.So, were the Puissance Treize to eliminate him, it would better position our company to compete for the lucrative upmarket jobs—those exhibiting a difficulty quotient of seven or better. That’s where the serious money is. Do you follow our reasoning?”
    Not only did Thorakis follow the man’s cold-blooded logic, he found that he admired the audacity of it, if not the ham-handed manner in which the plan had been carried out. And given the Frenchman’s conciliatory tone, the shipping magnate felt his anger begin to melt away. But that left the fear, which, since he had just come from The Agency’s board meeting, was considerable.
    “Yes,” he said gravely, “I follow your reasoning. And I apologize if my comments came across as being intemperate. But there is tremendous reason for concern. After the attempt on Agent 47’s life, The Agency immediately went to work trying to find the leak. They’re busy conducting an exhaustive review of the lower echelon people right now, but it’s only a matter of time before they begin to look at senior management.”
    Douaystarted to say something at that point, but Thorakis threw up a hand.
    “Wait. There’s more. The decision has been made to send Agent 47 after your assassin…in the hope that she will lead him to a person who can reveal the traitor’s identity. And that’s why I’m here. According to the briefing they gave to the board, Agent 47 followed Marla Norton toFez,Morocco , where she’s living under the protection of a man named Al-Fulani. Does he know about our agreement?
    Because if he does, and if 47 were to gain control of him, then I’m a dead man.”
    “No, he does not,”Douay lied smoothly. “Your identity is a closely guarded secret. Only three people know who you are, and Al-Fulani isn’t one of them.”
    That was exactly what Thorakis wanted to hear, so the magnate felt a tremendous sense of relief, and even managed a smile.
    “Good. None of us are immortal…I know that,” he said. “But I’m not ready to go—not yet!”
    “Nor am I!”Douayagreed jovially, as he rose to come around the desk. “So, now that you’re here, will you join me for lunch?”
    “Thank you, but no,” Thorakis replied. “I have allergies, you know, and my chef is back at the hotel. Perhaps next time, though.”
    “Yes, next time,” the Frenchman agreed politely.“Although it’s important to be circumspect. And with that in mind, perhaps you would allow my security people to take you out through the