Stone Barrington 06-11

and I became embroiled in an Agency operation that I didn’t even understand. I thought the whole thing was completely screwed up, until Lance explained that that was what I was supposed to think. He asked me to sign on as a consultant—Dino, too, and another friend of mine named Holly Barker. I was flattered, the money was good, and it sounded intriguing.”
    “And none of that turned out to be the case?”
    “All of it turned out to be the case, but I find myself in a position where I have to follow orders, something I have never enjoyed doing.”

    “Welcome to the club. Why does the Agency want Rodney Peeples?”
    “Look, we’ve got to agree on what to call him; it’s too confusing. Can we just call him Billy Bob?”
    “Oh, all right. Why do they want Billy Bob?”
    “I can’t tell you that, on penalty of God knows what. Why do you want him, Tiff? Surely that can’t be a secret, since you’re out of the picture anyway.”
    “The guy has pulled off a series of scams. He used the car dealership in San Mateo to screw a dozen loan companies out of millions, financing nonexistent cars; he used the accounting firm in Oklahoma to set up phony tax shelters that nobody in his right mind, except a doctor or dentist, would invest in, soaking a group of them for more than thirty million dollars; and now there are half a dozen Dallas zillionaires—all of them heavy contributors to Republican causes—who got rooked out of millions and who are screaming bloody murder and wanting Peep… Billy Bob’s balls nailed to the barn door, and people like that get listened to by this administration.”
    “Okay, I get the picture.”
    “And, as far as the AG is concerned, I dropped the ball. Shit, I went to that apartment to arrest him. I can’t help it if the Agency one-upped us.”
    “No you can’t,” Stone said sympathetically.
    “Try explaining that to the AG.”
    “What you need is a good dinner and lots of sex.”
    “You’re right, and that’s the only good idea I’ve heard all day.” She picked up a menu. “Let’s get started.”

27
    STONE GAZED UP at Tiff, who sat astride him, lit by shafts of moonlight through the window. Tiff was moving rhythmically up and down, a small smile on her face.
    “I’ve got an idea,” she said.
    “Better than this one?” Stone asked, panting.
    “Nothing to do with this.”
    “Then let’s concentrate on this and talk about it later.”
    “What’s the matter, can’t you think about two things at once?”
    “Not at the moment.” He gave her a bigger thrust.
    “Oooo,” she said. “Being able to hold two opposing thoughts at once is a sign of high intelligence.”
    “I’m thinking about this and doing it at the same time. That’s as smart as I get.”
    “Come now, Stone.”
    “I’m trying.”
    “Can you watch a TV movie and do a crossword at the same time?”
    “If the movie’s bad enough.”
    “So, the sex would have to be bad for you to be able to discuss my idea at the same time?”
    “Bad sex is an oxymoron.”

    “Surely you’ve had bad sex at some time.”
    “Not that I can recall.”
    “You’re getting smaller, I can feel it.”
    “You’re distracting me.”
    She reached behind her and took his testicles in her hand. “Is this distracting?”
    “Not in the least.” He thrust again.
    “I see I’ve got your undivided attention.”
    “You have.”
    “So, can we discuss my idea now?”
    Stone thrust again.
    “Now you’re trying to distract me.”
    “Is it working?”
    “Sort of.”
    “Then concentrate on the task at hand.”
    “You think of this as a task ?” she said.
    “I was speaking figuratively.”
    “You like my figure, then?”
    “Oh, yeah.”
    She bent over him and swung her breasts across his lips. “Have some.”
    He caught a nipple and gently bit it.
    “What were we talking about?” she asked.
    Stone thrust again. “Coming.”
    She increased her tempo. “Now?”
    “Yes, oh, yes!”
    “Me, too!”
    They both made noises for a little while, then she rolled over and lay beside him. “Now can we talk about my idea?”
    “Talk?” Stone panted. “I can’t even move my lips.”
    “You don’t need to; I’ve seen to that.”
    He took a deep breath and expelled it. “Okay, what’s your idea?”

    “My idea is that you should tell me everything you know about the CIA’s investigation of Peep… Billy Bob.”
    “Have you had much experience with the CIA?” he asked.
    “Not really.”
    “Then you