“Bingo.”
“Thanks, Dino.”
“Always happy to help.”
The funeral may have been private, but from the crowd working its way into the church, the invitations MI6 sent out must have gone to anyone who had even a tangentialconnection to Felicity. All were clad in black or gray, and conversations were held in hushed, respectful tones.
“Turn to your right,” Felicity instructed Stone.
He did so.
“Left,” she said.
He turned again.
“The bald man two meters in front of you, try to get his face on camera.”
He frowned and did what she wanted without seeming suspicious.
He had barely accomplished the feat when Felicity said, “The woman you just passed, in the gray Chanel dress.”
He tilted his head down and whispered, “I’m not a pinball.”
“Don’t be so dramatic,” she said.
His complaint seemed to have done the trick, however, as she stopped giving him directions.
Now that he wasn’t being pulled every which way, Stone was able to scan the crowd in a more natural manner. He saw a news anchor from BBC, several high-ranking members of the British government, and a few people he’d met at dinner parties Felicity had thrown over the years.
He and Dino entered the nave, where the pews were quickly filling up. Standing near the front was the prime minister, talking with an older gentleman who Stone didn’t recognize.
“Of course he’d show up,” Felicity said.
“The prime minister?” Stone whispered.
“What? No. Well, I mean, yes. Of course, the prime minister is there. But I wasn’t talking about him.”
She didn’t offer any further explanation.
Soon, Stone and Dino were settled in a row near the middle,between an older couple who seemed to be ignoring each other and a man in his forties, with fidgety hands.
“Who’s that?” Felicity asked.
To Dino, Stone said, “The next time we see our friend, remind me to tell her that without a bit more information, I have no idea who she was talking about.”
“If I must,” Dino said, catching on this time.
“Oh, for God’s sake,” Felicity said. “The man sitting on your left. He was only in the frame for a moment.”
Stone turned in the direction of the man sitting alone, then he looked toward the back of the church, as if he was searching for a friend.
“You’re too close,” she said. “Lean back a little.”
Stone tilted back into Dino’s shoulder.
“Huh,” Felicity said noncommittally.
“You know I’m sitting here, right?” Dino asked.
