Page 141 of The Session

Mark followed Tru back to Lightman and Marnie’s private bungalow, where Lightman was on the phone. Mark noticed two other phones lying on the coffee table. He fingered Kevin’s locked phone in his pocket.

“What about the judge?” Lightman was asking the person on the other end of the line.

Marnie ushered Mark and Tru over to the large glass table in the adjoining living room.

“This isn’t good,” she murmured.

“What’s going on?” Tru asked.

“He’ll explain when he’s done, but Morris has gone missing,” Marnie told them. “Left the event without being seen.”

“It looks like he decided not to wait,” Mark said, looking to Tru.

Lightman swore and ended the call. “I just spoke to Brody,” he told them.

“What did he say?” Marnie asked.

Lightman looked to Mark. “Brody is our go-to. He’s outside the org and probably the one person we can trust now.”

“What’s the deal with Morris?” Tru asked.

“I’ve been blind,” Lightman replied. “So stupid.”

“Let’s not worry about that now. Tell us what Brody said,” Marnie urged.

“He says the French government has issued a red notice to have me arrested. It hasn’t made its way through the Bahamian channels yet, but word is that’s going to happen any moment,” he explained.

French? Mark thought. He hadn’t been able to place Diane’s accent, but it could be. He wondered if he should speak up—but decided to listen.

“Arrested for what?” Tru asked.

Lightman shook his head and sat down.

“I don’t know. There have been rumors about trying to go after me for some bullshit euro tax thing, but as far as I know, nothing came of it. It was a bit of a farce anyway—just their typical pattern of harassment. But a red notice . . . that’s another level.”

“A red notice—is that like an arrest warrant?” Mark asked.

“Basically. It’s used by European countries when they want someone apprehended.”

“We should go to Belize. They can’t extradite you from there,” Marnie suggested.

“No,” Lightman said forcefully. “I’m not running.”

“But we have no idea what the charges are. Morris could have been setting this up for a long time,” Tru said.

Morris was Diane’s insider, Mark realized. What had he told her?

“I still can’t believe it would be him,” Lightman muttered.

“I don’t see him here helping to solve this,” Mark pointed out.

“Exactly. If he’s gone to such great lengths to deceive you, imagine what he has in store next,” Marnie added.

“Not to mention Kevin,” Tru said.

“I can’t even think about that,” said Lightman, putting up his hands. “Morris may be trying to take me out, but through Kevin? I don’t even understand why.”

“Because you already looked weak, Max. I love you,” said Marnie, “but I have to be honest with you. You’ve just not been yourself for the last several years. And at least with Kevin, if he came in and took over things, it could’ve been different.”