Ohlhauser gave another compliant nod that looked to Court like a man trying desperately to stall for a few moments until he could think of something to say that would get him out of this situation.
Court said, “I can see you don’t believe me. If I let you go today, will that help convince you I didn’t smoke Babbitt?”
Court saw a hint of optimism on his face. Then Ohlhauser nodded with conviction.
Court said, “Cool. Now, next item of business. The shoot on sight. You give me the truth, and you live. You bullshit me, and you die. What did Denny tell you that got you to sign the term order?”
Ohlhauser looked down at the floor of the train car for several seconds.
Court kicked his foot gently. “Talk. Don’t think. Talk.”
“Denny said you assassinated the wrong man on an operation in Italy. You did it intentionally, in violation of clear and unmistakable orders.”
Court did not react to this; he just kept scanning the car. A couple of days ago hearing this lie from Travers left him gobsmacked, but now he expected it. He simply replied, “Not true. Denny wants me terminated because of what I know about AAP.”
Court glanced again at Ohlhauser and watched the man furrow his brow. Confusion on his face. Ohlhauser kept looking down at the floor.
Court said, “It’s an old program I used to be involved in. Called the Autonomous Asset—”
Ohlhauser looked up and interrupted him. “I know what AAP is. Hell, I drafted the finding that sanctioned the program.”
“What?” Court said. “You looked surprised when I mentioned AAP. Why?”
“I was only surprised that you think the shoot on sight against you has anything to do with that program. Why on earth would Denny term you for your old job?”
“I don’t know why. All I know is that all the other operators from AAP are dead.”
“Is that right?”
“Yes. I’m the last one. Denny needs to silence me. To remove the compromise.”
Max rubbed his face. His eyes under his glasses. A nervous affectation. “Look, Violator, I hate to break this to you, but your theory doesn’t make a bit of sense.”
“Why do you say that?”
Another rub of the face. The skin of his thick cheeks reddened. “Because AAP is still up and running. Under another name. I mean . . . I’ve been out of the Agency for just two years, and it was going strong when I left.”
Court sat back in his seat. The train came to a stop at the Farragut North station. Several people got on. Court scanned them perfunctorily, but his mind was on Ohlhauser’s assertion. When it started rolling again, Court said, “I don’t believe you.”
Max shrugged. “Why would I lie about that?”
“But—”
“BACK BLAST, Violator. Denny came to me because of BACK BLAST.”
Court shook his head violently. “Forget BACK BLAST, it’s just a cover story Denny is using. I did nothing wrong.”
Max sighed. “I just know what I was told, and I was told you took a payoff from the Serbs to kill the wrong man.”
Court stared at Max. “The Serbs?”
“That’s what Denny said.”
“Then Denny is a goddamned liar. When I worked for the U.S. government I never took a cent from anyone other than the U.S. government.”
Ohlhauser shrugged. “I guess Denny is the man you need to see.”
Court’s jaw flexed. “Don’t worry. I’ll be seeing Denny.” Court took his eyes off the other passengers in the car now, just as it began to slow before the next station, and he looked at the man in the red bow tie. He got the impression the man wanted to say something, but was holding back. “What is it?”
“You say you did what you thought was right on BACK BLAST. If that’s true, then the shoot on sight wasn’t justified. But I did what I thought was right when I signed the shoot on sight, so you kidnapping me or . . . or worse. That’s not any more justified.”
“Spoken like a lawyer facing an armed man.”
Ohlhauser shook his head. “Maybe you killed the wrong guy. Maybe by me signing that paper, I signed the death warrant for the wrong guy.” He heaved his shoulders. “I’m truly sorry if I acted with bad information, but I did not act in bad faith. I did what Denny asked me to do. That is all.”
“You were a rubber stamp for Denny Carmichael.”
Max leaned forward. “You’re damn right I was. And you were the tip of Denny’s spear. We’re the same, you and me.”
Court just switched gears. He didn’t want to hear anything more about Denny Carmichael and Operation BACK BLAST. He said, “This new iteration of the Autonomous Asset Program. Where is it located?”
Ohlhauser answered immediately. “How would I know that? I am out of the Agency, and even when I was in the Agency, I wasn’t operational side.”
“Did they move it? It used to be in a compound at Harvey Point.”
“I’m telling you, Violator. I don’t have a clue.”
The train stopped at the Dupont Circle station. Court fought his anger and frustration at reaching another dead end, and he stood quickly. He just wanted to get back to his room, to regroup, and to come up with some other options.