Stern had a finally honed sense of danger. It had served him well for many years. It led him to those who could help him and away from those who were against him. Harding would be a challenge to neutralize. He was a public figure. The challenge would be taking him out while implicating him in the theft, then getting away clear and clean. Stern was also a semipublic figure, if a shadow could be considered public.
He’d gone to his office after leaving Harding wallowing in his own fears, but Stern’s sense of unease grew too strong for confinement. He needed to be out, where he’d have a clear sight line ahead of him and his back protected.
He let himself out the private entrance, where no cameras monitored his comings and goings, and crossed to his car. Inside, he shoved the key into the ign
