“NYPD, yes. Not feds. But there’s a solid case for immunity.” Metzger’s law degree had been gathering dust for years but he’d looked up In re Neagle and related cases very carefully before taking on the job here. He could recite the conclusion of that case in his sleep: That federal officials could not be prosecuted for state crimes, provided they were acting within the scope of their authority.

“Ah, right, immunity,” the Wizard said. “We’ve looked into that, of course.”

Already? But Metzger wasn’t really surprised.

A viscous pause. “You’re happy that everything was within the scope of authority, Shreve?”

“Yes.”

Please, Lord, let me keep the Smoke inside now.

“Excellent. Now, it was Bruns who was the specialist, right?”

Either no names or code names over the phone, however well encrypted.

“Yes.”

“The police talked to him?”

“No. He’s deep cover. There’s no way anyone could find him.”

“Of course I don’t need to say—he knows to be careful.”

“He’s taking precautions. Everybody is.”

A pause. “Well, enough said about that matter. I’ll let you take care of it.”

“I will.”

“Good. Because it turns out some Intelligence Committee budget discussions have come up. Suddenly. Can’t understand why. Nothing scheduled but you know those committees. Looking over where the money’s going. And I just wanted to tell you that for some reason—it really frosts me, I’ll say—NIOS is in their sights.”

No Smoke but Metzger was stunned. He couldn’t say anything.

The Wizard steamed forward. “Nonsense, isn’t it? You know we fought hard to get your outfit up and running. Some people were pretty concerned about it.” A laugh that seemed utterly devoid of humor. “Our liberal friends didn’t like the idea of what you were up to at all. Some of our friends on the other side of the aisle didn’t like the fact you were taking business away from Langley and the Pentagon. Rock and a hard place.

“Anyway. Probably nothing’ll come of it. Ah, money. Why does it always come down to money? So. How’re Katie and Seth?”

“They’re fine. Thanks for asking.”

“Glad to hear it. Have to go, Shreve.”

They disconnected.

Oh, Jesus.

This was bad.

What the cheerful Wizard with his serge wizard suit and brash socks and his dark razor-sharp eyes had actually been saying was: You took out a U.S. citizen on the basis of bad intel and if the case goes to trial in state court it’s going to bleed all the way to Oz. A lot of people down in the capital would be keeping a very close eye on New York and the results of the Moreno matter. They were fully prepared to send a shooter of their own after NIOS itself—figurative, of course, in the form of gutted budget. The Service would be out of business in six months.