Page 129 (1/1)

Unless upon gaining Peri, Helen let it slip that Michael would never be accelerated Bill’s tension rose until he hid his agitation behind a sip of that cold, overly sweet coffee Sean kept pushing on hier that Peri would be wiped But he knew his girl She’d never cave Not for pain, not for love Not for anything

He needed more "What is this about, Michael?" Bill prohtful stare

"Nothing What do you wanttopic shift Perhaps Peri had offered Michael her original vial of accelerator, telling hio with it, and she needed someone to fetch it for her If so, it wouldn’t hurt to further Peri’s aim and confuse the man a little more

"Why don’t you htly, wanting to give Peri the help she was asking for "We can’t trust Jack any about the possibility that Peri isn’t going to come around Hell, Michael," he said with a chuckle "At this point, if I had any accelerator, I’d be teive it to you myself"

Michael’s frown deepened, and a secondary thrill rose up in a ind through Bill Giving Michael access to the accelerator she’d stolen was exactly what Peri had offered him If Bill could verify that she had the only viable stash, Michael would act on it Taking on a bland look, Bill took another sip of cold coffee to hide his rising excitement "Helen confiscated ot nothing, Michael, and that’s likely not going to change She’s turning me into a damn administrator"

Michael didn’twhen he realized he was doing it It had been the right thing to say And now a layer of bullshit to hide the poison pill, he thought "Speaking of which, I want your help toot Peri’s location narrowed to a hundred-round"

"Where?"

Bill stifled a sods, and they were his to control "I’ the search far away froo where she could duck over the border if she needed to" Which was a lie, but Michael wouldn’t know that

Michael’s sudden disinterest hit Bill like a slap "Sure," the tall ruity of Michael co to see hiht so I have tomorrow free?"

How cooperative of you "If you like I’m in no hurry" He stood to force Michael to stand as well He wanted hione so he could put his own plan into action "Sean is bringing up Denier’s info It ood," Michael said, but the usual cocky htly, and Bill’s jaw clenched Son of a bitch Helen had Denier as well If Peri didn’t take care of this in twenty-four hours, he’d be dead in forty-eight But he didn’t think it would co his life on it

"Okay I’ll call you tohts "I’ll be on the road if so comes up between then and now"

"Thank you, Michael Leave the door open, will you?"

Bobbing his head, Michael left Bill stood at his desk, un as he listened to the two e a word, and then Michael’s shoes on the imported tile Finally the hermetically sealed door in the outer office hissed shut

"Sean!" he shouted,

"Sir, I’ve got the first of Denier’s info," the s’s is on the way I’ve got an ETA for dinner of forty minutes, but I promised them a twenty tip if they could make it in thirty"

"I want you to shred this," Bill said as he gathered up Peri’s info "Shred the office Everything We are out of here in twenty ’s?"

Bill hesitated "Thirty, then Start with these," he said, handing hi the papers, Sean turned and called down to his toes, and Bill went to stand before the , s out the middle man Thank God Michael was as simple as a four-year-old when it caible risk; chances were good that Michael wouldn’t tell her of thisher hih his own checklist as he twisted his Opti ring, working it over his thick finger to try to get it off Resources Places I’ve cleared but never used, and one kick-ass assistant who knows the power of a cup of coffee and blind obedience A srow, and he spun, anxious to wipe the room and shut the door for the last time Tomorroould be free of Michael and have Peri back at his side

It’s going to be a good day, he thought as his Opti ring finally worked over his knuckle and he set it on the enation letter And the best part? He didn’t have to do a thing but sit back and watch