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"And Nick Gladstone was a friend ofchild when I was first starting out I owe him"

The executive suite on the 24th floor of the Denver hotel provided the private detective tea room, and a kitchen None of them liked to cook, so kitchens were only used toroom table already held six laptops, a printer, and two opened briefcases

Carl came away from theand sat down on the other end of the sofa "I reirl abandoned in an old Chevy pickup truck north of Denver That was right after Jackie helpedcompany on my worthless ex-wife"

"Was she still alive?"

Carl answered, "Unfortunately, ex-wives are never polite enough to die"

Michael chuckled "I irl"

"Oh Little Alicia was found alive and hopping ot up to answer it "Food, at last" He disappeared into the foyer, opened the door wide, and then closed it behind a waiter pushing a cart "In there," he said, pointing to the living roouest arrives?" he asked Jackie "I'ry"

Jackie looked at her watch "He said half an hour, and that was alo" She watched as the waiter looked at the cluttered table, and then searched for someplace else to set out their lunch "How about the coffee table?" Jackie asked

The waiter nodded and began to transfer the tray of sandwiches and condiments, a pot of coffee, and four cups to the coffee table He carefully laid out the silverware on a fan of cloth napkins, and then left the suite

"Yuhter He looked at Jackie and slowly began to reach for a sandwich As soon as she shook her head, he jerked his hand back

"What do we know about Austin Steel?" Carl asked

Michael cleared his throat, "Single white ood physical condition, attorney, Bachelor's degree froraduate of Harvard"

"Austin's father and Nick were good friends," Jackie added, "and when his father died, Nick mentored him and paid for his education Austin has worked for the Gladstone Corporation summers and holidays since he was fifteen, and is now the corporate attorney"

"Age?" Carl asked

Michael eyed the sandwiches again and sighed "Twenty-eight"

"Never been ," Jackie answered