page37 (1/1)
Aleksandrov Vishenko’s private airplane landed on the single runway of a local airstrip in Arlington, Virginia, then taxied toward the hangar Once there, the pilot turned off the engines, then he and the copilot exited the plane and entered the office to arrange for refueling and to file a new flight plan As always, Vishenko wanted to be ready for anything, including a quick getaway if necessary
He was early for his overnae would be set and Vishenko’s ar—would search the bureaucrat for weapons and listening devices when he arrived, before allowing him to board Vishenko’s plane Then, and only then, would Vishenko offer his bribe in absolute secrecyto the man he feared most To the man who’d been after hi him behind bars for life To the man who had a reputation as an incorruptible manbut Vishenko had learned differently
“Every man has his price,” Vishenko reassured himself now as he reviewed the details in his h an interovernment official had provedareedy He had not named his price—but all indications hinted the price would be steep If that was the price of his freedoh, Vishenko would pay it Gladly
Cate and Lia which they talked about nothing in particular, then loaded their things in the SUV As she buckled her seat belt Liaet on the road to Black Rock? I know the agency provided you with a few changes of clothes and toiletries, but theyThere are stores where we’re going, but your choices ht be limited”
She shook her head “I’ do”
Liahed softly “That’s not the point, Cate If you need so, now’s the time to speak up”
She hesitated “How long a with Sheriff Callahan?”
“Hard to say The trial has been postponed for ayesterday, though, I got the feeling he doesn’t plan to produce you until the last minute So at least a feeeks”
“I’ll go crazy with nothing to read,” she said finally Reluctantly “If there’s a library”
“I’m sure there are libraries in Buffalo and Sheridan, if not in Black Rock itself But unless Callahan or his wife checks the books out for you, you’re out of luck—no local address to apply for a library card, renition, then put the SUV in gear “We have tiet you some books to read”
Lia lot of the first Wal cart and headed over to the book aisle Once there she glanced around, picked a book off the shelf and read the back cover, then put it down again She did that nu on one book
“This one,” she said But her eyes stared longingly at the last book she’d set down
Liam shook his head “Come on, Cate One book won’t last several weeks” He already knew from the conversations he’d had with her that she ell-read One book h for some people, but not her He went back down the aisle, selected the books she’d picked up but rejected and tossed them into the cart
“Liam, no!” Her protest wasn’t loud, but it was insistent
He ignored her When he had a dozen books in the cart he turned around and faced her “If there’s so you really don’t want—fine Put it back But if you want to read it, then I’ency’s, so you don’t have to worry”
“But, so lanced at the price of the paperback in her hand “I can’t let you—”
“I want you to have the books you want to read,” Lia her off He knew his face was set in stubborn lines, but he wasn’t going to back down on this, no matter how much Cate protested
“But I—”
“No arguments, Cate,” he said His left hand came up of its own volition and cupped her cheek She didn’t flinch away, so his thued to do “Letfor what I said last night”