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“Palo Alto with Simone”

“How are you going to handle Vance’scall with Lauren?”

“I’ to have to beapart at the seams I can’t count on them to be rational”

“Go call your pilot and get your ass here I’m about to head back to the faro with Jozef to Ðakovo, and Danijel will return to Zagreb I’ll be here at the hotel, waiting for Philip’s updates I’ll pass all his recon on to you during your flight so we can formulate our tactical plan I’ll meet the Gulfstreaht to Ðakovo”

“Sounds like a plan”

Aidan hung up and turned to Si her own phone call

“I spoke with Stanley,” she said, referring to Stan Truht plan and assorted details as we speak You should be ready for takeoff by the ti me and arrive at the airport”

A corner of Aidan’s mouth lifted “You’ve developed quite the rapport with Stan He used to take his orders directly from me That’s twice now you’ve broken that chain of command”

“And I alwayson your behalf,” Si, he can verify his inforet there But since ti Is an apology in order?”

“Nope” Aidan tossed a few toiletries into the duffel bag “A thank you is And as for briefing, we need to talk—fast” He repeated all the inforlanced at his watch “There aren’t any co You can’t wait that long”

“I’ll call right now and arrange for car service It’s a four-hour drive I’ll leave when you do I’ll be there well ahead of Vance’s scheduled videoconference” She paused “What else do you need?”

“For you to be with the Penningtons as much as possible”

“That’s not a proble my briefcase I can fly to and fro up a hectic week of work for McKinsey” She rose and walked over to the wardrobe closet, selecting her clothes as she spoke “And don’t worry about explanations Once I tell Vance that you’re flying to Croatia because Lauren’s rescue is imminent, he’ll behave He and his ill be understandably frantic, but I can handle that You just take care of business at your end And Aidan?”

“Hmm?”

“Be safe”