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“Sure, because I can see why you’d need night-vision goggles for selling knickers,” John said “Look, stop ot business piling up I’ve already paid a designer to make the business cards—Prentice and Benson, International Security”

“You mean Benson and Prentice,” Lake corrected

John ignored him

“This is e talked about, reet money and fa around with billionaires”

Lake barked out a laugh

“If they’re hanging out with billionaires, they aren’t going to go for the hired help, are they?”

“Not hired help Highly skilled security consultants,” John said snootily “Plus, it’s the trend to go for the bodyguard Even Heidi Klu it”

“Have you been reading woain? What did I tell you about that? It shrinks your”

“Yeah This co pretty pink undies”

“Only until I get this shop in the black again Then it’s a quick sale and on to better things I won’t be here long enough for anything to shrink”

“Three months,” John reminded him “If you don’t have theto have to offer it to someone who does and that would break my heart”

“Yeah, I’ear,” he ordered

There was a grunt at the other end of the line Lake wasn’t worried They both knew that John would be hard pressed to find soe a deadline Whether Lake was in or out, the business would have to start in the new year—there were clients waiting

As he hung up the phone, the door to the tiny kitchen crashed open and Betty tottered in Lake raised an eyebrow slightly

“You still have a key?” He reached for another