Page 93 (1/2)

He set my car and meet you outside the club I hope you dressed warm"

The Van Fleets exchanged knowing looks when she said she was leaving with Pitt With her heart pounding madly, she hurried across the ballrooh the doors to the steps outside She spotted hi attendant The car looked like it belonged on a racetrack Except for the twin bucket seats, there was no upholstery The s windscreen offered the barest protection from the airstream There were no buht were ht side of the body between the fender and the door

"Do you actually drive this thing?" she asked

"I do," he answered solemnly

"What do you call it?"

"A J2X Allard," Pitt answered, holding open a tiny aluminum door

"It looks old"

"Built in England in 1952, at least twenty-five years before you were born Installed with big Aines, Allards cleaned up at the sports car races until the Mercedes 300 SL coupes ca"

Maeve slipped into the Spartan cockpit, her legs stretched out nearly parallel to the ground She noticed that the dashboard did not sport a speedoet us where we're going?" she asked with trepidation

"Not in drawing room comfort, but she co

"It doesn't even have a top"

"I never drive it when it rains" He handed her a silk scarf "For your hair It gets pretty breezy sitting in the open And don't forget to fasten your seat belt The passenger door has an annoying habit of flying open on a sharp left turn"

Pitt eased his long frame behind the wheel, as Maeve knotted the ends of the scarf under her chin He turned the ignition-starter key, depressed the clutch and shifted into first gear There was no ear-shattering roar of exhaust, or screa tires He eased out into the country club's driveway as quietly and s in a funeral procession

"How do you pass NUMA information to your father?" he asked in casual conversation

She was silent for a few moments, unable to meet his eyes Finally, she said, "One of Father's aides comes by my house, dressed as a pizza delivery boy"