Read Online [JJ06] Quicksand by Gigi Pandian - Free Book Online

when he spoke, the awkward stiltedness of the previous few minutes was gone. “You’re right. This is stupid. I don’t think North is listening. Someone is listening for him, to tell him about it if there’s something he should know about. So we shouldn’t have the most intimate of conversations, but keeping that in mind, try to forget the fact that the room is bugged. I wouldn’t recommend karaoke either.”
    “You can’t sing?”
    “The opposite,” he said, his eyes twinkling. “I’m so good I’m afraid North’s eavesdropping associate would have no choice but to call a talent scout if he heard me sing. We don’t want that kind of distraction.”
    With the awkwardness lifted, I felt I could finally appease my grumbling stomach. I popped a salmon canapé into my mouth.
    As soon as I’d done so, a knock sounded at the door. Without looking at me, Lane walked to the door to open it, his bare feet leaving faint impressions in the lush carpet. Standing in the doorway was a man I hadn’t seen before. Though I couldn’t hear his voice, his perfectly pressed black slacks, razor sharp black jacket, and designer shoes suggested he was French. It wasn’t only the clothes. It was the way he held himself. If North dressed in this man’s clothing, he wouldn’t give the same impression. But if Lane donned the same clothing, that would be another story. Picking up on subtle cultural differences and blending in was perhaps his greatest skill.
    Lane didn’t greet the Frenchman warmly, but gave a curt nod of recognition. They exchanged a few words, and the man handed Lane a small envelope before departing.
    Lane’s face darkened as he read the contents. “It’s the information about the item I’m supposed to steal.”

CHAPTER 10

      
    “What does he want you to steal?” I asked, my eyes fixed on the innocuous envelope. After learning the invitation I’d received the previous week had been secretly bugged, I didn’t think I’d ever look at a piece of mail the same way again.
    Lane shoved two pieces of paper back inside the envelope. “The less you know, the better.”
    “You’re not going to tell me? I’m the reason you’re in this mess!”
    “No, you’re not, Jaya. I got into this all by myself. I’m only sorry I dragged you into it with me. I’m serious. The less you know, the better.”
    “You have to tell me.”
    “Things are a bit more... challenging than I anticipated.” He downed the last of his drink.
    I followed suit. This was not the time to savor good Scotch. I was going for its medicinal effect as a reliever of shock. “Nothing good can come of you keeping things from me,” I said. “Let me help.”
    For a moment it looked as if he was going to object—but then he grinned at me. It was the first real happiness I’d seen that day.
    “God, I missed you,” he said. He took my empty glass and enveloped me in a hug. Though he looked calm on the outside, before he let me go I felt how quickly his heart was beating.
    “Tell me what you’re supposed to do,” I said.
    “I’ll do better than that. Grab your shoes.”
    “Where are we going?”
    “To the Louvre.”
    “It’s almost eight o’clock at night. And we’ve barely touched our food.”
    “It’s open twice a week in the evening.”
    “You’re not going to—”
    “No, I’m not going to steal anything tonight. I haven’t visited lately. I want to get the lay of the land.”
    The phone on the side table rang. Lane picked it up. He listened for a moment then held the phone to his chest.
    “Would you like to walk or have a car pick us up?” he asked.
    “If this weren’t super-creepy,” I said, “I could get used to this.”
    “You want the car?”
    “How far is it?”
    “Twenty minutes on foot. Maybe half an hour.”
    “I’ve been sitting for over ten hours. Let’s walk.”

      
    The waterfront walk was beautiful. It was a chilly evening, but the night sky was clear. The moon even cooperated, providing a