Read Online Shadow Zone by Iris Johansen, Roy Johansen - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Iris Johansen, Roy Johansen
Tags: Fiction, General, thriller, Suspense, Thrillers, Mystery & Detective, American Mystery & Suspense Fiction, Fiction - Espionage, Antiquities, Theft, Women archaeologists, Underwater exploration
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working. “I know that, Ebersole. There were times when you went to bat for us, and I appreciate it.”
“I wish you would tell that to the crew. They’re looking at me as if I’m a monster.”
“They know what you’ve done for us. But you need to understand that these people are sailors, no matter how many advanced degrees they may have. And they’ll always think of you as a corporate bean counter.” She wrinkled her nose as she looked him up and down. “No matter how obnoxious you get with your wardrobe choices.”
He smiled and gripped the lapel of his brightly colored shirt. “Too much?”
“A tad. But I appreciate the effort. Next time wear it on the first day of the expedition instead of the last.”
“Good tip. I’ll keep it in mind.” He leaned against the railing. “AquaCorp didn’t just do all this out of the goodness of its icy corporate heart, you know.”
“Of course not. This was a great public-relations opportunity.”
“It goes beyond that. We did this for you.”
She laughed. “Now I know you’re lying.”
“No lie. You’re the only top-level designer who won’t tie yourself to one manufacturer. We know about the offier you received from Deepstar last year. Very generous. It would have given you a sizable stake in the company.”
“It wouldn’t have given me the biggest power of all.”
“What’s that?”
“The power to say no. That’s more important to me than stock options.”
“Evidently. Still, when bidding on lucrative government contracts, any company would love to guarantee that Hannah Bryson will be on board.”
“You have my phone number and e-mail address. I’m happy to discuss your contracts on a project-by-project basis.”
Ebersole leaned closer and spoke quietly. “You’ll be hearing from us sooner than you might think.”
Hannah studied him. “Good heavens, Ebersole. You’re talking like you want me to join your mob in a jewelry heist.”
“Nothing that glamorous, I’m afraid. But AquaCorp wants your help on a very delicate project. A project, we’re afraid, you may not be too keen on. We had hoped not to involve you, but we knew it was always a possibility that your assistance would be needed. That’s the real reason you had such an easy time talking us into this multimillion-dollar expedition.”
“What the hell is it?”
“I’ve said too much already.”
“Don’t give me that bullshit. You didn’t just accidentally say too much.” Her gaze narrowed. “There’s no one more calculating than you are, Ebersole. You dress up in your Hawaiian shirt and come here to smooth the way for the bomb AquaCorp is planning to drop on me. Then you take one step forward and two steps back. Talk to me.”
He shrugged. “Can’t do it. I have my orders. I told them I should be up front with you, but they preferred I try to be subtle. Anyway, don’t be surprised when you get our call. And please keep in mind what AquaCorp has done for you.” He turned away. “We’ve been good partners. We could kick it over the top with this project.”
She watched him walk away.
He was the quintessential company man, and the company had sent him to feel her out on working with them on this “project.” She was uneasy. Secrecy was not uncommon in her business; aside from the national-security issues of military contracts, corporate espionage was always a concern. But Ebersole seemed to be talking about something else entirely. Of course, his odd demeanor could have been the result of nothing more than the tall, colorful drink in his hand. Maybe she was reading too much into it. At any rate, she wasn’t going to let it bother her tonight. She was going to go back to Melis and the guys and what might be their final party at Marinth.
CHAPTER
4
It was past one A.M . when Hannah heard the sound of a powerboat engine in the darkness. At first she thought it might have been one of the small crafts shuttling between Copernicus and Fair Winds, but she soon
“I wish you would tell that to the crew. They’re looking at me as if I’m a monster.”
“They know what you’ve done for us. But you need to understand that these people are sailors, no matter how many advanced degrees they may have. And they’ll always think of you as a corporate bean counter.” She wrinkled her nose as she looked him up and down. “No matter how obnoxious you get with your wardrobe choices.”
He smiled and gripped the lapel of his brightly colored shirt. “Too much?”
“A tad. But I appreciate the effort. Next time wear it on the first day of the expedition instead of the last.”
“Good tip. I’ll keep it in mind.” He leaned against the railing. “AquaCorp didn’t just do all this out of the goodness of its icy corporate heart, you know.”
“Of course not. This was a great public-relations opportunity.”
“It goes beyond that. We did this for you.”
She laughed. “Now I know you’re lying.”
“No lie. You’re the only top-level designer who won’t tie yourself to one manufacturer. We know about the offier you received from Deepstar last year. Very generous. It would have given you a sizable stake in the company.”
“It wouldn’t have given me the biggest power of all.”
“What’s that?”
“The power to say no. That’s more important to me than stock options.”
“Evidently. Still, when bidding on lucrative government contracts, any company would love to guarantee that Hannah Bryson will be on board.”
“You have my phone number and e-mail address. I’m happy to discuss your contracts on a project-by-project basis.”
Ebersole leaned closer and spoke quietly. “You’ll be hearing from us sooner than you might think.”
Hannah studied him. “Good heavens, Ebersole. You’re talking like you want me to join your mob in a jewelry heist.”
“Nothing that glamorous, I’m afraid. But AquaCorp wants your help on a very delicate project. A project, we’re afraid, you may not be too keen on. We had hoped not to involve you, but we knew it was always a possibility that your assistance would be needed. That’s the real reason you had such an easy time talking us into this multimillion-dollar expedition.”
“What the hell is it?”
“I’ve said too much already.”
“Don’t give me that bullshit. You didn’t just accidentally say too much.” Her gaze narrowed. “There’s no one more calculating than you are, Ebersole. You dress up in your Hawaiian shirt and come here to smooth the way for the bomb AquaCorp is planning to drop on me. Then you take one step forward and two steps back. Talk to me.”
He shrugged. “Can’t do it. I have my orders. I told them I should be up front with you, but they preferred I try to be subtle. Anyway, don’t be surprised when you get our call. And please keep in mind what AquaCorp has done for you.” He turned away. “We’ve been good partners. We could kick it over the top with this project.”
She watched him walk away.
He was the quintessential company man, and the company had sent him to feel her out on working with them on this “project.” She was uneasy. Secrecy was not uncommon in her business; aside from the national-security issues of military contracts, corporate espionage was always a concern. But Ebersole seemed to be talking about something else entirely. Of course, his odd demeanor could have been the result of nothing more than the tall, colorful drink in his hand. Maybe she was reading too much into it. At any rate, she wasn’t going to let it bother her tonight. She was going to go back to Melis and the guys and what might be their final party at Marinth.
CHAPTER
4
It was past one A.M . when Hannah heard the sound of a powerboat engine in the darkness. At first she thought it might have been one of the small crafts shuttling between Copernicus and Fair Winds, but she soon
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