I see, she said, her lips tightening. Were talking about paramilitary kooks.
Thats what I thoughtat first. I was about to kick em out of my office when they pulled out a checka very generous one, I might add. Twenty thousand. For expenses, they said.
Expenses? What are they asking you to do?
A little moonlighting. They knew I was scheduled to fly in-country. They wanted me to conduct a small, private search for MIAs. But they arent interested in skeletons and dog tags. Theyre after flesh and blood.
Live ones? You dont really think there are any, do you?
They do. And they only have to produce one. A single living MIA to back up their claims. With the publicity thatd generate, Washington would be forced to take action.
He fell silent as the waiter came by to collect the empty beer bottles. Only when the man had left did Willy ask softly, And where do I come in?
Its not you. Its your father. From what youve told me, theres a chancea small one, to be surethat hes still alive. If he is, I can help you find him. I can help you bring him home.
His words, uttered so quietly, so confidently, made Willy fall still. Guy could tell she was trying to read his face, trying to figure out what he wasnt telling her. And he wasnt telling her a lot.
What do you get out of this? she asked.
You mean besides the pleasure of your company?
You said there was money involved. Since Im not paying you, I assume someone else is. The Ariel Group? Are they offering you more than just expenses?
Move to the head of the class.
How much?
For an honest to God live one? Two million.
Two million dollars?
He squeezed her hand, hard. Keep it down, will you? This isnt exactly public information.
She dropped her voice to a whisper. Youre serious? Two million?
Thats their offer. Now you think about my offer. Work with me, and we could both come out ahead. Youd get your father back. Id pick up a nice little retirement fund. A win-win situation. He grinned, knowing he had her now. Shed be stupid to refuse. And Willy Maitland was definitely not stupid. I think youll agree, he said. Its a match made in heaven.
Or hell, she muttered darkly. She sat back and gave him a look of pure cast iron. Youre nothing but a bounty hunter.
If thats what you want to call me.
I could call you quite a few things. None of them flattering.
Before you start calling me names, maybe you should think about your options. Which happen to be pretty limited. The way I see it, you can go it alone, which so far hasnt gotten you a helluva lot of mileage. Or he leaned forward and beamed her his most convincing smile you could work with me.
Her mouth tightened. I dont work with mercenaries.
Whatve you got against mercenaries?
Just a minor matterprinciple.
Its the money that bothers you, isnt it? The fact that Im doing it for cash and not out of the goodness of my heart.
This isnt some big-game hunt! Were talking about men. Men whose families have wiped out their savings to pay worthless little Rambos like you! I know those families. Some of them are still hanging in, twisting around on that one shred of hope. And you know as well as I do that those soldiers arent sitting around in some POW camp, waiting to be rescued. Theyre dead.
You think your old mans alive.
Hes a different story.
Right. And every one of those five hundred other MIAs could be another different story.
I happen to have evidence!
But you dont have the smarts it takes to find him. Guy leaned forward, his gaze hard on hers. In the last light of sunset, her face seemed alight with fire, her cheeks glowing a beautiful dusky red. If hes alive, you cant afford to screw up this chance. And you may get only one chance to find him. Because Ill tell you now, the Vietnamese wont let you back in the country for another deluxe tour. Admit it, Willy. You need me.
No, she shot back. You need me. Without my help, how are you going to cash in on your live one?
Howre you going to find him?
She was the one leaning forward now, so close, he almost pulled
back in surprise. Dont underestimate me, sleazeball, she muttered.
And dont overestimate yourself, Junior. Its not easy finding answers in this country. No one, nothings ever what it seems here. A flicker in the eye, a break in the voice can mean all the difference in the world. You need a partner. And, hey, Im not unreasonable. Ill even think about splitting the reward with you. Say, ten percent. Thats money you never expected, just to let me
I dont give a damn about the money! She rose sharply to her feet. Go get rich off someone elses old man. She spun around and walked away.
Wont you even think about it? he yelled.
She just kept marching away across the rooftop garden, oblivious to the curious glances aimed her way.
Take it from me, Willy! You need me!
A trio of Russian tourists, their faces ruddy from a few rounds of vodka, glanced up as she passed. One of the men raised his glass in a drunken salute. Maybe you like Russian man better? he shouted.
She didnt even break her stride. But as she walked away, every guest on that rooftop heard her answer, which came floating back with disarming sweetness over her shoulder. Go to hellski.