Conflict of Interest Read Free Page A

little scene on your conscience? You’re a guest in Sam Bryant’s home tonight, Lang Sterling. Doesn’t his career mean anything at all to you?“
    He halted once more, glaring down at her. „I told you, go stand in front of the door and no one will witness my departure!“
    She shook her head. „There’s going to be a hell of a scene and you know it. Do you really want her back? Or would any woman do tonight?“
    That had been a shot in the dark but it had found its target. Kali hid a smile of satisfaction as Lang’s strong hand gripped the railing.
    His gaze was narrowed and full of menace but she knew she had him back in hand again.
    „Any woman might do, Miss Havelock,“ he grated, his temper clearly ruling his head. „But Gwen happens to be the one who’s available.“
    „Do you want her, knowing she’s in love with another man?“
    Kali taunted. „If any woman would do this evening, why not find another?“
    „There is a small matter of pride involved here!“ he snapped, infuriated.
    „That’s easily handled. Leave with me, instead. Believe me, it’ll drive Gwen crazy wondering what happened to you. There will be plenty of people eager to inform her you left with another woman. It will be her pride which will suffer, not yours.“
    He stared at her with baleful admiration. „You’ve got an answer for everything, don’t you?“

    „It’s part of my job,“ she said lightly. „Come with me, Mr.
    Sterling. I can offer you an infinitely more rewarding evening than any you might have with Gwen Mather.“
    „Financially rewarding, you mean,“ he muttered. „It so happens I’m interested in other things tonight.“ But he was waiting, waiting to see what she would do next, and Kali had to repress a smile.
    „I’m prepared to offer more than money for your patents, Lang Sterling.“
    „I’m listening,“ he drawled in mocking invitation. Both hands gripped the rail now as he looked down at her. The bronze-green eyes held leaping devils.
    „People who suddenly become very rich acquire a great many problems along with the money,“ Kali pointed out delicately. „Chief among those problems is an institution known as the IRS. Have you given much thought to your forthcoming tax situation, Mr. Sterling?
    Interactive Automation can assist you. There are other things a man in your line of work would like that IAI can supply.“
    „A woman for tonight?“ he asked with an ingenuousness induced by the Scotch.
    „How about a totally equipped lab? The best research assistance?
    A regular stipend in addition to an outright sum for your patents? A guarantee by IAI that it will buy any future patents?“
    „Fascinating,“ he murmured. „But I really don’t feel like going to work tonight. Tonight I plan to spend in bed with a warm and willing…“
    „… woman,“ Kali completed, a twinge of genuine irritation beginning to seep into her voice. She masked it immediately, offering a charming smile, instead. „Even if you get Gwen back, she’ll hardly be willing.“
    „How about you, Miss Havelock? Would you be willing?“
    „Are you that desperate, Mr. Sterling? Or do you think you could put aside thoughts of immediate gratification in exchange for an evening of business which will benefit you for the rest of your life?“
    „Was that a hint of a blush I saw there, Miss Havelock?“ he demanded, bending over the rail as if to get a better look.
    „No, Mr. Sterling. Vice-presidents do not blush.“
    „Pity.“
    „If you don’t watch out, Mr. Sterling, you are going to fall over that railing, in which event you will be quite useless to either Gwen Mather or IAI,“ Kali observed crisply.

    He looked interested. „Do you think I’m that drunk?“
    „I’d say it’s a distinct possibility after all that Scotch!“
    „You’re something of a nag, do you realize that, Miss Havelock?“
    „I apply the appropriate methods to any given situation, Mr.
    Sterling.“ She smiled serenely, sensing