Dangerous to Know Read Free Page A

There’s no proof her death wasn’t accidental, but she was transporting a prototype of the same technology you’re now carrying.” Adam’s blue eyes skimmed her face, their expression unreadable. “A lot of people would go to any lengths to get their hands on that microdot. Be careful.”
    â€œI will, Chief.”
    â€œHave you memorized the list of potential buyers I put together?” Doc asked quietly.
    Maggie smothered a grin. Doc’s lists were famous aroundOMEGA. In his quicksilver but methodical way, he could pull together seemingly random facts and scraps of information, analyze them, and draw parallels others had missed. He also made lists of his lists, and occasionally cross-indexed them. People like Maggie, who tended to operate more on instinct, could only watch him in awe.
    â€œI’ve memorized the list of buyers,” she assured him. “And the list of possible middlemen. And the long list of ramifications to international command-and-control systems if this technology is compromised. I’ve got so many lists floating around in my head, it’s a wonder there’s any room for anything else under this fluff of—” She brushed a hand through the wispy tendrils. “This fluff of white.”
    â€œSilver,” Adam said.
    â€œPlatinum,” David amended in his precise way, then his handsome face softened into a crooked smile. “It happens to be one of my favorite shades. It’s very similar to my fiancée’s, although perhaps hers has a few more gold tints.”
    â€œReally?” Maggie titled her head in surprise.
    Although David had been engaged for almost a year now, he kept his civilian life and his undercover activities so separate, so compartmentalized, that none of the close-knit OMEGA cadre had ever met him outside the environment of a mission. And no one had even glimpsed so much as a photo of his longtime fiancée.
    â€œReally,” Doc replied.
    Maggie tapped an ostrich boot impatiently. When no more details were forthcoming, she shook her head in exasperation.
    â€œJust when are we going to meet this elusive fiancée of yours, Doc? You could introduce us without blowing your ties to OMEGA. A few of us have socially acceptable covers in our civilian lives, you know.”
    The tanned skin at the corners of his eyes creased. “You wouldn’t think so, to look at you now. But I was hoping I could convince you to stay an extra day or two in Cannes after this mission,” he added, reaching for his trench coat. “To act as a witness. I’ve already cleared it with Adam.”
    â€œWitness?”
    â€œAt the marriage ceremony.”
    â€œWait a minute!” Maggie yelped. “You’re getting married? In Cannes?”
    â€œIf we complete this mission within acceptable time parameters. If not, I’ll have to reschedule the ceremony for after our return.” He picked up his briefcase and turned to Adam. “I’ll leave this list of contacts with Elizabeth and—”
    â€œDoc!” Maggie jumped off the edge of the conference table, remembering just in time to keep her shoulders back and the halter snug against her chest. “For Pete’s sake! You can’t just announce you’re getting married and leave me hanging like that.”
    â€œLike what?”
    â€œHow on earth can you plan a wedding when you’re about to leave for a mission?”
    He stared at her in genuine puzzlement. “The two are hardly incompatible. I’ve built enough flexibility into the agenda to allow for unforeseen circumstances. My fiancée understands that the ‘symposium’ I’m attending may extend indefinitely. Assuming I don’t pack it in on this mission,” he added with a small shrug, “she’ll fly to France when I call her.”
    â€œI should have known,” Maggie groaned. “I’ll bet she has a detailed timetable sitting