Double Impact: Never Say Die & No Way Back Read Free Page A

carelessly to his elbows. His trousers looked as if they’d been slept in for a week. A briefcase, stamped U.S. Army ID Lab, sat on the floor beside him, but he didn’t strike her as the military type. There was certainly nothing disciplined about his posture. He’d seem more at home slouching at a bar somewhere instead of cooling his heels in General Kistner’s marble reception room.
    â€œMiss Maitland?”
    The servant was back, shaking his head apologetically. “There must have been a misunderstanding. The gardener says your driver returned to the city.”
    â€œOh, no.” She looked out the window in frustration. “How do I get back to Bangkok?”
    â€œPerhaps General Kistner’s driver can take you back? He has gone up the road to make a delivery, but he should return very soon. If you wish, you can see the garden in the meantime.”
    â€œYes. Yes, I suppose that’d be nice.”
    The servant, smiling proudly, opened the door. “It is a very famous garden. General Kistner is known for his collection of dendrobiums. You will find them at the end of the path, near the carp pond.”
    She stepped out into the steam bath of late afternoon and started down the gravel path. Except for the clack-clack of the gardener’s hedge clippers, the day was absolutely still. She headed toward a stand of trees. But halfway across the lawn she suddenly stopped and looked back at the house.
    At first all she saw was sunlight glaring off the marble facade. Then she focused on the first floor and saw the figure of a man standing at one of the windows. The servant, perhaps?
    Turning, she continued along the path. But every step of the way, she was acutely aware that someone was watching her.
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    G UY B ARNARD STOOD AT THE French windows and observed the woman cross the lawn to the garden. He liked the way the sunlight seemed to dance in her clipped, honey-colored hair. He also liked the way she moved, the coltish swing of her walk. Methodically, his gaze slid down, over the sleeveless blouse and the skirt with its regrettably sensible hemline, taking in the essentials. Trim waist. Sweet hips. Nice calves. Nice ankles. Nice…
    He reluctantly cut off that disturbing train of thought. This was not a good time to be distracted. Still, he couldn’t help one last appreciative glance at the diminutive figure. Okay, so she was a touch on the scrawny side. But she had great legs. Definitely great legs.
    Footsteps clipped across the marble floor. Guy turned and saw Kistner’s secretary, an unsmiling Thai with a beardless face.
    â€œMr. Barnard?” said the secretary. “Our apologies for the delay. But an urgent matter has come up.”
    â€œWill he see me now?”
    The secretary shifted uneasily. “I am afraid—”
    â€œI’ve been waiting since three.”
    â€œYes, I understand. But there is a problem. It seems General Kistner cannot meet with you as planned.”
    â€œMay I remind you that I didn’t request this meeting. General Kistner did.”
    â€œYes, but—”
    â€œI’ve taken time out of my busy schedule—” he took the liberty of exaggeration “—to drive all the way out here, and—”
    â€œI understand, but—”
    â€œAt least tell me why he insisted on this appointment.”
    â€œYou will have to ask him.”
    Guy, who up till now had kept his irritation in check, drew himself up straight. Though he wasn’t a particularly tall man, he stood a full head taller than the secretary. “Is this how the general normally conducts business?”
    The secretary merely shrugged. “I am sorry, Mr. Barnard. The change was entirely unexpected….” His gaze shifted momentarily and focused on something beyond the French windows.
    Guy followed the man’s gaze. Through the glass, he saw what the man was looking at: the woman with the honey-colored hair.
    The