Match Play Read Free

in her suite at one of St. Andrews’ venerable old hotels, she dutifully relayed the message.
    â€œGillian said to say hi. And you look like hell.”
    Hawk shot her a surprised look from sunken, redrimmed eyes. “Jilly said that?”
    â€œThe last bit came from me. What happened in Algiers?”
    â€œSand, sand and more sand.” A smile slipped through the bristly beard sprouting on his cheeks and chin. “But we got Mustafa.”
    Whooping, Dayna leaned across the coffee table to punch her fellow agent in the shoulder.
    â€œScore one for our side!”
    His smile took over the rest of his face. No one would classify Hawk as handsome. His features were too rugged and his tough, don’t-mess-with-me demeanor too intimidating. But when he relaxed and let the real Mike Callahan show through, Dayna could understand why Gillian was so determined to make the man see her as something other than a gangly teen.
    â€œIt took a little longer than expected,” he admitted ruefully. “I had to leave the bastard hanging across the saddle of a camel to get here in time for this tournament. Speaking of which…”
    Scraping a palm across his bristly chin, he made the abrupt mental shift so necessary for survival in their business.
    â€œAny more definitive word on whether the Wus really intend to defect?”
    â€œNone. All we have to go on is that cryptic message from Kim Li.” Dayna shuffled through the folder of material she’d prepared for him. “Here’s your registration packet and a detailed agenda.”
    The International Pro-Am Charity Tournament had grown into one of the biggest events in women’s golf. Spread over an entire week, the schedule was crammed with money-raising activities. The public could watch the practice round, first two preliminary rounds and final championship rounds—all for a fee, of course. Fans and participants alike could also take part in the slew of silent auctions, continental breakfasts, autographing sessions, high teas and photo ops salted into the schedule.
    â€œOur first official function is the kickoff banquet tonight,” Dayna informed Mike. “That’s when they’ll draw for the initial pairings and course assignments.”
    She’d registered him as her personal guest, which would give him access to VIP seating at all events and, subsequently, to Dr. Wu. Along with the banquet ticket and laminated pass, she’d also prepared a thick binder.
    â€œMackenzie digitized the layouts for all five St. Andrews’ courses. You can call up a three-dimensional topography of any hole, anytime, on your cell phone.”
    â€œYeah, I took a look at the layouts during the flight from Algiers. They’re pretty slick.”
    â€œThey are, but I thought you might also want hard copies to study. They’re easier on the eyes.”
    Particularly eyes showing a whole lot more red than white. Hawk accepted the thick binder with heartfelt relief.
    â€œBless you, my child. I’ll go through the schematics this afternoon. What’s on your agenda until the banquet?”
    â€œWu Kim Li reserved a bay at the driving range at three o’clock. I snagged the one next to her at three-thirty. I figure it’s as good a place as any to make the initial contact.”
    â€œSounds like a plan. Do we need to do a comm check?”
    â€œWe should be good to go. Mac synchronized our emergency signals.”
    To demonstrate, Dayna pushed one of the knobs on the stainless steel chronometer banding her lift wrist and sent a silent jolt through the identical watch on Hawk’s tanned wrist. Other knobs allowed the sophisticated devices to provide two-way communications or send data transmissions.
    Assured their signals were in sync, Hawk hefted the binder and shoved out of his chair.
    â€œI’ll see you later. Good luck with Wu.”
    Â 
    She’d need it, Dayna thought as she pulled on a