Never Say Die Read Free Page A

perhaps?
    Turning, she continued along the path. But every step of the way, she was acutely aware that someone was watching her.
     
    Guy Barnard 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.
    "Mr. Barnard?" said the secretary. "Our apologies for the delay. But an urgent matter has come up."
    "Will he see me now?"
    The secretary shifted uneasily. "I am afraid—"
    "I've been waiting since three."
    "Yes, I understand. But there is a problem. It seems General Kistner cannot meet with you as planned."
    "May I remind you that I didn't request this meeting. General Kistner did."
    "Yes, but-"
    "I've taken time out of
my
busy schedule—" he took the liberty of exaggeration "—to drive all the way out here, and-"
    "I understand, but—"
    "At least tell me why he insisted on this appointment."
    "You 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 secretary shuffled his feet, a signal that he had other duties to attend to. "I assure you, Mr. Barnard," he said, "if you call in a few days, we will arrange another appointment."
    Guy snatched up his briefcase and headed for the door. "In a few days," he said, "I'll be in Saigon."
    A whole afternoon wasted, he thought in disgust as he walked down the front steps. He swore again as he reached the empty driveway. His car was parked a good hundred yards away, in the shade of a poinciana tree. The driver was nowhere to be seen. Knowing Puapong, the man was probably off flirting with the gardener's daughter.
    Resignedly Guy trudged toward the car. The sun was like a broiler, and waves of heat radiated from the gravel road. Halfway to the car, he happened to glance at the garden, and he spotted the honey-haired woman, sitting on a stone bench. She looked dejected. No wonder; it was a long drive back to town, and Lord only knew when her ride would turn up.
    What the hell, he thought, starting toward her. He could use some company.
    She seemed to be deep in thought; she didn't look up until he was standing right beside her.
    "Hi there," he said.
    She squinted up at him. "Hello." Her greeting was neutral, neither friendly nor unfriendly.
    "Did I hear you needed a lift back to town?"
    "I have one, thank you."
    "It could be a long wait. And I'm heading there anyway." She didn't respond, so he added, "It's really no trouble."
    She gave him a speculative look. She had silver-gray eyes, direct, unflinching; they seemed to stare right through him. No shrinking violet, this one. Glancing back at the house, she said, "Kistner's driver was going to take me… "
    "I'm here. He isn't."
    Again she gave him that look, a silent third degree. She must have decided he was okay, because she finally rose to her feet. "Thanks. I'd appreciate it."
    Together