Twist of Fate Read Free Page A

going to provide it.” Hannah waited, her own adrenaline pumping furiously into her bloodstream.
    â€œExcitement. That’s an interesting thought. I take it you can do some fairly exotic things with that cane, then?”
    â€œI said a game of chance. I meant cards, Mr. Cage. I’m proposing that you let your future hinge on the luck of the draw. You come to Vegas for a few days every summer, but have you ever risked something really important on a twist of fate? Have you ever won or lost a business deal on a bet? Think of the novelty of it.”
    He stared at her and then he laughed. “I do see the novelty of it, Hannah. But the stupidity is far more evident. Jesus Christ, lady, you must be out of your head. Are you serious?”
    â€œVery.”
    â€œEven a guidance counselor couldn’t be that naive.”
    Hannah leaned forward earnestly. “Gambling is apparently your one form of recreation, Mr. Cage. You’re here now because you always come here at this time of year for a break. You’re in the mood to gamble and I’m offering some interesting stakes. How can you resist? We draw for the highest card. Two out of three wins. If I win you give up your plans to take over my brother’s firm. If you win…” She lifted one shoulder fatalistically.
    â€œI take over? I can do that already. Any way you look at it, all I get out of the deal is a shot at losing.”
    She shook her head slowly. “No, you get a break from doing business in the same, habitual fashion. You also get a break from your habitual form of recreation. I’m offering you a gamble with very large stakes. You see, I loaned my brother some money to help him start Accelerated Design. I took the repayment in stock. I now own a sizeable chunk. If I lose, I’ll hand over my shares to you. It will make your takeover infinitely cheaper and less troublesome because you will hold more than enough stock to put you in control. Surely that’s a more interesting proposition than a game of blackjack inside the casino.”
    There was a pause and then Gideon asked, “Just out of sheer, unadulterated curiosity, how did you know about my annual trip to Vegas?”
    â€œI’m aware that you come here once or twice during the summer. Personally, I can’t see why anyone would leave Tucson to come to Vegas in the summer. They’re both deserts. But you’ve been doing it for years. My brother heard it from someone on theAccelerated Design Board of Directors. He said you limit yourself to one or two trips every twelve months or so and stay only a few days each time. But while you’re here, you’re rumored to bet very heavily. Not my idea of an annual vacation, but to each his own.”
    â€œThank you for your tolerance. Vacation is the right word, by the way. Vegas isn’t business for me. I don’t do business the way I take a vacation.” He spaced the words out carefully, as though she weren’t very intelligent.
    Hannah ignored the warning. “Think about it, Mr. Cage. Think about the unique opportunity I’m giving you. Have any of your other sitting ducks ever offered you a chance to win or lose on the draw of a card?”
    â€œNone have been quite that idiotic,” he admitted. “What did your brother say about all this?”
    â€œI didn’t tell him exactly what I had in mind.”
    â€œI’ll just bet you didn’t.”
    Hannah smiled meaningfully. “That’s all I’m asking, Mr. Cage. That you make a bet. An important bet. Try it; you’ll like it. It will give you a break from the monotony of your usual mode of business. I think you need a break.” She reached for the cane and started to get to her feet.
    Automatically Cage got up and grasped her arm. He frowned slightly as he took in the wince she couldn’t quite hide. “How bad’s the leg?”
    Startled by the question, Hannah glanced up at him.