Double Jeopardy (Stone Barrington #57)(68)

“I can’t believe Lance pawned something this important off on a secretary.”

This time Millie was the one who moved in closer to Arrow.

“I’m not a secretary, and I’m definitely not a pawn, Mr. Donaldson.”

She put her hand out one more time, this time without a smile. Arrow shook it limply.

“You better watch your moves, Millie Martindale,” Arrow said.

When Arrow walked away, Millie took a deep breath and exhaled. Lance had told her this would happen. Millie had been pushing Lance to give her more responsibility and this was the perfect chance. Arrow Donaldson had a reputation for having trouble dealing with people he believed were beneath him, especially women.

And if Arrow became angry or frustrated, he was bound to make a mistake, one that would let the CIA stop him before he did anything terrible. They had backup plans in place, of course, but Millie could already tell she was going to be able to crack Arrow Donaldson.

When her breathing returned to normal, Millie joined the rest of the group. Arrow was off to the side talking on his phone. He saw her watching him and she smiled. He put his phone in his suit coat pocket and came back toward the group.

“Li Feng will remain under my secure protection for another night,” Arrow said. “So why don’t you all head to your hotel to rest a bit and we’ll regroup for dinner this evening?”

“That’s not what we agreed to. That’s not what I agreed to. I want to see Li Feng now.”

“I just got off of the phone with your boss and he agreed to it.”

“You talked to Lance?”

But Arrow had already moved on to his waiting vehicle, as had the rest of her group. She pulled out her cell phone to call Lance and demand to know why he’d sold her out.

“Sorry to give you no warning, Millie,” he said, when he came on the line. “I figured it would help our plan to throw him off-balance, and you needed to act unguardedly. He’s agreed to meet you at his stadium in a few minutes to show you how powerful he is and what kind of protection he can offer. Let him spout off and feel like a big man and keep your mouth shut. Let him think you’re a secretary who is no threat to him.”

Millie grumbled an acceptance and hung up her phone.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Stuart Woods is the author of more than eighty novels, including the #1 New York Times-bestselling Stone Barrington series. He is a native of Georgia and began his writing career in the advertising industry. Chiefs, his debut in 1981, won the Edgar Award. An avid sailor and pilot, Woods lives in Florida, Maine, and New Mexico.