The Gates of Hell (Matt Drake 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

tourists, would work both for her and against her. But the more she thought about it, the more she believed the Blood King had made a very shrewd decision. In the end, it was all about who held the upper hand.
    Kovalenko did, because he was holding Mai’s sister.
    So, amidst the throng, it would not seem out of place for her to be handing off a bag to some guys. But if she then challenged those guys and forced the issue about her sister—that would attract attention.
    And one other thing—she felt she knew Kovalenko a little better now. Knew which way his mind worked.
    He would be watching.
     
    *****
     
    Later that afternoon, Hayden Jaye placed a private phone call to her boss, Jonathan Gates. Immediately, she could tell he was on edge.
    “Yes. What’s wrong, Hayden?”
    “Sir?” Their professional relationship was so good she could sometimes turn it personal. “Is everything okay?”
    There was hesitation at the other end of the phone, something else out of character for Gates. “It’s as good as can be expected,” the Secretary of Defence muttered at length. “How’s your leg?”
    “Good, sir. Healing well.” Hayden stopped herself from asking the question she wanted to ask. Feeling suddenly nervous, she skirted the issue. “And Harrison, sir? What’s his status?”
    “Harrison’s going to prison, as are all of Kovalenko’s informants. Manipulated, or otherwise. Is that all, Miss Jaye?”
    Stung by the cold tones, Hayden collapsed into a chair and squeezed her eyes shut. “No, sir. I have to ask you something. It may have already been covered by the CIA, or another agency, but I really need to know…”She paused.
    “Please, Hayden, just ask.”
    “Does Boudreau have any family, sir?”
    “What the hell does that mean?”
    Hayden sighed. “It means exactly what you think it means, Mr. Secretary. We’re getting nowhere down here and times running out. Boudreau knows something.”
    “Goddamn it, Jaye, we’re the American Government, and you’re CIA, not Mossad. You should know better than to talk openly that way.”
    Hayden had known better. But desperation had beaten her down. “Matt Drake could do it,” she said quietly.
    “Agent. That will not do.” The secretary was quiet for a time and then spoke. “Agent Jaye, you’re under a verbal reprimand. My advice—keep a low profile for a while.”
    The connection died.
    Hayden stared at the wall, but it was like seeking inspiration from a blank canvas. After a while she turned and watched the sunset fall across Miami.
     
    *****
     
    The long delay ate away at Mai’s soul. A woman of decision and action, any single period of inactivity grated on her, but when her sister’s life was in the balance, it practically tore her spirit apart.
    But now the waiting was over. Mai Kitano approached the CocoWalk at Coconut Grove and moved quickly to the vantage point she had scoped out a day earlier. With hours still to go before the exchange, Mai settled in at the dimly lit bar of the Cheesecake Factory and placed the device-filled rucksack on the counter before her.
    A chattering bank of TV screens perched just above her head, playing various sports channels. The bar area was loud and hectic but nothing compared to the pandemonium filling the restaurant’s entrance and check-in desk. She had never seen a restaurant so crazily popular.
    The bartender came over and placed a napkin on the counter. “Hello again,” he said, a twinkle in his eye. “Another round?”
    Same guy as last night. Mai didn’t need the distraction. “Save it. I’ll take a bottled water and tea. You wouldn’t last three minutes with me, friend.”
    Ignoring the bartender’s stare she continued to survey the entrance. Scrutinizing dozens of people at the same time was never hard for her. Humans are a creature of habit. They tend to stay within their circle. It was the new arrivals she had to constantly review.
    Mai sipped tea and observed. There was a happy atmosphere in