The Spy Is Cast Read Online Free PDF Page B

from. And I won’t get to choose when and
where it happens.”
    Webb’s young face
hardened. “I see your point.”
    I shrugged one more
time to loosen my knotted muscles, and stepped back into the
network again.
    Kane nodded. “All
right, that looks fine. Anything else while we’re here?”
    “Nothing I can think
of.” I sighed and stepped out again, curling down in my chair to
wrap my arms over my pain-wracked head. My lips moved while air
hissed through my clenched teeth, creating an unpleasantly sibilant
string of curses. I straightened gradually, pushing myself up with
my hands on my knees.
    Two sets of eyes
regarded me with disquiet. “That can’t be good for you,” Spider
observed, frowning.
    I massaged my temples
tenderly. “Let me know if my brain starts to leak out my ears.” I
rolled my neck and shoulders some more.
    “I’m done here if you
are,” I said to Kane. “What do we do next?”
    “Next we drive to
Calgary. I go home and get some sleep. You go…” He paused. “Did you
ever sell your house?”
    “Yes, finally, last
month. Thank God.”
    “You’ll need a place
to stay, then. Webb can reserve a hotel room for you. And you’ll
need to buy whatever you need to get ready for the party.”
    He rubbed his hands
over his face, knuckling his eyes. “Do you mind driving? I flew in
from Frankfurt this morning and drove two hours to get here in time
for nine o’clock. I don’t think I’m safe to drive another two hours
on the highway.”
    No wonder he looked so
bone-weary. I stared at him in horror. “Don’t these idiots ever let
you sleep?”
    He shrugged, a
half-smile tugging at his lips.
    “Did you get
breakfast?” I demanded.
    “I ate at the
airport.”
    “Which airport?”
    “Calgary.”
    I consulted my watch.
“Okay. I need lunch, and you probably need to eat again, too. Then
we can head out. I have some more questions about this party, so
I’ll ask you on the way. If you can stay awake.”
    He nodded. “I’m not in
desperate straits yet. I napped on the plane.”
    We all stood. “Oh!” My
hand flew to the weight of the necklace around my neck. “I’d better
take this off.” Spider opened the box, and I laid the heavy chain
into it. Closing it, I handed it to Kane. “I’ll feel better if
you’re carrying it,” I told him. “That’s more responsibility than I
care to assume at the moment.”
    We filed out of the
room, and I headed eagerly for the door at the end of the hallway.
Now that I was no longer focused on my network tests, the thought
of being trapped underground was an oppressive weight.
    I took the stairs two
at a time and opened the door to let us into the timed exit
chamber. I went immediately to the exit door and let the scan do
its thing, counting down the time in my mind. When the latch
released after what seemed much longer than thirty seconds, I
yanked the door open and stepped quickly into the lobby, taking a
deep, thankful breath.

Chapter 4
    Kane drove directly
back to the small shared office. As we got out of the Expedition, I
frowned up at him. “Will you be comfortable riding with me?”
    He grinned. “Why, are
you a bad driver?”
    “Very funny. No, I
meant, will you actually fit in my car?”
    He regarded the small
Saturn doubtfully. “Maybe.”
    I stuck my key in the
passenger door lock. “Better try it and see.” I opened the door and
leaned in, making sure the seat was as far back as it would go.
    He folded himself into
the car with his usual athleticism and turned a surprised face up
to me. “There’s a lot more room in here than I expected. This will
work fine. Are you ready to go?”
    “Lunch first,” I told
him. “Spider, do you want to join us?” He nodded eagerly, and I
reached in past Kane to unlock the rear passenger door for him.
    He stooped and
clambered into the back seat, his bony limbs awkwardly
uncoordinated. “Sorry, it’s not too roomy in the back,” I
apologized, but he smiled.
    “It’s fine. I