Quinton Mann is CIA through and through. Mark Vincent is WBIS for life. There is no way they could end up as anything other than adversaries -- and yet, Quinn takes Mark out to dinner on his birthday -- the one no one is supposed to know about -- and gives him one hell of a present in the restaurant's restroom. Mark, not to be outdone, has decided to escalate this game, because it has to be a game, right? There's no way it can be anything else.<br><br>But as the game continues, as Quinn shows up to a WBIS funeral, as a friend of Mark’s penetrates the CIA computer network to get information on Quinn, as Mark breaks into Quinn's house and gives Quinn a very interesting encounter, both Quinn and Mark realize that this is becoming the most real thing in their lives.<br><br>Can they find a way to do their jobs and keep this surprising, intriguing connection?

Houseboat on the Nile

“You’ll make it.” DB gave me a tight smile. “I’ll handle this for you, Quinn. Hell, I was only going to get some takeout and rent a movie.”


“Any chance you’ll have company?”


“No.” He shrugged and gave a lopsided grin. “It’s no big deal.”


It was, but I didn’t say that, because the last thing my friend would want was what he’d perceive as pity. It never failed to amaze me, how much time he spent alone. Then again, if it came to that, I spent a good deal of the time away from the job alone also.


“One last thing, Quinn. I know you’re going to take the information I get for you and run with it, but do me a favor. Be careful, will you?”


“Of course.” I squeezed his shoulder. “I owe you, DB.”


“Damn straight you do. Next dinner at the Rib Shack is on you.”


We were on the off-ramp for the Williamsburg exit when my cell phone rang. I pulled it out of the inner pocket of my overcoat. “Quinton Mann.”


Chapter 35