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

His expression became even blanker, but his eyes…. They were indeed the windows to his soul. That disturbed him. Did he really think I wouldn’t be able to learn about the Division and its roots?


“You look tired, M’sieur Mann.” He gestured me toward a seat. “May I offer you a coffee? The Division is not noted for the palatability of its coffee, but it is hot and extremely strong. And I promise that nothing extra has been added.”


“Christ.” I muttered as I sat down. “You’re starting to sound just like Vincent.”


The operative grew very still. “Mark Vincent?”


“Don’t insult my intelligence, de Becque. I’m quite aware that you and Vincent know each other. You and he were together a number of days ago.” I gave him a tight smile. “I know he doesn’t work the European theater.” At least he hadn’t for the past two years. I wondered how much was kept out of his file. “Were you trying to recruit him?”


Chapter 39