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

The figure he named had me blinking. I already made much more than enough to cover my living expenses, and since I had no one except myself to spend it on, I had an extremely healthy bank balance, as well as T-bills accumulating interest in another safety deposit box. And in a numbered offshore account was what I liked to call my F.Y. fund, slated for the time when I’d need to make a fast getaway. There was also the tiny island off Costa Rica that I was gradually paying off. Twelve more years, and it would be mine.


“Congratulations, Mark. Not many agents make it to this level. Now, I believe you’ll find that Agent Matheson will be waiting to discuss his change in status in your former office. Good luck and good afternoon.”


He offered me his hand a final time, and I shook it, murmuring thanks, then turned and left his office.


Ms. DiBlasi looked up from her computer screen and gave me a cool smile. “May I be the next to offer you congratulations on your new position, Mr. Vincent?”


Chapter 73