Death Match (2003) by Tom - Net Force Explorers 18 Clancy

Author:Tom - Net Force Explorers 18 Clancy [Clancy, Tom - Net Force Explorers 18]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2011-03-17T20:24:19+00:00

"Did he look suspicious of you in some way?"

Catie thought about that. "No," she said. "Whatever was on his mind, I don't think it was that. I'm still not sure what he wants, but he's definitely more attracted than repelled."

"Hmm..." Winters brooded for a moment. "Well," he said, "let's get to why I came to see you. Obviously, I'd like your help in this operation, if your parents will sanction you assisting Net Force as we investigate. I have to add that normally I'm chary of allowing Net Force Explorers to become involved in open cases in any official way. But your access to George Brickner, in a way that would stand up to any outside scrutiny, is a gift in this situation, a gift I'm afraid that I am hoping to utilize. That aside, however, I would judge the threat to be minimal in this case at this point...and, besides, we already have another Net Force Explorer involved."

Catie grinned. Winters, seeing the grin, rolled his eyes.

"Yes, well," he said. "Normally we do our best to resist the urge to use Mark as a stalking horse. It's all too easy to get in the habit of relying on a talent so close to home, and it would be exploitative. Mark has a right to a normal childhood, one that doesn't involve being the tool, willing or otherwise, of a law enforcement agency." He raised his eyebrows, a resigned look. "But since Mark seems to routinely and consciously sabotage all attempts by his parents to provide him with a normal childhood, we're all aware that mostly this is a losing battle. And anyway, there are occasions when it becomes briefly appropriate to temporarily set our scruples aside."

Catie got up and started to pace a little herself.

"Anyway," Winters said, "will you think about it?"

"I have been thinking about it," she said. "For my own part, the answer's yes. And for George's part...I have this idea that he may be asking for help, somehow. Maybe he suspects what's going on. Either way, it sounds like you'd be in a position to help him out."

"...Yes," said Winters, and he was looking at her thoughtfully. "And so would you. You and he seem to have struck it off pretty positively...and he seems willing to talk to you about what's going on."

"Not just willing," said Catie, "but positively eager." That was, in fact, something that had made her wonder a little.

Winters sat quiet for a few moments at that. "All right," he said. "Catie, as the play-offs progress, would you be willing to be a good listener for a while?"

"To find out whether anything illegal is going on inside the club?"

"That would be part of it."

Catie held still for a moment, thinking. She wasn't wild about the idea of being some kind of informer. Yet she thought back to what George himself had been saying about the difficulties of spatball in general, and South Florida in particular.

"I don't want you to be uncomfortable about this," Winter said.

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