On The Run by Iris Johansen

Author:Iris Johansen [Johansen, Iris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Suspense
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2005-12-06T05:00:00+00:00

You have to understand I’m taking a big chance.” Carter Nevins looked nervously around the bar. He’d chosen to meet Hanley at this bar on the outskirts of Fredericksburg because it was frequented by blue-collar workers and not anyone from Langley. But you could never tell who might wander into any watering place. Yet at first glimpse of Hanley, he’d known it was better than meeting him at a deserted location. Brett Hanley was tall, muscular, with black hair and brown eyes, and his suit probably cost more than Nevins made in a year. He’d smiled a lot in the first five minutes after he sat down at the table, but he wasn’t smiling now. Screw him. Nevins had something Hanley wanted, and the bastard was going to pay through the nose. “I could lose my job. You’ve got to make it worth my while.”

“I’m sure Kersoff paid you less than I’m offering you.” Hanley’s tone was silky. “You mustn’t be greedy, Nevins.”

“All I had to do was bypass a password lock and access computer records to find Grace Archer. There aren’t any records about her location now. And I don’t think North knows either. That makes it a different ball game.”

“Then how do you intend to find out where Kilmer and Archer are?”

“I have a contact.”

“Who?”

Did this Neanderthal think he was an idiot? “Someone who’s been in touch with them since they left Tallanville. But I have to have enough money to make it worth his while.”

“How much?”

“Five hundred thousand.” Hanley didn’t blink, and Nevins cursed under his breath. He should have asked for more. “For him. The same for me.”

“You’re crazy.”

“If he doesn’t come through, I have another way to find Archer. I just have to have one little kernel of information and I’ll be home free.”

“How?”

Nevins smiled. “The magic of computers. It makes a small man a giant. I’m a giant, Hanley. Hear me roar.”

Hanley gave him a cold glance. “You’re a punk and a nerd. You’re holding a weak hand and you’re trying to bluff. I hate bluffers.”

Nevins felt a chill. He’d better not push him. “I’ll take two hundred thousand now and the rest when I give you the information you need. And you’re the one who’s bluffing. If you had a better source to tap, you wouldn’t be here.”

Hanley gazed at him for a long moment. “How long?”

Nevins tried not to let him see his relief. “Two weeks?”

“I have five days. Get it for me in five days.”

“That’s not much time.”

Hanley smiled without mirth. “I know. Five days.” He got up from the table. “There will be two hundred thousand dollars deposited in your bank account tomorrow. If you don’t come through for me, I’ll be very displeased. And my employer will be even more irate. You really don’t want to make him irate, Nevins.” He turned and walked out of the bar.

Nevins drew a deep breath. Christ, he was shaking. What was he getting himself into? Kersoff had been tough, but he had an idea that Hanley was big-league poison.

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