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have been in the neighborhood of fifty to sixty feet. On
    the hull, black letters spelled out the name: Cardinal Rule.
    „At least the guy seems to have a sense of humor,“ Flynn observed as he handed Angie up out of the
    launch.
    „Either that or an ego problem.“ Angie removed her scarf and turned to smile blandly at the silent launch
    pilot. „Thank you,“ she murmured as he politely indicated the steps leading up to a formal garden. He didn’t
    return her smile.
    She stood for a moment looking at the villa that dominated the extensive gardens. A rich man’s retreat in
    paradise, she thought, surveying the cool fountains, wide terraces and pristine white walls. Beyond the
    gardens palm trees swayed in the evening breeze.
    „Julian’s going to be sorry he missed this,“ Angie whispered to Flynn. „It would have been a perfect
    setting for a book.“
    „Julian writes?“
    „Umm. But not under his own name. He uses the pen name Julian Taylor.“
    Beside her, Flynn cocked one black brow. „That sounds vaguely familiar.“
    Angie hid a smile. „He’s the author of a series of very popular men’s adventure novels featuring a
    character named Jake Savage. There’s one out every six months or so. Translated into eight languages. I
    don’t imagine you read that sort of thing.“
    Flynn frowned briefly as he walked beside her up the stone path that wound through the garden. The
    launch pilot was silently leading the way toward the front doors of the villa. „Some series about a guy who
    free-lances?“
    „Free-lances?“ Angie repeated.
    Flynn made a cutting movement with his hand. „You know, hires himself out to people who are willing to
    pay for services rendered.“ The dark eyes flickered. „Like I’m doing tonight.“
    Angie took a deep breath, never having thought of Jake Savage as a mercenary. But of course that was
    what he was.
    „I suppose you could say that. How many books have you read in the Savage series?“
    Flynn shrugged. „Only one. It wasn’t bad technically.“
    „I beg your pardon?“
    „Technically. It was okay technically.“ He gave her an impatient glance.
    „You mean grammatically and structurally it was good?“ She was rather surprised that he had bothered
    to dissect it in those terms. Most people who read the Savage series were looking for action and adventure,
    not writing expertise.
    „I mean,“ Flynn explained as if she weren’t very bright, „that the technical details were good. The
    descriptions of the weapons and how they handled were fairly accurate.“
    „Oh.“ Yes, of course. Technically. The word obviously had different meanings to different people.
    Before Angie could think of anything else to say, the doors of the villa swung open. Standing on the
    threshold was a short, powerfully built man who reminded Angie of a gorilla in evening clothes. She nearly
    missed her footing on the first step. Instantly Flynn’s hand was under her arm, steadying her. He appeared
    completely unconcerned by the sight of the big man in the doorway.
    „Miss Morgan and her friend,“ the launch pilot announced briskly. Then he turned and headed back
    down toward the docks.
    The man in the doorway nodded formally. „Mr. Cardinal is expecting you,“ he said gravely to Angie.
    Then he looked speculatively at Flynn. „We didn’t realize you were bringing a friend.“
    „Flynn Sangrey.“ Flynn announced himself easily and waited, not volunteering further explanation.
    „This way, please.“ The gorilla stepped aside and beckoned them into the white tiled hall. „Mr. Cardinal
    is on the west terrace.“
    Angie found herself keeping close to Flynn as they followed the man ahead of them. She swept the
    elegantly cool interior of the villa with a fascinated gaze. Julian had a more accurate eye for such details,
    but she was willing to bet that the abstract art on the walls was original. The tile beneath her feet probably
    came from Italy, and the Oriental rugs were definitely