Read Hooper, Kay - [Hagen 09] for Free Online

her only chance of revenge against Kelly lay in helping
to find evidence against him for counter-felting. If she could do
that, it would be enough. It would have to be enough.
    "Okay. So what do we do?"
    "First, I want you to pay a little visit to Kelly."
    "I hate that man," she said.
    "Good. Make sure he sees it. You're furious with
him. He came to your house and threatened your mother, all because he
thought she took something from his safe. Tell him your mother went
nowhere near that study, but you saw other people going in and out
all evening. Even one of his security men went in at least three
times – you saw him."
    Jennifer was listening intently. "Why am I pointing
at the security guard in particular?"
    "He's as good a target as any. Besides, I still
have to check on that connection I mentioned. So you be sure and
direct Kelly's attention that way. And he'll find the plate hidden in
the guard's room."
    "How will – Oh. You'll put it there?"
    "Right. By the way, since Kelly didn't tell you
what had been stolen, be careful not to let on that you know."
    "He knows Mother – I got the bracelet."
    Dane didn't appear to notice the slip. "Fine. Go on
to him about that – that it was just a lousy bracelet, nothing
to make such a fuss over. Really give him hell. How's your temper?"
    She managed a smile. "I'm half Italian. My temper's
a force of nature."
    He laughed softly. "Perfect."
    "What happens after he finds the plate, assuming he
believes me and searches the guard's room?"
    "Then I go to work trying to find the other plate
and the press. It's very likely that it is somewhere in the house, or
nearby."
    Jennifer was silent for a moment, then offered, "I
could sketch a floor plan for you. It might save time."
    Dane rose and went over to the desk, returning with
several blank pieces of hotel stationery and a pencil. He sat down –
a bit closer this time – and handed them to her. "Thank
you. Jenny," he said quietly.
    She reached for a large hotel menu on the coffee table
and slid it under the papers on her lap, then bent her head and began
sketching. "I don't know why I'm trusting you." she
muttered, half angry. "You'll probably steal everything but
the drapes."
    "No, I won't do that."
    She sketched for a few moments, but the silence began to
bother her. And she could feel his eyes on her, not laughing now but
lit from within as always, like candlelight through fine violet
china. Like sunlight through purple clouds, after a storm. "Why
did you become a gambler?" she asked abruptly.
    For the first time Dane found that question difficult to
answer. And he knew why. Her father had lost her home gambling; she
couldn't have a high opinion of that particular form of "recreation."
He knew, in fact, that it was his gambling she mistrusted more than
his possible talent at stealing.
    "No answer?" she asked dryly.
    "I happen to be good at it," he said finally.
"I have a great memory and excellent concentration, and I've
been playing cards since I was a kid. I'm a professional gambler.
Jenny. Not a compulsive one."
    "Is there a difference?"
    He studied her delicate, serious profile, aware
suddenly of a jumble of emotions. He didn't want her to believe
the worst of him, but he had little choice other than to continue
telling her the variety of half-truths he had lived with and
protected for more than ten years.
    No choice.
    "There's a difference," he told her. "I
never believe bad luck will turn with the next card; I never believe
good luck will last; and I never bet everything. Never."
     
Three
     
    "Are you lucky?" she asked without looking at
him.
    "Usually."
    "Do you cheat?"
    The question didn't offend him, not when he knew her own
story as well as he did. "I know how," he said steadily.
"And I know how to spot others cheating."
    "You didn't answer the question."
    He couldn't answer with a lie. "I never have. But I
suppose I would, if the stakes were high enough."
    "What price honor," she murmured.
    That did bother Dane, and