Read Relentless Adversary for Free Online Page B

malicious, except toward rivals.
    "I see," Kelly murmured a trifle uncertainly. "Well, we didn't discuss his fiancée so I really don't know much about—
    "
    "Oh, I can believe you didn't discuss Amanda! Locke probably doesn't even think about her. According to the poor girl, he barely seemed aware of the engagement when it was in effect, and the day she gave him back his ring he hardly looked up from the terminal long enough to tell her good-bye!" Helen was laughing now, gray eyes sparkling as she remembered the tale.
    Kelly considered that for an instant, trying to imagine Locke being so blasé about his own engagement. "How—
    how long ago was this engagement?"
    "It lasted all of two months and ended early this year. I'll have to admit that most of my information comes from Amanda's mother." Helen settled back in her executive chair and gazed thoughtfully out toward Lake Washington. "I expect it's the eyes."
    "The eyes?" Kelly was beginning to have trouble following the conversation.
    "Those marvelous green eyes. No woman could be blamed for thinking the man was capable of an interesting degree of passion. And with that black hair and those massive shoulders—"
    "Helen Forrester!" Kelly finally exclaimed. "Are you by any chance trying to warn me about something?"
    Helen looked sheepish. "Maybe I am, Kelly. Amanda Bailey wasn't the first woman who discovered a romance with Locke Channing wasn't all she had thought it was going to be. From what I hear, the man has all the normal male appetites, but once they're satisfied, he turns to a computer for intellectual stimulation and companionship."
    "Cold, hmmm?"
    "Colder than the Puget Sound in January according to all reports. He uses those eyes as bait to catch an amusing little fish for dinner, but once he's satisfied his hunger, he loses interest. It's a mystery how Amanda got him as far as an engagement!"
    Kelly hesitated a moment and then asked bluntly, "Why are you warning me, Helen?"
    "Because he took the trouble to ask me a few questions about you, Kelly. And when I heard you'd had dinner with him, I got to worrying that you might be the next fish in line." The laughter faded from the eyes to be replaced by genuine concern.
    "Do I look like a silly, unwary little fish?" Kelly asked gently, her mouth twisting in a sardonic smile.
    Helen eyed her for a moment and then grinned. "No, my dear, you don't. Sorry about the interference. You're a big girl, aren't you? It wouldn't surprise me if this time Locke might discover he's trying to reel in a fish who's capable of biting back!"
    "A female barracuda?"
    "My favorite kind of manager! Okay, enough of the motherly hints. Tell me what Locke had to say about the inventory problem."
    "Not much, actually. He expects to know more in a couple of days, I gather, after he's combed through the program.
    He also said something about staying on longer to examine computer security in general." Kelly waited. This was the real reason she'd come to Helen's office this morning. She needed to know how much longer the cat-and-mouse game between herself and Locke would continue.
    Helen nodded. "I suggested it after my conversation with him a few days ago. Don't you think it's a good idea?
    Especially if he turns up real problems in the inventory."
    "His services don't come cheap."
    "Prevention is always cheaper than the cure!"
    She couldn't argue with that, Kelly acknowledged silently. It was beginning to appear that her nerves were fated to be strung out on tenterhooks for several days. Her mouth tightened unconsciously at the prospect. With a nod she set down her coffee cup and got to her feet.
    "I just wanted to check in with you. I'd better be getting back to my office. Carol has your morning fully choreo-graphed and I wouldn't want to be accused of upsetting the schedule."
    "I'll see you later this afternoon, Kelly. I want to go over the figures on the contract with that Japanese firm. I'd like to add that line of speakers and turntables