Diamond Legacy. Monica McCabe

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СКАЧАТЬ a front, I’ll try to quietly take out those involved. As long as they cooperate. Agreed?”

      “On one condition.”

      “It’s not negotiable.”

      “Everything is negotiable.” She grabbed Roz away from a bowl of plastic fruit and settled her on her hip again. “As a veterinarian, I have greater access to the database than a janitor. Which, by the way, you need to work on a little stronger. I didn’t buy your act. Most janitors I know don’t pick locks. Nor do they have razor sharp eyes with a calculating gleam. You might try toning that down a bit.”

      Did she actually just insult him? “I’ll have you know several people have thanked me for the quality of my janitorial work!”

      “Really? That’s more gratitude than I got at the airport when I saved your life.”

      “Saved my life? Are you serious? I’ve faced bigger guns than that little firecracker he carried. I could’ve handled the situation without your help.”

      “Well I saved you the trouble and never heard one thank you.” Roz squirmed in her arms, and she adjusted her hold.

      He just stared in disbelief. “Interfering is a habit of yours, isn’t it?”

      She looked like she wanted to throw something at him. “Of all the ungrateful—”

      “We don’t have time to argue.” He headed for the next room and she followed.

      “Admit it,” she persisted, “I can help you. Especially if you tell me exactly what you’re looking for.”

      Man, she was stubborn. Whether he agreed or not, she’d get involved. It would no doubt be smarter to keep her occupied and under his watchful eye. Problem was, she’d be in real danger if discovered. And he didn’t know her. Trust was much too risky.

      Still, he needed to come up with something. “You must promise not to do anything rash,” he said. “If you blow this investigation by snooping, there’ll be hell to pay.”

      “I know how to be discreet.”

      Things had now become way more complicated than he liked. But maybe, just maybe, she could stumble across something useful. “All right, then.” A sinking feeling told him he’d regret this. “I’d like a look at animal shipments. Names, dates, and origins would be helpful.”

      “That I can do. How far back?”

      “A year would be good, six months will suffice. And whatever you do, keep a sharp eye out. Don’t do anything stupid or attract suspicion. Got it?”

      “Aye, aye, Captain.”

      He scowled at her, seriously worried about the wisdom of what he’d just agreed to. But there was no arguing the point now. Good or bad, the deed was done.

      “Come on,” he said gruffly. “Let’s get out of here.”

      Chapter 8

      Miranda thought she could sneak into the animal nutrition area, commonly known as The Tank due to metallic walls and a deep square shape, but should’ve known better.

      “Where’ve you been?” Jason asked the second her foot crossed the threshold. “It’s not like you to be late.”

      She opted for a convincing lie. “Got trapped in a conversation about the States.”

      “Been there, done that.” Jason scooped up a glob of liver-colored vitamin paste and smeared it on chunks of raw meat for the big cats food supply.

      She’d missed lunch, but the vile smell of that paste effectively killed her hunger. Miranda tied on a wrap-around apron and washed her hands before joining Jason and Mikal, Katanga’s nutritionist, at the wide stainless steel table. Letta pushed her way through the double doors just then, carrying another tray of meat cut in smaller chunks for the servals and young cheetahs.

      “There you are!” Letta said, sliding the tray onto the table and shoving it in place with the others. “We feared you were lost.”

      “I’ve learned my way around,” Miranda replied. “It’s names I struggle with.” She pulled on latex gloves and dug into the smelly paste. “It can be embarrassing.”

      “Too many for you to remember.” Mikal waved off her worry. “For us this is easy, only you and Jason.”

      “You’ll learn them all,” Letta said, “right about the time you’re ready to leave.”

      “Please, I don’t want to think about leaving yet.” Miranda wrinkled her nose as she smeared the heady mix onto a hindquarter of wildebeest. Zoological care wasn’t for the squeamish. “Only five weeks and there’s so much to see before we go.”

      Letta sat down at the lab computer and began clicking at the keyboard, logging in the day’s carnivore menu selections. “Keep in mind, to go any distance you really should fly. The roads are deplorable.”

      “She’s absolutely right,” Matthew said from the doorway.

      Miranda jumped in surprise and fumbled a scoop of paste, the spoon clattering as it bounced against the stainless steel table. Jason shot her an odd look as Matthew strolled in carrying paper towels, foil, and trash bags.

      “Road maintenance isn’t high on our government’s list of priorities,” he continued as he stashed the supplies into a cupboard. “Have a bush pilot friend who owes me a favor, though. He could show you the Kalahari by air. Just say the word and I’ll arrange it.”

      Now why would he make an offer like that? Such generosity on the heels of his earlier anger was suspect.

      “That’s very kind of you,” Miranda replied, “but our time is limited.”

      “Are you kidding me?” Jason exclaimed over her reversal in attitude. “Didn’t you just say we have a lot to see?”

      She grabbed a paper towel to wipe up her mess and met Matthew’s eyes across the table. Nothing devious in the good humor she saw there, but she didn’t trust him. There was an ulterior motive at work here, and it was keeping her out of his way.

      “We’ve an obligation to Katanga.” She leveled a pointed glare at Matthew. “Until it’s fulfilled, we won’t be thinking about sightseeing.”

      Jason made a choking sound. Letta appeared speculative as she glanced from Matthew to her. And Mikal ignored them all and continued coating the meat with the vitamin paste.

      “Obligation can require sacrifice,” Matthew replied with an agreeable nod. “An unfortunate consequence of duty, don’t you agree, Miss Parrish?”

      She narrowed her eyes, refusing to bite. Instead she joined Mikal and ignored him all together.

      “I assume introductions aren’t necessary?” Letta said perceptively.

      “We’ve bumped into each other once or twice,” Matthew said.

      Big understatement. Her body still tingled СКАЧАТЬ