Donovans 02 - Jade Island

chose to be stiff-necked about it, Farmer would shift priorities and concentrate on how he could profit in China’s coming economic ruin. Beginning now.
    The day that had started before dawn had just become longer.
    “Coffee, Mary Margaret. Black and strong.”
     
    “Cindi, you have the local angle on this crisis,” the news anchor said.
    Reluctantly Lianne turned away from Susa’s paintings and faced the television set. Its screen was big enough for the travelogues that Susa enjoyed, but not big enough to dominate the airy room.
    “Thanks, Carl.” Wearing a tasteful burgundy suit, cream silk blouse, motionless hair, and a colorful scarf that lifted in the wind, Cindi turned toward the camera. Thanks to the deceptive miracle of digital TV, she appeared to be standing on I-5 overlooking the vast Boeing/McDonnell Douglas complex. “The atmosphere is tense here today at the Boeing plant. Workers who had been certain of employment from Chinese aircraft contracts are now grim, fearing layoffs or worse. Unless the trade situation is resolved, these men and women will be out of work before their kids are out of school for the summer. Back to you, Carl.”
    “Thanks, Cindi. Next, an update on the protest over the Nude Taco, the cafe that brought see-through dining to our Northwest cuisine.”
    Lianne punched a button on the remote, shutting off the TV. No matter how edgy she was, waiting to open her own negotiations with the U.S. government, there were some things she wouldn’t waste time on. Afternoon “news” was one of them.
    “No nude tacos?” Kyle asked from behind her.
    She glanced over her shoulder. Kyle was across the room, leaning against the doorway, watching her with eyes that measured and desired.
    “I’m into nude hot dogs,” she said.
    “You’re in luck. I’ve got this—”
    The front door opened. The teasing expression vanished from Kyle’s face as a young, startlingly beautiful Chinese woman preceded Archer into the room.
    Kyle had seen the woman before, at the Tang’s post-auction party. She had been wearing less clothes and more hair then. Not that the tailored charcoal suit and red silk blouse made her look like a dog. Far from it.
    With narrowed eyes, Lianne measured the young woman, wondering at the transformation from party bimbo to sleek, self-confident business person.
    “Good behavior, boys and girls,” Kyle said. “I do believe Uncle has just arrived.”
    The woman gave Kyle a look from glorious, polished jet eyes. “Bingo. This would have been a whole lot easier if you had used the telephone number I put in your pocket.”
    “My plate was full,” he said dryly.
    “April Joy, meet Lianne Blakely and my brother Kyle,” Archer said.
    “We’ve met,” April said.
    “April Joy?” Kyle’s mouth turned up at one corner. “The name fit you better when you were wearing your hair down past the crack in your ass, and not much else.”
    Smiling, April walked closer to Kyle, giving that extra little swing and jiggle of hips and breasts that was guaranteed to bring a man’s heart rate up. “How’s your plate now, handsome?”
    “Knock it off,” Archer said impatiently to April before Kyle could answer. “You tried that approach already on him. It didn’t work.”
    “Should I try it on you?” April asked, turning to Archer.
    He smiled slowly, thinly. “Depends on how much time you have to waste.”
    “Forget it. I’ve read your file. You keep your cock in your pants like a regular priest.” April looked at Lianneand spoke in rapid Cantonese. “Do not trust these men, sister. They will use you and forget you.”
    “Number Four Donovan Son saved my life,” Lianne said in the same language. “It is his to do with as he pleases.”
    “You are American, not Chinese.”
    “Not in this.”
    “Shit,” April said in heartfelt English. She turned to the men. “Give me a reason I shouldn’t have the three of you locked up for obstructing a federal investigation.”
    “This is America, not China,” Kyle said. “You need evidence to lock people up.”
    “Wrong,” April said. “All you need is a pliant federal judge.”
    “If you had one that pliant, you wouldn’t be here,” Archer pointed out. “Any more gambits you’re supposed to try before we get down to business?”
    “Are you going to offer me coffee or are you going to be a prick?” she asked Archer.
    “I’ll get back to you on that.”
    “You’re going to be a prick. This is my lucky day all