Lust and Lies 04 - Pretty Maids in a Row

reporter, and a reputable one at that. I figure you could be looking for a hot story."
    "I'm not."
    "So you say. At any rate, now that I know you're not recording our little chat, I can say anything and it would be our word against yours. So, tell me what I can do for you."
    "I represent someone who might be interested in buying one of your special films."
    "This person's with the government?"
    "Yes, but he wants it as a gift for a rather influential foreigner."
    "Middle East?"
    "I didn't ask. Don't really want to know."
    "That's okay. I have a fair idea. At least now I understand how you got my name. This isn't the first time a politician has come to me for a buy. When you carry a unique line of products, word gets around. Tell me, Mr. Wells, where do you fit into this goodwill operation?"
    "The secre—, er, I mean, the government employee did me a big favor a few months back. Slipped me some highly confidential information. I thought I was repaying it in kind until your trained ape redefined the term 'close encounters'."
    D'Angelo allowed himself a horselaugh, then instantly got serious again. "I'm going to go with my gut on this and believe you. I can usually judge a man's honesty by looking in his eyes. You've got honest eyes, Mr. Wells. But if I've made a mistake this time, I guarantee you'll suffer ten times more than I will. You might consider what a real close encounter with Butch would be like."
    He paused to make sure his threat had taken root. "Okay. I've got something for every taste. Depending on the subject matter, the tapes run from a hundred to a thousand dollars each. You want to see them first, that costs, too."
    "Just to see what I'm buying?"
    "Sometimes that's all a person wants is to see it once. Nothing's free. So, what's the man looking for?"
    "Actually, I don't think what he wants would be in the price range you mentioned. He was under the impression you had an original movie... the kind someone would die for." He kept his eyes on D'Angelo's and saw the acknowledgement there.
    "There is only one DVD, no copies. It would suit my purposes for it to leave the country. But it's a big risk for me to even take it out of safekeeping. Viewing cost will be ten grand. Purchase price is one million."
    David managed to keep from gaping only with the greatest effort. Instead, he nodded as if it was what he had expected to hear. "I have to see it first. The fee's no problem. I'll decide if it's worth the price tag after that. When and where?"
    "I have a specially equipped screening room. I could have it available tonight. I'll call you with the directions when it's time. Cash only, nothing larger than hundreds. Come alone, and if you start getting any funny ideas about what a good story this would make, just think about Butch's cold hands."
    By the time David returned to his hotel room, he was seriously questioning his sanity. He had never taken a risk this big for a story. His life was actually on the line. And where the hell was he going to get ten thousand dollars by tonight?
    On the other hand, if he could get the money, and if he could get a look at the film, he would have the kind of story that could put his career over the top. Did the end justify the means?
    You bet your ass it did!
    His editor ran over the same ground when David called in, then came up with the same conclusion, but he refused to go along with David's plan to stick his neck out all alone. He told David to stand by while he made a few calls.
    * * *
    For three days Holly had fretted over how she could reach David to warn him to be careful. His editor swore he didn't know where David was staying in Miami. Though he took her messages, she had the feeling he'd given the same speech before, many times to many women.
    It would serve David right if he—She cut off the vindictive thought. This wasn't his fault. It was hers, for trying to play a game that was beyond her experience. If anything happened to him, she would never forgive herself. She thought to check her caller ID as soon as she awakened, but it only showed the words, unknown number and hitting star sixty-nine was just as useless.
    So far she had heeded Bobbi's and Philip's advice—only because she wanted to talk to David before doing anything else. But it still didn't go down well. As soon as the sun came up, she called the one other person she felt comfortable talking to. She had called April on Friday before leaving for Maryland, just to let her know their plan was moving