Colby Velocity Read Online Free Page A

it, but he gave me the location last night. Just in case.”
    â€œHe was aware on some level that the threat might go beyond a reputation assassination?” In Rocky’s opinion the idea that the victim felt he was in physical danger put a slightly different slant on the case.
    â€œHe didn’t say as much, but I got that impression. Yoni wasn’t one to break protocol. He played by the rules.” She gave Rocky another of those pointed looks. “All the rules.”
    Rocky studied her eyes, the certainty there, and the determined set of her jaw. “Once in a great while a true innocent is mowed down in a scenario like this, but only once in a great while. I’d wager your friend has at least one secret that’ll surprise you.” He didn’t have to spell out the glaring fact that Sayar did not want to go to the police.
    Another of those long, awkward pauses lapsed with her staring directly into his eyes.
    â€œMaybe,” she admitted.
    â€œIf I’m right, you owe me lunch.” A long-awaited lunch, he didn’t mention.
    Her assessing gaze narrowed slightly. “You’re on.”
    He grinned, leaned into the headrest. Lunch was a given. Rocky had never met a man or woman, dead or alive, who didn’t have at least one secret. Yoni Sayar surely had his.
    â€œIf you’re wrong,” Kendra said, cutting into his victorious musing, “you have to wear a suit to the office every day for a week.”
    Surprised, he looked her straight in the eye. “Something wrong with what I wear?” He was a jeans and boots kind of guy. Sure he wore the requisite button-down shirt and sports jacket, but never suits. Well, almost never. Occasionally he had no choice.
    She shook her head. “Nothing a little polish and silk won’t take care of.”
    â€œHa-ha.” He pretended to be annoyed but deep down he was kind of happy that she’d bothered to observe what he wore. She sure hadn’t given the first indication that she’d looked at him long enough to notice. “Nice to know you care.”
    â€œAppearances are everything, Rocky,” she said,surveying the entrance to the airfield as the driver made the turn. “At the Colby Agency appearances are extremely important.”
    His anticipation flattened. Her attention was related to business.
    Like always.

Chapter Three
    Washington, D.C., Capitol Hill Diner, 1:55 p.m.
    Kendra waited through the lengthy hold. When Castille’s secretary returned to the line, Kendra didn’t give her time to pass along the no she knew the senator had likely given. “I have to talk to him, Jean. It’s urgent, as I’m sure you know.”
    Rocky lounged on the other side of the booth they’d claimed once the lunch crowd started to dwindle, his expression resigned to the idea that she was butting her head against a brick wall. But he had to hand it to her; she didn’t give up easily.
    â€œKendra, I wish I could help you,” Jean offered, her voice hushed. She wouldn’t want to be overheard consorting with the enemy.
    â€œI understand that an appointment is out of the question,” Kendra put in before the woman who’d worked with the senator his entire senatorial career could continue, “but if you can give me some hintof his schedule for this afternoon I’ll catch him on the run.” Kendra had some idea of Castille’s daily agenda. Two years as his personal aide had provided significant insight into his usual activities. But it had been three years.
    Things changed. So did people.
    â€œWhat about his three o’clock at the club?” she prodded. During Kendra’s tenure as his aide, Castille hadn’t missed a Wednesday afternoon sit-down with the boys at the club. The Summit catered to high-level D.C. politicians and businessmen, providing classic luxury along with a three hundred percent markup on beverages. Membership was required for