COLLATERAL CASUALTIES (The Kate Huntington mystery series) Read Online Free Page A

to do with Skip?” she whispered. “He’s a private investigator, not a spy.”
                “I’m getting to that. I’m about to hand you a folder, inside is a letter. Don’t take it out of the folder. It’s on distinctive stationery so if he’s watching he’d probably recognize what it is. Make it look like I’m showing you a job description.”
                Miller handed her the folder. She opened it carefully. On cream-colored stationery, that looked like it was only one step away from pure linen, was a typed note. I am hoping you will do me the honor of your presence on Friday, 16 September, 2011, for a short chat. I believe you will find the discussion worth your time. I will contact you by Wednesday next with further details. In the meantime, please take care of yourself. A Concerned Friend.
                “That came in the mail last Wednesday. No return address,” Miller said.
                “How do you know this note is even from this ambassador?”
                “I’m pretty sure it is.”
                Kate narrowed her eyes at him. “And what exactly did you want to hire my husband to do?”
                “He doesn’t have to hurt anybody and it’s not dangerous, I swear. I just need to get another look at this guy. I still have some contacts. Had them do some checking on the ambassador without telling them why.” Miller’s voice was still low but he was talking fast. “They got back to me Friday morning. They think they’ve located the residence of the man’s mistress. He goes there every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, for several hours in the late afternoon. If I show up near there and he spots me, that wouldn’t be good. I need somebody he won’t recognize to go to the door with some excuse, like he’s delivering a pizza and got the wrong address. I’ll give him a fake pen. It’s really a small camera. I just need a decent head shot of the man, a close-up.”
                “You’re not sure it’s that same guy, based on his reaction? And I’d think an ambassador would have his picture in the newspaper at times.”
                Miller shook his head. “My gut says it’s him but I don’t have any proof. I don’t want to... take action unless I’m sure. I did a search on him, of course. There’s no official photo on the embassy’s website. And in the newspapers, he’s always standing behind someone or has his head turned away.”
                That was a bit strange. “Why can’t one of your contacts get the photo for you?”
                Miller rubbed his hand up and down his face, then stopped suddenly, as if remembering his role as a busy executive interviewing an applicant. He looked at his watch, then put on a polite listening look. “I’ve been doing too much of the talking. Can you act like you’re talking while I try to explain?”
                “I’m not a very good actress, Miller.”
                “Okay, just whenever I pause, say something–the alphabet, the first line of a nursery rhyme, whatever.”
                “Eeny, meeney, miny moe. Hickory, dickory dock... This is ridiculous.”
                “You’re doing great.”
                “Gee, thanks. Did I just pass Spying 101?”
                He smiled at her. “The first test at least. I haven’t told my contacts who I think this guy is because then... uh, they would do something. I need to be sure first. Before I do anything.”
                Kate’s stomach clenched. Bile rose in her throat. She pushed her plate away.
                “You’re going to kill him, aren’t you?” she said so quietly she wasn’t sure he could hear her over the noise from the mall and other diners.
                His expression said he’d heard her, but he didn’t respond right away. “Not