HARD CASE (A John Harding Novel - Special Ops, Cage Fighter, CIA Agent) Read Online Free

that’s what you’re fishing for.”
    “I graduated in the top third of my class at Harvard law slightly before my twentieth birthday. I have a chance to make partner at the law firm before I’m thirty. Your turn. How many languages do you know?”
    “A few,” I admit reluctantly. “I have a knack for them. How about you?”
    “I speak French and Spanish fluently,” Tess answers in French.
    “Nice,” I compliment her because hearing French from Tess is like listening to classical music.
    “You speak French,” Tess states, proud of herself. “Why does the State Department know right where to find you?”
    “I’m still in the Marine Reserve and I’m not in hiding.”
    “I know you killed a guy in the ring.”
    “The ref was a little slow.” It’s in the public record. I’m beginning to regret my agreeing to coffee at her house. “Why don’t you ask me where I learned how to make you sing out in that high pitched voice just before-”
    “Shut up!” Tess gasps as she smacks my arm. “I’m making intelligent conversation and you start diving in the gutter.”
    “Sounds more like an interrogation to me, Tess.”
    Silence for the remaining moments until Tess pulls into her driveway. She remotes the garage door open and drives the BMW inside. Tess shuts off the car. She turns to me with her hand on my arm.
    “Sorry about the interrogation.”
    “No problem,” I pat her hand. “Make decaf, okay?”
    Her Piedmont place reminds me of the redhead’s house in ‘Desperate Housewives’. I don’t watch much TV… but I like redheads. Every single item looks in place, like a three dimensional puzzle. I take off my shoes before following her into the adjoining kitchen from the garage. A little black kitten ran out from under the kitchen table and pounced on my right socked foot. I started laughing. Tess turned around to see what was so funny. She chuckled and snatched the little cat up.
    “Sorry about that.” Tess roughed the kitten up in her hand. “His name’s Midnight.”
    “Neat,” I reply poking my index sausage around in Midnight’s stomach. He had flipped on his back in Tess’s hands.
    “C’mon, I’ll get you a shirt to take in the bathroom with you.” Tess walked toward her bedroom carrying the purring Midnight with her. She came out a moment later with an extra large white t-shirt and handed it to me. Midnight protested with a swat at my hand when I took it.
    “I’ll be out in a few,” I told her and went in the bathroom.
    The shower felt good. When I came out with my t-shirt and underwear tied up together, I went out to the kitchen and found Tess pouring coffee into two cups. I sat down, feeling real relaxed. Midnight immediately began batting the shoelace on my right tennis shoe. Tess brought over a tray with full coffee cups, saucers, and all the makings. After putting the tray on the table Tess sat down opposite me. She fixed her coffee real comfortable like. I sipped mine, thinking this was real nice. Then the doorbell rang. Tess got this startled but knowing look on her face. Okay… it was nice for a couple minutes there.
    “Excuse me,” Tess said, getting up and going over to open her front door.
    I turned to watch through the kitchen archway leading to the living room. From where I sat, I could see Tess open the door. She stepped aside. Two large suits walked in the doorway carrying briefcases. Tess led them to the kitchen. I’m thinkin’ this is going to be interesting. All those neat little redhead thoughts melted away - leaving only a slight stinging sensation, like when one of those meat eatin’ yellow-jackets porks you in the woods. I lock eyes with the lead suit. His name’s Dennis Strobert. He and I do government business occasionally. He’s never pulled anything like this before so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. Tess… I’ll have to think on.
    “Hey, John.” Dennis grins at me real friendly like. He’s about six-two in height and only a small