Songs for Perri Read Online Free Page A

character. It turned her off anyone whose occupation requires them to play a role. She once said people in the CIA told so many lies, you'd never know when they were actually telling the truth."
    "Ouch."
    "She had a point. I'd just lied to her a few minutes earlier about where I’d been. Crystal looked at me and we both shook our heads."
    Hugo had never seen Walt so depressed. The man had aged ten years since Owen had disappeared. He didn't need this new worry hanging over his head. "What'll you do, without me?" he asked, then rose and picked up his large suitcase which he always kept packed and ready to go.
    "I'll stay here until I hear from you. Blast it! Why didn't she stay home? She can endanger us all."
    "That's for sure. I assume she doesn't know what Owen's doing, either."
    "Right. She has no idea what she's walking into."
    "How do you suggest I get her to leave if I can't tell her what's going on? Luke said she plans to stay down here to help you look for Owen."
    "Did he say how she knew he was here?"
    "No."
    "Hum. Did he say how he knew I was here. I didn’t tell him.”
    “Perri did. She found out somehow. He had plenty to say about you coming down on your own until I told him who I was. Should I act the bad guy and threaten her?"
    Walt shook his head. "I doubt it would work. Perri has a deep sense of loyalty. She won't abandon Owen...it would just make her more determined."
    Just like you, Hugo thought, and said, "You'll have to describe her. Do you have a photo? The only ones I’ve seen was when she was young."
    "No, not when I'm working. But you can't miss her. She'll be the prettiest girl at the airport." He smiled at Hugo's look of exasperation and added, "Look for a slender, effervescent female with ash-blonde hair. She'll stand out like a silver maple in a stand of firs."
    "What else?"
    "Five-five; hundred and twenty. Twenty-six years old... although she looks younger. A replica of Crystal, except for the haircut. Perri’s is longer, but all over the place. Cut so it doesn’t lie down very well."
    Hugo tried to imagine anyone as lovely as Crystal, and failed. Her beauty came from within as well as without. All other women seemed shallow in comparison. "Who do I tell her I am?"
    "Better go as Hugo Brandt."
    "Him, huh?" Hugo brushed his fingers across the top of his short cropped hair. He didn’t like wearing Hugo’s wig. "Not Joe? It's easier."
    A fleeting grin touched Walt's mouth, but went no further. "Hugo has a way with the ladies."
    "Yeah, well, that's sometimes an asset, but at other times a liability. I had trouble getting rid of that redheaded photographer this morning. She was trying to put me into every picture she took. She's now convinced that Hugo Brandt is a rude, obnoxious jerk."
    "Just be glad she won't be around when you meet Perri." Walt's expression became even more intent as he punctuated each point with his finger. "I want you to sweet talk my daughter into believing you're the answer to every woman's prayers. You stick to her like a lover while I try to figure out some way to make her go home without telling her I’m here."
    Hugo nodded as he opened the door, the knob hard and cool to his touch. "Good luck. If she's as stubborn as you are, we're going to need it."
    Adjusting the plane’s tiny stream of air, Perri glanced at her watch. The time had barely passed since she had looked at it last, unable to stop worrying about Owen. What could have happened?
    Owen worked for a large computer firm. Their business was global, and he was always going off to some country or other to help set up different systems. He was good at his job, and in high demand. What had he done to make someone want to kill him? Had he stumbled onto some deadly information? And why Mazatlan and not Bolivia? He’d said he was going to Bolivia.
    She would find out soon now; the plane was scheduled to land in a few minutes.
    She had tried to push back her thoughts by conversing with the middle-aged man seated