The Da Vinci Deception Read Online Free Page B

hell.”
    Jonas leaned forward and continued in a low, husky voice. “It would seem that your choice is very simple: risk a return to prison or join us in creating Leonardo manuscripts that will bring make you financially independent.”
    â€œYou were talking about honor, about trust. And now you talk about blackmail.”
    Jonas’s voice became little more than a whisper.
    â€œI detest the word ‘blackmail.’ But I like the thought of a very painful and fatal accident even less.”

Chapter 3
    â€œH ere’s to Ellie Shepard. May she enjoy fame, fortune, and happiness.” Steve Goldensen downed the champagne in a single swallow. He refilled the tall tulip-shaped glass and raised it as if to make another toast.
    â€œNo . . . right words . . . wrong order. Here’s to fortune, happiness, and fame. Or should happiness come first? And health, Steve. Shouldn’t health be in there someplace?” Ellie asked, a cigarette in one hand, the other holding her champagne.
    She giggled as she sipped. Her laughing stopped and she set the glass on the table and stared at it. Even with a frown spreading over her face, Eleanor Shepard was a stunningly beautiful woman. Long auburn hair contrasted with her pale, clear skin and her hazel eyes were flecked with strong green accents. Her lips were full and sensuous. “Oh God, Steve, that sounds horribly selfish. Why can’t I say the right words? I came to Washington with such dreams. I’m the gal who was going to be the first female director of the FDA and after three years I’ve managed to become an expert on analgesics and skin ointments.”
    He took her hand to his lips. “Ellie, my sweet, you haven’t lost that impetuous drive. You came with a thousand stars in that pretty head and expected Washington bureaucracy to bend to your will. It didn’t and it won’t . . . not for you or anyone. It’s all part of the fabric around here.”
    Steve was right. Steve was always right, Ellie thought. She looked at his dark, handsome face.
    â€œBut it has to change. This city will cave in from its own flab. If I don’t run into sheer incompetency, I crash into idiotic mediocrity and there’s mile after mile of both.”
    â€œSo you re going to run away from it.”
    â€œNo, I’m not running. That’s not the way I do things. I was told that if I wanted to make a contribution, I should become involved. To get on
the inside. Well, I’ve done that. But I’ve become what’s happening on the inside. I’ve become one of them, and I don’t like it. All I’ve learned is how a single piece of this government works—slowly, stupidly, expensively. The waste, Steve. The mountains of paper, the meetings, the endless hearings, the pompous asses.”
    â€œHey, hold on. If you got rid of all that, you’d put us lawyers out of business.”
    â€œThen they would have to hustle to earn an honest living. Is that so bad?”
    â€œPoor choice of words.”
    â€œI’m sorry if I offended you. I didn’t mean you were being dishonest.”
    â€œOf course you didn’t. But you’re getting all hung up on feeling you must make a contribution. That things have to change. Ellie, it’s a lousy system but it’s the best there is.”
    Ellie snuffed out her cigarette. “Look at me. Three years with the Food and Drug Administration and I’m still smoking.”
    â€œYou’re changing the subject.”
    â€œI think we should. We’re not being very happy right now.”
    â€œI have a happy subject. Let’s get married.” He raised his glass. “Now.”
    â€œSteve, I hoped you wouldn’t bring that up tonight. I know you love me—”
    â€œVery much.”
    â€œYes, you love me very much. And I ... I love you, too. But it’s not the same kind of very much. Not so I can say yes.”
    â€œHow far from