The Dark of Day Read Online Free

at a reasonable price, so we’re looking into some unused federal land that’s just sitting there, going to waste. Paul Shelby is on the Finance Committee, and he’s pushing it for us. He says if the Committee approves, which it will, Congress will go along.”
    â€œWhat federal land?”
    â€œAbout fifty acres down in the south part of the county, off Card Sound Road. Back in the sixties, the Navy used it for a listening post. Right now it’s just weeds and rocks.”
    â€œSo how is this a problem for Shelby? Or for you?”
    â€œI’m getting there. He’s up for re-election this fall, and the Democrats want his seat. They’re looking for anything against Paul, anything. He was at the party, too—just dropped in and out long enough to thank Billy for that nice article he published in Tropical Life. ”
    â€œIs Billy investing in The Aquarius?”
    â€œSure. He’s staking his last dollar on it, so he’s biting his nails like the rest of us. He didn’t tell you? Oh, well, that’s Billy.” Milo put an imaginary key to his lips and turned it. “You didn’t hear it from me.”
    C.J. lifted her brows. “And what is Shelby getting out of it? Or should I even ask?”
    â€œNo, no, not a dime. Honestly, C.J., he isn’t. The tricky thing here is the girl. She disappeared from a party attended by Paul Shelby, at which the main entertainment was a woman from the Middle East who openly opposes our foreign policy. Then someone on Shelby’s staff is suspected of—of kidnapping? Or murder? The Finance Committee will abandon him. There goes the project. It’s enough to make me want to cut my wrists.”

    â€œAnd Paul Shelby has no financial interest?”
    â€œHe doesn’t need to. He’s loaded.”
    â€œThat never stopped a politician. Tell me why he’s supporting a project in green architecture when he has one of the worst environmental voting records in Congress.”
    â€œHe’s had a change of heart,” Milo said.
    â€œTry again.”
    â€œIt’s true! Well . . . it’s probably true. Go ahead, accuse him of paying attention to which way the wind blows. The voters want green. The Aquarius would do a lot for his image.”
    â€œSo it’s just a public relations issue for Paul Shelby?”
    â€œJust?” Milo closed his eyes and laid a hand over his heart.
    â€œWhose idea was it, getting me involved? His?”
    â€œNo, it was mine. I haven’t told him yet. They think they can handle it. They can’t. They don’t see the potential for disaster. It’s not a big deal yet, and if it’s managed correctly, it won’t be.”
    â€œIf something happened to this girl, it’s a big deal to her family.”
    â€œYes. All right. But so far there’s no national media interest. A girl is missing. It happens. But she did disappear from a party on South Beach, with all the connotations that go with it. I’m sorry for her folks, but she’s not a girl who will generate much sympathy.”
    C.J. shook her head. “I think what you need is a very quiet, well-connected public relations adviser. Want me to recommend someone?”
    â€œI want you. This could blow up, and who else could I trust to handle it as well as C.J. Dunn? She’s brilliant. She’s beautiful. The media love her.”
    â€œDon’t try to sweet-talk me, Milo.”
    He stared out the window as they paused at a stop light. The brim of the hat put a shadow on his face. On the opposite corner, men lined up outside the little window of a bodega. How they drank Cuban coffee in this heat, C.J. could not understand. A matron waddled across with her shopping bags. Past four o’clock, traffic getting heavier. A few blocks on, the chauffeur turned left onto Brickell Avenue. Soon they would arrive at her office.
    He sighed. “I swear to you, if I have to go back