The Spy Who Loves Me Read Online Free Page B

She waved at a few of the clerks she recognized, her eyes scanning the cubicles for a particular person. She found him four cubicles down, centrally located under the watchful eye of the Unit’s security cameras.
    â€œHello, Al.”
    Albert Alcott looked up from the computer, his eyes blank at first, then brightening as he recognized her. “Amber,” he said, climbing to his feet. “Wow. It’s good to…I mean, why are you here?” He frowned, concern flashing across his features. “I’m not going to be—”
    â€œOf course not,” Amber said. “As far as I know, the Unit’s perfectly happy with you. Your job is safe.”
    Amber almost laughed at the wave of relief that swept across Al’s face. Spending all day in front of a computer would bore her to tears, but from Al’s perspective, she supposed it was a dream job. After she’d tracked him down, she’d cut a deal with him. Instead of serving jail time for grand larceny, now Alcott was working for the Unit.
    Not a bad deal for a guy like Alcott.
    And, she had to admit, not a bad deal for her, either. Alcott had learned the ropes quickly. And on more than one occasion he’d been able to ferret out information when she’d needed it.
    â€œI brought you something,” she said, digging into her day pack for the dog-eared novel. She passed it to him. “You liked the Ludlum that I lent you last month, so I thought you might like this one, too.”
    â€œThanks,” Al said, riffling the book’s pages. “You’re on that Traynor assignment, right?”
    She nodded. “Anything new for me?”
    â€œNothing. I’ll keep my eyes open.”
    â€œThanks.” She cocked her head toward the door. “I’m out of here. See you around.”
    â€œThank you,” Al said, lifting the book. “And, Amber…”
    She turned, an eyebrow raised in question.
    â€œWatch your back.”
    Â 
    By the time he’d read the entire Sunday Los Angeles Times, showered, dressed, downed two cups of coffee, and watched Meet the Press, Finn knew he had no other options—it was time to get back to work.
    He levered himself up and off the couch, then headed toward the table, eyeing the little stacks he’d left last night like a big game hunter might eye his prey. A yellow highlighter, a copy of the California Code of Civil Procedure, a brand new bag of Cheetos, two yellow pads covered with notes, and the dreaded pleadings and depositions that had been giving him grief all weekend. Everything was in order; he had no excuses anymore. It was time to rock ’n’ roll.
    He frowned, not thrilled by the prospect. Particularly when his imagination was so much more enticing.
    With a sigh, Finn drummed his fingers on the tabletop. Too bad he couldn’t really be his fantasy alter ego. After all, Agent Python wouldn’t be cooped up reading depositions. No, if Python were locked up in this apartment, it would be because the mission required it.
    Finn grinned, letting his imagination run wild. As a top government agent, it was Agent Python’s job to bring down the key players in Superior Criminals United for Mayhem, a notorious group of international bad guys bent on world domination. But rather than engage in a risky helo drop into the New Mexico desert that surrounded the S.C.U.M. headquarters, Python was using this seemingly dull Los Angeles safe house to keep an eye on S.C.U.M.’s exotic blonde agent, Tatiana.
    At the moment, Tatiana was holed up in her apartment, so Python would use the time to poke around in S.C.U.M.’s files. If he couldn’t go there in person, he’d go there virtually.
    In that regard, Python’s undercover identity as a mild-mannered attorney actually helped quite a bit. The law firm represented ZAEL, a defense contractor that Agent Python knew had been infiltrated by S.C.U.M. agents. With a chuckle, Finn fired