Vanishing Point (Circle of Spies Novella) Read Online Free Page A

she could never get past the introductions before the group returned to their original conversation.
    She approached a servant to switch out for a full glass of champagne. Already, it was having the desired effect. The snobbish looks of rich fancily dressed ladies and gents no longer bothered her. After drifting through the crowd and counting the number of gems worth more than two hundred dollars, she found Will talking with a group of men. She’d love to hear their conversation. They stood near the end of a buffet table filled with gorgeous entrees.  
    Enough dilly-dallying.  
    After lingering near the opposite end of the long table and glancing around to make sure no one was watching and after envisioning herself as some daring spy from the last romance novel she read, which was actually quite good, Marisa ducked between the table and the wall.  
    Now what?  
    She crawled the length of it until she reached the other end. Will’s rich, sexy voice was audible but she couldn’t quite pick out the words over the roar of the people who were sure to be getting tipsy.  
    She had to move closer. Somehow.
    The long white tablecloth skimmed the floor next to her. Not just any white tablecloth one could pick up from Walmart but a fancy hand-stitched one that probably cost more than a few bucks. Should she slip under it to get closer to Will and his chums? What if she got caught?
    “Excuse me, Ma’am, are you in need of assistance?”
    Marisa jumped and glanced up at an older gent with silver at his temples and a neatly trimmed goat-tee. Hot dog! Could she say gorgeous? Then she realized how foolish she looked on her hands and knees in a satin emerald dress next to the food table, like she was scrounging for crumbs.  
    “Oh, um, I lost my earring.”  
    He kneeled beside her. “Are they diamonds or perhaps emeralds to match your dress and your eyes? I never leave a lady in distress.”  
    Marisa’s cheeks burned but she hid her face. She had to make up some lie before he drew more attention to them and Will noticed. He would see right through it and know her real intent. She slapped her hand to her forehead as she stood.  
    “How could I forget? I left them in my room tonight. My ears have been a bit swollen. Possibly an allergic reaction.”  
    He raised an eyebrow as if wondering what could possibly cause that kind of allergic.  
    “Thanks so much. You’ve been a dear.” Then with teetering dainty steps, she moved away, but she only reached the far end and was about to grab another glass of champagne when she felt a light touch on her forearm and the small of her back. The man had followed in her wake.  
    “Would the lady like to dance?”
    Dance? She hadn’t danced with anyone but her husband since forever, and the last time she’d danced with him was years ago at a friend’s second wedding. Jeez. They were lame. When had the romance left their marriage? They used to nibble on each other’s ears for breakfast and dance with abandon on the patio under the twinkling stars. How did it all slip away?
    “I won’t take no for an answer.” He stopped leading her toward the dance floor where several couples waltzed, their spinning creating the same effect in Marisa’s stomach. “Unless you have a date?”
    Marisa thought of Stephen. She’d give anything for him to walk through the doors and rescue her. What a great date night this would be. “Um, no…no date.” Will really hadn’t given her any kind of cover story. Was she supposed to share her name? Or talk about her husband and daughter? Or where she lived? Better not. Things like that always came around to bite you in the butt.
      The gentleman cleared his throat, a gentle reminder that he was waiting for her answer.  
    “I would be honored for a dance.” Marisa smiled, thanking God she hadn’t eaten the cream cheese and spinach finger sandwiches, and nodded toward the dance floor. Maybe this fellow could point out Rottingham. “I’m just