The look in Wills’s eyes became guarded.
Quinn asked, “She’s been seen before, hasn’t she?”
Wills reluctantly nodded. “In the vicinity of liquidations in Hong Kong and Bangkok.”
“All part of this same project?”
“Yes.”
“Damn,” Nate said. “How long is your list?”
Quinn looked at his apprentice, surprised. He’d been thinking the same thing, but knew to keep his mouth shut.
“I’m sorry,” Nate said. “None of our business.”
“That’s right,” Wills said. “It’s not.”
The silence lasted only a second before Quinn decided it was time to push. “I’m not so sure it’s not becoming our business,” he said. He could feel the other two look at him. “You obviously came here for a reason. We could have just talked on the phone.”
Wills looked toward the kitchen as if wondering where his food was. When he looked back, he said, “I wanted to speak with you about Maine because you were an independent observer last night. I wanted to be sure the story Donovan told me was completely accurate. You blow a mission, you really want to play that down. And then there’s L.A. You were there for both. So I felt a face-to-face would be best.”
“And?” Quinn said, knowing there was more.
Wills looked around the restaurant. “You’re sure this place is clean?”
“I haven’t done a sweep,” Quinn said. “But I never knew it existed until I spotted it less than an hour ago, and I know we weren’t followed. If someone’s listening in, it’s because they followed you.”
Wills looked around the dining room again, then glanced at Nate.
“What?” Nate asked.
“Don’t insult us,” Quinn said to Wills, knowing full well what the man was thinking.
Before the Englishman could respond, Steve arrived with his meal.
“Here you go,” he said as he set the plate in front of Wills. “Roasted chicken crepe with mango red pepper sauce.”
“Thank you,” Wills said.
“Anything else, gentlemen?”
Quinn shook his head. “Think we’re all good. Thanks.”
“Just give me a yell if you want anything.” He headed back to the counter.
“So what’s it going to be?” Quinn asked. “You going to trust us? Or do we walk?”
Wills looked at his plate and said nothing.
“Let’s go,” Quinn said to Nate. They both started to rise.
“Wait,” Wills said. “I trust you. It’s not that. It’s … it’s the terms of the job.”
Quinn scowled. “Fine. Nate, find another table.”
Nate paused, a fork full of crepe halfway to his mouth. “Sure,” he said. He picked up his plate and headed toward a table near the front of the restaurant.
“Better?” Quinn said.
Wills relaxed. “Yes. Thank you. I’m sorry I had to do that, but … well, you understand.”
After several seconds of awkward silence, Wills went on, “The project I hired you for came through a small group at MI6.”
“Wait,” Quinn said. “If you were working for MI6, why would they send someone to spy on our meeting?”
“First, like I said before, it was a miscommunication. My people in London have already straightened it out. Second, the job’s not
Quinn nodded. It was a standard tactic. “Then, who’s your client?”
Wills paused for a half second, then said, “They’re not a big player in our world. Actually, I’ve never had dealings with them before, so as far as I’m concerned, they are not a player at all.”
“I’m not sure I like the sound of that.”
“Remember, though they would deny it, this is MI6 approved.”
“So who is this client?” Quinn asked, knowing he was crossing way over the line with the question.
“A corporation, actually. My understanding is that they help out MI6 every now and again.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the best you’re going to get.”
