On the Hunt - Page 45

“And he agreed to it?”

“Not entirely in those words, but I also told him that I knew if anything happened to the boy, he’d feel justified to cut my throat.” He added ruefully, “Then he was very happy to go along with it.”

“Splendid,” Kira said. “I don’t believe I’d be equally overjoyed to let that happen.”

“But you’d want Aban to thrive, and we can take care of the rest.” He grinned. “Actually, he reminds me of myself as a kid. He’s a boy who wants it all. To do it all. Let’s try to give it to him.”

In that moment, as she looked at him, she wanted nothing more. “I would have loved to have known you then.”

“No, you wouldn’t. I was a hell-raiser and always wanted to do things my own way. My brother, Colin, was the good guy in the family. He was always looking out to make sure I wouldn’t get in trouble.”

“You’ve certainly changed. Now you’re the caretaker. Look at how you watch over Fiona.”

He shrugged. “Sometimes you have to learn harsh lessons when you lose people. And Fiona was family.”

“You didn’t know anything about me, and you still watched over me.”

“I knew quite a bit about you before you even showed up on my radar.” He lifted her hand and kissed her palm. “And it was my pleasure… and will continue to be.”

The melting had completely taken place. “Damn.” She shook her head with frustration. “And I was all prepared to be angry about that snide message you wrote me. It’s not fair.”

“Snide? And I thought I was doing so well. Maybe just the thing Colin would have written.”

She scowled at him. “You said I had peculiar thoughts. I believe I was being perfectly reasonable.”

“Beautifully peculiar.” He kissed her hand again. “Could I have breakfast now?”

She sighed. “Anything you want.”

“Really? What a totally grand commitment. Will it be pirates’ gold? Or perhaps a pharaoh’s throne? Ah, let’s go tell Aban you’re not angry with me any longer.” He winked and spoke in a mock English drawl. “I want to take you down to the sea, milady. Hannah will be waiting for us.”

“It’s about time you got here, Harlan. Just because you’re my boss, it doesn’t mean you can keep me waiting. I have obligations.” The grinning woman who was coming down the pier toward them was in her thirties, with curly dark hair and deep-set brown eyes that twinkled with humor at the moment. “You’re not the only billionaire who wants my services. They’re standing in line.”

“Sorry.” Harlan was shaking her hand. “But I have a boss, too, and she’s heading this operation.” He drew Kira forward. “This is Kira Drake, and she’ll be doing her best to keep me in line when we’re trying out the diving sleds. Dr. Hannah Bryson, Kira.”

“I’m impressed.” Kira shook her hand. “Delighted to meet you, Dr. Bryson. Harlan didn’t tell me you were the Hannah Bryson who did the work on the subs that were used when they found that lost city of Marinth. You’re practically a legend.”

Hannah shrugged. “That was a long time ago. I hope I’ve done even more interesting things lately.”

“Evidently you have, if you’re working with Harlan.” Kira smiled. “Then may I compliment Harlan for having the sense to hire a woman to design his latest creation? It shows he’s even more intelligent than I thought. I’m also delighted you’re going to let me try to launch your new sled, Dr. Bryson.”

“Hannah. And Belson has been telling me about you. He doesn’t believe the word ‘try’ is in your vocabulary. I know it’s not in Harlan’s.” She was looking out to sea at an incoming barge. “Here come my sleds. If you’ll excuse me, I must go help my fellow engineers set them up for us.” She gestured to a tent down the pier. “And if you want to change into one of the wet suits I brought, you can do it in that tent. Shall we get started, Kira?”

“You bet we should,” Kira said. “I can hardly wait.”

Hannah turned to Harlan. “I know you’re going to want to examine your design creations before you let us toss them in the sea. You can change on the barge.”

He nodded his head. “Whatever you say, Hannah. I don’t expect any surprises.” He glanced at Kira “But I hope you’re going to have a great one a bit later, Kira.”

She smiled. “You designed and built it, didn’t you? I’m not expecting any surprises, either.” She waved at him as she turned and ran toward the tent.

Less than an hour later, Kira and Harlan joined Hannah Bryson and her team at the water’s edge, where four sleek devices were suspended on metal stands.

The devices’ graceful curves and elegant lines almost suggested Italian race cars. They were much smaller than cars, however, measuring about five feet long and a little over three feet wide.

Kira stepped around them. “I didn’t think they’d be so… beautiful.”

“Thank you,” a voice spoke behind her. Hannah stepped over a series of coiled cables and joined her, smiling. “When Harlan presented me with all the ideas he wanted incorporated in these sleds, I was blown away. I’m used to dealing with military clients, who often don’t have the most revolutionary ideas. But Harlan is… brilliant. He deserves the reputation he’s made for himself. Every time I presented my latest round of plans to him, he came up with another half a dozen amazing suggestions that took the project to another level.”