Page 28 of Donovan Blake: Adrenalin

“Actually…” she murmured, lowering her voice, “when I start to care about someone, it sort of…changes. It becomes more difficult. I don’t know why. At least, that’s been my experience. I’ve had a couple of relationships, and that’s what happened.”

“That’s odd. So—if you were with someone and he wanted to give you a gift, he’d be able to keep it a secret?”

“Of course, and if I tried to find out by asking questions he’d just have to say I’m not going to answer that.”

“Ah, so that’s the secret. If you quiz me about something I don’t want you to know, that’s what I’ll do.”

“See? It’s not so terrible. But all that aside, please can I come with you? Pretty please? You won’t have to second-guess what anyone tells you. Just think about how great that would be. How can you say no?”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Donovan was at a loss for words. Phoebe was right. Her lie-detecting skills would be invaluable, and her remarkable memory could also be useful. But it was out of the question. Franco, Manny and Boris were ruthless. How could he put anyone, especially someone he cared for, in that kind of danger? And Sam would never agree.

“Think about this,” she continued. “Imagine you’re talking to someone and you don’t know if they’re being honest about something very important. If you ask him—or her—a direct question, I can tell you in an instant if they’re lying. We can work out a signal. If I scratch my nose, they’re telling the truth, and if I run my fingers through my hair, they’re not. And I don’t have to be with you all the time. Just in situations that are safe.”

“Even so...” he murmured, wishing he could have her with him.

“Even so…what?”

“Even so, I’m not sure exactly what I’ll be facing.”

“Does it matter? If things start looking dicey I can always leave. I want to join you. I really do.”

“I understand, and I wish you could be there too, but—”

“Never mind!” she exclaimed sharply. “Obviously you think it’s a terrible idea, I’m going to find my way back to the kitchen. I need coffee, or tea, or something. Thanks for the tour, it’s an awesome place.”

He watched, not sure what to say, as she seemed to pivot on her toes and start for the door.

“Wait,” he called, hurrying after her.

As she disappeared into the hall he was about to follow, but abruptly changed his mind..

He needed to think.

Ambling back to a chair facing the picture window, he sat down and stared out at the forest. He was used to working on his own, but having her with him—even under strictly controlled conditions—could be extremely helpful.

It would also give him a cover.

They’d be a couple having fun.

He smiled.

He had plenty of disguises.

It could work.

But as he lifted his phone from his pocket to call Sam he knew it was a bad idea.

* * *

Though Phoebe had found loose leaf English Breakfast tea and a teapot, she couldn’t find a hot water kettle, then she realized there was boiling water from a third faucet over the sink.

“I have muffins in the freezer,” Donovan exclaimed as she filled the teapot. “Just pop one in the microwave for three minutes. There’s chocolate, honey-bran and blueberry. Which would you like?”

“You don’t have any cookies?”

“Possibly. I’ll check. Anything in particular?”

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