Page 32 of Hidden Chance

“Plenty of people make money over there. That’salways the problem, isn’t it? The powerful take anything they want and leave the rest to suffer?”

“And you’re okay with that?”

“Are you? You said TreadCraft builds schools. What do you do?”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“In Burma?”

“Yes.”

“Right now, nothing.”

It was impossible to work out exactly what he was after, but one thing was for sure, she wasn’t about to share her connection to that country. She wouldn’t share her heart with him. Her care for those people had been stomped on enough.

“You’re going to stick to that line?”

“It’s not a line. I have nothing to do with the fundraising efforts, and I’ve never been to Burma with the company.”

He shook his head. “Why are you being so difficult about this?”

“I’m the one being difficult? Maybe if you told me what it was you were after, I could help steer you in the right direction.”

“All I want is more information about the scam you’re running.”

She almost choked at his accusation, lifting her pepper spray while she took a moment to find her voice. “Scam? You think I’m running some kind of scam over there?”

“I’m convinced of it, and I want in. That’s all. I’mnot here to step on your toes or cause you any harm. All I want is to help.”

He stepped around the desk, and she stepped back, threatening him with the spray. “That’s close enough. I’m calling security.”

“I’d rather you didn’t.”

“You’re trespassing.”

“I understand you have no reason to trust me, but there’s a lot more I could have done by now, believe me. So I’ll tell you what, you keep the details of the operation to yourself, but give me a job to do. Doesn’t matter what it is. Or if you’d be more comfortable, I can talk to whoever else it is you’re working with.”

“You’re crazy.” She took two more steps back and reached for the phone on the nearby desk.

“Wait.”

She lifted the receiver. “Why should I?”

“Because.” He sighed. “Because you’ll be arrested if you don’t.”

“I’m pretty sure you’re the one who will be arrested.”

“I didn’t want to do it this way, but you leave me no choice. I’m not trying to get work in Burma. I’m part of a special operations team that works alongside the federal government. I’m in the middle of an investigation.”

She almost laughed. “Investigating what?”

“You.”

“You can’t seriously believe I’d fall for that.”

“It’s the truth.”

---