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She seemed to think about that for a moment-and then Downing realized why she was pausing: she's attracted to him. No surprise: he's handsome enough and fit. ...
Caine looked sidelong at Downing. "Supposedly, if they put you under or wake you up too quickly, memories get lost. Something about trauma to the chemical enc...
"What do you mean?" Which was theater, since she had been briefed about Riordan's memory loss. So, she also lies passably well.
He broke eye contact, looked off at nothing in the stands: "I seem to have lost a bit more memory than usual."
"I'm sorry."
Caine looked at her with a sharp yet sympathetic intensity. "From what I hear, some people have it far worse than I do."
Opal started. "You mean me? Oh, I don't know: a fresh start on life sounds good. Particularly since I was pretty much dying when they put me in the freezer."
Caine didn't say anything; but his lips crinkled upward at the edges, as if the two of them had shared a rueful private joke. She smiled back-and Downing sens...
"About an hour ago. Nolan also wanted me to tell you that your collarcom is dead, and that you have a briefing at 1900 hours." He turned to Opal. "Ms. Patrone...
Downing strolled toward the track. "Actually, that's Captain Patrone. I'd be grateful if you could give her a ride back: I was late coming to collect her, and...
"Sightseeing?" Opal repeated incredulously.
Damnit, woman: do you have any subtle courtship instincts whatsoever? Downing provided a more specific prompt: "You certainly have enough time to drive up to ...
That seemed to get Opal back on track. She smiled at Caine. "After being cooped up for almost six weeks, I could do with a change of scenery. It's also just w...
Caine's eyes had not left hers, although his eyebrows had risen a notch when Downing had indicated that she was an officer. "Well, Captain Patrone? Shall we s...
Opal smiled back. "Oh, just call me Opal-and yes, I'd love a look around. But, fair warning: you might want to rethink your offer. I've been working out for a...
Caine managed not to glance down at her shirt-sculpted breasts, but his smile may have broadened a bit: "No matter her condition, it's always a privilege to h...
She laughed out loud-quite genuinely, Downing thought. "My, how gallant!" she exclaimed. "Lead on."
Chapter Sixteen
ODYSSEUS
Once in the car, Caine turned to Opal. "You sure you want to drive up a mountain?"
"Anything without security guards is fine by me."
He smiled at her for a moment before telling the car, "Legonia overlook, please."
"Yes, sir." The engine whined into activity and they reversed toward the exit. Opal started to clutch the sides of her seat when the car started moving withou...
Caine smiled again. "First time in one of these?"
Opal both smiled back and glared at him. "Look, in my day, the people drove the cars-not the other way around."
He nodded, looked out the windshield as they glided smoothly into the sparse traffic passing the stadium. "And when exactly was your day?"
Opal's chin came up, almost defiantly. "They made me an ice-pop in 2066. Couple of bad coincidences during a counterterrorist operation. But only the good die...
He looked over at her with a raised eyebrow. "I envy your confidence in your own immortality."
"What do you mean?"
"I guess you could say I've become painfully aware of just how mortal I am. Being on someone's death list tends to do that to you. Yet here I am anyhow, ready...
Her response bordered on truculence. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, why has Downing brought you here?"
"Convenience, according to Downing."
"'Convenience'?"
"Yeah, in terms of security, anyway. Yesterday he arrives at my rehab facility far too early-0500, I think it was-and tells me, 'we're moving you.' He also ch...
Caine looked over at her. "Why 'what Downing plans to do' with you? Don't you have a say in what comes next?"
"Not much; officially, I'm still a soldier for Uncle Sam. But apparently I'm on loan to Mr. Downing, who hasn't filled me in on where we're going, or what I'm...
Caine nodded, but said, "Downing walks a pretty narrow tightrope, I think."
"Yeah, maybe-but that doesn't mean I'm ever going to trust him. Do you? Trust him, I mean?"
"I don't trust what he says, but I trust his intentions-I think."
Opal raised one eyebrow. "You 'think' you trust him?"
Caine shrugged. "He tells lies, but somehow, he doesn't feel like a liar. I don't think he likes that part of his job."
Opal leaned back. "Well, Caine, you're a much more understanding person than I am. I know we have to have people in intelligence who lie for a living, but I d...
"You like running?"
"Me? God, no-but I've got to work hard if I'm going to get back into shape after spending half a century frozen." She glanced over at him. "So what's your sec...
"I was worse off than you were when they woke me up the first time. But we can talk about that later: right now, there are far more important things for you t...
"Such as?"
"The state of the world. This car does have a radio."
The prospect seemed to excite her. "Where are the controls?"