Adrenaline by Bill Eidson Read Free Book Online

and a half.” Jansten was dressed casually, in chinos and a blue oxford shirt. His face was ruddied by the sun, and his hair was a shock of white. To Steve, it looked as if he were striving for the image of a kindly old grandfather.
    Not that Steve believed it for a minute. Jansten had a long line of hostile takeovers under his belt. He was a modern-day robber baron by anyone’s definition, and Steve had seen him in action too many times to confuse him with a nice old guy.
    Still, the house surprised Steve. He knew Jansten had bought it recently. But instead of the palace he expected, it was a relatively small colonial home, quite old. There had been a plaque outside the door with the date 1776. But the house wasn’t a Revolutionary War showpiece. It had been updated here and there, with new windows, French doors leading out to a deck that overlooked a spectacular cove. A blue sailboat bobbed alongside a pier that had room for a far larger boat. The sailboat piqued Steve’s attention immediately, not only because it was the same make as his own, but it was surprisingly small given Jansten’s wealth. “A Hinckley thirty-five is it?”
    “It is,” said Jansten approvingly.
    “I thought you had a Swan,” Steve said. “Even down in Charleston we heard stories about you winning race after race.”
    “Things change,” Jansten said, dryly. “Did I hear that you and Lisa are living on a Hinckley forty-two right now?”
    “That’s right. Until the house is finished.”
    Jansten chuckled. “Better get it finished before winter comes. Boston is not Charleston.”
    He moved them along slowly through the house.
    In the office, Jansten was constantly surrounded by people and seemed to enjoy all the perks of his position, from the limo drivers to the barbers and tailors that would come to his office. Steve had expected to see a substantial staff at his home. Yet it became apparent, as Jansten walked them about the house, showing Geoff and Steve his place, that the three of them were alone.
    He led them into the kitchen, which also offered beautiful views of the cove. “We’re having omelets, gentlemen, unless you have some objections.” He smiled. “Geoff, I know you’re some kind of health nut, can you stand it?”
    “I’m not that kind of health nut.”
    “Good. Then the two of you take the plates out onto the deck, and I’ll get us going here. Coffee is in the pot, help yourself.”
    Geoff turned to Steve with a what-is-this? look. Steve smiled, bemused. He didn’t mind schlepping dishes, but he too wondered what the old man was about.
    Jansten lit the burners on a big, industrial-sized stove, and poured beaten eggs into a large pan. Cheese, mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, and bacon were already prepared alongside. Steve and Geoff came back to watch the old man finish making their breakfast. He went about it slowly, whistling tunelessly as he checked and rechecked to see that the eggs weren’t sticking. It struck Steve that Jansten didn’t really know what he was doing, but he seemed to be enjoying himself nonetheless.
    “Steve, make some toast, will you? And Geoff, I guess we’ll need those plates back after all.”
    “Guess you better stick to your day job.”
    “Wait ‘til you eat.” To Steve, he said, “Did I hear you salvaged that boat of yours?”
    “That’s right. A friend who’s still in the salvage business brought it up from fifty feet, and we’ve been pouring money into it ever since.”
    Geoff hesitated on the way outside. “Why didn’t you buy a new one? I’m sure you’re paid pretty well running that little division.”
    “Pretty well,” Steve said, dryly.
    “I love the thirty-five,” Jansten said, as if Geoff hadn’t spoken. “Got her set up with a clubfooted jib and self-tailing winches, and I can handle her all by myself.”
    Geoff brought the plates in and Jansten divided the omelet into three portions. “Let’s go out onto the deck.”
    After they settled down, Geoff