Burnout: the mystery of Space Shuttle STS-281 by Stephanie Osborn Read Free Book Online Page B

There's never been anyone else but you. I already think of you in that way, so I suppose we ought to go ahead and make it official. But I can't do it just yet, Cayleigh," he informed her. "I have the stint at the VLA, and I have to check out this thing for the DSTO. But that'll only take a few months, and then I promise I'll come straight back here. While I'm gone, why don't you go ahead and send my appy into the AAO office for me, and let Sherman know I'll help you run the planetarium into the bargain?"
    Cayleigh seemed to light up from inside, almost taking his breath away with her beauty. "Oh, Mike." She hugged him tight. "I'm so happy."
    "Wait a minute." He sat up, pulling her up with him, then he eased out of bed, dropping to a kneeling position, and positioning her to sit on the edge of the bed. When she saw his classic pose, she giggled happily, and he glanced up. "Now, hang on there, I'm not ready yet."
    "I just don't think I've ever heard of it being done in the nude before," she giggled again.
    Anders knelt on one knee before her, grinning impishly, shifting his posture a bit to ensure that his male assets were totally exposed to her gaze. "How's that?" he teased, taking her hand in his.
    "Perfect," she snickered, sapphire eyes sparkling in devilish delight. "Marvelous view."
    "Good. Glad you like it. Cayleigh Anne Monteith, will you marry me?"
    "Michael Charles Anders, nothing would make me happier."
    "Then that's taken care of," he said, lunging up and forward, tackling her and taking her back down into the fluffy scarlet bedclothes. "We'll get the ring tomorrow before I have to go to the airport."
    "That's fine," she lilted. "Now somebody needs to get some sleep. And I don't mean me," Cayleigh pointed out. "You observed all last night, then drove all day today, and you have that long flight tomorrow."
    "In a bit," he grinned, playfully rolling on top of her. "I'm not done here yet. After all, I have a fiancée now. I can always sleep on the plane."
    Cayleigh's giggles grew muffled as Anders' mouth came down on hers.
    * * * *
    First thing the next morning, a private phone rang in the headquarters office of a certain Australian bank. A balding executive in a conservative pinstriped suit answered it. "Hodges here."
    "Piggybank, Hotdog," came a gruff voice on the other end.
    "Ah, yes, how may I help you, sir?" Hodges cloaked his surprise.
    "I need you to freeze some accounts."
    Hodges' hazel eyes darted around the marble office. "Certainly. May I have the account numbers?"
    "Two credit cards. One, card number 405025678133. Private code 0260."
    "I have it, sir. And the second?" Hodges entered the information into his computer.
    "Card number 9715 3264 1455, code 6510."
    "These are personal accounts," Hodges noted, reviewing the information on his screen.
    "Right."
    Hodges entered several commands. "Very well. Both accounts are from this bank; both are now frozen. May I be of further assistance?"
    "Yeah," Hotdog answered. "Freeze the following checking account: 7025683."
    "The name on the account?"
    "Michael C. Anders."
    "I… will need paperwork," Hodges hesitated. "Then it will take approximately two weeks."
    A long string of cursing was heard. "Paperwork in progress," Hotdog snapped, then hung up.
    * * * *
    Jones came into Brown's office in Canberra, latching the door behind himself. "Heads up, mate," he murmured, gesturing toward his own breast pocket.
    Brown took the hint, extracting his palm computer and initiating the anti-surveillance mode. "What's up?" he asked his partner.
    "Johnson wants to know how last night went. We're to be in his office in ten minutes. I think he also has a bit of news for us, too."
    "Names?" Brown asked curiously, tucking the Blackberry into his jacket and standing.
    "Maybe," Jones shrugged. "I think he also might have some info about the little incident in the outback, as well."
    "Let's go, then," Brown said, headed for the door.
    * * * *
    "I like this one," Anders noted, as he and