Dire Distraction by Dee Davis Read Free Book Online Page A

the time to let emotion stand in the way. “It’s nothing fancy but it should be dry.”
    “Beats sleeping in the rain,” Avery said, with a shrug.
    “Sorry this hasn’t exactly been a luxury cruise.” She forced a smile, pushing her thoughts firmly to the present.
    “I knew what I was signing on for,” he assured her. “You’re the one who’s being asked to take an unnecessary risk. This isn’t exactly a sanctioned op.”
    She turned to him in surprise. “But my orders came straight from Langley. I was told to give you carte blanche. No way is this mission off-book.”
    “I didn’t say it was,” he said, his liquid brown gaze meeting hers. “I said it was unsanctioned.”
    “It means the same thing.” She studied his face, trying to figure out what it was she was missing.
    “Actually, it doesn’t. If you go off-book, and believe me, I’ve been there and done that, you’re completely on your own. If you’re unsanctioned, you’re acting within the protection of the company.”
    “Until it all goes south,” she said. “At that point, the results are exactly the same. Langley hangs you out to dry.”
    “Well, there are differences. But I’ll grant you the outcome is pretty much identical.”
    “And finding Shrum is important enough for you to hang your career on it?”
    “Yeah, for me it is. But that’s not necessarily the case for you. I’d just assumed they’d read you in enough to know what the risks were. But since they haven’t, and since your career is only just starting, I’ll totally understand if you want to opt out.”
    “And what? Leave you on the river bank with a map?” She shook her head with a laugh. “I’ve no doubt that you’re good at what you do. And I’m sure you’re more than adept at handling dangerous situations. But sanctioned or not, your safety has been charged to me. And I’m not one to step down from a challenge. Besides, so far the only real danger we’ve faced has been the river.”
    “Famous last words,” Avery said, the thought clearly meant as a joke, but when he stilled suddenly, his brows drawing together as he turned to face the river behind them, she felt a shiver of worry trace its way up her spine.
    “You seeing something?” She asked, shifting so that she could better follow his line of sight.
    “I don’t know. Between the dusk and the rain, it’s hard to be sure of anything really. Add the sharp bends and twisting trees and I’m probably jumping at shadows.”
    “But—” she prompted.
    “But I thought I saw another boat out there. Smaller. And definitely faster. If I’m right, it’s still pretty far behind us.”
    “Yeah, but if it’s a speedboat, it’ll catch up really quick.”
    “You think it’s Wai Yan?”
    “Hard to say, these guys don’t exactly display their colors. But it’s a strong possibility.”
    “You said you had a truce. You think we should be worried?” he asked.
    “I think out here, we’d be foolish not to at least pay attention.” To underscore the fact, she opened a small footlocker sitting at the base of the wheelhouse, pulling out a pair of field glasses. “See if you can spot anything. And in the meantime, I’ll see what I can do to fortify our position.” She bent again and pulled out a rifle and then a handgun, sliding the gun into the space at the small of her back, then checking the chamber of the rifle.
    “You see anything?”
    “Roger that,” Avery acknowledged, handing her the glasses. “Seven o’clock, port side.”
    Syd took the glasses and gave Avery the rifle, which he slung over his shoulder, then she turned so that she could see the water behind them. At first, there was nothing but the heavy mist from the rain, but then a shadow detached itself from the far bank, the outline of the boat becoming more defined. Definitely a speedboat.
    “Looks like it’s closing fast.” She lowered the glasses, turning her attention back to the river in front of her, yanking the wheel to