Game Over by Fern Michaels Read Free Book Online

wasn’t important? Plus the taxi fare and tip. Is everyone here?” Ted asked.
    â€œAll present and accounted for,” said Jack. “Harry is in his killer mode, and he also brought weeds and tofu and that shitty green tea. Guess we can save his share for Maggie.”
    Ted snorted. “Believe it or not, Maggie has lost her appetite. I’m worried about her.”
    â€œAnd well you should be. We’ll save it, anyway,” Jack said, leading the parade to the kitchen, where Bert and Harry were waiting expectantly.
    Bert sniffed appreciatively. Harry nibbled on his weeds. Ted refused to make eye contact with Harry as he started to take the boxes out of the bags.
    â€œWe don’t even need dishes or silverware. Everything is included. No fuss, no mess,” Espinosa said, taking his place at the kitchen table.
    â€œWe can talk after we eat. The food is still hot, so let’s enjoy it,” Ted said.
    The guys fell to with gusto. Thirty minutes later the kitchen table was clean, and the fifth meal was in the refrigerator. Harry packed up his weeds in a little plastic bag and stuffed it into a pocket of his baggy pants. All eyes turned to Ted.
    Ted squared his shoulders and worked up a case of ripe indignation. “You guys just couldn’t wait, could you? You promised Cricket not to blab, and what do you do? You damn well blab! Don’t deny it! So much for guy power! No wonder women don’t trust us. Well, say something. I’m embarrassed to be sitting here with you. You can’t be trusted.”
    â€œNow hold on here, Ted,” Jack blustered. “You better be careful when you bandy accusations about. Where do you get off saying something like that?”
    He looks guilty . They all look guilty . Ted felt so giddy, he thought he was going to black out. He risked a glance at Espinosa, who looked like he was going to fall off his chair in relief.
    â€œMaggie.” Ted leaned back on his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “You gonna lie to my face or man up?”
    â€œOkay, okay. I’m the head of the goddamn FBI. I had no right to make a promise like that. How’d that look if it got out?” Bert said lamely.
    â€œWe’re part of a team here. I had to tell Nikki,” Jack said. “You think I want those girls coming down on me, and that’s exactly what would happen if they found out after the fact.”
    â€œSo what are you going to do about it?” Harry asked quietly.
    â€œNot a damn thing,” Ted said cheerfully. “It’s what Maggie is doing as we sit here talking. She’s on her way to Lizzie’s house. She was leaving when Espinosa and I left the paper. We both heard her give Lizzie’s address to her driver. Hell, she’s been there now for about an hour. Now, gentlemen, being as smart and astute as you are, why do you think Maggie went to Lizzie’s house in this weather at this hour of the night, and more to the point, why isn’t Maggie hungry? Well, say something.”
    â€œThe woman hasn’t been born that you can trust,” Jack said virtuously. “Women stick together like glue, and they can keep a secret.”
    â€œThat’s what women say about us,” Bert said, pity ringing in his voice. “Except for the part about us keeping a secret. Obviously, we failed the test.”
    â€œI did not divulge any secrets, nor did I call Yoko,” Harry said.
    All eyes turned to Harry in disbelief, but no one said a word.
    â€œWhat? What? A man is measured by how he keeps his word. I gave mine to Cosmo Cricket. I take something like that very seriously. Why are you looking at me like that?”
    â€œWell, Harry, what do you think Yoko is going to say? How is she going to feel when she finds out you didn’t think enough of her to alert her to what’s going on? What about all that crap you guys are always spouting about losing face?” Jack said. “Man,