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told us about Lisanne. Suppose she's involved with this? She might have bugged this place without you
even knowing."
As soon as the words were out of her mouth Jantz realized he had again been negligent. He should have
had the place swept before their meeting. Damn it, the subconscious limbic impression of Lisanne was
still intact, that of a willing woman who loved him.
"As much as I hate to admit it, Dee is right. Goddamnit, I've been a fool!"
Dee put her fingers to her lips for everyone else to see then grabbed him in a tight embrace, and
whispered, "If we're bugged, let it stay. We might be able to mislead." And just in case the possible bug
included visual, Jantz made sure that the kiss that followed looked authentic& not that either of them had
to pretend. Breaking the embrace, Dee said, "Why don't we meet at my place next? Lisanne has never
been there."
Left unsaid was the fact that she could have been without Dee's knowledge. Jantz winked at the
group then went into the kitchen where he kept the cradle for his cell phone. He slipped the phone into
his pocket while making another drink, then excused himself as if he needed a quick bathroom break, but
continued on past the bedroom and stepped outside through the back patio door. He got away from the
building before he started dialing, thinking that he was acting a mite paranoid. Jantz asked the operator
for Reeve's home number. Fortunately, it had gotten into the system already. He dialed and Reeves
answered almost immediately.
"Jim, this is Jantz Preston."
"This better be good, calling this time of night. And you sound as if you've been drinking."
"Boss, this is better than good. Or worse, I should say. More like earthshaking. I need to meet
with you, along with a few of my friends. And it needs to be away from the office."
"How soon?"
"ASAP."
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To his credit, Reeves not only didn't question his motives; he simply asked when his friends
would be available.
"Actually, we're all together right now. The last one of the group is flying in from the CDC in
Atlanta tomorrow."
"Is he necessary? The CDC works openly."
"It's a she. And she has already agreed on the need to keep the lid on the situation as long as we
can."
"All right. Is your phone secure?" Jantz started to assure him that it was, then stopped, uncertain.
"Never mind. Shortly, a young lady will appear at your door asking if you know so and so who lives in
your apartment complex. Listen to her."
Reeves hung up, leaving Jantz to wonder how he could arrange a contact so quickly. He soon found out.
The young lady bore a family resemblance to James Reeves, including high cheekbones and brown hair.
She appeared to be in her late teens or early twenties. As she asked for the spurious directions she
pretended to be writing them down, but when she held up her phone for him to check for accuracy, the
screen readMy place, Fairmonte Greens, apartment H-12, Friday, 6:00 P.M. No wonder she got
there so soon. James Reeves lived in the same complex! Or at least was staying here until more
permanent quarters could be obtained. Surely no one could have bugged his place so soon, certainly not
Lisanne.
As soon as he was back inside he called a huddle again in the kitchen, ostensibly to discuss what
should go into the pitcher of punch he was preparing. Everyone tried not to act surprised as they read the
information from the pad. Jantz was relieved. Now they could concentrate on tracking the persons who
had let the presumptive virus loose, while at the same time he was sure Reeves was already acting to
ensure secrecy at the CDC end of things.
When Mary yawned Jantz started closing down what was turning into a drinking party. Mary
and Julie had to show up at work the next day even if they could have taken sick time. They needed to
complete the processing of the specimens taken Thursday morning so that data could be brought to the
meeting with Reeves.
Mary gazed at Jantz and Dee with a bit of yearning as they stood side-by-side saying goodnight
to her and Julie. She wanted to talk to Dee about her relationship with Jantz, sort of like they had kidded
each other about their love lives (or lack of them) before all this came up. Would Jantz mind if she and
Dee got together again? It might be fun to find out. In the meantime, there was Julie.
CHAPTER NINE
After the others were gone Dee sat with Jantz on the lounger, holding hands and chatting idly.
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Eventually, Dee brought up the subject they were avoiding.
"Poor Mary. She sure doesn't have much luck in her love life. Did you notice the way she was
looking at me?"
"You? I thought it was my stud bod she was focusing on."
"Nut. You're not the only one around here who's a hottie. I know she wants me again, but I'll bet
now that she knows why, she's wondering if she can still get it on with a man."
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