Free Deadly Deals by Fern Michaels

the elevator. “Martin called to say you were on your way up. Let’s go to the kitchen. I just made some fresh coffee, and I bought some doughnuts and bagels on the way in. We’ll just close the door and have all the privacy we need.”
    Lizzie sniffed appreciatively as Maggie poured her a cup of the fragrant coffee. She watched as the EIC toasted bagels and spread them lavishly with butter and cream cheese. “Oooh, this is sooo good. I didn’t realize how hungry I was. I never eat on planes. Do you?”
    â€œAs a rule, no. I usually travel with my own snacks, but I will eat the fruit. So, tell me, do you have a game plan, or do you want to hear mine first?”
    â€œMy appointment with Baron Bell is for eleven o’clock. When I leave here, I want to go back to my house to shower and change. I’m simply going to lay my cards on the table and hope the man sees the light. I expect him to clam up and admit to nothing. If you have something you care to give me to show him, that just might make it easier for the Dawsons and the Evanses. Thank Ted for me for getting the Evanses to sign on. What are they saying on the mountain?”
    â€œThey’re saying everyone in question is under surveillance. The girls are ready to move at a moment’s notice. In case no one told you, you are to take pictures of Bell’s office, especially that monstrosity of a safe. Charles’s people managed to get the blueprints, but things can change. Not that the safe will have been moved. I understand it weighs a couple of tons. Do you think Bell will lie to you?”
    â€œOh, yeah. I have my ducks all in a row. When are you going to start running your articles? By the way, I saw on the Net that Bell is gearing up for his White House kids’ Christmas party.”
    â€œYeah, we blew that one up big-time. I gave him way too much press, but you do what you have to do to get where you want to go. I’m sure he was preening like a peacock when he read all his accolades. The man is vain, even though he pretends otherwise.”
    Lizzie finished her coffee and bagel. Maggie tidied up the kitchen, unlocked the door, and led Lizzie back to her office. Lizzie tried not to laugh at the way Maggie was balancing several bananas, an orange, and a box of Ring Dings. In the office, Maggie dumped her snacks in her desk drawer.
    â€œYou want to see Espinosa’s photos in glorious color on the computer, or do you want to hold them in your hands? The guys did a great job. It’s going to cost me a meal at Martin’s, but it’s worth it. I think you’ll agree when you see what we have.”
    Lizzie reached for a stack of glossy pictures. She took her time looking at each one, her eyes misting as she looked down at the babies. Maggie watched the lawyer’s jaw set, her eyes turning steely and hard. She felt sorry for Baron Bell.
    â€œThey’re great, Maggie. Do you have a headline to go with these?”
    â€œI do. Want to see it?”
    â€œYou bet!” Lizzie watched as Maggie clicked her mouse. She leaned over to stare at the stark headline. She clapped her hands. “That’ll do it, Maggie! It’s perfect! Good going, Miss EIC! Listen, I have to run. Say hello and good-bye to everyone for me.”
    The two women hugged each other. Maggie walked Lizzie to the elevator.
    â€œGood luck. If I can do more, call, okay?” said Maggie.
    â€œWill do.” They hugged one more time. “See ya in the funny papers.”
    Maggie laughed. She stood at the elevator for a long time before she made her way back to her office. Her expression was short of dreamy, almost the same as Lizzie’s expression when both of them had looked at the cherubs on the glossy prints. For the first time in her life, she gave some thought to her biological clock ticking away second by second. She rather thought Lizzie was probably thinking the same thing on her way home.
    Tick-tock.