Free Man with a past by Jayne Ann Krentz Page A

island.” Walt Gladwin told Kelsey for what must have been the hundredth time. „You’re saving the company a couple of grand in courier’s fees. And in addition I’ll have the peace of mind of knowing the documents are in good hands.“
    „It’s no problem, Walt. To tell you the truth, I’m somewhat curious about Mr. Valentine and his island. It should be an interesting side trip.“
    „The guy’s a first-class eccentric, but he’s also a genuine genius.“ Walt smiled, stuffing the computer printout sheets into a heavy black-leather attache’ case that stood open on his desk. „This set of printouts is evidence of that.
    It’s an analysis of his latest theories. He sent us the theoretical data on artificial intelligence that he wanted put through our computer and we’re sending him back the results. They hold tremendous potential. He’s making incredible strides in computer technology. He’s got his own hardware on the island, but it’s only a small, personal computer. He can explore some of his theories on it and work out the logic needed to analyze them, but he needs our mainframe to actually do the analysis of this kind of stuff. You won’t have to worry about keeping track of the keys to these locks, by the way. Valentine has his own set. One less thing to think about.“
    Privately Kelsey thought the case with its shiny chrome locks looked like something out of a sophisticated fashion magazine for spies. She was going to feel a bit self-conscious carrying the thing aboard ship the next day.
    It was typical of Walt Gladwin to supply such an exotic-looking case, however. When it came to personal items, Gladwin always treated himself to the best. One of the outstandingly successful young executives in the volatile world of computer technology, Gladwin had made a great deal of money very quickly, and, as he was fond of telling anyone who was interested, he fully intended to enjoy it while he was in his prime.
    Gladwin’s clothes were from the trendiest Italian and French designers. His hand-sewn shoes were made of the softest kid leather and his three cars were from three different European nations. Tonight he was driving Kelsey home in her favorite, the Ferrari. The Mercedes was lovely, too, of course, and she couldn’t say she didn’t like the Lotus.
    But there was something about the fire-engine-red Ferrari that appealed to her sense of humor.
    She needed a bit of humor this evening, Kelsey decided with an inwardly stifled sigh as Walt closed up the office and escorted her out to the parking lot. It had been a long and not particularly fun-filled day in the office with Walt, readying the last of the documents she was to take to the man called Valentine.
    In addition to the fact that she had put in some long, hard hours at work, Kelsey was forced to acknowledge that there had been no call from Cole.
    She knew she had been expecting a phone call.
    Over and over again she had told herself that the last thing she wanted was to hear from the man. But another small voice had assured her he wasn’t the type simply to let her walk out the door. He would contact her. Kelsey had rehearsed several pithy phrases to use if and when she did hear from him, but to date there had been no occasion to use any of them.
    It was just as well, she reminded herself as Walt opened the Ferrari door and ushered her inside. Whatever relationship she had hoped to build with Cole Stockton had been doomed from the beginning.
    „Are you all packed?“ Walt inquired easily as he piloted the high-strung car out of the parking lot.
    „I think so. Just a few last-minute things to go in the suitcase.“ She cast a rueful eye on the attache case. „Am I supposed to chain that to my wrist?“
    Walt grinned, his good-looking features adjusting readily to the expression. Walt Gladwin was an attractive, open-faced man in his mid-thirties who smiled a lot. But, then, he had a lot to smile about, Kelsey reflected. Wealthy, successful and