Free The Best Laid Plans by Sidney Sheldon Page A

huh?"
    Oliver had to smile at the pride in Tager's voice.
    At ten o'clock that evening, Oliver walked into the den where Jan was reading and said, "Honey, I have to leave. I have a conference to go to." Jan looked up. "At this time of night?" He sighed. "I'm afraid so. There's a budget committee meeting in the morning, and they want to brief me before the meeting."
    "You're working too hard. Try to come home early, will you, Oliver?
    She hesitated a moment. "You've been out a lot lately."
    He wondered whether that was intended as a warning. He walked over to her, leaned down, and kissed her. "Don't worry, honey. I'll be home as early as I can."
    Downstairs Oliver said to his chauffeur, "I won't need you tonight. I'm taking the small car."
    "Yes, Governor."
    "You're late, darling." Miriam was naked.
    He grinned and walked over to her. "Sorry about that. I'm glad you didn't start without me."
    She smiled. "Hold me."
    He took her in his arms and held her close, her warm body pressed against his.
    "Get undressed. Hurry."
    Afterward, he said, "How would you like to move to Washington, D. C.?
    Miriam sat up in bed. "Are you serious?" "Very. I may be going there. I want you to be with me." "If your wife ever found out about us ..." "She won't." "Why Washington?"
    "I can't tell you that now. All I can say is that it's going to be very exciting." "I'll go anywhere you want me to go, as long as you love me." "You know I love you." The words slipped out easily, as they had so many times in the past. "Make love to me again." "Just a second. I have something for you." He got up and walked over to the jacket he had flung over a chair. He took a small bottle out of his pocket and poured the contents into a glass. It was a clear liquid "Try this." "What is it?" Miriam asked. "You'll like it. I promise.
    He lifted the glass and drank half of it. Miriam took a sip, then swallowed the rest of it. She smiled. "It's not bad." "It's going to make you feel real sexy." "I already feel real sexy. Come back to bed." They were making love again when she gasped and said, "I I'm not feeling well." She began to pant. "I can't breathe." Her eyes were closing. "Miriam!" There was no response. She fell back on the bed "Miriam!" She lay there, unconscious. Son of a bitch! Why are you doing this to me? He got up and began to pace. He had given the liquid to a dozen women, and only once had it harmed anyone. He had to be careful. Unless he handled this right, it was going to be the end of everything. All his dreams, everything he had worked for. He could not let that happen. He stood at the side of the bed, looking down at her He felt her pulse. She was still breathing, thank God. But he could not let her be discovered in this apartment. It would be traced back to him. He had to leave her somewhere where she would be found and be given medical help. He could trust her not to reveal his name.
    It took him almost half an hour to get her dressed and to remove all traces of her from his apartment. He opened the door a crack to make sure that the hallway was empty, then picked her up, put her over his shoulder, and carried her downstairs and put her in the car. It was almost midnight, and the streets were deserted. It was beginning to rain. He drove to Juniper Hill Park, and when he was sure that no one was in sight, he lifted Miriam out of the car and gently laid her down on a park bench. He hated to leave her there, but he had no choice None. His whole future was at stake.
    There was a public phone booth a few feet away. He hurried over to it and dialed 911.
    Jan was waiting up for Oliver when he returned home. "It's after midnight," she said. "What took you ?" "I'm sorry, darling. We got into a long, boring discussion on the budget, and well, everyone had a different opinion." "You look pale," Jan said. "You must be exhausted." "I am a little tired," he admitted.
    She smiled suggestively. "Let's go to bed." He kissed her on the forehead. "I've really got to get