Free U.S. Male by Kristin Hardy Page B

Jerry, is an…associate of Stewart Oakes.” She finished off her martini and turned toward the bar.
    He caught her wrist in an iron grip. “You will explain yourself.”
    She refused to wince. Instead, Joss aimed an icy look at Silverhielm. “You will let me loose and I will go get a drink,” she enunciated. “After that, I may choose to continue this conversation or I may not.” She saw Bax come to attention and shook her head infinitesimally at him.
    “No.” Silverhielm signaled Markus, who appeared at her elbow. “Another martini for Ms. Astin.”
    “Ketel One, with two olives,” Joss told Markus. She trembled down inside but her hand remained steady as she pulled the skewered olive from the remains of her current glass.
    “So, Ms. Astin.” Silverhielm stared at her as Markus walked away. “Pray continue.”
    Joss looked right back at him, refusing to be intimidated. Then she turned to look out at the moonlit cobblestones of Berzelii Park. “I can make it very simple,” she said calmly. “I have something you want. You have something I want. We ought to be able to come to an agreement.”
    “What do I have that you want, Ms. Astin?”
    She raised her martini glass. “Money,” she said and took the final swallow.
     
    S ILVERHIELM ESCORTED her down the marble stairs that led to the front door of the auction house, Markus trailing behind them.
    “I am sorry that the other potential bidders interrupted our very interesting conversation, Ms. Astin,” Silverhielm said. “There is a very fine bar nearby. We can go for a drink and talk further.”
    “I must be getting back to my hotel.” She slipped the strap of her small black evening bag over her wrist.
    Silverhielm suppressed a flare of irritation. He was a man used to being obeyed. “Where are you staying?” hepersisted. “Perhaps I could offer you a ride home.” He opened the door and gestured for her to pass through.
    “That won’t be necessary. I can get a cab, thanks.”
    “Oh no, I insist.” He waved and his gleaming black car pulled smoothly up to the curb.
    “Thank you, but no.” She turned to shake hands. “I will be in Stockholm for several more days. I am sure we’ll have an opportunity to talk.” She smiled and turned to head across the square toward the lights of the boulevard and a taxi.
    A wave of fury washed through Silverhielm. People did not treat him this way. People did as he told them. He watched her go and Markus stepped up beside him. “A lone woman playing a dangerous game,” Silverhielm said softly. “She has the Blue Mauritius, she hints.”
    Markus looked at Silverhielm impassively. “Is she here to deliver?”
    “For a fee.” The gleaming black car idled gently in front of them. “I refuse to pay twice for something I should already possess.” His voice hardened, the polished sophisticate erased by the ruthless thug. “You will take care of it.”

8
    B AX STOOD INSIDE the doorway to Strindberg’s and watched Silverhielm’s soldier close the door to the sleek black limo, shutting Silverhielm inside. Then the car pulled away, leaving the blond man at the curb. For a moment, he just stared after Joss. Then he tucked his hands into his pockets and set off through the gloaming, across Berzelii Park.
    After Joss.
    Bax stepped swiftly out the door. She’d stood her ground with Silverhielm and refused to get in the car, he reminded himself as he followed them, suppressing a little twist of concern. If she was taking a risk now by crossing the park alone in the evening, at least there were people around. Anyway, it was only until she’d reached the broad boulevard where she could get a taxi to the hotel.
    He quickened his pace a bit to get closer to Silverhielm’s man. Once she got into a cab, her tail would be stymied, unless he wanted to try a “follow that cab” routine. Bax had a pretty good feeling that the guy was a little too smart for that one.
    And then he cursed. It looked like Joss was going