Free To Deceive Is To Love (Romantic suspense) by Lynne King Page A

right.
    “What kind of things?” The leader demanded. His two companions remained silent, making David wonder if they even understood English.
    “Like how you’re looking for a pilot with his own plane to transport some items back to your homeland.” Luckily, his last contact with Hendersson had informed him that background inquiries about him had been intercepted. The CTAU had made sure his name was connected to all kinds of shady deals, suggesting he would do anything for anyone as long as it paid well and a plane was involved.
    Still, the fact that these three knew where to find him on a Sunday afternoon disturbed him greatly and he needed to know how they knew. Revealing nothing of his fears, he added lazily. “When questions get asked about me, I start finding out who’s doing the asking.”
    For the first time, a glimmer of a cynical smile appeared and the leader held out his hand. “Abdul. You come highly recommended, Mr Bishop, although you charge a great deal for your service.”
    David accepted the firm handshake. “Well, Mr Abdul, plane fuel is damn expensive. Before we continue, I need to know where you get your information, like how to show up here.”
    Again Abdul gave a tight-lipped smirk. “You are not dealing with amateurs or fools, Mr Bishop. We make it our business to know all your secrets.”
    David realized he wasn’t going to get anymore out of Abdul. It was his greatest fear that this day would come if he stayed in the business too long. It was why he’d never tried to mend the rift with Danny. He had no close family, no one who could be used or punished because of him and what he did. Canada was no longer just a possibility; it was a certainty.
    Tony had once told him he sought fear and danger, that it was his adrenaline rush and without it, he had no purpose because he hadn’t experienced or valued what love could offer him. His wife had just given birth at the time, so David had accepted his sentimentality without comment. But maybe he was right. The outcome of this mission might determine whether he’d ever find out.
    For the next ten minutes, David listened to what was required of him and told Abdul exactly what he wanted in return. Dates and times were yet to be arranged, but he was told to keep the next month free. Contact would be made through his usual channels; this meet was a one-time thing, but it was clearly Abdul’s way of letting him know that if anything went wrong, they could track him down.
    The other two had gone to sit in the car and with the car doors open, had turned on the radio. It had drowned out any sounds around them, including, the bright yellow biplane landing on the airstrip.
    Their discussions were coming to a close when David noticed that Abdul’s attention had been drawn to something behind him. Hearing the approaching footsteps, he turned to see who was coming.
    Luckily, he still wore his sunglasses, because he was sure his dismay was broadcasted clearly in his eyes. Fast approaching were Chantelle and Danny, each carrying a backpack. He hadn’t seen Danny since the air show and Chantelle since she had sped out of the car park after meeting Catherine. Both were now heading right for him.
    From the discomfort revealing itself in Chantelle’s downcast eyes and the angered expression in Danny’s face, it was obvious they were as horrified by his presence as he was theirs. He turned his back to them with the hope they would walk straight past and quickly ended his conversation with Abdul.
    “No more face to face contact. I’ll wait to hear from you and remember” -- he leaned forward, his voice a harsh whisper -- “Full payment up front. Otherwise, my plane and I are grounded.”
    Abdul nodded and walked to his car, indicating their meeting was over.
    David felt relief begin to creep in, when suddenly he felt a tap on his back.
    “You ignorant bastard.” Danny was standing there, his face full of rage.
    Chantelle was gone, marching off toward the