Page 90 of Tom Clancy Line of Sight

She set the parking brake. “Don’t tempt me.”

“I am tempting you. I could introduce you to some heavy hitters.”

“Heavy hitters?”

“Big-money people who love to donate to causes like this. I might even be able to convince my dad to look into some kind of federal money or something.”

“Your father must be a very important bureaucrat.”

“I’ll tell him that. Better yet, tell him yourself.”

“Someday, I would like to visit your country. But now is not the time.”

Jack heard the finality in her voice. He didn’t want the day to end. “Man, I’m hungry. How about dinner?”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t. I really do have a mountain of paperwork tonight, and tomorrow I’m leaving for Dubrovnik.”

“I’ve heard it’s a beautiful city.”

“You have never been there?”

“No. But I’d like to someday.”

“Too bad you’re flying home tomorrow.” She lowered her eyes. “If you were staying longer, I would take you there, and on the way show you more of my beautiful country.”

Jack’s heart raced. Music to his ears. But he had checked his cell phone earlier in the day. Three texts from Gerry, all with the same message: “Call me.” It was time to get home and get back to work.

Right?

“Why are you going to Dubrovnik?”

“I need to pick up some things for the medical clinic. I can make the drive in a day, but if you came, we’d do it in two days like on one of my tours, so I can show you some amazing things that you may never see again.”

“I can change my plans.”

Aida brightened. “So you’ll come?”

“It’s for the refugees, right? How can I say no?”

—

While Jack was packing his underwear for the trip, Aida was in her office working on her books when Emir stormed in.

“You’re taking him to Dubrovnik?”

“Sure. Why not? He’s never been there.”

“Is that... wise?”

“I have to make the pickup anyway. Now I’ll have company.”

“I don’t like it.” Emir’s sulking face betrayed him.

Of course you don’t, my sweet cousin,Aida thought. “It’s only a courtesy. His mother is a surgeon. This is an easy way to repay her kindness to me.”

She pitied Emir, and he knew it. That made him feel even worse.

Emir’s face hardened. “It’s shameful.”