Dangerous to Know by Merline Lovelace Page B

technical librarian and sometime mouse, had just successfully passed herself off as Meredith Ames, woman of the world.
    The gentleman who’d requested her company might not be Meredith’s contact, she reminded herself. If he showed no interest in a certain microdot, he might have to be eased out of Meredith’s suite, using the ingenious plan David devised earlier.
    But then again, he just might be the individual trying to acquire stolen technology that would allow him to transfer millions and millions of bits of data at twice the current capacity. If he was, David would have identified his target, and Paige would have participated in the adventure of her life.
    By God, she’d done it!
    As the taxi swept along the broad, brightly lit boulevard, agathering tension gradually replaced her initial spurt of exultation. She wasn’t quite home free, she reminded herself. The adventure wasn’t over yet.
    When the Carlton’s caramel-and-cream facade came into view, she quivered with a combination of nervousness and anticipation. Stiff black skirts rustling, she slid out of the taxi and fumbled in her bag for some francs to pay the driver. While the doorman sorted through her wad of notes and bent down to negotiate a respectable fare, a small, slight figure detached itself from the shrubbery along the curved drive.
    â€œSo, mademoiselle, you have recovered from your swim in the sea, no?”
    Startled, Paige swung around. “Henri?”
    â€œYes, it is me.”
    Sauntering forward, the boy hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his rumpled shorts and looked her up and down. A long, low whistle drifted across the night air. “Of a certainty you have recovered.”
    â€œWhat in the world are you doing here? It’s almost four in the morning. You should be in bed.”
    â€œMe, I do my business at night,” he announced with a cheerful insouciance. His red brows waggled. “As do you and your friend, no? The one with the so lovely legs.”
    â€œWhat? Oh, yes.”
    â€œIs this boy bothering you, mademoiselle? ”
    The deep voice at her shoulder made Paige jump. She turned and hurriedly assured the frowning doorman that, no, the boy wasn’t bothering her. Rocking back on his heels, Henri waited while the dubious doorman gave her the change, then moved away to assist another patron into the cab. Even at this late hour, a steady stream of limousines and taxis glided along the wide curved drive in front of the hotel, picking up and discharging passengers. Paige wondered if one of those vehicles held David. Or Maggie. Or her prospective client.
    Nervously, she turned to bid the boy good-night, only to have him forestall her with a shrewd assessment.
    â€œYou have the customer, no?”
    She nodded, her face heating. This youngster’s frank knowledge of the world astounded her.
    Henri smirked and rocked back on his heels. “It is the big man who takes you in his arms this afternoon, no? Of a certainty, he has the passion for you.”
    Arrested, Paige stared at him. “Really? You saw that, did you?”
    â€œ Mais oui! He will be generous, that one, as much as he desires you. You must make sure you ask a proper fee.”
    â€œFee? Oh. Yes. Yes, I will.”
    A look of complete disgust crossed his freckled face. “Do not say you failed to establish the price before you make the assignation with him?”
    â€œWell, I…”
    â€œJust how long is it that you do this type of work, mademoiselle? ”
    â€œNot very long.”
    Paige couldn’t believe she was standing outside one of the world’s most elegant hotels, discussing such matters with a grubby-faced boy.
    â€œLook, I have to go inside,” she said, a little desperately. “It’s late and I, uh, have to get ready.”
    The boy planted himself before her. “No, no, you must not. Not until we decide your fee.”
    â€œWe?” she echoed