Takedown (An Alexandra Poe Thriller) Read Online Free Page B

you.”
    He shrugged. “I’m good at hiding my rage. The right amount of alcohol and regular vacations and you’ll get good at it, too.”
    “I don’t really drink and vacations aren’t my thing.”
    “Not true,” he said. “What about the trip you’re taking to the Keys?”
    She shook her head. “Strictly business. I’ve got some real estate I want to get rid of. I can use the extra money to help take care of Danny.”
    Danny was her older brother. He had Down Syndrome and lived at a special-needs home outside of Baltimore. Alex had always felt bad about placing him there, but with their parents gone and the nature of her work, she had done what she’d needed to do.
    “When do you leave?” Cooper asked.
    “Couple days. I want to visit with Danny a little. Why?”
    He shrugged again and seemed to hesitate. “I don’t know. I thought you might want company.”
    Alex was surprised. In all the months they’d been working together, this was the first time Cooper had made such a suggestion, and she didn’t know what to think of it.
    She shook her head again. “It’s just a quick trip. A day or two. I’m gonna meet with the buyer’s agent, pack the place up, and head home.”
    “You don’t need any help?”
    “No. But I appreciate the offer.”
    He gave her a wan smile, nodded, then patted her hand and got to his feet. “Trust me, you’ll get used to dealing with the political bullshit. I’d tell you we’re all just pieces on a chess board, but that’s a cliché.” He paused. “It’s probably closer to checkers anyway.”
    “I didn’t mean to chase you off,” she said.
    “No worries. You look as if you could use some sleep, and I wouldn’t mind catching a few Zs myself. If you need me, I’ll be in coach.”
    Then he turned and worked his way down the aisle.

CHAPTER 3

    Washington, DC

    T HE MEETING WITH Mr. Gray took place where it always did.  
    Gray had chosen it the first time he and McElroy did business, over five years ago, and neither had found a suitable reason to make a change. Besides, McElroy had always liked the Museum of Natural History and often came here when he was in town. He was particularly enamored of the Ancient Egyptian exhibit, with its alabaster vases and ornate coffins and mummified corpses representing a belief that the road to eternal life was just beyond death’s doorway.
    McElroy himself didn’t believe in eternal life. He had decided long ago this was as good as it got and he might as well make the best of all he’d been blessed with.
    As always, Mr. Gray was waiting for him in the Hall of Paleobiology. McElroy wasn’t sure why Gray had chosen this particular exhibit, because the man never seemed to show much interest in the fossilized dinosaur skeletons or the collection of amphibians and reptiles. It was, McElroy assumed, simply a place to meet that was out of earshot of anyone who might take an interest in what they had to say.
    Mr. Gray stood in front of the Tyrannosaurus rex and was carefully cleaning his glasses with a handkerchief as McElroy approached. “I heard about what happened in Istanbul. Pretty nasty business, that.”
    McElroy nodded. “You might explain to me why the US government is so anxious to cozy up to a known terrorist.”
    Gray shrugged. “I wasn’t in the loop on that op, but one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter. Besides, since when have you cared about who we choose to do business with, as long as you collect your incentive?”
    “That’s just it,” McElroy said. “Stonewell put up quite a bit of money for the operation.”
    “And I’m sure you’ll be adequately reimbursed. But I didn’t ask you here to talk about your budget concerns. I have an acquisition for you. One that should make up for this unfortunate business in Turkey.”
    “Oh? What is it?”
    Mr. Gray tucked away the handkerchief, slipped his glasses on, and smiled. “Shall we walk?”
    As they moved slowly through the hall, pretending