The Architect of Revenge: A September 11th Novel Read Online Free Page A

“Thanks for telling me.”
    “You’re welcome.” Morgan smiled. “That wasn’t easy. How’d you get that out of me?” he said, staring at her beautiful face. “Surgeons are supposed to swagger. Please don’t let anyone know.”
    A manicured finger came to rest on her puckered lips. “Confidentiality assured,” Caroline said.
    He glanced across the table at the elegant white-haired woman named Anne they had met earlier. She smiled and nodded knowingly as if she could hear their words.
    “So let me ask you this…” Morgan said, returning his attention to Caroline. “Architecture…Why?”
    “Perhaps the same reason you’re a surgeon,” she replied. Seeing his quizzical look, Caroline added, “Science and art together. Isn’t that like surgery?”
    The hairs on his neck tingled.
    “Research, planning, and implementation…” she said.
    “Neither field,” Morgan finished her thought, “accepts conformity. Only how to improve on what’s already been done.”
    “That’s right,” said Caroline, now sliding her hand affectionately down his arm.
    The woman across from them smiled again.
    Nibbling their way through dessert, they heard the band start up again. Caroline stroked his wrist.
    “Wes…maybe…” She hesitated. “Would you…like to dance?”
    “You are trying to make me self-conscious. My last dance lessons were in college,” he confided, but hearing the quick downbeat he would dance with her even if his feet didn’t comply. She wanted to—and so did he. “Hope I don’t embarrass you.”
    “Not to worry,” she countered with a playful smile. “No one will watch.”
    “Right.” His eyebrows rose while his lips curled. “All you have to do is stand up.” He gave her his hand.
    On the dance floor, as he took her into his arms face to face, Morgan saw heads turn. The couple was impossible to miss. Caroline was taller than the other women he had known, and Morgan stood several inches above her. Looking into her eyes, he saw unhidden playfulness. She was enjoying this.
    The music began again…and became faster. As their momentum grew, the candles and lights in the room became a blurred halo. He felt alone with her—and weightless.
    The music finally slowed.
    Locking his hands behind her waist, Morgan brought her close and smelled her warm skin through the perfume.
    “One more?” he asked, not caring about anything but being with her.
    “You’d better,” she replied, her expression earnest, “or I’ll never forgive you.”
    Caroline followed his lead in a harmony that was a perfect moment behind his, their bodies touching as the music told them how to move. When it stopped, Morgan took Caroline’s hand to lead her off the floor. He swore her fingers were still dancing with his.
    Janie was seated across the table, talking to the white-haired woman. Both women smiled at them.
    “Ooo! My friend Anne said you talked to her! We’re bridge partners!” said Janie. “We both think you dance…beautifully!” Her hands flapped in excitement over the table while her friend gave another knowing nod. “Wes, I knew you would be wonderful on a dance floor! You just never showed me!”
    “Janie’s well beyond Earth,” Morgan whispered into Caroline’s ear.
    “Leaving Mars at least.” She hid a giggle.
    Morgan was overcome by the desire to dance with Caroline again.
    “Want to go out there where it’s quieter?” He asked her, tipping his head toward the dance floor.
    “I’d love—”
    “Ooo, Wes!” Janie continued interrupting Caroline’s obliging smile. “Anne said you met George too!”
    The dozing man was listing toward his wife.
    “I’m sure he told you he’s a surgeon!”
    It was clear the wrinkled physician with closed eyes hadn’t picked up a scalpel in a long time.
    “If I do say…you’re both darling when you dance,” Anne said.
    Her substantial diamond choker in a platinum setting emphasized what Morgan had learned earlier: their money had paid for the