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“That’s good news,” Jia li said. “I will relay that information. But I was asked to remind you that your company was selected for this opportunity because of your resources and reputation. You are known as a man of your word and a force to be reckoned with. However, my colleague is a person of similar abilities and character. If you do not deliver on your part of the deal, your failure to do so will be made well known.”
Her words were greeted by silence. Jia li could read the man’s mind. The significance of a threat to be dishonored would be unthinkable.
“I will meet the deadline I just described,” he said at last. “One week. You will have all you require.”
“That would be wise. I’ll pass your promise along.”
Jia li disconnected the phone with a smile on her face.
Grand Californian Hotel and Spa
Disneyland, Anaheim, CA
27 February
Tuesday, 10:10 a.m. local time
Emma had just carried in the enormous stuffed Belle that she’d won for Abby in Mickey’s Toontown when her cell phone rang. She glanced down, saw the private number Aidan had given her—along with instructions to always answer in private, out of Abby’s keen earshot—and gestured to Joyce, silently asking her to take over with their exuberant charge.
Joyce nodded, managing to coax Abby to sit beside her on the sofa so they could look at the Disney map and plan out the next part of their day.
Scooting into her and Abby’s bedroom suite, Emma answered her still trilling phone.
“Hello?” Again, no mention of names. That was an additional instruction on Aidan’s part.
“Hello back.” Aidan’s tone was filled with dry humor. “You sound like you just lost a boxing match. I wonder why.”
“Not why,” Emma corrected. “Who. I have a knockout challenger.” She smiled. “But she’s worth it. It’s so cool to be visiting Disneyland for the first time with Abby. I feel like I’m four again—except for my aching body. That needs some comedown time. I don’t think that’s on the menu though. We just got back to the suite with this morning’s stash, and she’s already planning out our next batch of rides and where we’ll be eating.” A pause as she listened to the background noises at Aidan’s end. “You’re at an airport. I won’t keep you. I’ll go get Abby.”
“No, don’t,” Aidan replied quickly. “I don’t even want her to know it’s me on the phone. And you will be getting that comedown time. I should be there in an hour and a half. Abby’s mine for the afternoon. We’ll hit Fantasyland and do It’s a Small World ride and the King Arthur Carrousel. After that, we have reservations at two o’clock for the Lunch with Ariel and Disney Princesses.”
“Get out.” Emma was duly impressed. “That character lunch is booked for six months or more.”
“I’m resourceful. Especially since I know how much my little princess loves Disney princesses. Keep Abby at the hotel. Go to the Redwood Pool—that’s where the Mickey Mouse kiddie pool is. That should keep her busy for a while.”
“You’re kidding.” Emma stared at the phone, stupefied by Aidan’s naivety. “She’s been at that pool four times already and all she wants is to go to the big pool and ride the ninety-foot water slide.”
“The… what?” Aidan sounded ill. “You didn’t let her—”
“Of course not. But that’s not going to stop her from asking. I think I’ll convince her to eat a little something—maybe a few Mickey Mouse pancakes, and then tell her that since her tummy is full all she can do is wade in the kiddie pool. She won’t like it, but once she sees her daddy, all will be forgotten and forgiven.”
“Thanks, Emma.”
“Thank you right back. I’ll have four hours to work on my tan and sleep at the poolside. Joyce will probably go crash in the suite. We’ll both be refreshed and ready to go by the time you take off.”
“Who are you talking to, Emma?” Abby’s voice emanated from the other room. “Is that Daddy?”
“Nope, just a friend of mine,” Emma called back. “I’m hanging up now.” She turned her mouth back to the receiver. “Bye, boss,” she hissed.
“Hang in there, champ. Reinforcements are on the way.”
12
NanoUSA
27 February
Tuesday, 11:45 a.m. local time
