“I’m interested in your choices.” He leaned back in his chair. “But it’s been a tiring day. I’d prefer that you read both of them to me, if you don’t mind. Then we can discuss why you’re set on one above the other.”

“Are you putting me on the spot?”

“Perish the thought. As I said, it’s not been a good day. I wanted to bring Campbell back to you. I like the sound of your voice and it would be good to hear it for a little while longer until you kick me out.”

And he’d been wounded, and he could be feeling it more than he’d allowed her to see. “Have it your way.” She pulled the first text in front of her. “But it’s pretty boring details. This guy is the one I think might be best. Burton Adams. Born in London but he’s a world traveler, he’s been involved in some very shady deals involving banks and mortgage companies with Bohdan. Most of them took place in Africa and Greece and seem to entail the use of the almighty con. He must be smart because Bohdan requests him for quite a few jobs. He doesn’t have anything to do with any other of his dirty military slaughters. He’s slick and crooked but he seems to stay away from that kind of wholesale nastiness.” She tapped another file. “I can’t say the same for William Hanks. Bohdan uses him to do white-collar thievery, too. But he also gives him occasional jobs with his armies that are beyond the pale.”

“Faint praise,” Caleb said. “It seems you’re going to hire Mr. Adams?”

“I am? You’re leaving it up to me?”

“Why not? I’ve always trusted your judgment. I’ll get on it right away. I’ve already told Palik that he’ll hear from us tonight. I’ll give him a call after I leave here. The only caveat would depend on whether Palik discovers anything that would cause us to doubt his con abilities when dealing with Bohdan. Agreed?”

She nodded slowly. “Agreed.” Her brow arched. “Giving me this responsibility wouldn’t be a ploy to keep me from what you might deem interference? It won’t work.”

“I’m not naive enough to believe it would,” he said quietly. “You know me well enough to realize I’d never have gone to Kilgoray if I’d seen any other way out. I’m trying to find a path to get us through this, Jane.”