“I’ve done my part. But it would be best if he and Brown just went away—the sooner, the better.”

Yong barked an order in Thai for the trainer to leave for the day. The trainer grunted and bowed slightly, shutting the door behind him as he exited. The gym was an outbuilding behind the main house on Yong’s estate, not far from his father’s mansion.

“What are you suggesting?” the woman asked.

“If something happened to them, they might be tempted to leave early.”

Yong slipped his fingers into the elastic band of her shorts and pulled her close to him.

“Send me their itinerary. I’ll see what I can—”

Yong’s mouth devoured hers greedily as he lowered her to the sweat-stained mat and took her without much resistance.

—

Paul made a big show of downloading data from his Dalfan desktop onto his encrypted USB, then loading it into the port on his personal laptop.

“Man, this USB data transfer is really speeding things up. Thanks again for all the help, Bai.”

Bai smiled. “You’re welcome, Mr. Brown. Happy to be of service.”

Paul stretched his flabby arms high and wide and yawned like a bear coming out of hibernation. “Man, I’m tired.”

“You want some tea, maybe?”

“Oh, wow. That would be great. Something sweet, too, if you can find it.”

Bai nodded. “Be right back.”

“Thanks, Bai.”

Paul turned back to his laptop, pretending to be focused on the screen but desperately trying to keep Bai in his peripheral vision, waiting for him to turn the corner into the kitchen and—

Hurry!

Paul whipped his fingers across the mouse pad and keyboard, opening the CIA file and dragging the contents over to the Dalfan USB to copy them. The progress bar popped up. Two minutes and counting. Just like last night.

It would take Bai at least that long to brew a cup of hot tea and find a pastry or something, and another thirty seconds for him to walk back to the office.

Unless the hot water machine was broken and the pastry box was empty.

A minute passed, then ninety seconds. Thirty seconds to go.

“Hope you like doughnuts, Mr. Brown.”

Paul nearly jumped out of his skin. He swiveled around in his chair, using his wide body to block the screen from Bai, who stood in front of him, smiling and holding out a cup of tea and a chocolate doughnut with brightly colored sprinkles.

Paul forced a wide smile. “Outstanding, sir. Thank you.”

Bai frowned, lifted his chin, trying to see over Paul’s shoulder.

“Something wrong, Bai?”

“What’s on your—”

“OW!” Paul jumped out of his chair, his pants drenched.

“What’s wrong?”

“I spilled hot tea on my trousers! Quick, get me some paper towels! Please.”

“Oh, yes, of course. Be right back!” Bai scurried out the door.