That won’t be good for Gerry or Hendley Associates, Jack thought. As much as Yong obviously didn’t want the merger, a lot of other folks did. Jack knew he needed to back down rather than give Yong the excuse he needed to kill the deal. Suddenly, the politics of this white-side assignment seemed more difficult than dodging bullets in the North Sea, and nearly as hazardous to his career.

“I apologize if I’ve said or done anything to offend you. I’m just trying to do my job.”

Paul nodded his agreement. “We’re just doing a quick, standard fraud audit, and we’re trying to keep as low a profile as possible.”

“So then what was all this nonsense with the police last night?”

“We have no idea. It was bizarre, to say the least. Good thing your sister showed up just in the nick of time.”

Yong cocked his head. “What are you implying?”

Jack wasn’t implying anything. It seemed pretty damned obvious. Was he supposed to believe the phony police raid was pure coincidence? “Nothing at all. Thanks to her intervention, your country avoided an embarrassing diplomatic incident with my country on the eve of a historic summit.”

“My sister is a remarkable woman and fiercely loyal to her family. But she’s also no fool.” Yong grinned. “As amusing as it would have been to see the two of you caned publicly, it would be wrong. She knows you and Mr. Brown aren’t drug smugglers.”

“Good to know, because whoever was stupid enough to pull that idiotic stunt last night isn’t bright enough to understand that it won’t discourage us from doing our jobs while we’re here.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“And we are genuinely grateful that she got us out of that jam.”

“I’m glad to hear that as well. She seemed quite upset when I spoke with her last night. She is a proud woman. I can hardly believe she came to apologize to you.”

Technically, she didn’t, Jack reminded himself. “She surprised me for sure.”

“My sister had made special plans for the two of you this morning, but she assumed you wouldn’t want to participate after the way you treated her last night.”

“I was caught off guard last night. After it was over, I told her I was an idiot.” Jack wanted to add, But I was an idiot only if I was wrong about her, and I’m pretty sure I’m not. But he thought better of it. “We’re more than happy to hang out with her this morning—I just have an appointment with Dr. Heng later this afternoon.”

“I’m sure you can keep it, and my sister will be delighted.”

Paul shifted, anxious. He whispered in Jack’s ear, “I’ve got work to do.”

Jack ignored him. “We couldn’t be more excited.”