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Back Point of Contact Save as PDF
Chapters (83)
  1. Cover
  2. ALSO BY TOM CLANCY
  3. PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS
  4. 1
  5. 2
  6. 3
  7. 4
  8. 5
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  10. 7
  11. 8
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  82. 79
  83. What’s next onyour reading list?

Jack shrugged. “No, not really. But then again, I don’t own a company like your family does.”

“No, but you work for a financial firm. Why do you do that kind of work if you don’t love money?”

Because I secretly work for The Campus, working for my dad and defending my nation, Jack wanted to say. Instead, he said, “It’s interesting work, and I’m pretty good with numbers.”

“I’m terrible with numbers, but I’m pretty good with a gun and I love my father, so I do everything I can to protect the company because I’m also protecting him.”

I guess we’re not so different after all, Jack thought.

“So, Mr. Jack Ryan, I apologize if I have seemed hostile or defensive. I suppose I should be fawning over you and showering you with attention because that’s what you expect.”

“Why would you say that? Because of my dad?”

“What? No. Because you’re so good-looking.”

Didn’t see that one coming, Jack thought. Must be the alcohol.

“I don’t know about that.”

“Haven’t you seen all of the women ogling you around here? You probably have a lot of girls back in the States.”

Jack shook his head as he peeled back the label on his empty beer bottle. Ysabel’s face flashed in his mind. “My work doesn’t exactly allow for a social life.”

Lian stared at a happy couple at the next table over. “I understand, believe me.”

A waiter approached with a tray, loaded with a giant tropical fruit drink, a massive wedge of pineapple sticking out of it.

“For the lady, a mai tai, compliments of those gentlemen,” the waiter said, nodding at a table across the way. Three large white men in their twenties smiled lustily at Lian. The one with the bulging biceps, and seemingly the oldest, lifted his own half-consumed mai tai in a toast.

“That thing is as big as your head,” Jack said. He remembered the Shirley Temple he’d sent Park earlier that day. Karma is a bitch.

Lian told the waiter, “Tell the gentlemen thank you, but I respectfully decline the generous gift.”

“What’s wrong? Don’t you like mai tais?” Jack asked.

“I love mai tais. Just not from strangers.”

The waiter blanched. “Ma’am, the gentleman means no harm. It might cause him offense if I returned it.”

“You can call security if they make trouble,” Lian insisted.

The waiter said, “Better if no trouble is started. Lah.” His smile, a plea.

“How much did they tip you?” Jack asked.

“Ten dollars, Australian.” The waiter leaned in close and whispered, keeping his eyes on the three lecherous musketeers. “I’m afraid they get angry if I return the drink. Best if you accept it, my lady. They’ll leave soon enough.”