‘Superfast global facial recognition. Neat, huh? It’s still in Beta but we’re on the home straight. All you need’s a passport image or a photo off of Facebook, input that with a few co-ordinates, frequently visited locations, don’t even need a name, hit send and voilà. When we get it running right, it should relay in about fifteen seconds from anywhere round the globe. Cool or what?’

Skip paused for him to respond, but Tom was too stunned to speak.

‘Want me to set up an alert and patch it to your phone so you can keep check? Case you’re worried about all them smooth French dudes hitting on her? I know I would be.’

Tom swallowed, holding down the urge to deck the little prick. He couldn’t remember a time he had taken such a dislike to someone so quickly.

Beth glanced anxiously at him, then went into over-drive, laying down a big apologetic laugh, like covering fire. ‘Really, Skip, you’re just too much. What kind of a welcome is that to show our guest? I’m so sorry, Tom, he’s just real keen for you to see his ideas. Ain’t you, Skip?’

Skip giggled and raised his hands in surrender. ‘Hey, Tom, don’t take it personally, okay? I’m just a geek with a hard-on for my new kit.’ He pointed at Beth. ‘You should see what I got on her.’

He hit another key and the screens filled with images of her in every stage of dress and undress, eating, swimming, shopping, driving, right up to meeting Tom at the airport and getting into the Chevy. Creepy didn’t even begin to cover it.

He wagged a crooked finger at her. ‘See, babe? Nowhere to hide.’ He bowed as if responding to applause, his eyes hovering somewhere round her chest. Still she continued to smile, as if it was actually a clause in her contract. Maybe it was. But, almost to his relief, he thought he saw the mask slip for a millisecond.

Tom swallowed his disgust and reminded himself why he was there. Press the flesh, secure the cash, then get the hell out. ‘So, what’s your interest in Invicta?’

Skip looked over Tom’s shoulder, towards the door. ‘Ask him.’

Chapter 42

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