In Serena's Web by Kay Hooper Page A

but the core, the basic core, is still vulnerable and insanely trusting.”
    Oddly enough, Brian found no paradox there. It made sense to him somehow. Because it was Serena they were discussing, it made sense.
    Abruptly Josh said, “She hasn’t told you about her children.”
    It wasn’t a question, but Brian answered, “No, she hasn’t.”
    “Foster kids. All over the world. And she doesn’t just give money to support them, she sends letters, presents. She visits them if she can. And she keeps up with the news, the politics, of every country where one of her kids lives. She worries about them but never talks about them. The pictures they send her are tacked up all over her bedroom at home.”
    “Layers,” Brian murmured.
    Josh watched him for a moment, then said softly, “She’s honest except when it would hurt someone or when she’s up to her tricks. And even when she’s plotting, it tends to be evasion or implication rather than lies. The scary thing is that she’s almost always right. In fact I’ve never known her to be wrong. Except maybe this time.”
    Brian didn’t take the bait. He was afraid of what he’d most likely catch. Changing the subject determinedly he said, “These implied threats to Stuart, what about them?”
    Accepting the change, Josh sighed. “Didn’t look like much at first; Stuart’s dealt with worse. But we found out a few days ago that you two were traced as far as Wichita. And Stuart’s contactsin the intelligence community aren’t having much luck in finding out who’s behind it all. That in itself is unusual enough to put us on alert.”
    “If these people found Serena,” Brian said slowly, “what would they do?”
    “Take her, probably. Before she could get away again,” Josh answered bluntly. “Hold her somewhere as a threat. Use her to force Stuart to give in. And he would, of course, if she was in danger. They know that.”
    “Would they hurt her?”
    “If Stuart refused to give in,” Josh said levelly.
    Brian believed him. Still, he could hardly help but protest. “But if they kidnap Serena and force Stuart to give in to them, he’ll know for certain who’s behind it all. And with a serious crime like that to charge them with—”
    Josh was shaking his head. “The corporate power guys behind this plot could never be traced. That would be too easy. Whoever does their dirty work will be professionals, with no connection whatsoever to the power men; and whoever makes Stuart the offer will do so in allinnocence, completely ignorant of any threats or coercion.”
    “Then how in God’s name does Stuart expect to track them down?” Brian asked violently.
    Josh smiled just a little. “Sure you want to know?”
    “I want to know.”
    “All right. First consider the entire situation. Someone—unknown—wants Stuart. And this someone is prepared to play some very dirty games to get him. Now, we both know business is sometimes dirty, but for most of us respectable businessmen it usually stops short of violence. But not these guys. Rarely do they have the best interests of the economy or our country at heart.”
    Josh reflected for a moment in silence, then went on. “In spite of having left the intelligence community years ago, Stuart very naturally keeps in touch. The community knows the danger of a scientist of Stuart’s caliber working for the wrong people. So it’s more than willing to help to avert that danger.
    “Right now a number of people are trying to trace the men who were asking questions aboutthe two of you in Wichita. The trail is a tangled one, but movements can be traced. Eventually the intelligence people will discover who these men work for. They won’t have courtroom proof, you understand, but they’ll be certain.”
    Brian did understand. “And when they’re certain?”
    Josh smiled faintly. “That’s when the intelligence people can trace the nice, respectable, powerful men behind this whole thing. Then they’ll start what the