In Serena's Web by Kay Hooper Page B

law so cruelly calls harassment. Nothing overt. Nothing illegal. Soon after that, these powerful men will begin to have problems with their businesses. Small problems. A great many small problems. Costly problems.”
    “Trade-offs.” Brian came to the realization slowly. “The intelligence community trades off with law enforcement.”
    Nodding, Josh said, “It’s done all the time. Very quietly. You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours. They’re masters at it. And they’ll make it so quietly hot for the businessmen, they’ll decide it just isn’t worth it.”
    “How long will that take?”
    “Not as long as you might think. These ‘businessmen’ will figure out pretty quickly what’s happening. And they’ll move to cut their losses.”
    For a while the two men were silent. Brian beckoned the waitress, and they ordered fresh drinks. He noted that the other man seemed to avoid so much as a glance at the waitress; he was mildly curious, but unwilling to ask questions. Finally, with their drinks in front of them and the waitress gone again, Brian focused on his paramount worry.
    “What’re the chances these men will find Serena before any moves can be made against them?”
    Josh looked grim. “Their chances get better with every day that passes. All we can do is be on guard until we find out who’s behind this.”
    “Dammit, that’s—She should be somewhere safe. Protected.” Brian felt violent.
    “Surrounded by guards?” Josh shook his head. “In the first place Rena wouldn’t stand for it; she remembers too well being guarded after Mother was killed. But, even more, it would alert the men behind this. They’d call off their dogs and our trail would end right there. Then, when the smokecleared and Serena was no longer being guarded, they’d grab her. She’d be missing, we’d be hamstrung, and Stuart would have to give in.”
    Brian could see the logic; it was inescapable. But he wasn’t happy about it.
    Josh read his expression clearly. “It probably won’t make you feel any better,” he said dryly, “but Serena can take care of herself. Stuart made sure both of us could; he was very careful about that. As a result she’s skilled in the martial arts. She even knows a few exotic techniques specifically designed for small ladies. I’d hate to tangle with her, and I’m a black belt.”
    “It makes me feel a little better,” Brian confessed.
    Josh finished his drink, then sent a regretful glance toward the blond pianist. “I think I’ll turn in. It’s been a long day. The P.I.’s already on the job; he’ll keep an eye on things tonight. I gather you aren’t returning to California?”
    Brian shook his head. “I’m staying.” They both rose to their feet, and left the bar. Brian glanced around the lobby as they passed through, but saw no one who fit his image of a private investigator.
    “In the corner,” Josh murmured.
    Taking a surreptitious look, Brian saw the man. He was middle-aged, and ordinary in every respect, and was flirting outrageously with the waitress who had served them their drinks.
    In the elevator going up, Brian said uneasily, “Are you sure he’s the right man for the job? Seemed careless.”
    “He’s fine, believe me.”
    Brian accepted his word, trusting that Stuart’s stepson had experience in these matters.
    Josh’s room was a floor above Brian’s, so the men said good night in the elevator. Without Josh’s company Brian immediately found that thinking, however confused his thoughts, came far too easily. And as worried as he was over Serena’s safety, the words
I fell in love with you
were still whirling in his mind.
    He hadn’t responded to those words, he remembered, except to say, “Do you expect me to believe you?”
    That, more than anything else, bothered him. His emotions were impossibly tangled. And between the more intimate knowledge of her thatJosh had offered and his own strong feelings, Brian was certain that, however many layers