Beinn 5.2

He studied her as they rode side by side.  She certainly was attractive, though Massoud had long since disciplined himself to keep such desires in check.  He could count off more than a few who had prematurely ended a promising career by letting their passion, whatever it may be, stray beyond acceptable bounds.  Besides that, her arriving when she did was almost too perfect  and he had long since learned to distrust when things worked out in a way that seemed fortuitous.  Yes, some would call him a pessimist, but it had gotten him to where he was today hadn’t it?  Before he accepted her as a partner in this endeavor he wanted to get a bit more information. 

Sensing the silence was not doing her cause any good Elspeth tried to strike up a conversation.  If she could get Massoud talking, she could perhaps relax him, and warm him over to her taking over the job Roy would have done.  She wanted to do this for Roy it was true but she had her own reasons too.

Massoud saw her open up her blouse slightly as she addressed him.  He ignored her question and attempt at putting him off guard and asked one of his own.  It was the obvious one and therefore a good place to start.  “Elspeth, perhaps you can help me understand just how you have come to know so much of my plans when Roy and I took a solemn oath of secrecy.”  True he had overstated things just a bit, but if were to trust this woman he would need much more than just a smile and her assurance that Roy had told her everything.  Besides that, her presence made him nervous.

~ by ridgewalker on August 7, 2008.