Unlike Pembroke’s plain office door, Nantz’s was ostentatious. Constructed from dense black wood, it was ornately carved, with brilliant stained-glass panels running down each side. A brass knocker was attached above the doorknob. Embray lifted it up and let it fall.
The click of heels sounded from within the office. The woman who opened the door gave them a practiced, professional smile.
“Mr. Embray,” she said, inclining her head slightly. Atop her head, her coiled blonde bun didn’t move in the slightest. She stepped back and opened the door wider. “Doctor Nantz is expecting you.”
Doctor?O’Neill asked Cap through theNeealaho.The title was news to him.
He has PhDs in computer science and chemical engineering,Capland answered.
“Is Lord Pembroke not with you?” the woman asked, her plucked eyebrows furrowing as she peered into the hall. “I believe Doctor Nantz was expecting him as well.”
“Pembroke got called away. He’ll have to meet with us later,” Embray said as he stepped through the door. O’Neill, Simcosky, and Capland followed him.
A small foyer with a leather couch and a couple of matching armchairs greeted them. The lack of windows gave the room a claustrophobic, dark look. The woman shut the door, smootheddown her rose-colored, tight-fitting skirt, and straightened the matching jacket before leading them across the foyer. “If you’ll follow me.”
Unlike Pembroke’s office, the flooring here was wood paneled and loud. Every step rang out as the woman took the lead and escorted them toward the back of the room. The flooring could present a problem when they took Nantz down. A scuffle would sound like an explosion and alert his security. He’d have to lift the bastard and keep his feet off the floor.
A desk with an open laptop and a multi-line phone system sat to the right of another door. This second door was plain, with frosted glass windows. She rapped lightly on the glass and opened the door, presenting them with an ocean of cream-colored carpeting. It looked thick and plush.
Thank Christ. One problem solved.
“Leonard Embray is here to see you,” she announced.
“What? No Pembroke?”
“Lord Pembroke had something come up. He’ll join us later.” Embray walked around Nantz’s secretary.
“Ah well,” Nantz said. “Can’t be helped, I suppose.”
When Cosky tried to follow Embray into the room, the secretary blocked his path. “You’re welcome to wait in the foyer. Your client is in no danger here.”
Embray stopped and turned, his eyebrows rising. “My bodyguards go where I go. I don’t enter a room without them.”
Nantz stepped into view, that unbearably fake smile wreathing his face. “I have a no bodyguards policy for sensitive discussions. Your men can join mine in the room next door. They’ll respond quickly if you need them. Trust me, my friend, you’re safe here.”
O’Neill remained expressionless, but inwardly he was chortling. Nantz had already dismissed his security team? Problem two solved. Their plan called for Embray to demand that Nantz dismiss his team due to the sensitive nature of theirdiscussion, but this would work even better. There wouldn’t be a record of Embray separating Nantz from his security detail.
Embray subtly stiffened and set his feet. “While I appreciate the fact you excused your bodyguards to maintain the confidentiality of this discussion, I won’t do the same. I learned to my detriment never to go unescorted.”
O’Neill was surprised Embray had brought up the coup he’d experienced. It had to be a painful memory. However, the attack he’d referenced was well-documented. Hell, it had been all over the news. And mentioning it now gave him solid reason for refusing to dismiss his security team.
“Besides,” Embray continued, his tone softening. “These men have been with me for years; they’ve also accompanied me to every meeting concerning this subject. Nothing said here today will come as a surprise to them.”
“Then I will bring my men in as well, they are also—”
“No, you won’t.” Embray cut him off. “I don’t know your men. What we’re about to discuss is my project.Mine. And it’shighlyconfidential.My men know what it encompasses and haven’t spoken of it. I don’t know your men. I won’t have them listening in on this discussion.”
“But—”
“If this is a sticking point for you, then we’re done.” Embray turned and headed back toward the open door.
O’Neill hoped the dude knew what he was doing. They couldn’t grab their target with the secretary watching and a team of security experts within hailing distance.
Chapter forty-six
Day 43
London, England
