FOOL'S CHALLENGE
by
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A knock at the door signaled the delivery and in came a cart loaded with boxes and bags. On top of them all was the huge bouquet of roses, beautifully arranged, in a crystal vase, with a bottle of Mumm's and a large container of Russian caviar, carefully packed in a styrofoam container filled with ice cubes, and a box of Italian Chocolates. The porter shyly looked away from Ray, concentrating on what John was saying and keeping his eyes averted. The daily rain had stopped just moments before and Orchard Road was coming to life again. The sun was peaking through the clouds, making every attempt to break through but it would give up before long and settle into twilight, as darkness comes early in Singapore. "Let's get dressed up and go someplace really nice for dinner. You'll have to change clothes. Look in the mirror." They had been caught with no umbrella in the afternoon downpour. Ray was wearing soft white knitted slacks and halter covered with a matching white long sleeved sheer blouse. Underneath the slacks she wore white nylon bikini panties. Everything was soaked through, and a newspaper could be read through the fabric, showing her nipples, belly button and even her pubic hair. Her wet hair had already started to dry. Her clothing had not. Ray's mouth fell open and her face turned red. "I walked up through the lobby and elevator like this. No wonder people were staring at me. And that man on the elevator... and the porter..." She didn't finish the sentence. "I'll never be able to show my face again." She was mortified. John fell back on the bed laughing. "Never mind. You'll never see any of these people again. Besides, they'll never recognize you. They weren't looking at your face." *** They were waiting for their dinner dishes to be removed from the table. John's steak had been cooked just the way he had ordered and the beer had been cold. Someone certainly knew how to run a restaurant. It was a great way to start his vacation. He was already feeling the sense of freedom and excitement of what was to come but realized it was the alcohol. His eyes rested on the cowboy he had met just hours before and found Stretch sitting back from the table with his long legs stretched out in front of him, smoke curling into the ceiling lights. He had been quietly studying John for several minutes, wondering if John was the man for the job. Could he trust John even if his offer were refused? Stretch knew there would be no second chance once he embarked on his plan. He had to make the right decision the first time around, guided by his own intuition. Over the past several weeks Stretch had talked with half a dozen men in much the same way he had approached John, but none of them had what he was looking for and he never got to the big question. What was he looking for? Stretch didn't quite know. He just assumed he would recognize the man when he met him and John was that man. John fit that description. Greed? No, not that. At least not greed alone. Intelligence and perhaps ruthlessness, coupled with the desire to do better and live well. And honor. He truly believed John was honorable. But to what extent? It was now or never. Stretch decided to take the chance. "How would you like to make five million dollars, tax free?" Stretch broke the silence abruptly. The statement took him by surprise. John almost strangled on his beer. "Who do I have to kill?" he asked with a laugh. Funny you should ask that, Stretch thought to himself. Aloud, Stretch said, "Pull your chair closer so no one will hear us talking."
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About the Book
The Crown Prince of Bahrmia is dying. All the money in the world can't help him. It is inshallah, the will of God. However, his father has ideas of his own. The ruler of a small, oil-rich sheikhdom in the Persian Gulf, he will use his wealth to save his son. Challenging the will of Allah, he devises a plan that will make a good man shudder and a good woman die. Reynolds McNeal's marriage has ended and she must learn to make it on her own. She's lonely and vulnerable. Years of living in a small expatriate oil community where everyone knows everyone else, have made her very trusting. When she is befriended by a handsome, interesting man in a coffee shop at Kennedy Airport, they appear to have many things in common. It doesn't occur to her that he is much too charming and that the early morning meeting could be anything more than a coincidence. Their romance blooms, and during a whirlwind holiday that spans three continents, she learns the truth. An innocent bystander is killed and she knows she will be next unless she can come up with a plan of her own. In Daren Lamb's provocative style, she'll guide you through exotic cities, giving you the feeling you have been there before. She will put you in her character's minds and take you to the depth of their passions, while you feel what they feel, and see what they see, as they work out a way to survive.
About the Author
Born in the very small town of Moundsville, West Virginia and educated at West Virginia University, Daren Lamb lived for many years in Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. She traveled the world over with her husband, three sons and a Siamese cat. She writes what she knows and blends fact with fiction, taking her characters into exotic locales. This is her second published novel. She now writes from their beach house in South Florida with her husband, Harry, one dog, also named Harry, and three tropical birds.