Crystal had expected this. With her connection to Tim, such a meeting would be easy to arrange-it only remained to be seen whether Gabriel could make it worth her while.

She feigned hesitation and sighed. "Mr. Hackett, it's not that I don't want to help, but as Mr. Westcott's assistant, this could anger him."

Gabriel smiled, sliding a sleek black card across the table to her. "Ms. Glasco, this is a token of my appreciation. The password is your birthday. Once I've met with Mr. Westcott, I'll deposit ten times the balance on that card as a further thank-you. Please feel free to review it and decide.

Crystal raised an...