Night Probe! (Dirk Pitt 6)

"Would you think me a liar if I told you the same?"

"No," she said. And she felt a rush of relief because she knew he wasn't lying.

Shaw said, "I promise you that someday we'll be together."

That part could never be true. It tore painfully, deep in her chest. She pulled away. "I must go," she whispered.

He read the hurt in her eyes and understood. He lifted her up and onto the crutches. A helpful flight attendant came over and took Heidi's travel bag and the flowers.

"Goodbye, Heidi."

She kissed him lightly on the lips. "Goodbye."

After Heidi had disappeared through the boarding gate, Pitt walked up and stood beside Shaw.

"An awfully good woman," he said. "Be a shame to lose her."

"A good woman," Shaw agreed wistfully.

"If you don't hurry, she'll leave without you."

Shaw looked at him. "What are you talking about?"

Pitt shoved a packet in Shaw's breast pocket. "Your boarding pass and ticket. I fixed it so you have adjoining seats."

"But I'm under arrest as an enemy agent," said Shaw, his thoughts at a loss.

"The President owes me a favor." Pitt shrugged.

"Does he know what you're doing?"

"Not yet."

Shaw shook his head. "You're asking for trouble, setting me loose."

"I've been there before." Pitt held out his hand. "Don't forget, you promised me a backgammon lesson."

Shaw shook with both his hands. Then he held them up, displaying the steel bracelets. "Most aggravating, these things."

"Picking the lock should be child's play for a secret agent."

Shaw made a series of movements under the raincoat. Then he held up the cuffs, his hands free. "I'm a bit rusty. I used to do it much faster."

"James Bond would have been proud of you," Pitt said dryly.

"Bond?"

"Yes, I hear you two were quite close."

Shaw exhaled, his breath in a long sigh. "He exists only in fiction."

"Does he?"

Shaw shrugged, then stared at Pitt for a long moment. "Why are you doing this after the pain I've caused Heidi?"

"She loves you," Pitt said simply.

"What do you get out of it?"