Then Vera turned back to them. "Now, I want the computer. We know it was moved to the house in Kensington, but our search this morning did not locate it."
So they were on to us from the start, Vance realized.
"Looks like you've got a problem." He strolled over and plopped down in one of the straight-backed chairs along the opposite wall. "Too bad."
"No, you have a problem." She examined him confidently. "Because if those materials are not returned to us, we will be forced to take actions you may find harsh."
"Give it your best shot," he went on, glancing at Eva and hoping they could keep up the bravado, "because we've got a few cards in our hand too. Forget the money—that's history now—but we could still be in a position to blow your whole project sky high."
"You two are the only ones outside our organization who know about the protocol. That knowledge will not be allowed to go any farther."
"Don't be so sure. For all you know, we've already stashed a copy somewhere. Left word that if anything happens to either one of us, the package gets sent to the papers. Made public. Think what some premature headlines would do for your little project."
"We have thought about it, Mr. Vance. That contingency has been covered."
"Well, if I don't know what the other player's got, I tend to trust my own cards."
But why play at all? he suddenly found himself musing. Fold this hand and go for the next move.