Falling in Love Bit by Bit
Copyright© 2008 by HLD
Chapter 14
"Good afternoon, gentlemen," Holland said in passable Mandarin. "Thank you for coming on such short notice."
The five other men sat around the table, their faces were unreadable.
"I trust you received my proposal," he shifted uncomfortably. Marianne had told him these men would either go along with the proposition he presented, or they would probably having him killed.
"We did, Mr. Campbell," the eldest of them replied in clear, but accented, English. "It was intriguing."
An uncomfortable silence fell over the room. Holland thought about saying something, but held his tongue. He was warned that being too expressive would give away some clues as to what he was up to or might be used against him.
"Why do you want one of the Delilah robots, Mr. Campbell?" One of the others finally spoke. "You do not strike us as the kind of man who would resort to something so crass as assassination in order to get your way."
"My needs are my own, Mr. Tsai," he replied, perhaps a little more curtly than he should have. Holland surveyed the other four men. "My terms are more than generous, and you will become very, very wealthy off our partnership."
The five men exchanged an uncomfortable look. "You understand that we are ... ah, anxious ... about turning over one of our most valuable assets to a ... what is the word? ... A 'wild card', Mr. Campbell. We do not want one of these robots used against us."
"I understand your concerns, General. I assure you that I do not intend to use the robot for any military or political agenda," he said, trying to appear sincere. That much was true. "It's not like you don't have six more, either."
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