章 53: Chapter 53

“You’re assuming? No. You know I’d never do anything that stupid. I’ve been tested. I never came up positive for anything. And you know I don’t drink to that point.”

“That’s very true, Mark, but suppose someone tampered with your drink?”

His director of Interior Affairs ground his teeth. “I always order an unopened bottle of club soda or tonic water.” For an instant, his gaze appeared troubled, but it became flat and cold so quickly Wallace wasn’t certain what he’d seen.

Wallace tugged his lip. “The circumstances leading up to this—” He gave a discreet nod toward the boy. “I’m sorry, but there doesn’t seem to be any other explanation.” It was obvious Mark was deeply in denial. “Look, I suggest we set this aside for the time being. Once we get the results from Dr. Futé…well, at that point there will be time enough to look into this further.”

“All right, but just for the record, Chen and I were nothing more than partners.”