“Thank you,” said Cindy curtly, leaning back against the front door. It was actually beautiful outdoors, the air was warm, thick and sweet and the dark sky was lit with a canopy of stars. Tears stung Cindy’s eyes when she realized that she was so far from family, here alone.
Instead of a taxi, a small dark car drove up to the entrance. The man at the steering wheel got out, and motioned for Cindy to get in. He was muscular with dark hair, dark eyes and wore a simple suit.
She stood frozen, looking at him. There had to be some mistake. She wondered who he thought she was.
He seemed to know what he was there for though, came over to her slowly.
“Cindy Blaine?” he asked.
“Yes?”
“Officer Sanchez Hanuah,” he said in a rumbling tone, took out his badge and showed it to her. “From Guadeloupe.”
Cindy was stunned. He had a formidable power and strength.
“Get into the car. We’ll drive you back to the hotel. Along the way, we can talk a little.”
She stood exactly where she was.
“My partner will be here in a little while,” she lied. “I’m waiting for him.”
“It’s you we want to talk to” Hanuah said, unmovable. “You came out alone and called for a cab. You’re not waiting for your partner. You’re running away.”
Cindy backed away from him. He or one of his crew must have been watching her all night. She had no intention of going into that car alone with him. She looked over at the security guard who was smirking. He hadn’t called a taxi, he’d called these guys. Following orders from Petrovich, obviously.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” Hanuah said. “We’ve been waiting for you all evening. There’s no reason for us to hurt you.”
“What have you been waiting for?” Cindy asked.
Hanuah smiled a strange smile, showing a row, of perfect, tiny teeth.
“We’ve been waiting for you to leave the party, with or without your ridiculous partner.”
Cindy stiffened. She started to say something, but he stopped her.
“Do not defend him,” Hanuah smiled, waving his hand. “A ladies man cannot be trusted. It’s stupid to work with that kind of man. One, two, three, they fall into the trap. I’ve seen it happen again and again.”
Cindy realized that Mattheus had been set up. They’d provided a beautiful, irresistible woman to pretend she was an agent, and rivet him to every word she said. Of course, it worked perfectly. He was drawn in, intoxicated. Cindy’d seen it with her own eyes.
Hanuah looked at Cindy. “With a partner like that, things like this happen. Sooner or later you end up alone.”
Cindy knew he was right, but refused to admit it.
“I am not alone,” she responded, pretending that none of it touched her at all. “My partner is inside, doing his job. I’m outside, waiting for a cab. He and I will meet up later. We always do. Now, what do you want to talk to me about?” She suddenly felt a surge of anger. She was getting tired of these endless games and innuendos. “We can talk right here, right now.”
Hanuah looked around. People were coming and going everywhere. “Not really,” he said.
Cindy dug in. “The we can go inside and talk.”
“You’re feisty, I like it. But it’s too crowded and noisy,” Hanuah said. “We’ll get in the car and ride down the road straight to your hotel.”
He clearly knew where she was staying. Cindy wondered if he’d been watching her there as well.
“Why in the world would you think I trust you?” she said, incredulous.
Hanuah leaned back, amused. “Then call your partner, and we’ll wait for him, too.”
Cindy pulled out her phone and started to call. She stopped midstream. She had no intention of calling Mattheus to come to her rescue. She didn’t want to speak to him ever again. Let him be as drawn in as he wanted by that woman. She could handle this on her own.
Cindy spun around towards the guards. “Get me a taxi this minute. Or else!” she commanded.
The guard looked at Hanuah, who nodded his approval, a tiny smile playing around the edge of his mouth.
“If you insist we can ride in the taxi with you,” Hanuah said.
“Wait a minute,” said Cindy, archly.
“We don’t have a minute,” the smile disappeared. “And neither do you. This has gone far enough. If you won’t listen, I’ll tell you right here. Back off the case.” His eyes narrowed.
“Is that all?” Cindy said flippantly.
“You and your ridiculous partner have become irritants,” Hanuah said, more forcefully, “more than irritants, you’re getting in our way. We have work to do and you’re not part of it.”
His eyes flared as he spoke. There was something fascinating about his smoldering energy and Cindy suddenly felt relieved to be with him. She let her defenses drop a moment.
“What’s the problem?” she burst out passionately, matching his intensity, “We’re not the enemy. You’re here to work the case, so are we. We can work together, we can help.”
He came much closer and Cindy felt his breath filled with alcohol on her face.