“Progress report,” she prompted.
“I’ve had Dimek Palik, my info agent, investigating both the Romanos and Santara while I’ve been tied up here. He was to concentrate on both their actions during the last six months. Also time and depth of any interaction between them.”
“And?”
“Santara was working as an enforcer with a drug dealer in Morocco until three months ago. Very violent, very lucrative. But then he suddenly parted ways with his employer and left the country.” He paused. “He went directly to Rome and rented a villa on the edge of town. He stayed there for a week and then flew to Dubai.”
Jane frowned. “Dubai?”
He nodded. “He stayed there for five days and then returned to Rome. But this time, he checked into a palatial hotel on the river, until he disappeared about the time when Lisa was kidnapped.”
“And what was his interaction with the Romanos?”
“Palik didn’t find any interaction. They were never seen together. None of his cohorts knew what Santara was doing in Rome. They did think it was odd he rented the bungalow. Santara likes the high life when he’s not on a job.” He tilted his head. “But the Romanos had an apartment in Rome. And they were in the city at the same time as Santara. It would have been easier for them not to be seen with Santara if he wasn’t in the center of the city.”
“What about Dubai?”
“The Romanos weren’t in Dubai at the same time as Santara.” He smiled faintly. “But they happened to be vacationing in the ancient city of Petra, which is three hours away. It appears that they’ve been visiting the area frequently over the last three years. Gino had many clients among the royal family and the important businessmen who are the power figures in Dubai. Teresa has given parties for them and entertained extensively when she visited in Dubai.”
“If they’re that familiar with the country, it would be easy for them to move around and meet with Santara and make plans,” Jane said.
“Very easy.”
“But why in Dubai?”
“I have no idea. That’s why I’m going to meet Palik there and find out. Rome is a natural choice for a meeting if you want to hire scum like Santara. But there must have been a purpose about going to Dubai.”
“Palik can’t find out for you?”
“He might, given enough time. He’s most efficient at gathering information and seems to have ‘cousins’ and ‘uncles’ all over Europe and the Middle East who do him favors. But I’m in a hurry. And I have certain advantages.”
“Yes, you have,” she said drily. “And you don’t hesitate to use them.”
“Oh, I hesitate … sometimes.” He reached out and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “You have no idea, Jane. Do you want to know anything else?”
“Is there anything else to know?”
“Not that I can think of at the moment.”
“Will you call me if you find out anything?”
“I could do that.”
“But will you do that?”
He smiled. “Trust. I’m not playing word games with you. Haven’t I been good today?”
She was silent and then nodded. “I think you have.”
“See, I’m trying to regain that trust.”
“And you know I’m like Lisa and will go after the answers myself if I’m not satisfied.”
He laughed. “That, too. I wasn’t joking that I was glad to have the two of you here under heavily armed guards.” His smile faded. “And I’ll call and keep you informed because I want to be certain everything is safe here. I’ve already promised to call Lisa every night. We still haven’t located Santara.”
“I’ll keep her safe. I promised both of you.”
“You did, didn’t you?” He tossed his towel aside. “And I believe you. But we’ve discussed how I have this thing about control. Now suppose you go down and see if Lisa is awake so that I can say good-bye. I think I should go very, very soon.” His eyes were suddenly twinkling. “Unless you want to change your mind about my shedding the rest of these clothes? It would be awkward with Lisa so close, but I’m sure she’d be understanding.”
Heat.
Her breasts were suddenly swelling, pressing against her shirt.
She was achingly aware of his being only inches away. The tight muscles of his abdomen, the drop of water still caught in the thatch of dark hair on his chest. The scent of him.
Totally sexual. Totally Caleb.
And he wasn’t smiling any longer.
She had to get out of here.
She whirled and headed for the tent opening.
“It wasn’t me, Jane,” he said quietly. “It … just happened. Believe me, I’d pick a more convenient time and place.”
She didn’t look at him. She knew he had been joking and he wouldn’t do anything to endanger her relationship with Lisa. She wasn’t about to blame him. “I know that.” She steadied her voice. “You’re right. It just happened. After all, it’s only sex.”
“Only?”
It was the last word she heard as she started running back down the hill toward the campfire.
“Only…”
*
“I don’t want him to go.” Lisa hands were clenched as she watched Caleb walk up the steep incline toward the road. “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”
“Lisa.”
“Okay. Okay.” Lisa turned to Jane. “It’s a good idea. I just don’t like it right now. I want to be with Seth.” She glanced back at Caleb, who had reached the road and was heading for his car. “He told me he was going to Dubai. What’s he going to do there?”
“I have no idea. I don’t believe he does right now. Why didn’t you ask him?”
“I did.” She grimaced. “I didn’t like his answer. So I thought I’d see if he’d told you anything more.”
“You’re as manipulative as he is.” Jane shook her head. “Look, you wanted to keep him away from you for a reason. Now you’re trying to insinuate yourself into his life long-distance? That’s not why I arranged for you to come here. I took you at your word, Lisa. Now back off from this.”
“It was only a minor slip.” Lisa sighed. Then she grinned. “And I’m glad he didn’t tell you anything more. When I woke up, I could tell your link with him was stronger than I’ve ever sensed it. I didn’t want to be left out.”
Jane looked away from her. “No one is leaving you out. We’re all just trying to survive you.”
“That’s easy. Just keep me busy. I usually get into trouble only when I get bored.”
“Then I’ll definitely keep you busy. That’s what I was thinking anyway. What can you do?”
“Well, I can’t draw wonderful pictures like you. But I’m not stupid. I’m a whiz at a computer. I can usually make people do what I want when I make the effort.” She held up her hand. “No, I don’t have the Persuasion like Seth. But I can make people see my point of view.”
Jane cocked her head. “That seems remarkably like the beginning of that particular talent.”
“Does it?” She shrugged. “I thought it was just showing them that my way is more intelligent.”
“Because it is your point of view?”
“Maybe.”
“What else can you do?”
“I’m a wonderful swimmer. I’m good at most sports. Exceptional at climbing. None of that would help here, since I have to be careful because of the wound.”
“I’m glad you realize that.”
“I’m a fantastic cook. I took a course at the Cordon Bleu in Paris one summer on a break from school.” She glanced at the grate on the campfire. “But that would be a challenge.”
“French sauces would be more than a challenge,” Jane said drily.
“And I speak seven languages fluently and I can pick up others in a very short time.”
“How short?” Jane asked curiously.
“On a visit to Beijing, I was able to learn enough Chinese in a day and a half to get around comfortably.”
“Impressive.”
“Seth speaks a lot more of them than I do. And it’s not helpful out here in the Highlands.” She paused. “I thought … perhaps I could go out on that north bank and help with those lights you told me about.” She added quickly, “Not climbing poles or lifting anything. But maybe I could hand people stuff or be a kind of gofer.”