by Rickie Blair
“Don’t you still need the password?” Ruby asked.
“My friends are on it. They’ll have it within the hour.”
“Really?” Hari studied Zeke. “You know, I could use a guy like you. Maybe when this is over—”
Ruby cleared her throat.
“Can we get you two a room?”
They turned to look at her.
“Maybe we should leave the geek convention for later? Our priority is to find Luca.”
Zeke gave her a horrified look.
“Find Luca? Why would we want to find Luca? We should stay as far away from him as possible.” He snapped the laptop shut and tucked it under his arm.
Ruby’s heart sank and she gestured at Millie.
“What about the mortgage fraud?”
“The auction takes precedence,” Hari said, shaking his head. “Sorry. We’ll look into Millie’s case as soon as that’s cleared up. Besides,” he paused, “Luca is too dangerous for us. Either Watson or the police, or both, will have to deal with him.”
Ruby looked around. Besides Hari and her, their little band was comprised of an elderly woman with a bath towel around her shoulders, a terrified kid with a laptop clutched under one arm, and a recovering drug addict. They couldn’t take on Dragos Luca. Not without help. Reluctantly, she nodded.
Hari turned to Zeke.
“If Luca has even the slightest inkling that you know how to find the auction site, you’re in serious danger. Come back with us to the hotel. We’ll go to Watson and you can explain the whole thing, and turn over the password and site for tonight’s auction.”
Zeke took a step back.
“I can’t go to the hotel. Luca’s men are watching for me.”
“I can disguise you so your own grandmother won’t recognize you,” Ruby said.
Zeke looked dubious.
“I can, really,” she said. “But first, show me Luca’s picture again in case we run into him.”
Zeke opened the laptop and zeroed in on Luca’s face. Ruby studied it, frowning.
“When I went to the hospital, a nurse told me that a man had been looking for Millie. And then the director at the homeless shelter told me the same thing.” Norris stirred, uncomfortable. Ruby glanced at him and their eyes locked. Norris stood up.
“Luca must know my mother can identify him.”
“But surely he wouldn’t consider her a threat—”
Millie’s wobbly voice interrupted them.
“That man is going to be sorry he scared Tinks like that. Goddamn bastard.”
Norris’s eyes widened. “Mom!”
Ruby stifled a chuckle.
“He will be sorry, Millie, eventually.” She turned to Norris. “Your mother can’t stay here. If we take Millie to a motel, Luca won’t know where she is.”
He hesitated, and then nodded.
“Okay, but only for her. Not for me.”
“Just Millie, then. We’ll take you both there and you can get your mom settled.”
Norris stuffed Millie’s belongings into a plastic bag. There wasn’t much. A few clothes, her checkbook, and the photos from the house.
Hari turned to Zeke.
“You should come back with us, too.”
“I dunno about that,” Zeke said, twisting a hand through his hair. “Maybe I should stay here. Luca doesn’t know where I am, and how’s he going to find me? Anyway,” he grimaced, “if I go back to the hotel, how do I know Watson won’t have me arrested?”
“Because he doesn’t want the data theft to go public,” Hari said, “and because you’ll give him the auction website.”
Zeke closed the laptop, tucked it under his arm and looked at Hari.
“Will he pay me?”
“You can ask him.”
Zeke swung the sword over his shoulder while Norris picked up the plastic bag with Millie’s belongings and helped her to her feet. Ruby switched on the Maglite, and they walked out of the drain together.
As soon as they stepped through the entrance, Zeke’s cellphone beeped and he checked the screen. His eyes widened and he drew a sharp breath.
“It’s a message from Luca,” he croaked. “He sent it twenty minutes ago, but it didn’t go through…” His voice trailed off.
Hari craned his head to look at the phone.
i know where you are.
Attached underneath was a map of the storm drain system.
Zeke’s face went white. He slid the phone into his pocket with a trembling hand, pivoted on one foot and darted back into the drain.
“Zeke, wait,” Hari called, running after him. Hari’s foot slipped in mud and he sprawled onto the wet concrete. Cursing, he scrambled to his feet.
“Zeke, come back.”
Ruby trotted up the drain behind Hari and beamed the Maglite into the gloom. Except for something that scuttled away from the light, the drain was empty.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
“I can’t believe I had Zeke and lost him,” Hari said, glancing around the deserted campsite. “What am I going to tell Watson?”
“You can tell him about the auction site,” Ruby said.
“But I can’t tell him how to find it. We’re right back at the beginning, and the auction starts in a few hours.”
Ruby gave his arm a sympathetic squeeze.
“Zeke will come back. Where can he go?”
Norris stepped up beside them with Millie on his arm.
“I’ll wait here in case Zeke comes back. Can you drop Mom at the motel and make sure she’s okay?”
Ruby offered her arm to the elderly woman. “You’re with me, Millie.”
Norris stood at the entrance to the drain, watching as they walked away. Ruby turned and waved. Norris waved back, then disappeared inside.
On the street, Ruby and Hari helped Millie into the Audi and closed the door. As Ruby opened the driver’s door, Hari looked at her over the car’s roof.
“You can’t drop me at the hotel.”
“Why not?”
“Because I can’t be seen with you. I’m supposed to be Mr. Yanez, remember? And by now, everyone will be awake. Drop me on the Strip somewhere and I’ll text Ana to pick me up.”
“Ask her to bring you some clothes while you’re at it. I think that shirt might attract attention, not to mention your pants. That’s a lot of mud.” Ruby suppressed a grin. “Is that shirt going on your expense account?”
“Why?”
“No reason. I was curious about its designation.”
“Normal wear and tear,” he said, smiling.
They drove in silence to the Strip and Ruby dropped Hari six blocks from the Starlight.
“Get some sleep,” she told him as he stepped out of the car, “you look awful.”
“And you look radiant, as always.” He grinned and her heart gave a little twist.
“Get going,” she said.
* * *
Ruby watched while Millie ate scrambled eggs and half a biscuit from a takeout container and drained a paper cup of tea.
“I left yogurt and fruit for you in the little fridge,” Ruby said. “You can make more tea in that coffee maker,” she pointed to the small bureau next to the bathroom door. “And later, Norris is going to come by and take you out for dinner.”
“Thank you, Ruby. You’ve been so kind.” The bed sagged as Millie sat down. She slipped off her shoes and stretched out with her hands folded over her stomach. “I think I’d like to take a nap now.” She closed her eyes with a sigh.
Ruby took a last look around. The cramped motel room held a bed, nightstand, bureau and small chair, and the door opened directly into the parking lot outside. But it was clean, and a damn sight better than living in a storm drain. She gathered up the remains of Millie’s lunch from the bureau, opened the door and turned.
“Latch this chain, Millie, and don’t let anyone in.”
Millie swung her legs over the bed, rose and shuffled to the door.
“I won’t let anyone in.” She
placed a hand on the open door.
“No one, Millie. No matter what they say.”
“I won’t let anyone in. Thank you, Ruby.”
“You’re welcome. And tomorrow, we’ll go see Tinks.”
Ruby waited outside. The lock thudded into place and the chain rattled as it slid across. She walked across the parking lot, dropping Millie’s half-eaten lunch into a garbage can by the office, and got into the Audi. Exhaustion flooded over her and she bowed her head over the steering wheel. After a few minutes she straightened up and turned the key in the ignition to head back to the hotel.
At the Starlight, Ruby handed the car keys to the valet and shuffled across the lobby and into the elevator. In her room she knocked briefly on the connecting door before stumbling to the bed, slipping off her sneakers and collapsing onto the mattress.
Felicity opened the door and stuck her head around it.
“You’re back. I thought I was never going to see you again.”
Ruby cracked open one eye.
“I’m so tired I can’t even pour a glass of water.”
“I’m not surprised. You’re supposed to be resting, not wandering around the city.” Felicity took a clean glass from the bureau and filled it from a plastic water bottle. She walked over to the bed and handed the glass to Ruby, who raised herself on one elbow to sip it.
“What good will you be on the set if you’re exhausted? Or should I say, completely shagged?”
“Ha, ha,” Ruby said weakly. She put the glass on the night table, flopped back on the bed and closed her eyes.
“I saw Sam today.”
Ruby opened her eyes and turned her head. At the look on Felicity’s face, she rose on her elbows.
“And? What happened?”
“We talked for hours. It was … nice.”
“Nice?”
“It wasn’t as exciting as your night, but—”
“What do you know about my night?”
“I think you’re forgetting that I have the room right next door.”
Ruby’s neck flushed hot.
“Your face is turning red,” Felicity said with a snicker.
“I’ve been out in the sun.”
“Uh-huh. Anyway, Sam and I may see each other when we get back to L.A.”
“That’s a great idea. Although, I’m surprised. I thought you said—”
“He’s starting a business, you know.”
“I know. I heard about it.” Ruby dropped back on the bed, closed her eyes and waved a weak hand at the windows. “Could you…” The draperies swooshed shut and the connecting door closed softly.
Ruby sighed in relief and her head drifted to one side.
At least Millie was safe.
Chapter Forty
As the Audi pulled away, Hari leaned against the nearest lamppost and settled in to wait. Ana arrived five minutes later in the Town Car with Oliver driving. As Hari climbed into the back seat, Ana looked him up and down.
“I’m not even going to ask.” She handed him a ivory polo shirt, a pair of khakis, and a black linen sports jacket. “Get changed. But first,” she reached into her leather tote bag and handed him an electric razor, “use this.” She gazed out of the window, scowling.
Oliver pulled up to the front entrance.
“Mr. and Mrs. Yanez, welcome back,” the doorman said, opening Ana’s door to help her out. Oliver got out, tossed the Town Car’s keys to a valet, tucked the cap under his arm and followed them onto the elevator. Ana swiped her key card for the penthouse and they traveled in silence for several floors. She turned to face Hari.
“Why are you grinning?” she demanded.
“Was I? Sorry.” Hari looked at the elevator’s mirrored wall. He was grinning, no question. He made a concerted effort to keep a straight face and banish all thoughts of… Bloody hell. This was going to be tough. He gave the mirror a sideways glance. There he was, grinning again.
In the Andromeda Suite, Ana dropped the bag with Hari’s torn and dirty clothes on the floor by the door.
“Go on in, he’s waiting.”
Hari slipped off his scuffed and muddy loafers and padded into the main room in his stocking feet. Iain followed. Jayden, looking out at the Strip and sipping a Perrier, turned his head and nodded.
Watson stood up as they walked in.
“Did you find him?”
“Yes,” Hari said, “and then I lost him.”
His muscles tensed at the black look in Watson’s eyes.
Watson fell back onto the sofa, visibly grinding his teeth.
“Dammit. Did you talk to him at least?”
“I did. He’s terrified of Luca.”
Watson glanced at Oliver, who leaned against the back of an armchair, standing. He pulled a pill bottle from his pocket, tapped a tablet onto his palm and swallowed it without water. He sniffed and looked away.
“Zeke wants to offer you a deal,” Hari said.
“Go on.”
“Luca’s associates sell their stolen digital information on the dark web. There are millions of names and cards on their auction site. It’s fraud on a global scale.”
“How does that help me?”
“Zeke knows how to get into the auction. You can pass that on to the FBI. If the Romanian police arrest the organizers from your information, that will generate positive publicity for you and the Starlight. There may even be a financial reward.”
“Why can’t you get into this auction site?”
“It exists for only a few hours at a time. I might find it, but I can’t guarantee it. Zeke is our best bet.”
Watson ran a hand over his beard, scowling.
“What does he want?”
“Cash.”
“How much?”
“He didn’t specify an amount. But I think a small percentage of the reward, if there is one, would satisfy him. And if you could publicly praise his hacking skills, he’d probably like that, too.”
“Oh, would he?” Watson leaned over to pick up the glass of Scotch on the coffee table, grimacing. “That wee bastard robbed me.”
“I don’t think he did. Not much, anyway. Luca and his associates are the ones making real money off your data, not Zeke.”
“What about the emails you found on his computer?”
“I think they were planted.”
Oliver gave a snort of derision, pushed off from the chair, and headed for the door.
“This is ridiculous. Tell me where the bastard is and I’ll deal with him.”
Watson held up a hand to stop him without taking his eyes off Hari.
“How do we get this information?”
“We wait for Zeke to come here.”
“What makes you think he’ll show up?”
“He doesn’t have anywhere else to go. The police are looking for him and so is Luca. We’re his best shot. And there’s more. The auction site only goes live twice a month and today is one of those days. Zeke knows his information will be useless unless you get it before midnight, when the site shuts down. He’ll come back.”
Watson settled back, stretching one arm along the sofa, and crossed his legs.
“I’m not sure I can trust you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I told you not to contact Ruby Delaney.”
A chill ran down Hari’s spine. He stared at Watson. Oliver got to his feet, glowering, and took several steps closer.
“Leave him alone,” Jayden said over his shoulder.
Watson’s mouth fell open, then he turned to look at Jayden.
“What did you say?”
“He loves her. Leave him alone,” Jayden said, looking out of the window and sipping his Perrier.
Watson pursed his lips and aimed his belligerent glare at Hari.
Hari crossed his arms, widened his stance, and stared back. Oliver glared at him, but Hari ignored him. There were only two people in the room, William Watson and Hari Bhatt. And this time, Hari wasn’t backing down. At the window,
Jayden sipped his Perrier with the trace of a smile.
Ana cleared her throat.
“Can we get back to the business at hand? Dragos Luca?”
“By all means.” Hari walked to the bar and put a pod in the coffee maker with a shaky hand. The machine had barely stopped when he grabbed the cup and swallowed the contents in several gulps. The black coffee burned his throat on the way down.
Ana leaned over to fan a sheaf of papers across the coffee table.
“I had these faxed to me today. Examples of Luca’s handiwork.”
Watson bent over to take a look and Hari joined him. He looked at the photos and immediately regretted the coffee, which rose in the back of his throat. These people had been butchered.
Watson pushed back from the coffee table and grimaced.
“Jayden, don’t look at these.”
“I’ve seen them,” Jayden said from his perch on the armchair. “If you’re going up against that maniac, you’re all crazy.”
Watson waved a hand at the photos and Ana swept them up. He leaned back and studied the ceiling for several minutes. Eventually, he sat up.
“So. You have to find Zeke Turner and pass on his information before midnight.” Watson glanced at his watch and looked up. “Eight hours. Can you do it?”
Hari considered it. If he was going to walk away, now was the time. His muscles tightened as he made eye contact with Watson.
“Yes.”
Chapter Forty-One
Ana followed Hari into his bedroom and closed the door.
“We need to talk.”
“I’m exhausted,” he replied, taking off the sports jacket and folding it over a chair. “Can we talk later?”
“No. This is important.”
“What is it?” He sat on the bed.
“It’s about Ruby.”
Hari eyed her suspiciously. “What about Ruby?”
“You can’t keep seeing her.”
His neck flushed hot and he ran a finger around his collar.
“That’s not your business, Ana. I understand we have to be discreet until this is over, but—”
“It has nothing to do with that. God, you’re dense.”