Dangerous Secrets (Tall, Dark & Deadly #2)(62)

“You, Judge, are the problem. Be careful or you may be one I no longer tolerate. Answer me these questions. Why is Ms. Harrison holding the diary? And why is the sister of the dead wife missing? These things happen, yet you bring me Monsieur Walker. He controls her. He has the journal.”

His mind raced and the truth seemed his best defense. “I believe the journal is how he found out about you, yes, and why I thought getting him inside our operation making money would ensure he was loyal. You saw how he controls her. She won’t do anything he doesn’t want her to do.”

“If Monsieur Walker is as good as he seems to be at manipulation, he may want to use it against me at some point.”

Arel leaned forward resting his arms on his knees. “Consider this handled as of now. I will resolve it.”

“But–“

Arel’s hand sliced through the air. “Non! I am done.” Then he spoke over his shoulder in French to one of the guards before speaking to the judge again. “You will go with Fredrick. He will remind you why I don’t like secrets.”

The judge went cold, fear shooting through him at the speed of burning fuel. “Please, no. I won’t ever-“

Arel cut him off. “No, you won’t.” He spoke to the guard in English this time. “Take him.”

Two guards grabbed his arms as he struggled. The soft sound of a gun being cocked made him still. The judge looked up.

Arel pointed a small gun at him. “I suggest you walk calmly from the room, perhaps even smile a bit. It would be a pity to dirty my carpet.”

With more courage than he felt, the judge said, “You’re bluffing. The guests will hear the shot.”

“Ah, but that’s where you are wrong. A silencer makes this gun the perfect choice, non?”

Marco walked from the shadows of the room and stood next to his brother. Arel stayed focused on the judge as he spoke again to the guards. “Take him away. If he makes even one wrong move, kill him.”

One of the guards drove a fist into the judge’s stomach making him bend at the waist and grab his middle. They wouldn’t kill him, he told himself. They needed him. Slowly, he straightened only to find himself spun around toward the exit door.

The guard, who he knew only as Rodriquez bent toward him, forcing a wave of horrid, sour breath against his cheek. “You heard the man. Smile.” He laughed, evil and tauntingly low. “Or else.”



Marco looked at his brother as the door shut, leaving them alone. “He’s trouble.”

“He has been useful,” Arel said walking to the cigar box and offering one to Marco.

Marco waved it away. “He needs to be dealt with.”

Arel said, “We need him.”

“Like a hole in the head, brother,” Marco insisted. “He lied. That spells trouble.”

Arel lit his cigar and took a long draw. Blowing out the smoke, his expression became resigned. “If you are so certain he’s trouble, get rid of him.”

Marco started to speak.

“Non,” Arel said harshly, changing his mind. “Only after I have the journal, and ensure we don’t need him. Then, and only then, are you to dispose of him.”

“Brother–“

Arel scowled at Marco. “Enough of this,” he said sourly. “Don’t you cross me, Marco.“

Marco’s voice was low, his expression resolved. “I have never crossed you nor will I now.”

Arel was quiet for a minute as if he was deciding whether or not he believed Marco. Abruptly, he smiled. “Good,” he said. “Call Dragonfly and set up a test for Monsieur Walker. If he’s trying to bust us, Dragonfly will find out. Tell him to come here, tonight.”

Marco pulled out his cell phone and made the call. When Marco was done, he joined his brother, sitting down in the chair the judge had occupied. “He’ll be here in two hours.”

Arel picked up the cigar box and held it open for Marco. “Smoke with me, and tell me about this woman you have been using so effectively, the one who told you about the journal. Shall we dispose of her as well?”

***

As much as Luke wanted to get the hell out of Dodge, if they left too soon, Arel would be suspicious. So he forced himself to mingle with the guests, thankful for Julie’s ability to talk to people, and proud of her for how smooth she was under pressure. What was the most shocking, with guards at the door, was how many of the guests seemed oblivious to the true career of their host, thinking him some type of investor they all used for brokering deals. Impatiently, Luke waited to make his exit until Arel and the judge returned, certain they would. It was nearly an hour before Arel returned without the judge.

Then and only then, and when he knew that Arel was watching them, did Luke pull Julie close and kiss her, and then head for the hallway. He led her down the hallway and into a corner near the kitchen entrance and leaned against the wall, pulling her soft curves against his body, and wrapping his arms around her.

He nuzzled her ear, skimming his hand across the soft curve of her neck. “What are you doing, Luke?” she demanded in a husky whisper, her hands pressed against his chest.

He kissed the soft spot under her ear. “They expect us to disappear and make use of an empty room. Wrap your arms around my neck and act like you’re into it.”

“I don’t like this kind of audience,” she objected.