Page 109 of Analysing Her Assets

“She is in the elevator, no signal,” Aviad explained, and a collective relieved exhale was emitted.

A swoosh sounded. “Ninth floor,” the elevator said. Her heels clicked and the loud screech sounded again.

“Shit,” Tally said. “What is that?”

A shrill buzz and Gideon lifted his binoculars and followed Danny emerging from his bedroom, dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, walking towards his door.

“Hi, you made it.” Danny’s voice coming out of the recording device’s speakers nearly made Gideon jump out of his skin. This equipment was sensitive. “Shit, Feynman, did you always have this body?”

Tamar didn’t step over the threshold.

“I nearly didn’t come,” she said. “I know I asked for this meeting, but then...”

“What?”

“It’s pretty humiliating. I don’t like to apologize or to beg.”

“Excellent,” the PI said. “She is being authentic and honest. It rings true.”

Gideon agreed. Tamar was taking the right approach with Danny, letting him see a little of herself.

“With this dress on, I’ll be doing the begging,” Danny said. Gideon grinded his teeth. It was something he could have said. Tamar’s tinkly laugh sounded real, and his belly ached in pure jealousy. The couple entered the apartment, Danny closing the door, checking Tamar’s backside.

“Wine?” Danny asked.

“Maybe later,” Tamar declined. “I want to get this off my chest, Danny, and to apologize for... all the mess I made.” She was nervous. Her voice got higher. She touched her neck, fingering the pendant, and the loud screech was heard.

“Ouch,” Marina said. Gideon winced. Relax, Tamar. Breathe.

“Did anyone tell her not to touch it?” Eran Green asked. “We need clear transmission.”

“I did, I yelled it before,” Aviad answered.

“Danny, can I ask you something? Did you really play with the competition results?”

“Shit Tamar.” That was Marina. “Enough with the stupid analyst competition already!”

“It’s important to her. It’s her reputation,” Gideon defended Tamar.

“Do you have a mobile on you?” Danny asked. His voice had grown colder.

“What? Why?”

“Give me your bag,” he ordered, and Gideon’s skin grew cold. If Danny became angry, would they make it across the street in time?

“She made him suspicious,” Aviad said.

“It’s okay. He will find nothing,” Ilan said soothingly.

“Why isn’t she wearing a camera?” he asked.

“She is already wearing jewelry that isn’t characteristic of her, and the miniature button camera doesn’t go with any of her sister’s dresses. We have a viewing point. We have audio and the telescope. She has her safe word. It should be enough,” the PI answered.

Gideon plastered the binoculars to his eyes.

Danny emptied her bag’s contents on his kitchen island and was sifting through it. Gideon watched Tamar. Her hand stole to the pendant but then she lowered it. He was so proud of her. She was disciplined and never tried to steal a glance in their direction, even when Danny looked away. Danny took Tamar’s phone and turned it off. He jammed everything into her handbag, including her phone, and walked with it away out of Gideon’s view.

“Danny, you paranoid shithead. That’s my stuff. Where are you taking it?”

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