Page 55 of Elusive Promise

"I know, but I don't like running scared."

"You're not running. You're investigating from the shadows. What was it like living in Bezikstan?" he asked, changing the subject.

"It was wonderful. My mother is Indian, so I wasn't unfamiliar with the culture, although Bezikstan has its own traditions. Knowing Hindi, which is one of the main languages of Bezikstan helped me to blend in. When you can speak to someone in their own language, it is much easier to break down barriers. Harry used to tell me that we're really not so different from each other. When we talk, when we listen, when we try to understand, we realize that."

"I would agree. Unfortunately, some people don't want to listen—they just want to fight."

"Yes. But when there's a chance to win with words, it's important for us to take it. However, I don't go to a gun fight with just a dictionary."

"Good to know." He flung her another smile. "I like how passionate you are about language."

"I'm passionate about breaking down walls, and language can do that. But while I can be idealistic, I am also very practical. So, if language is my superpower, what's yours?"

"Uh, I don't know if I have one," he replied.

"Oh, I'm betting you do. You're not getting shy on me now, are you, Jared?"

"Maybe I'll let you figure it out for yourself."

"I think one of your superpowers is being able to blend in wherever you go. You're like a chameleon. No one notices you're there, unless you want them to notice. Like at the party—you wanted me to notice you."

"I did."

"But you were not there to flirt with me, so why did you? Why weren't you focused purely on Ben?"

"You looked really gorgeous in that black dress."

She flushed at his words. "I wasn't asking for a compliment."

"You were asking for a reason. That's it."

"Well, thank you."

Jared slowed down, searching the street for a place to park.

Whoever was feeding him information had clearly given him an address. She still wondered who he was working for.If he wasn't FBI, was he CIA or Homeland Security? Or was he a private contractor—a private investigator?

The Paris bombing was a global issue. That made her think he worked internationally. If he was part of an agency, why did he seem so isolated?

At some point, they were going to have to put all their cards on the table. But that point wasn't now.

After Jared parked, they got out of the car and walked down the street to the Langdons' building. There was a doorman in the lobby, who asked for their names, then made a call upstairs. After a moment of conversation, he hung up the phone and gave them a nod. "You can go up—912—ninth floor."

"They're home," she said, feeling excited that they were going to talk to someone.

"This is a luxury building and knowing a little about Manhattan rents, I'd have to ask how a teacher from Bezikstan can afford this," Jared commented, as they got into the mirrored elevator.

Her brows knit together at his question. "Good point. I think Neil might come from money, but I don't know for sure."

"Worth looking into," he muttered, thinking he needed to expand his research beyond Ben.

"Let me take the lead with the Langdons," she said, as the elevator doors opened. "They'll expect that."

"No problem. I'll just be your devoted boyfriend, who is incredibly relieved that you weren't kidnapped." He grabbed her hand. "For our cover."

"You're pushing it, Jared."

He laughed. "Not yet I'm not, but who knows what's coming?"

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