Page 18 of Elusive Promise

"I've recently discovered that Mr. Langdon was in Paris at the time of an explosion at a Left Bank café. Two people died."

"Are you talking about the bombing at CaféDouceur before Christmas?"

"Yes." His gaze narrowed. "I'm surprised you know about it. It didn't get much public attention here in the States."

"Why on earth would you think Ben was involved in a terrorist attack?"

"I'm not sure of the level of his involvement. But I do know Ben dated a woman in Paris named Sara Pillai. Sara is a Bezikstan citizen. Her stepbrother Isaac Naru belongs to the radical group taking credit for the Paris explosion—Brothers of the Earth. Both Sara and Isaac disappeared after the bomb went off. Ben stayed in Paris for four days and then returned to NYC two weeks ago. When I learned he was going to a party at the Bezikstan consulate, I went there to see if he might use the opportunity to meet up with Sara or Isaac again."

She stared back at him, clearly weighing his story for the truth. "Okay," she said slowly. "Did that happen?"

"I don't know. I was watching Ben, and then a waiter crashed into me. When I untangled myself from the crush of champagne glasses, Ben had disappeared. That's when I went looking for him."

"Upstairs."

"Yes. When I got to the third floor and saw the guards on the floor, and you struggling to get up, I pulled you out of the room. I wanted to find Ben before I got caught upstairs and questioned by security."

"Did that happen?"

"Unfortunately, no. Which is why I decided to look for you at the hospital. I wanted to talk to you about Ben. When you left with the FBI agent, I followed you. I'm hoping you might be willing to help me out. You have a connection to the Langdons, and you owe me for saving your life."

She frowned. "That's an interesting story, but I don't feel like it's the complete truth."

He didn't answer as the waitress set down their plates. When she left, he said, "Tell me about your relationship with the Langdons—that's not top secret, is it?"

She dug into her eggs and took several bites. He did the same, hoping he could get her to open up.

Finally, she said, "I lived in Bezikstan for three years when I was a teenager, while my stepfather served as the US ambassador. Ben's father, Neil, was my teacher.He was more than a teacher, actually. He was a mentor and a friend. He and his wife, Elizabeth, often came to dinner at the embassy. I babysat Ben several times during those dinners. He was about five at the time. He was a sweet, loving kid. He loved playing cards. I taught him how to play spades."

"Sweet kids sometimes grow up to be terrorists. Did you know Sara Pillai or Isaac Naru?"

"I don't believe so. How old are they?"

"Isaac is twenty-nine. Sara is twenty-two. Sara and Ben attended the same schools in Bezikstan, but she was one year older. Isaac actually grew up in Mumbai but moved to Bezikstan when his father married Sara's mother when he was seventeen and Sara was ten. Any of that ring a bell?"

"No. Isaac is two years younger than me and didn't arrive in Bezikstan until after I was gone, and Sara would have been seven when I left." She paused. "Do you think that Jasmine's abduction is tied to this terrorist group?"

"I was shocked by the kidnapping, so I honestly don't know. But it's something to consider."

"Jasmine is like a big sister to Ben. Ben's father told me that Jasmine took Ben under her wing when he started college here in New York. I don't think he would be a party to anyone hurting her."

"Maybe he's not. But Ben did visit the consulate several times this week. And someone had to know the layout very well in order to pull off this kidnapping in the middle of a huge party."

"Have you shared these thoughts with the police, the FBI or the Kumars?"

"I haven't had a chance yet."

"But you had a chance to track me down," she pointed out.

"I thought you might be more willing to share information with me than those agencies."

"Why would I be?"

"Remember that part about how I saved your life…"

She finished off her eggs and hash browns while she thought about that, and he downed the rest of his omelet. He hadn't told her everything, but hopefully it was enough to get her interested in working with him. She hadn't told him who she was yet, but he was damned sure she was working for one of the agencies she'd just mentioned. He didn't think she was a cop so that left FBI or possibly Homeland Security. With her international connections, she'd make a valuable asset. But had she been working tonight? Or was she just a guest at the party?

She wiped her mouth with a napkin and sat back in her seat. "You said you haven't talked to law enforcement about the kidnapping, but have you spoken to anyone about Ben's possible connection to the Paris blast—to Sara Pillai and Isaac Naru?"

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