Page 101 of Jael

“She’s been sick.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Now, where were we?”

Christopher grinned. “Maybe we should have a word in private.”

“Sounds serious.”

“It is,” Artus said, touching Danny’s elbow to lead him toward an exit.

“Look, if you have a problem with me talking to Jael, I can assure you, my intentions were all good. I wanted to tell her I got a lead on Becca.”

“That’s nice,” Christopher said. And Danny knew he was in trouble. He’d have to warn Barak they’d run out of time.

“Have I done something wrong?” Danny said.

“I don’t know. Have you?” Christopher gave him a shove when they were out the door. “You don’t know how happy you’ve made me. I’ve been hoping for an opportunity like this.”

“Like what?” Danny said as Artus opened a door off the lobby to find a room that was unoccupied.

“This should do the trick,” Artus said, giving Christopher room to force Danny through before closing and locking the door behind them.

“Lotus room,” Danny said. “Nice name, but if you want to kill me, it would be tidier to take me outside. These carpets really soak up the blood— Oof.”

He collapsed in half when Christopher punched him, but had no time to recover before Artus locked his arms and jerked him upright. Danny fought back, but Christopher took another swing at him, knocking out all his breath.

“I got a call,” Christopher said. “Sounds to me like you’ve been snooping. I wonder why you’d go and do something like that— What have we got here?” He’d spotted Danny’s gun and retrieved it. “You planning on shooting someone tonight?”

“I always have that on me,” Danny coughed, still working on taking full breaths. “I don’t know what anyone’s been saying about me, but I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“No offense,” Artus said. “But we don’t believe you. Tell me who you’re working for. Is it Gregory? Did he hire you after we had our disagreement at the office? Because I hate to tell you this, but the old man is dead. Heart gave out on him, like yours will if we don’t like your answers.”

“What can I say,” Danny said. “I always had a soft spot for him.”

“For him?” Christopher said. “Or his little girl?” He punched Danny again.

Danny hung limp for a second from Artus’s grip before he had the strength to stand. “You gonna let me answer before you take a cheap shot?”

“I know you’ve been following her,” Christopher said.

“That was before. It’s what Gregory hired me to do.”

“I’ve got that covered now, which means you’re of no real use to us or to anyone.”

“Probably not, but I’d like to say that I don’t think Gregory appreciates the fact that you two conspired to murder him.”

Christopher took another swing, this time punching Danny in the jaw, almost knocking him out.

“That’s unfair.” Danny spit blood. “Why don’t you tell your dad to release me, and we’ll see what you’re really made of?”

“You know I don’t play fair.”

“True.” He licked at his stinging lip. “But I still don’t understand what your problem is. We haven’t always seen eye to eye, but it would be a waste to kill me.”

“You think so? Then explain to me why I got a call from Bo about you wanting to order a certain product.”

“I need it to take care of a problem.”

“Uh-huh. Then why, after the allotted time set for receiving said product was this same employee arrested? I can’t help but feel like you’re involved.”

---