Page 102 of The Perfect Stranger

“Let her go. You’ve got me now, you don’t need her.”

He considered my words. “Yeah. Yeah, I do need her. You see, I fell for the scam once, I’m not gonna let her get away with it again. But you see the tables have turned. Now I know for sure that you two actually give a shit about each other. You’re the leverage I need to get this bitch to complete the transaction properly this time. And consider it payback. Since returning back to her office, your little girlfriend here spends her time auditing my US investments. I’ve lost men in the field because of her, so you can likely assume I’m not very happy. And you…” he walked slowly toward me, “…you. You’re the biggest traitor of them all! You will see first-hand me destroy the only thing you care about.”

“We’ll see.”

“That we will.”

Footsteps, steady and even paced sounded behind Nina. Shortly after, Luis came into view. He was dressed all in black with a thick gold cross hanging from his neck.

He pulled a wooden chair, similar to one I was in, and positioned it in front of me. He sat down, cool and collected, hooking one knee over the other.

His face was blank as he stared, refusing to give anything away.

“I don’t have time to waste,” Luis began. “So let’s get to the point. You came into this as a lone operator who played his cards right. And, from what I hear, convincingly so, until pussy led you astray. I thought about it for a long while, and I have to give it to you, Antonio, whoever you are, I can’t quite determine the connection. The obvious… she’s FBI, your special forces. There’s a possible and somewhat plausible connection, but I’m not convinced…” he paused waiting for a reaction from me. I gave none. “What is it that you wanted from us?”

“Cut Nina down. If you leave her there any longer, she will freeze to death and be of no use. Cut her down.”

Luis seemed none too interested. “Let her freeze.” He waved dismissively. “Is it the money you were after? Or, are you tainted with Baja blood?”

“Neither.”

He considered me a long moment.

“Señor Suárez, I can assure you that you will not be leaving here alive. Neither will she, for that matter. But how you die can be determined by your cooperation.”

“I can assure you, Señor Santos, that just as I’m about to kill you and your nephew, I will be happy to inform you of my motives.”

He watched me for a few seconds a small smile played on his lips. “While I admire a man who speaks with such confidence, I will remind you of your current situation.” He glanced to Nina who now awake and aware of her environment, was shivering uncontrollably. “I will give you some time to think about it.”

He pushed the chair back, and it scraped along the concrete floor. He stopped just shy of Nina, who raised a defiant chin.

Luis turned back to me, this time wearing a smile that reached his eyes. “She looks a lot like Ana…” he paused, waiting for the threat to have its effect. “A shame really… what happened to her. Don’t you think?”

Without waiting for a response, Luis Santos walked out followed by his nephew.

Our window of opportunity was narrow.

It was now or never.

“Nina, are you hurt?” I silently pleaded for the better answer. She met my gaze, sad eyes glistening with tears.

“Just cold.” She shivered.

“I know, baby. I know.” The rope binding my wrists was tight and left no wiggle room. It was also connected to the frame of the chair. “Nina, I need you tell me something.” She nodded, a small spark of hope lighting her face. “Is the backrest of the chair, the same plank of wood for the back feet?”

“Yes,” she confirmed quickly.

I searched for the nearest pole that looked sturdy enough to take the force.

“What are you looking for?” she asked, wanting to help.

“The closest pole.”

“Behind you…” she pointed with her eyes, “…only a yard away.”

Shuffling back, I met with the single pole and stood as much as the restraints would let me. Tilting on a severe angle, I pushed hard. The force of the pressure on the backrest of the chair against the pole caused the wood to creak. The aim was to snap the backrest and legs away from the seat. When that happened, I could slide the rope off. Again, I leaned forward, using every muscle I had to force the snap.

“Keep going…” Nina encouraged, “…the join is separating.”

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