Page 71 of Ignacio

His father smiled. “One day, you’ll have your own children, and I expect you to do the same.”

“I will, believe me. I’ll probably be worse than you, and they’ll hate my guts.”

“I hope they don’t,” his father said with a laugh. “Everything with you and Delta is good, yes?”

“We’re working through some things, but we’re good.”

“Hmm. I like her, but no more back-and-forth nonsense. The two of you need to decide if you’re going to stay together.”

“This time is different. We will.”

“I hope so. Let me know how things go with The Cordoba Agency, and if you need me again, you know where I am.”

“Thanks.”

Benicio patted his arm and lifted the brim of the hat to kiss his temple, the way he used to when he was a kid.

Ignacio watched his father enter the building and then headed toward his car. As he waited to cross the street, he pulled out the card again.

The Cordoba Agency.

He’d give them a call today. He sure hoped they could help.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Ignacio sat in the lobby of The Cordoba Agency’s Atlanta office, surprised at how quickly they had worked. He had hired them less than a week ago, and they already had results. Though he shouldn’t be surprised, as the research he’d done on them listed their company among the best in the business.

He was especially appreciative of the speedy turnaround because Delta was returning from her trip to New York in two days, and he wanted to give her good news. Before she left, she hadn’t been herself. She had moved through the house on autopilot and often stared into space, appearing lost in her thoughts, which meant he sometimes had to repeat himself when they talked. Her energetic personality was muted, and even Maria commented privately to him that Delta was quieter than normal and asked if she was okay. He assured his housekeeper that she was fine, but he knew she wasn’t. She wore a mask of composure but was really a woman preparing for a fallout of epic proportions.

Ignacio’s feet tapped the floor anxiously as he waited for the full report. The appointment setter who had called said he’d bemeeting with Tyrone, an IT specialist named Raheem, and the head of the company, Cruz.

Finally, a tall, fit woman with short blonde hair approached. By her walk and posture, he suspected she was former military. “They’re ready to see you, Mr. Santana. Right this way.”

Ignacio followed her down a carpeted hallway to a door at the end, which she cracked open. He entered an office with sleek chrome and glass furniture. Inside, two men sat next to each other in the sitting area on Scandinavian furniture that matched the modern decor. The light-skinned man he recognized as Tyrone, whom he had talked to virtually. The other man was dark-skinned, and Ignacio assumed he was Raheem. Behind the desk was a large Hispanic-looking man.

“Mr. Santana, welcome. I’m Cruz Cordoba.”

Ignacio was surprised by exactly how big he was when he stood. He had to be at least five inches over six feet, and the suit he wore barely contained his muscles.

Jesús Cristo,he thought.

“Nice to meet you,” he said, shaking Cruz’s extended hand.

“Please, join us over here.” He gestured toward the other two men, and Ignacio followed. “Would you like anything to drink?”

“They asked me outside when I first arrived, but I’m fine, thank you,” Ignacio said, taking a seat across from the others.

Raheem was introduced, and the four men exchanged pleasantries before Cruz, who remained standing behind an armchair, took over the meeting.

“We called you here because we were able to retrieve the video of Miss James, as you requested.”

Ignacio felt relief flood his body. “Were there other copies? Were you able to get them all?” he asked anxiously.

“Yes. This is the only copy left.” Raheem held out his hand to show a flash drive resting in his palm.

He spoke with such confidence that Ignacio didn’t doubt him and breathed easier. “That’s good to hear.”

“In addition to handing over the video, we need to discuss a troubling discovery.” Cruz nodded at Raheem, indicating he should take over.

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