Page 14 of Hidden Dane
Emily Mira’s head pounded. She blinked and tried to figure out where she was. The click-clack sound underneath the chair and the sway quickly told her mindtrainthough she kept her eyes closed.
As she tried to move, she realized her hands were tied.
Her skin was sensitive after the explosion inside the limo but she didn’t feel burned.
She moved her head back and forth, and the weight of gold at her throat assured her she still wore her jewels. She should have switched the jewels out after the bank, but she didn’t want to fake out the banker.
In the limo, there hadn’t been time once she understood she was in danger.
She slowly opened her eyes.
Coldness enveloped her as she looked into the blue depths of the man from the club. Her lips were dry—but not burned. “Where are we?”
“On a train.” Ted sat back in his chair, studying her as he held a cigarette to his lips. A round table was between them.
She wasn’t quite sure what she’d say to this man. If she sounded too weak or too aggressive, what happened next? What would Michael instruct? She swallowed. “Untie me.”
He ignored her request, and made a point of time passing when he adjusted his seat, picked up a glass of water, drank, put it down, smoked his cigarette, puffed it out and then finally said, “Emily Mira, now that you’re awake you can tell us everything you know about Uriel Delligatti.”
Michael would say that a man who stalls wants to show his position of power, and hide his weakness.
“Who?” Her mind whirled. She really should have asked Dane more questions about his new name and new life.
Old feelings clouded her judgment, but she’d not betray him. She held the man’s gaze.
Ted leaned closer and she could smell tobacco on his breath and clothes. “Don’t play coy.”
Goosebumps grew on her body. Emily needed to find her way out of this. She saw her pocketbook on the table near the private bar, and the other man Ted traveled with. The interior door was painted gold. “You didn’t steal my necklace from me.”
He gave a smirk and another blast of cold air raced down her spine as he said, “If the bank needs proof of original ownership, we figure your social media photos with the various time stamped dates might be enough.”
He showed her various photos of herself, wearing the necklace at different events over the past ten years. She tugged her hands, handcuffed to the chair, and wished she could call him a stalker. “You found my pictures?”
He put his phone down on the table next to his pack of cigarettes. “Yes, but I can’t figure out how a Florida girl who spent years getting her doctorate at UF, is related to the Harvard archeologist—you aren’t seen together in any of these pictures.”
Harvard? Dane worked there? Seriously? She had clearly been wrong about him—she’d always imagined some backroom of Vegas and alcohol. She let out a snort and tried to bluff her way out of this situation. “Uriel and I don’t know each other. We talked online about the Irish Crown Jewels after he read my article.”
Ted stood and trailed his hand across her necklace. “So he flew to the rescue of the woman with the jewels he’d once possessed.”
This was why she never lied. She was no good at it. She laughed at her own ridiculousness and wished she was quicker at stretching the truth. “Oh, right. The necklace.”
Ted knelt down beside her and stared into her eyes. “You’ve had the jewels for a number of years.”
Right. Lying wasn’t in her skillset so she could try for the vague truth. She shrugged, letting her handcuffs rattle as she said, “My prom date gave them to me. It was a long time ago.”
He tapped his fingernails on the armrest of her chair and then said, “Urielhad no issues with ID at the bank.” Tap, tap. “Is Uriel Delligatti related to Dane Pearce?”
Seconds away from revealing the truth, Emily winced and wished she could figure out a way to deflect Ted. She lifted her chin and said, “Who?”
“You’re a horrible liar, Ms. Mira.” The man traced her cheek with his scratchy dry thumb.
Revulsion grew in her stomach. She shook her head and his touch off her as she avoided his gaze. “You’re right. I am. And Uriel hates me. He’s always hated me.”
“I doubt that.” Ted rose and took his seat, sipping his water.
Her lips were dry and parched. She swallowed. “It’s true. I was there the day his father killed his mother. I remind him of something he doesn’t want to remember.”
“So UrielisDane.” Ted didn’t blink as he stared at her.
