Page 51 of Hidden Dane
The memory faded as the doors opened.
The cool morning air made him feel more alive, despite the lack of sleep from the night before. He and Henry walked around the deck until they found the man they sought. Henry stayed behind a pole and Dane took a step forward as he said, “Alexandre.”
The man turned around, a cigarette puffing at the corner of his mouth. Dane’s nose itched from the smell as Alexandre said, “I hadn’t expected to see you again, Uriel Delligatti. You never chased after Ted like this.”
There’d never been anything worth dying over before. Emily’s involvement had changed things. He faced Alexandre, hoping the bulletproof vest under his clothes didn’t make any strange sounds as he lifted his hand in greeting. “You have my property and I want it back.”
Alexandre showed the Irish Crown Jewels in the palm of his hand and said, “Come get it.”
Dane didn’t move. He noted the bulge in the man’s left pocket, which must be Emily’s jewelry.
Alexandre dropped his cigarette and stepped on it to put it out. “We’ll be here all day if you don’t trust me.”
Okay. Dane inched closer and reached for the jewels, wondering when to ask for the necklace, too, when Alexandre grabbed his arm and twisted him in a headlock as he said, “Did you think I would turn over so easily?”
The bulletproof vest made him heavier. Dane remembered his wrestling days and used his legs to knock Alexandre over him and throw a punch to get him off. Dane pinned him and said, “Actually, yes. The police are at your apartment with your wife and child.”
Alexandre stopped moving in surprise, then sat on the ground in defeat. “The police?”
Dane stood and wiped the dirt off his jeans. “They intend to arrest you for Vet San’s murder.”
Alexandre also got to his feet. Dane saw Henry behind the pillar, his gun drawn.
Good. Dane held out his palms again to demonstrate he wasn’t a threat while Alexandre said, “He was going to kill your girlfriend. I protected her—it was defense.”
Right.
The undercover officer Dane noticed reached for the man’s pocket on his shirt to get Emily’s set and pulled out the necklace and earrings, though Alexandre backed up with all the jewels. Dane said, “Friends don’t steal jewelry. If you hand over the Irish Crown Jewels, though, Henry and I will testify for you. You did save Emily.”
Dane, once he had his personal property back, would offer it to Emily as a goodbye gesture. Alexandre said, “Now, that is a problem.”
“Why?” Dane motioned with his hand to return the jewels.
Alexandre backed into another pole near him and realized he couldn’t back up any more. He bowed. “I cannot give you the badge and star. Would you work out a deal for just the necklace?”
His necklace went to Emily and the English authorities wanted the stolen Crown Jewels for their museum. Dane shook his head. “I can’t.”
Alexandre crossed his arms. “The silly ornamental pieces are worth my life. If I don’t deliver, I’d only delay death.”
At least the thug didn’t have a gun, or he hadn’t shown it. “Look, I’ve talked to the French and British authorities for hours to get you a deal. If you turn evidence against whoever your buyer is, not only will the murder charges be dropped, we can get you into a witness protection program.”
The elevatordinged.
The authorities must have thought time was up.
Alexandre heard it too as he pulled out his own handgun and pointed it at Dane. “Not good enough.”
A second later, Emily’s voice raised across the roof. “D… Uriel! There you are.”
Every cell in his body pumped with alarm. What was she doing here? Her face glowed like a celestial angel, her blonde bob a halo on this still dark dawn. She was supposed to stay with her family. Her eyes widened. He turned as she ran right for him—and Alexandre. He jumped in front of her. “Emily, not now.”
Emily pressed her hand on his hip and said, “Yes, now.”
Alexandre pointed his gun toward Emily. “So glad you could join us, Miss Mira.”
Dane inched in front of her. He had a vest—she was vulnerable. Emily sucked in her breath. “Alexandre. I had no idea you were here.”
“Just stay back, Em.” Dane slightly pushed her toward Henry.
