Page 51 of Deceive Me
“Why?”
Dain turned to leave. “Because I’m the only one who knows where she’s going.”
“No way. I’m not leaving my daughter here with just your team.”
The team lead stopped at the bedroom door. “Like I said, Jack will send a backup team. I wouldn’t risk that child any more than I’d risk my own. And Deacon…”
He crossed his arms over his chest, squaring off with Dain across the room.
“When I say think it over, I mean it. You’ll only have one chance to rebuild that bridge. Don’t blow it.”
20
Elliot Smith left Walsh’s property just as Mansa had intended. Kivuli ordered his driver to follow her, first to JCL, then to her apartment, but she did not stay at either place, nor did she give them opportunity to approach without warning her. Instead she drove to a shopping center just west of her home. Kivuli watched as she exited the small black sports car she’d retrieved from the company garage and sauntered down the row of vehicles toward what appeared to be a combination bar and restaurant.
“What now?”
He glanced first to the driver, then to the two men in the rear seat, all three staring expectantly at him. They were of average intelligence, the requisite “muscle,” but not hunters. If they had been, they would know their prey had detected their presence.
He pointed to the man in the seat behind the driver. “Scout.”
The man flashed him a cold look, reluctantly opening his door. Before he could slam it shut, Kivuli warned, “Do not go near the woman, ja?”
The chill spread from his eyes to his mouth. “You’re the boss.”
Indeed he was, but he ignored the man’s insolence for now. If they considered Kivuli exacting, they did not know his employer well.
He returned his attention to Elliot Smith. The location she had chosen—a sports bar, his driver informed him—contained a traditional restaurant portion to one side, adjoining an area that resembled a garage, complete with garage door. The door was currently lifted to create an open-air patio. His prey entered the open area, weaved through multiple high tables to disappear at the back, then reappeared a few minutes later with two beers in hand. She settled at a table near the sidewalk.
Meeting someone?
No. Smith drank both beers, sitting in the sunshine, in plain sight of their SUV, surrounded by an ever-changing crowd that nonetheless did not ebb nor give them an opportunity to move closer.
Ja, Smith knew she was being stalked. She was taunting him.
The hunter in him rose to meet her challenge, peering from his eyes, scenting the air—the spirit of his ancestors saturating his bones. This was worthy prey, the spirits assured him; that was why she did not run. She had no need to. She was unafraid.
Not like Mansa’s other victims. The difference stirred a faint unease in his mind.
Their scout returned.
“Report,” Kivuli ordered.
The scout dared to roll his eyes at Kivuli’s command. “It’s—”
Aikona! Before the man could blink, the hand with which he gripped the driver’s seat was pinned in place by Kivuli’s knife. He opened his mouth to scream. Kivuli reached him first, laid a long finger against the man’s open lips. “We do not want to do that here, no?”
The man sucked in air, choking on his pain as he stared death in the eyes. “No.”
“Good.” Kivuli yanked his knife out. A thin red line between two metacarpals rapidly spilled blood, but Kivuli had ensured the man would still have use of his hand. “Now-now, describe the location to me while your friend wraps your wound.”
Tense silence filled the vehicle—the driver and third man deciding what they should do. Gradually the driver’s fists loosened on the steering wheel and the third man dug in the back for a first-aid kit. Kivuli’s stare never left his victim.
“It’s a typical strip mall,” the man said, voice breathy with pain. “Several large buildings, all one-story, lining the block. Alleys on either side of the sports bar, leading to a central loading area accessed from the rear of each building.”
“Very good.” He turned back to watch Smith enjoying her third beer.
The cell at his belt beeped, demanding his attention. He clicked to accept the call and silently brought the phone to his ear.
