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CHAPTER3
MALIK
Tariq is waiting outside the room and nods with respect.
“Sir.”
I move past him and growl, “I’ll take my lunch on the terrace.”
He says nothing as I leave him to carry out my orders and as I step through the doors, I take a deep cleansing breath of mountain air.
I love coming here. Sadly, it’s rare, but when I do, it reminds me of life. Good, honest, clean life, something I rarely get to experience. Most of my time is divided between Dubai, Canada and the US, but occasionally I have reason to come here and when I learned Eliza Ortega was hiding in Zurich, it was the perfect place to bring her for interrogation.
As I take my seat on the terrace overlooking the most spectacular view, Ali, my consigliere, hovers beside my chair.
“Sit.”
I point to the vacant chair beside me, and he sinks into it with questions hovering in his eyes.
“Any luck?”
“Not yet”
I exhale and then laugh softly. “I would have been disappointed if I had.”
He laughs along with me because we both know how much I love my job.
Interrogation has become somewhat of a hobby of mine, and I was more than happy when I set eyes on my latest victim. If I wasn’t in any hurry for the information she is guarding closely, I would relish the opportunity to drag this pleasurable encounter out a little longer.
However, time is a luxury we don’t have, and I sigh, reaching for the jug of lemonade and filling our glasses.
“This may take a little longer than expected.”
“I’m happy for you.” He grins as he lifts the glass toward me by way of a toast, and I lean back and consider my current position.
Mrs. Keller hovers at my shoulder, carrying a silver tray laden with the finest cuisine and as she sets it down, she says nervously, “Will there be anything else, sir?”
“No, thank you.” I dismiss her by turning away and just the fact she remains tells me she knows about our houseguest.
“That will be all, Mrs. Keller.”
I effectively dismiss her with no further instruction and as she heads off, Ali says in a low voice. “What’s the plan?”
“The plan is…” I reach for the knife and fork. “To enjoy a peaceful lunch before returning to business.”
Ali nods and does the same and as we settle down to sample the fine meal that my chef is renowned for, our conversation is about other matters that never seem to go away.
* * *
It must betwo hours later when I return to Eliza, wondering if she will be more cooperative the hungrier she gets. As I enter the room, she says angrily, “Are you going to keep me chained up like a dog? Even prisoners get water, you bastard.”
“Of course, you make a valid point.”
She turns to regard me through curious eyes as I approach the bed, holding a jug of water and a glass that I brought in with me.
I pour it full of water and set the jug down on the nightstand. Then I sit on the edge of the bed and say in a dark voice, “Where is Frankie?”
“My name is Delores Brown, and I don’t have a clue what you are talking about.”
