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Marta looked me up and down, a small smile on her face. I could make out the intelligence in her eyes. Right away, I noted that she was likely more than met the eye. She was unassuming—mousey, even. Maybe her appearance was a reflection of her true nature. Or, perhaps it was a good way to throw people off, the ideal look for a mole.
“It’s so good to finally meet you, Mr. Stone,” she said, offering me her hand. “As I’m sure you can guess, you’re the talk of the staff at the Marone estate.”
I extended my hand. “A pleasure to finally meet you.” I decided to sidestep her later words. Gossip was of no interest to me. She took my hand and shook it.
I glanced over at Emily. The happiness in her shining eyes was impossible to ignore. Since she’d arrived on the island, she’d been neither happy nor unhappy. Marianne had even told me that she’d overheard her crying. Now, a familiar face before her, Emily seemed content for the first time since I’d met her. Sure, bringing Marta to the island presented a major security concern. All the same, it was a small price to pay to brighten Emily’s mood.
“Dios mio.” Marta turned toward the estate, shaking her head in disbelief. “Emily said that this place was something special, but to see it in person…”
“Looking forward to having you here,” I said. “You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the island. For now, I’ll have Emily show you to your room. I’m sure you’d like a little time to get settled after your journey.”
Marta sucked her teeth, waving her hand through the air. “Aye,es nada. Not a chance in hell I’m going to be spending my first day here lounging around like atourista. You brought me here to work, and that’s what I’m going to do.” She turned to Emily. “Show me my room, then show me the kitchen… mole’ is on the menu tonight.”
“Yes!” Emily said, her face brightening even more.
“Mole’?” Marianne was confused.
Emily smiled. “It’s this amazing Mexican dish—a thick, creamy sauce with chocolate mixed in. It’s Marta’s specialty.”
“Oneof Marta’s specialties,” Marta replied, raising her finger. “Don’t try to make me out to be a one-trick pony.”
We kept on, Marta, Emily and Marianne behind us, the three of them eagerly chatting away.
Roberto, who was walking next to me, glanced back over his shoulder. “Still not sure about this.”
“Appreciate your concern, but I’ve made my decision.”
“Understood. Before I shut up about the subject, I’ve got a couple of my boys at the gate for the check, if you still want to do that.”
“Sure do.”
Up ahead, I spotted the two guards at the front gate of the estate, both standing with their hands clasped behind their backs, their eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses, guns tucked into their belt holsters.
“What’s with the guards?” Emily asked.
“Security protocol,” I said. “We check every guest to the island, without exception.”
Emily stood firm and still, an indignant look on her face as the guards approached.
“You’re serious? You’re really going to check Marta? What the hell do you think she’s going to do, take everyone out with a secret pistol and swim me across the water to the mainland?”
I said nothing, not wanting to indulge her outburst. Instead, I turned my attention to Marta. She nodded, but I could sense she was none too happy about what was going to happen. The guards approached, one of them taking Marta’s purse to look inside, the other giving Marta a pat down.
Emily didn’t take this in silence. She stormed over to Roberto, letting out a tirade of words in Spanish. I didn’t speak the language, but even so, I was able to pick out a few less than civilized words, likeputaandpendejo. Roberto seemed more amused than anything else.
“It’s fine,chica,” Marta said. Behind her, another guard quickly went through her bags. “I’m not above the rules. Lucky to even be here to begin with when you think about it.”
Emily stopped tearing into Roberto and turned her attention to me. She shot sharp daggers in my direction, not taking her eyes off me even for a second. More than anything, I was impressed. Emily might’ve been sheltered, but she sure as hell was feisty and protective when it came to her people.
I liked it.
There was still the matter of loyalty. Emily was loyal to Marta, no doubt about that. But to whom was Marta loyal? Was she really as innocuous as she seemed, or was she working for Charles in another capacity besides his daughter’s caretaker? That remained to be seen.
One by one, the men finished. As they did, they nodded in my direction, letting me know that Marta was clear.
Emily put her hands on her hips, her eyes sharp in anger.
“Happy?” she asked. “You’ve made sure she isn’t packing heat or smuggling drugs. Can we go in now?”
