had his attention. 'The chief of police is here to see you.'
He nodded and gave her a thumbs-up sign, talking fast and making excuses to end the call. Raven opened the door.
'Come in . . . please.' She forced a smile. 'Christian is on the phone. He'll be off shortly.'
'I am Police Chief Ricardo Zharan, at your service, miss. This is one of my investigators, Detective Arturo Fuentes.'
Both men nodded a greeting and entered the foyer. Very gallant. Very formal.
'I'm Raven Mackenzie, a homicide detective out of Chicago, back in the States. Pleased to meet fellow officers in Brazil.'
She kept a watchful eye on the half-open bedroom door, waiting for Christian to come out.
'I had no idea Mr. Delacorte traveled with another woman . . . and one so beautiful. I have only met Ms. Lee. He is a lucky man to travel in such company.' Zharan steadied his gaze on her.
Raven ignored the chauvinistic flattery. Even wrapped in a seductive Brazilian accent, she knew the bullshit of a flagrant come on.
'Actually, I only just arrived today.' She kept the banter light, not wanting to broach the subject of Jasmine's disappearance or Duarte's alleged involvement until Christian joined them. As far as she was concerned, this was his turf. With her being a latecomer to the game, Christian knew far more about the situation than she did.
The police chief meandered to the French doors for a look outside, showing only marginal interest in her explanation.
'Sorry to keep you waiting, Chief Zharan. Can I get you or your man some coffee?' Christian offered, entering the room.
'No, Detective Fuentes and I can't stay long,' the chief said, declining for both of them.
'You have anything new on Charboneau's abduction?' Christian caught her eye, giving Raven a vague sign to follow his lead.
She knew him well enough to pick up on it. A rogue cop and a police chief he didn't trust entirely. Raven didn't need a wake-up call to know Christian should handle this. She went for the wet bar, poured a cup of coffee, and moved to the sofa.
'Well, as I told you, we worked through the night following leads and backtracking Captain Duarte's investigation.'
When Christian heard Duarte's name, he jumped on the opportunity to ask about the man.
'Excuse me for saying this, but if you had to backtrack Duarte, that must mean you questioned his work. Do you suspect him of something?'
Zharan glanced to his man Fuentes with a pained expression. Clearly he did not feel comfortable speculating about one of his own men.
'We don't have evidence to support that . . . yet. But it is not above our consideration.' He looked away and cleared his throat. 'I hope you know if there is any proof of his misconduct, steps will be taken. I assure you. I have made my career on stamping out corruption wherever I find it. No one is above scrutiny.'
'I appreciate your candor, Chief.'
Fuentes nodded in support of his superior officer. The detective held his hands behind his back, looking like ex-military, with a lean physique, thick neck, and buzz cut, his face stern and unreadable. Duarte had insinuated that Zharan might be more of a political figurehead, in name only. Yet from what Christian saw, the chief commanded respect from the men under his command, and got it. Another Duarte lie?
'You said you worked through the night. Did you find anything new on Mr. Charboneau's case?'
Chief Zharan laid out his exhaustive measures to stir up new leads, including an update on his communications with the American consulate and his plans for a raid on a tribal village in a remote area. Taking action held great appeal for Christian. Finally, someone with authority had taken control of the case.
'So how good is your reconnaissance on this village? Any proof Charboneau is being held there?'
'I'm waiting for confirmation now, but I've gotten pretty reliable statements from individuals who would have reason to know such things. Still, I want to be sure.' The man shrugged, but maintained eye contact. 'Mobilizing men in an area so remote is not an endeavor to be taken lightly.'
'Yes, I agree.' Christian gave a quick glance to Raven. 'In the spirit of our newfound cooperation on this case, I have something to share, Chief Zharan.'
'Oh? Please.' The man nodded, gesturing for him to continue.
'It's come to my attention . . .' Christian didn't know how to phrase it. No matter how he did it, the chief would know he'd held back until now. 'Someone called me to say Duarte arrested Jasmine on the street earlier today. I've been trying to locate her, to get a lawyer if need be, but no one at police headquarters has been able to give me information on where Duarte booked her. Frankly, I'm worried. Can you help locate her? I could sure use someone on the inside.'
'Captain Duarte arrested her? On what grounds?'
'The caller didn't say.'
'Who reported this?'
Christian hesitated, unsure about giving up Hector's name.
'Please, I know you have no reason to do so, but you must trust me.' Chief Zharan snapped his fingers, and Fuentes turned his eyes toward his boss. 'Detective Fuentes, call headquarters and see what you can find out. If Duarte cannot be located, advise me. We will not hesitate to put out a bulletin for his whereabouts.'
Fuentes pulled out his cell phone and punched in numbers.
'Hector Salvador works at a Macumba store called Guia Do Espirito. He witnessed the arrest firsthand and called me.'
'How did he know to call you, Mr. Delacorte?'
Fuentes interrupted, a convenient distraction. 'Sir, I can't get a good signal for my cell phone here in the hotel.'
'Try the balcony, or downstairs if necessary,' the chief suggested.
The detective headed for the French doors, rattling in Portuguese once he got outside.
'You've been very generous with your communication, and I appreciate all you've done,' Christian offered, his eyes shifting from the chief to Fuentes on the balcony.
'I can imagine your frustration at having to sit and wait. I see it is not in your nature.' The man smiled. 'You have a stubborn streak, I would imagine.'
'Guess that's true enough.'
When Fuentes came in from the balcony, all eyes were on him. The man shook his head and explained, in English this time.
'Captain Duarte is nowhere to be found. And Ms. Lee has not been booked.'
Chief Zharan tensed his jaw. His anger could not be contained. Trying to regain his composure, he turned to Christian.
'I will get to the bottom of this. When I return to headquarters, I'll put out a bulletin on the captain. In the meantime, we will confirm our plans for the raid on the village. I'll be in touch.'
Zharan and Fuentes headed for the door, but the chief turned when he got there.
'I hope for the sake of Hector Salvador that Captain Duarte does not know of his involvement. He may be tempted to make another . . . arrest.'
'Well, he's not gonna hear it from me.' Christian shook hands with both men and shut the door
