installed a . . . how you say?' She gestured with her finger, pointing to her eye.
'A peephole,' Christian offered.
'Yes, a peephole. We put one in the door.' She nodded. 'When I saw you, you intrigued me, but something about you scared me. I didn't understand at first, but now I think I do.'
'Understand what? why would I scare you?' he asked.
'You are the vessel for Ayza, the Protector, one of the Orixas. I don't know how you'll help Hector, but I trust in the spirits. They've spoken to me.'
By the skeptical expression on Delacorte's face, she knew she'd lost him. Bianca reached across and squeezed his hand.
'I have made a strong talisman for Ayza and you must wear it, Mr. Delacorte. I know you aren't a believer, but I'm asking for your trust. Please take my gift and wear it, even if you don't understand. What harm can it do? My talisman is yours. Once you put it on, don't take it off. Please, I beg of you.'
Bianca reached for the charm she wore. Pulling the chain over her head, she held the leather pouch, a sacred fetish. Her fingers trembled with her burden.
'Will you allow me?' She held out the chain.
Eventually, Delacorte nodded. Bianca stood and placed the chain around his neck with all the reverence she had in her. She bestowed him with Ayza's talisman and tucked it inside his shirt next to his skin. After it was done, she sat. Delacorte was a broad-shouldered, masculine man, with fierce intelligent eyes. He could intimidate men or soften a woman's heart. Now the compassion in his eyes warmed her heart and made her believe Ayza had been right about him.
'You have a place to stay for a while?' he asked. 'You can stay here if you like. I don't think you should go home.'
Bianca shook her head. 'Oh, no. I could not impose. I have friends in the city and won't go home. I'll be fine.'
'Then here, take this. You'll need money.' Christian stood and pulled out his wallet. Bianca raised her hand.
'No, please. You've been more than generous. My friends will take care of me. They're like family.' She wiped her eyes and took a breath. 'I'll call this hotel and leave a message where I can be reached. Please call me if you have news.'
'I will,' he promised.
His woman friend smiled. A kind face with trustworthy eyes. A woman in love. Bianca returned her gesture. One last time, she touched Delacorte's chest with trembling fingers, feeling the talisman under his shirt. He gave her that moment without embarrassment. She relied on her faith, but more depended upon the strength of Christian Delacorte.
'Thank you. I pray we will see each other soon. Good fortune in your journey,' she said as she stood.
He cocked his head and looked at her with questions in his eyes, but he didn't ask them. Both Americans walked her to the door and allowed her to leave on her own. Bianca rode the elevator to the ground floor, avoiding eye contact. Once she got to the lobby, she pushed through the revolving door and onto the crowded street, in step with a group of businessmen. She had done what she came to do.
Now Hector's life was in the hands of Ayza—and a stranger.
Sitting in a silver Fiat Siena sedan, Eduardo sucked on a cigarette, taking his last drag. He flicked the butt out the window and blew smoke out his nose, his eyes fixed on the plump ass of a young woman strutting down the street. A real handful. No, make that two. In his mind, the urban landscape faded to black and the noise of traffic died.
He pictured himself humping her—hard and fast. The sound of flesh slapping flesh filled his brain. His skin beaded with sweat, the veins of his neck distending. She clawed his back, wanting more, crying out his name. In his fantasy, he was always a wanted man.
Eduardo shut his eyes and leaned back against the headrest. A hard-on throbbed in his pants, making demands.
'Hey, check it out.'
When the guy sitting next to him punched his arm, Eduardo blinked rapid fire, resenting the intrusion. Without complaint, he shifted his gaze to where the man pointed, back to his left. His cock thwarted by the interruption.
'Is that her?'
'Where?' It took Eduardo a moment to find her. He shifted in his seat behind the wheel.
At first she blended into a crowd of businessmen leaving the hotel. Being short gave her an advantage she didn't keep for long. The suits headed across the street and she broke away on her own. When he caught a glimpse of Bianca Salvador, Eduardo grabbed her driver's license and compared the image to the old lady heading down the sidewalk, looking over her shoulder. Now he kept an eye on her through his rearview mirror. Dark skirt with flowers and a white blouse. Salt and pepper hair, cut short. Bone thin.
'Yeah.' He smirked. 'Keep an eye on her.'
Eduardo turned the key in his ignition, waited for a break in the traffic, and made a U-turn to follow her. With his cell, he hit the speed dial of a familiar number and held the phone to his ear. When the call was answered, he said, 'Your hunch paid off. We found her.'
Eduardo listened for further instructions, then smiled again.
'Count on it.' He ended the call, shoving the cell into his shirt pocket. 'Let's pick our spot, somewhere nice and quiet. That bitch is going for a ride. Before it gets dark, we'll know what she told Delacorte.'
CHAPTER 19
Day seven
Nightfall
'What did you make of that?' Raven touched Christian's arm, the meeting with Bianca Salvador on her mind.
The same thoughts plagued him. The older woman had definitely been on edge and had a lot to lose. She loved her nephew. That much was plain to see, but the strangest part was Bianca's true purpose. She conveyed what happened to Hector, yet seemed more bent on making sure he carried her talisman—as if life or death depended on it. Strange world, he thought.
'Not sure. Hector getting picked up by Duarte so soon after Jasmine? Maybe someone saw him or knew we'd been to the Macumba store before.' Christian took her in his arms, his mind working double-time. 'But why? What would Hector know about all this?'
'Maybe it's not what he knows, but what he witnessed. People disappearing on the streets of Cuiaba can stir up an investigation. And it sounds like your chief of police is already curious enough to make that happen.' Raven speculated. 'If that lab has something to hide, they'd do just about anything to keep their secrets. My guess.'
'But why abduct my father?'
'In a case like this, I'd say follow the money. And I'd bet serious coin that this is linked to Genotech Labs. Someone has invested in the genetics of drug addiction, and not for the good of mankind. Whoever is behind this wanted Charboneau out, maybe to take his place. Greed is a powerful motivator.' She narrowed her eyes. Her cop instincts had taken over.
He heard it from across the room and pulled from her arms to answer it.
'Delacorte.' He listened, his face taking on a sense of urgency when he recognized the voice. 'Chief
