Third Half Read online

  "I am involved. And they know it too. They know I tricked them so you could get away."

  He leaned back and rested his head on the back of the seat as if thinking. The lights were getting brighter as they returned to the city. She could see his eyes were thin slits as he looked at her, while she stared back at him, not bothering to hide her distrust.

  The last word he had gotten the other sister was still missing. He had been warned the nun was on her way here, but she was supposed to be on the way to the mission school in Pulcallpa. It would have been better if she had gone straight there instead of interfering. Now that she was involved, she'd be danger. Danger! She'd probably get them all killed.

  "You'll have to go back to the States," he finally said.

  "Oh no I won't!" She shook her head. "I came here for a reason, and I intend to see it through."

  "When are you scheduled to leave for the mission school?" he asked, catching her off guard.

  "I'm not . . .not for a while at least. I have to find Jack first."

  "No way, Mary Catherine. This is dangerous, and besides, you'll likely get in my way."

  "Fine," she said, realizing they had stopped for traffic. "Then I'll do it myself." With that, she grabbed her bag, opened the car door and got out. To her surprise, the man didn't try to follow.

  I

  "Please let me explain, Ricardo," She rushed on with her planned excuse as she noted the anger in the club manager's eyes. "I had to get away from here last night!"

  "So it was not a headache, as you tried to tell me." The man crossed the room to stand before her. His dark eyes held hers as though trying to find the truth in the depths of her bright green ones. "Now you expect to give me another story!"

  "No . . .the truth." She sighed, as if in defeat, knowing she had to be convincing if she hoped to get any help from this man.

  He smiled, but there was still a look of doubt on his face. "Tell me this truthful story of yours."

  "There was a man in here last night. A bearded man with a brown flight jacket. He was talking to a very attractive woman." Liane saw the look of recognition enter his eyes. "I believe you know her."

  "What if I do?"

  "Nothing, but I left last night to get away from that man."

  "Why? Who is he?" Ricardo's darkening eyes narrowed as he waited for her answer.

  She realized she would have to explain more if she hoped to get any help from Ricardo. "His last name is Marshal. I don't know his first, or if that's even his real name."

  "Let us sit while you continue." Ricardo said, obviously interested in what she was saying.

  She followed him to the sofa, forcing herself to sit beside him. "I'm frightened of that man," she said nervously. "You see, I have information some people are interested in obtaining. He doesn't want me to tell anyone what I know."

  "So much intrigue . . .Are you certain you are not making this up to keep me from firing you?"

  She stood up and faced him. "I came here for help! I don't give a damn about this job. I'll find someone else to help me!" With that she turned as if to walk away.

  "Wait . . .wait, Mary Catherine," Ricardo said softly as he reached out to prevent her escape. "I have to know more before I can say that I will help you."

  "Oh Ricardo, I hope you can." She smiled through trembling lips, giving the appearance of helplessness. "I believe you may know one of the people I'm looking for."

  "Who is that?"

  "The woman who was with Mr. Marshal last night." Liane was certain her suspicions were correct. She had watched the woman as she left the club the night before.

  She remembered her stopping to talk to the men in the car. The same men who had taken Marshal to the abandoned building and beat him in their attempt to get information. Liane was certain that woman had given them their orders.

  "Juanita?" Ricardo looked surprised. "I don't understand how she should fit into this."

  "I'm not exactly certain how she does fit into things, but I am certain she knows the people with whom I need to talk."

  "And the man with her last night? Marshal, you said was his name. How does he fit into this? I also saw him talking to her last night. You say he does not want you to speak to her."

  "He's the only person in the way of my telling what I know."

  "Which is?" Ricardo asked with more interest than he was feigning.

  She smiled and shook her head. "Ricardo, I'm no fool. If I tell, I won't get what I'm after."

  "I see . . ." He thought a moment before going on. "And what am I supposed to do for you?"

  "It's simple. Tell me where I can find Juanita."

  "I can't. She comes here. I have no idea where she lives."

  "But I thought . . ."

  "What, Mary Catherine? More employee's gossip?"

  "No. I saw the way you looked at her. I thought you were interested."

  "I would be, if I could get close enough to her. She sets my blood on fire. I would give anything for just one . . . Never mind." He paused, as if to regain his composure. "If what you say is true, it may be to my benefit to help you contact her through other means. If I am able to do this, she will be at your show tonight."

  And in your bed later, Liane thought, but remained silent, not wanting to antagonize him after he had promised to help. Right now, he seemed the only person who could help her.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Liane looked again at the address written on the slip of paper. It matched the one on the door of the huge house she was about to enter. Compared to others she had seen since arriving in this city, this one was a mansion. One thing for sure, Juanita isn't exactly from the poor side of town. Without anymore hesitation, she mounted the steps.

  Liane was pleased that her plan had worked and the auburn-haired Juanita had turned up at her last show that evening. Now, again dressed as Mary Catherine, she hoped she'd get the information she needed. There was no longer any doubt in her mind that her brother was in big trouble.

  "Yes, may I help you?" An older woman in a gray and white maid's uniform asked when she opened the door to find Liane standing there.

  "I'm here to see Juanita," Liane told the maid. "She's expecting me."

  The expressionless woman guided her down a long hallway before opening a door off to the side. The woman entered first, saying something in Spanish.

  There was a feminine reply, then the woman nodded for Liane to enter the room.

  Liane stepped into the room and immediately found the person she was looking for standing in front of a large mahogany desk. She quickly sized up the immaculately dressed, older woman. Her auburn hair was now pulled back off her long neck in a tight bun, adding severity to her appearance. She seemed to possess a self-assurance Liane hoped she could match. She knew she'd have to draw upon her every skill as an actress.

  "I believe you requested my presence as soon as I could get here," Liane said. "I assumed you hadn't meant for me to wait until morning."

  Juanita's dark eyes scanned her with obvious surprise. "I did not expect you . . .to be dressed like a . . ."

  "A nun? But why not, since I am one." Liane interrupted with a false smile, not once leaving down her guard. "I'm sorry if I shocked you. It was meant as no trick . . .at least not to you. May I come inside and explain?"

  "Certainly," Juanita stepped away from her desk. "We will go in here." She motioned to another doorway that led into an elegant looking sitting room.

  "You see, I got nowhere asking questions while dressed as myself. It seems these days, no one is willing to confide in a member of the Order." Liane turned again to look at the woman, stopping as she heard a deep laugh coming from within the room.

  She stiffened, instinctively knowing who it was. Turning quickly, her angry green gaze darted to the bearded man standing in the far corner of the room. He raised a glass of amber liquid as if in a mock toast to her.

  "You!" She hissed in open hostility before turning back to the other woman. "I didn't expect anyone else. I p
referred our discussion to be in private!"

  "So did he, I believe," the woman replied coolly. "It seems he was also about to make me an offer, but I suggested he wait for a bit longer."

  As she spoke Juanita walked to the liquor cabinet and poured herself a drink. "I would offer you something, but . . ." Her eyes deliberately scanned Liane's habit. "Are you allowed such things in your country?"

  "Some white wine, please," Liane said, uncaring what they thought. At the moment she could use something stronger, but wine would have to do.

  "I thought it would be interesting to see the two of you together," Juanita said almost cattily. "Which of you would like to begin?"

  "I'm here to find my brother." Liane didn't give the man a chance to speak as she began her plea. "I believe you know him, Jack . . .Spence Jackson." She met the man's brown eyes in challenge as she remembered the name her brother used. "You seem quite fond of his nightclub act."

  "And what makes you think I can tell you where he is?"

  "We have good reason to think you can," Marshal replied for Liane. "So please spare us your pretense."

  "We . . .?" The woman's dark eyes narrowed. "So you are together as I suspected in the first place."

  "I just met . . ." Liane began, but stopped as she saw the warning look the man gave her. "Mr. Marshal after my brother's disappearance. But he has kindly agreed to help me find Spence."

  "Yes, who better than your brother's partner, and fellow soldier-of-fortune. Tell me, has he required a price for this assistance? Or is he doing it out of the goodness of his heart?"

  "I'm doing it because Jackson is my partner. Whoever abducted him wants something. I'm prepared to arrange they get it."

  "How do I know I can trust you?" Juanita did not bother to hide her obvious distrust of this man.

  "You have no choice," Marshal stated coolly. "We have what you want."

  The woman paced the floor a moment before turning to face them again. "What proof do I have that you can give me what I want? Originally you claimed that only Jackson knew where everything is hidden."

  The man smiled. "As I recall, you didn't believe me. Why else have you been trying so hard to get me to talk? Last night your persuasive friends were very disappointed when my new partner assisted in my escape."

  "Tell me now, where you and Jackson have hidden the merchandise!" Juanita ordered, her eyes cold as steel as she held Marshal's gaze.

  "No!" Liane interrupted their exchange. "I want to see my brother first. Before we tell you anything."

  "Yes, and it would be better if we dealt with the top man on something of this importance," Marshal added. "I see no reason why we should go through the lower echelon."

  Liane suppressed a gasp. She didn't care who they dealt with as long as they found Jack. Marshal's bold statement and sarcasm could ruin everything for them. She was afraid he would anger this woman to the point they'd both be headed for trouble.

  Juanita's face flushed as her eyes narrowed coldly. "It is I who you will deal with," she hissed.

  "Okay, if that's how it is . . ." Marshal took Liane's hand and started toward the doorway.

  "Wait!" the woman called after them. "I must make a telephone call." With that she turned to the other door and returned to the office, leaving them alone in the room.

  Liane waited for the door to the office to close behind Juanita before turning to her companion. "You stupid . . ." She fought to regain her control. "What are you trying to do?"

  "I think I know a little more about handling these people than you do. Trust me."

  "Trust you!" Her eyes shown emerald bright. "You . . . you . . ." Her shoulder's sagged as a sigh escaped her lips.

  "There's no one else, so you may as well accept the situation," he nearly whispered, running his fingers roughly through his hair.

  "All I want to do is find Jack. I'm not certain you can say the same. She called you a soldier-of-fortune. If you are a mercenary, there could be more in this if you don't find him."

  His brown eyes turned nearly black as he rounded on her. "You can think what you want! But I'll remind you of one thing. I didn't have to go through all this hassle with these people to gain a thing. The information you have could make me a very wealthy man."

  "Then you don't know . . ."

  "Jack and I planned it that way. He was supposed to stay in the States. Then he disappeared."

  "But . . ."

  "Shut up," he said quickly. "She's returning. And let's both hope she doesn't just decide to gain the information the same way she did last night. I have my doubts you'd hold up to it."

  I didn't think of that. Liane's eyes grew wide.

  "If they ask, we need to find Jack because he is the only person who knows where their stuff is stashed."

  "But I already told . . . " She stopped as she heard Juanita reenter the room.

  "It will be impossible for you to meet with my employer," the woman stated when she entered the room. "Unless we have proof that you have what we want."

  "Would you like that in gold, silver, POTTERY or green?" Liane asked, knowing there was no way she could produce the contents from her brother's hidden room; but she had brought some of the money.

  She heard Marshal's exhaled breath and didn't have to look at him to know he was unhappy with her statement.

  The woman's eyebrows raised. "I would like to see some of these things of which you speak."

  "And we would like to see Spence Jackson," Marshal said in return. "First."

  "I will be in touch," the woman stated, then turned for the door. "Now, if you will please . . ."

  Liane knew they were being dismissed, yet she didn't want to go. She wanted to make this woman tell her where she could find her brother. She looked up at the man beside her and noted how calmly he accepted things as they were. Yet there was nothing easy-going about the way he held her arm as he guided her from the room.

  Behind his cool facade, she suspected there was more. She'd have to stick close to him and find out exactly what he did have on his mind.

  "Where do we go now?" she asked when they stepped outside.

  "We..." He turned with a grim smile. "I'm going to tell you one thing as clearly as I can. There is no we!"

  "That's what you think. I know where the money is."

  "And apparently where the rest of the stuff is hidden." He looked more serious. "Yet you said you haven't seen your sister."

  "I told you we spoke on the phone. She told me then. She found the items you were talking about. So I know more than you think."

  "Apparently not enough."

  "What do you mean by that?"

  "Simply that you have put everything in jeopardy. Especially your life. Do you have any idea what kind of people we're dealing with?"

  She allowed her eyes to slowly scan the man standing before her. "I have a pretty fair idea of the type of people I'm dealing with."

  Suddenly he laughed. "If only you did know."

  "Then tell me. How in the world did Jack get mixed up with your kind? How did you meet?"

  "Let's go to my room and I'll explain. You'll be safe," he added when he saw her worried expression. "I'm not so low that I've taken to molesting nuns. Even when they're as lovely as you."

  He turned and started walking away and didn't see red dots of color forming on her cheeks at his compliment. She had to nearly run to catch up with his quick stride.

  I

  "We met in prison," he explained as he laid on his bed, watching her sitting primly in a chair by the small wooden table.

  "Prison!" She shook her head in confusion. "Jack was never . . .at least I don't think he was ever in prison. We haven't always stayed in close contact."

  "That is where we met."

  "Tell me more."

  "I don't think you should know more. I think the wisest thing right now, is to get you out of here. Back to the States. I still haven't figured out why Juanita left us go. I don't feel good about any of this."

  "I'm not
leaving until I find Jack. And clear my sister of those false murder charges," she added adamantly, reminding herself that this man was the only person who knew she was innocent, and why.

  "Would you believe me if I told you I'll take care of that?"

  She flashed him a look of doubt, shaking her head.

  "I didn't think so." He sat up again, leaning forward with his hands crossed over his knees. His brown head bowed as if in prayer.

  But Liane knew better, this man was plotting something. "You won't talk me out of it so don't try to think of a way."

  "I didn't think there was one. If Jack's request, that you and your sister stay out of this, didn't work, I doubt that mine will."

  "You really are his partner," she said as though surprised.

  He rolled his eyes. "So you finally believe me."

  "I wasn't certain."

  "We are partners, and I'm as interested in finding him as you are," he replied with sincerity.

  For the first time Liane really did believe him. "But you admitted you didn't know where he hid the statues. In case one of you was caught."

  "No, I didn't know. But I could have found out easily enough, from you."

  She tensed, suddenly aware of how vulnerable she was. She glanced around the room noting that from his position on the bed he could easily intercept her as she tried to make it to the door or the window.

  "Since you are certain you're not going back to the States, it may be best that you are the only one who knows where everything is hidden. It could be your life insurance policy," he said ominously.

  "As for the money, I do know about that. We wanted you to have it for the mission school. It was technically ours anyway. Our pay, or half of it."

  "Half!" Her eyes were wide.

  "Mercenary's are paid well, M.C." He laughed. "We were to get more when the job was done. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Do you realize what that stuff is worth?"

  "So that is why you got greedy and decided to hide it.? What did you hope to do, ask for more money, or melt it down and sell it? I suppose with the price of gold right now, those statues are worth less as antiquities than they are for the metal."