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As they walk away, I turn to Sansone. “I need to a bathroom break.” Before he offers to escort me, I’m already headed to the ladies’ room, my phone in hand.
Me: What was the name of the man who sold Jinx?
Tech Bro: Milo Gianopulos. Why?
Me: Was he related to a man named Dusan?
Tech Bro: Dusan is his father. I put it in the file I sent you. His family runs an international export operation.
Shit! Shit shit shit shit shit…SHIT!
I’m not supposed to cross paths with anyone from my other life. As much as I’d like to think the father is unaware of his son’s activities, I can’t take that chance.
Tech Bro: He’s been looking for his son for months. Has a bounty out for any information. Avoid him at all costs.
No shit, Omari.
Tech Bro: By the way, I’ve got a solid plan for tonight. Be ready in twenty minutes.
How the hell am I supposed to concentrate on an escape now that I’m in the same building as a man who’ll want me dead if I slip? I knew coming out in public in such a flashy way was a bad idea, but I let Sansone convince me otherwise.
I’m tempted to scrap Omari’s plans, but then I remember. There’s a baby’s life at stake. I can’t do the selfish thing right now. My needs will have to come after.
CHAPTER 25
Sansone
I check my watch for the fourth time while waiting for Zakiya to return. When I raise my wrist for the fifth time, I say, “Fuck it.” And I go in search for her.
As soon as I get to the hall where I see Aurelio standing, everything goes to shit. The overhead sprinklers spray the attendees. Women start screaming and running in all directions. Their dates race after them. Museum employees rush to protect the artwork. In the chaos, I lose sight of Aurelio.
I push against the flood of people, but there are too many. Inch by inch, I lose terrain until I’m pushed out the doors. I scream Zakiya’s name, fighting to get back.
I’ve felt uneasy since the exchange with the Gianopuloses. Her body’s slight tension communicated her wariness because she was in my arms. To a stranger, she would have appeared as cooly civil as when the conversation began.
I spy Aurelio’s head above the crowd and head toward him. “Where’s Zakiya?”
“I was waiting for her to leave the bathroom when the sprinklers went off. I don’t know if she made it out.”
We continue to search the crowd. At one statue, I climb to get a better view. He does the same a few yards away.
“There.” He points in a direction toward the west end of the property where a flash of gold appears and disappears.
The longer I look, the better able I am to make out Zakiya’s updo as she runs.
“She’s not headed toward our cars.”
“She is not.” I frown, wondering if the couple we met tonight is behind her panicked running. “Give me the keys to your car. I’m going after her.”
“I’ll drive.” Before I can argue with him, he says, “She’s good at losing tails.” Aurelio jumps down from the statue and leads me to his car.
“Good thing you parked away from everyone else.” I slam into the vehicle and slap the dashboard.
Aurelio peels out, heading in the direction we saw Zakiya running.
“Why would she run west?” I muse aloud.
Everything from her motive to her plans makes no sense to me.
