Page 20 of Cutter’s Lady

Maldenado shook his head. “No, no, no, señora. You don’t understand. It is better not to pay.”

“I’d rather pay and get Blake back than stand on principle.”

Maldenado turned to Cutter. “I think it is much better if you take the señora to the United States. What if the terrorists try to kidnap her, too? She has more wealth than her ex-husband.”

“Ex-husband?” Cutter asked in a stunned voice. He cast Leslie a single thunderous glance, then returned his attention to Maldenado. “Miss Harper,” he said distinctly, “is better protected than her ex-husband was.”

“Still, it does no good to stay here. We are doing everything that can be done. We have men looking for these terrorists. Take her home, Mr. Cutter.”

“Mr. Cutter does not have that power,” Leslie snapped. “If you want to convince me of something, Mr. Maldenado, I suggest you talk to me.”

Maldenado turned to her, startled. “Pardon me, señora. I meant no—that is, I am assuming Mr. Cutter handles problems for you.”

“I make my own decisions,” Leslie stated flatly.

“Then I will say to you that it is better to go. You will do nothing here. We are doing everything that can be done.”

“I have been calling you for almost three weeks, and so far your government hasn’t done a thing.”

“No, no, that is not true. These things are, how you say, delicate? They take time. The police have been searching for Señor Westfield.”

“Have you learned anything new? Do you know where he is?”

He shook his head. “Regrettably, no. There are no clues. He seems to have vanished.”

“Perhaps he will reappear when the terrorists know that I am in the country, ready and willing to pay.”

“You are endangering yourself needlessly.”

“It’s not ‘needlessly.’ If you do locate Blake, I’ll be able to put him on the first flight home. If the terrorists demand a ransom, I’ll be here to pay it.”

“But you will be in the way of our detectives.”

“I have no intention of impeding your investigation, I assure you.”

“People will come, giving you false clues, just for the money. It will hurt the investigation. I urge you to leave, señora. Most strongly.”

“Are you throwing me out of the country?”

Maldenado drew back, horrified. “No, señora. How can you say such a thing? We are interested in your safety. We are asking you to do what is best for all.”

“I don’t happen to think it’s best.”

Maldenado sighed. “You make it very difficult to deal with you.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t intend to. But neither do I intend to leave. I’m certain I can help Blake.”

Maldenado raised an admonitory finger, all pretense of the affable diplomat gone. “Don’t do anything foolish, señora. This is a matter for the police, remember.” Leslie gave a short nod without speaking. Maldenado didn’t look pleased. “You will be staying at El Palacio throughout your stay in this country?”

“We might go to Costa Linda,” Leslie evaded.

Maldenado looked at Cutter, who gazed back at him with a clear, utterly blank expression. The official scowled and repeated, “Don’t do anything foolish.”

He escorted them out of his office and down to the front door, leaving them there with a bobbing bow. Leslie pushed through the front door and into the sunlight, Cutter on her heels.

“Well!” Leslie sighed, straightening her jacket with a sharp tug. “Apparently you get driven here, but you have to walk back home. Of course, I guess people are just grateful to get out of there.”

Cutter made no answer as he took her arm in a steely grasp and propelled her down the street. Leslie glanced up at him, a trifle alarmed, but he didn’t return her look. Instead, he stared straight ahead as he marched along, jaw set and features tight.