Poe

Chapter Twenty-Two

Alex had originally intended to go with McElroy’s plan of telling El-Hashim she was here because of her father’s concern that the woman would not be able to easily extract herself from the Crimean judicial system. But considering what she now knew, she decided there was a better way to handle this.

“My dad discovered that there might be an attempt on your life,” she said, and both women visibly tensed. “As a…business associate, he felt the need to do what he could to keep that from happening.”

Alex hoped the label she’d used was accurate. Thankfully, it didn’t seem to raise any suspicions.

“So he sends you?” El-Hashim said.

“He couldn’t very well break in here himself — not without a round of reconstructive surgery.”

“That’s fairly audacious,” Marie said. “Sending your daughter into a pit like this.”

Excluding their present surroundings, of course.

“My father isn’t a sentimental man, and he knows I can handle myself. I was the best person for the job, so here I am.”

Marie grunted softly. “You sound like him, too.”

The comment was unexpected, catching Alex off guard. She was lost in it for a moment, lost in the memory of her father — tough as iron when he needed to be, and sometimes when he didn’t.

“Are you all right?” Marie asked.

“I’m fine.”

El-Hashim studied her carefully, and Alex knew she wasn’t yet convinced. “If your father did send you, then he must have told you why we met last week.”

There was only one way to deal with this question.

“He most certainly did not,” Alex said, an edge to her voice. “Let’s get something straight. I do not work for my father. I don’t know what he does. I don’t get involved. But when he asks for my help, which doesn’t happen often, I’ll do what he needs.”

“An impressive speech,” Marie said. “But if you don’t work for your father, then what is it you do?”

Alex paused. This was something that was bound to come up. They had even discussed it at Stonewell, and decided it was best to stick as close as possible to the truth.

“I collect people who’ve skipped out on their bail,” she said. “Car thieves, burglars, assault suspects. I work in and around Baltimore, Maryland. Real cream of the crop kind of people.”

Marie frowned. “You’re a…bounty hunter?”

Alex nodded. “And before that I was in the army for a couple of years. Didn’t think to bring a resume. Sorry.”

It was a make-or-break moment. The women could easily have walked out of the room right then and there — and that would’ve been the ballgame.

But they didn’t walk out. Instead, Marie said, “How much do you and your father expect to be paid for this service?”

Hooked, Alex thought, and had to struggle to contain her relief. “Me, I want nothing. My father? That’s between you and him.”

El-Hashim sneered. “Of course.”

Alex shrugged. “I’m sure you’ll find a way to make it mutually beneficial. You’re both resourceful people.”

“This is an interesting proposal,” Marie said. “But I think you’ll understand that my friend here needs time to think it over.”

“I do understand. But I’m afraid time is one thing we can’t afford to waste. I’ll need your answer before I leave.”

The two women exchanged glances, then El-Hashim said, “Please give us a moment.”

Alex nodded and watched them walk to the bedroom door, where they stopped and spoke together quietly.

As she waited, the door to the bathroom opened, and Teterya stuck his head out.

She’d been wondering how he was holding up in there.

When he saw Alex, he made a gesture indicating he was ready to come out, but Alex held out her hand, palm first, letting him know not yet. He nodded, retreated inside, and quietly closed the door.

Finally, the two women came back over and El-Hashim spoke first. “If we are to say yes, how would you get us out of here?”

Alex shook her head. “Not all of you. My instructions pertain to El-Hashim only.”

“I’m not leaving here without Marie.”

“You’re not leaving at all,” Alex said.

El-Hashim frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“The two of you have a nice little bait-and-switch thing going here, but I figured you out a while ago.” She turned to Marie. “If I’m not mistaken, you’re the real El-Hashim.”