Page 16 of Brazilian Surrender
Chapter Six
“Did Torto’s necropsy and blood work lead to anything?” Camila asked Jaeger as the elevator to his floor stopped and the doors opened with a bing.
Jaeger motioned for her to walk, then paced alongside her. Damn it. The past two days hadn’t taken them anywhere. Tony hadn’t found anything on Jeffrey’s cell phone, and the lack of clues bothered Jaeger. “They used antifreeze, which is very common and doesn’t give us any leads as to where he bought it. He mixed it in some wet food to make it taste better, but that’s also available in any pet store,” he said, jamming his hand into his jeans to retrieve the key.
She slowed her pace, as if thinking about his answer. “So whoever did this had the trouble to buy the antifreeze and shop at a pet store before heading to my apartment. Sounds so calculated.”
He touched his keys. “This also means they knew about your dog and your schedule. Someone wants you out, and he’s still trying to scare you away. If he wanted to hurt you, he would have waited for you to return from the hospital.” She had suggested she’d return to her apartment, but he still worried she’d be an easier target there. He’d insisted she stay with him; after all, her protection was why she’d hired him. A voice inside him laughed, and he shook his head. Maybe having her close meant self-inflicted pain, as he kept her within an arm’s reach yet didn’t touch her.
“And what happens if I don’t leave? If I stay? What else can they do next?”
He was about to slide the key in the door knob, when he glanced down. His doormat had shifted slightly to the right. His jaw clenched. Maybe someone else wouldn’t have noticed the subtle change, but Jaeger knew too well he kept a thick rubber mat under the rug to keep it from sliding.
He reached for his holster and gestured for her to step back. “Stay here.”
Someone had entered his place, possibly a man. A large man, one who didn’t seem careful either. Possibly someone with nothing to lose.
“What is it?” she asked behind him.
“Wait for me.”
He caught a glimpse of apprehension in her eyes. Holding the gun, he slid the key into the slot and turned it quietly. Pork Chop barked, an urgent, clipped sound, different from the happy yapping whenever he’d come home.
Jaeger scanned the hallway as he paced into the living area. Nothing.
A swoosh from his office got his attention, and he raced there.
An average-built man wearing a black ski mask typed violently on the keyboard of his laptop, no doubt trying to break into his secure network.
“Stop!” he shouted. “Hands in the air.”
The man looked at him and slowly lifted his hands.
“Who sent you?”
He erased the distance between them and frisked the man’s shoulders, pockets, and ankles to ensure he didn’t hide a weapon. Jaeger grabbed a knife from his ankle and tossed it away. “What were you looking for?”
“Take it easy, man,” the guy finally said, with a strong Jersey accent. “I’ll tell you everything.”
“No,” said a raspy male voice from across the room. “You’re not telling him anything.”
Jaeger turned his face to find a large, bald man wearing a uniform for a plumbing company holding Camila with a gun to her head. Her eyes widened, and she tried to wiggle out of his hold, but the man easily kept her in place. “Leave her alone.”
“Put your hand down, then toss it over. Quick.”
Jaeger’s blood chilled. Damn it. He did as asked and placed the automatic on the ground. The guy in front of him grabbed the gun and pointed it at him. “I’m leaving first and you aren’t following me. Do you understand? Otherwise she dies,” he said, pointing the gun in her direction to prove a point.
Jaeger nodded. Taking his gun, the guy hopped out on the fire escape and disappeared out of sight.
“Stay there,” the other guy said. “On your knees.”
Jaeger kneeled, sizing up his opponent. He gazed at Camila, hoping his eyes carried a message of tranquility. Everything will be okay. He watched the bob working its way down her throat, and her big, brown eyes searched for his. She trusted him, and he couldn’t, wouldn’t, falter.
Distraction. He’d distract the enemy before launching onto him and punching his guts out.
“What are you looking for?” Jaeger asked. “If you tell me what you want or who you’re working for, we can work something out.”
“I don’t think so,” he said, twitching his dark eyes. “Try something funny and she dies.”
