Page 16 of Leo

“Who are these people again?” he asked.

“They were the three people sent to relieve me in Botswana,” said Tillie. Marc stared at the drawings. “Is something wrong, Marc?”

“Not wrong. The man looks familiar, but I can’t place him. I mean, it feels like just an ordinary face, but it’s an ordinary face that I know. But how?”

“That’s a good question,” said Luke. “I need for you to think about it and try to remember where you might have seen that face.”

Marc nodded, taking a few steps back and staring at the drawing, leaning against the wall.

“I guess there’s not a lot left to do, is there?” said Tillie, looking at Leo, then her father.

“No, I don’t…” Tanner’s voice was interrupted by Tillie’s personal cell phone.

“It’s the agency. Hello?” She put the phone on speaker and waited as everyone gathered once again.

“Matilda Vonn?”

“You called me, so you should know who this is,” she said carefully.

“Young lady, I would not test my patience today. You and your team left the country without our express permission, and now I’m getting calls that at least two of you are missing.”

“First of all, I left because we were kidnapped and taken hostage. Our captors took us across the border, where we wereable to escape and seek help. The last I saw of my team, they were all safe on an American commercial airliner.”

“Well, that might be, but now I’m told that Gemma and Jewel are both missing, and we can’t seem to reach the gentleman. Fred.”

“Brad,” frowned Tillie. “Don’t you even know the names of the people you send into these countries?”

“I misspoke. Brad. It just seems odd that you are able to take my call. You are obviously safe, and the others are not.”

“I’m sorry. What did you say your name is?”

“I didn’t.”

“Well, then. Before I continue with this conversation, I’m going to have to insist that you give me your name and position,” said Tillie.

“How dare you! My name is Frederick Manley. I am the agency director for Hope Together. I interviewed you five years ago. I thought you were smug then, and I still think so.”

“Yes, I remember that interview. You thought I was smug because I knew more languages than you and I had more college education. I’m not your enemy, Mr. Manley. You sent that team in for me to train them and let them go. I didn’t get that opportunity, but I did help to keep them safe and get them back to America. I didn’t see anyone from the agency rushing to rescue us. Lucky for me, I know some people.”

“Some people? And just who were these people?”

“None of your business. They rescued us, and we were safe. Now, my question for you is, what exactly you are going to do to find Brad, Gemma, and Jewel? Someone has obviously kidnapped them for some reason we don’t yet know. Why?”

“This call is done. Answer my calls when I dial this number.” Luke gripped her phone, yanking it out of her hand.

“I need for you to listen carefully, Mr. Manley. My name is Luke Robicheaux, and I’m one of the members of the leadership team for Voodoo Guardians, the premiere security agency in the world. Tillie is family to us, and we take that very, very seriously.

“If you ever speak to her that way again, I can assure you that your agency will be put out of business. No one will help you again. No one will donate to your causes ever again. Tillie did nothing wrong.

“Now, if you’d like our help, just let us know. But until then, don’t speak to this young woman that way again, or I will hunt you down and put you on the list of the missing. Clear?” There was a long, eerie, silent pause. Then he spoke.

“Crystal clear.”

CHAPTER TEN

“Luke, you told him who we are,” said Tillie, frowning at her friend.

“Yep. Now, he knows exactly who he’s fucking dealing with. He knows something.”

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