Page 28 of Leo

“I will if you’ll help me.”

“You can help yourself by doing what we told you to do. Turn over the photos and videos, and we’ll ask Nahm to let you off the hook,” said Luke. “Until you do that, there’s nothing we can do.”

“Thanks a lot,” she frowned.

“You better be damn grateful I didn’t make a call and tell Nahm exactly where you are right now,” said Hex.

“All you know is that I’m in Paris,” she grinned. Hex laughed, shaking his head.

“43 Rue de Bonaventure, the Nineth Arrondissment. You’re on the second floor, seated at the window. Not very smart, by the way.”

“What the fuck?” she muttered.

“Turn it all in, and we’ll help. Otherwise, you’re on your own.” There was an eerie silence, and then she spoke again.

“A favor for a favor,” she said.

“Okay,” nodded Luke.

“Gemma isn’t her real name.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

“Gemma Daniels,” she said, smiling at the hotel desk agent. She handed the young man her passport and gave her best ‘I’m a weary traveler’ expression.

“Oui, madam. We have you for three nights,” he said, nodding.

“Yes. I may have to leave early for a family emergency, but right now, my plan is to stay for three nights. I do love Paris but coming here for business isn’t exactly the most wonderful way to enjoy it.”

“Are you here for the gaming convention?” he asked.

“Gaming convention,” she repeated. “Yes. Yes, I’m here for the gaming convention.”

“There are so many people here of all ages, races, backgrounds. It’s very exciting. I love video games, but most of them are here for hidden treasure hunts, puzzles, that sort of thing.”

“Fascinating,” smiled Gemma. “Are there treasures to be found here?”

“Oh, many. There’s always talk of lost treasures or the famous golden owl puzzle that has people searching every year throughout France.”

He handed her the keys to her room, and she turned and stepped toward the elevator. The backpack was digging into her shoulders, but she didn’t dare set it down, or she might not be able to pick it back up. As she entered the elevator, the other one opened, letting out a flood of convention goers.

Her room was a bit pricey, but at least now she knew why. Every room was filled with gamers hoping to find their new fixor their new treasure. The room was spacious, something not normally seen in Europe. The large king-sized bed was made with luxury linens, and when she opened the drapes, she had a lovely view toward the Champs Ellysse.

With very little clothing to unpack, she settled her things into the closet and drawers, then gave herself a good wash, preparing to go out for dinner. She’d asked Jewel, the con artist, to meet her at a café. Whether she did or not would remain to be seen.

“What to do with the bag?” she murmured to herself. She looked beneath the bed, but it was surrounded by a metal barrier to prevent hotel guests from losing things beneath the bed.

But if there was a metal barrier, that meant there should be an open space beneath the box springs. With little effort, she pushed the mattress off and then lifted the box springs to reveal a dusty underside to the bed. With any luck, it was just enough room for the backpack.

Carefully, she lay it in the middle of the underside, in the center of the frame. With so many guests in the hotel and the staff probably overwhelmed, hopefully no one would ever see it or know it was there. With great effort, she put everything back in its place and congratulated herself on the task.

Looking at her watch, she realized that she was going to be a few moments late to meet Jewel at the café. The elevators were so busy she took the stairs down the four flights and opened the door to head through the lobby.

“I know that she’s here,” said the man. “Our sources said she was headed this way, and we’re going to find her. Get those damn eggs back and the amber.”

“What about the woman?” asked a female voice.

“Kill her.”

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