Page 50 of Look for Me

“You want me to leave the island?”

“That’s the idea, woman.” Nikos laughed. “We know where Oscar is. Go see him. I get my diamonds, you get your daughter back.”

“You know that Oscar is Flavian’s friend, not mine.”

Nikos flicked a photograph at Corinne. It floated her way and fluttered to the floor. Corinne looked down.

Flavian. All beaten up. He looked barely alive.

“What happened to your boyfriend will happen to you too,” Nikos grunted.

Ex-boyfriend.

Again, Corinne didn’t know if she should correct Nikos.

“Is he dead?”Corinne asked instead.

“In the process.”

“Let me see him. He knows Oscar.”

“So do you.”

“Not as well as he does.”

“He can’t travel right now. You can.”

“Travel? To where?”

“Cuba, of course.”

The last thing Corinne wanted was to leave her three-year-old in the hands of this criminal.

“You’ve always wanted everyone else’s stuff,” Corinne said. “You wanted Flavian’s girls. His business, clients, money, diamonds. Everything. Coveting is a sin.”

Nikos looked amused. “I thought you were attending a church in Key Largo for therapy. Now you’re turning all holier-than-thou on me. What would Flavian say—well, he’s not going to say much.”

Corinne composed herself. “What did you do to Flavian? He’s like a brother to you. He rescued you when you were a homeless kid.”

“Well, he taught me well.”

“How do I know he’s not dead in this picture?” Corinne lifted the photo. “Let me see him.”

“And you will get the diamonds for me?”

There, she caught him.

By not negating what she had said, Nikos showed his hand. He did have Flavian held somewhere.

“Where is Flavian?” Corinne asked.

“Bring me the diamonds, and I will let you see him.”

“I have no idea where the diamonds are, but Oscar knows, right?” She was guessing. “You want me to call Oscar? Then give me something to say to him. A word from Flavian would go for miles.”

“How do I know you don’t have it stashed somewhere?” Nikos asked.

“Your suspicion is unfounded. I don’t have Flavian’s diamonds.” She lifted her hands. “No ring. No jewelry. No diamonds.”

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