Page 12 of Trusting Laurence
He pulled out a chair and settled himself, not saying a word.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?” Marcus asked, eyeing the papers Larry had placed on the table.
“Just thought I’d stop by for a bit of a chat, is all.”
Marcus snorted. “Yeah, and I’m considering joining the seminary. What do you want, Keon?”
“Hey now. Is that any way to treat an old friend?”
“You and me, we’ve never been friends. So how about we cut the bullshit and cut to the chase. You want something from me, or we wouldn’t be here.”
“All right, let’s cut the bull.” Larry eyed the man opposite him, trying to decide how best to approach the situation. He didn’t want to play his hand too early. He also didn’t want to spend more time in this hellhole than strictly necessary. “Tell me, Forrester, what do you know about Azteca Imports and Exports?”
“I have no idea who they are. Never heard the name before.”
Giving the man a cold smile, Larry asked, “Sure about that?”
“Never heard of them,” Marcus repeated.
“See, now, I’m not so sure you’re being on the up-and-up with me there, Marcus. I’ve heard different.”
“I have no idea who they are or what you’re talking about. If that’s why you came to see me, you’ve wasted a trip.”
“I’m going to ask you one more time. Are you sure you don’t know who they are?”
Marcus shifted in his seat, breaking eye contact for a second. If Larry hadn’t been watching for some reaction, he wasn’t sure he’d have seen it.Yeah fucker, I’m on to you.
“I’ve told you already, and I’m not repeating myself. I can’t help you. And even if I could, I sincerely doubt I’d be so inclined.” He smirked, his eyes flat and cold.
Eyes that made Larry think of a shark. The man’s supercilious sneer had Larry’s blood pressure climbing. He was done messing around. Glancing over his shoulder, he noted Finn standing against the back wall observing. His man hadn’t said a word, but he knew he hadn’t missed a thing. Turning his attention back to the man sitting before him, Larry picked the papers up.
Selecting a single page, he placed it face down on the table and slid it over. At first, it seemed as if Marcus intended to ignore it, but, eventually, curiosity must have gotten the better of him. Larry watched as Marcus picked it up, the action awkward due to the chain securing him, and turned it over. Up to that point, Marcus had been pretty good at hiding his reactions. As a politician, he’d had plenty years of practice. But there was no hiding how his face paled as he began to read.
Larry waited until Marcus was done and had placed the paper back on the table.
“I’m going to ask you one last time. Are you sure you’ve not heard of Azteca Imports and Exports?”
For long moments, Marcus simply sat staring at the document on the table, not saying a word. His body was unnaturally still, as if he were too afraid to move lest he shatter or fall. Larry waited him out, hoping the man would give him something. Anything.
At this point, anything would be better than nothing. They needed a break in this case so badly, he was almost willing to make a deal with the devil if it meant they could put a stop to the trafficking of young girls and women being sold into the sex trade. He, Finn, and the rest of their team were so frustrated with the lack of progress. Morale was down, and they were beginning to fear they’d never catch a break.
Finally, Marcus lifted his head but avoided making eye contact.
“I have nothing to say to you.” Turning, he continued, “Guard, I’m ready to go back.”
He came over to release the chain that prevented him from leaving his seat, checked the cuffs were still secure and they left the room.
Frustration riding him hard, Larry fought to suppress the urge to hit something. Or someone. From behind him he heard, “Fuck!” He knew exactly how Finn felt.
5
Marcus paced the inside of his cell, or his cage as he thought of it. Fear ran like ice in his veins. How the hell had Larry managed to lay his hands on the documents he’d hidden in Tahlia’s bank deposit box?
She hadn’t known they were there. Besides, she was dead. The prison chaplain had come to break the news to him shortly after he’d arrived at Colombia Penitentiary.
At the thought of his late wife and Larry Keon, his face flushed, his heart rate elevating. Anger and hatred combined into a nauseating cocktail that had him clenching his teeth. They’d played him for a fool.
He’d entrusted his wife to the man’s protection, and instead, they’d fallen in love. He sneered.Fallen in love.How pathetic could one get? Love was a myth fostered by romance writers for the sake of making money. Anyone stupid enough to buy into the hype deserved what they got.
