“I’m not transferring anything until I have the dagger in my hands,” she warned.
“Fair enough. You have six hours.”
“That might not be enough time.”
“It’s all you’ve got.”
Allie bit back her exasperation. “I’ll do the best I can. Where do we meet to do the exchange?”
Indiana was silent for a moment. “Do you know where the Red Fort is?”
“Is it a landmark?”
Indiana laughed humorlessly. “You really are right off the boat, aren’t you? It’s one of the most famous buildings in Delhi.”
“Then I’ll find it.”
“I’ll meet you by the Delhi Gate at seven thirty. Don’t be late. How will I recognize you?”
“I’ve got black curly hair, and I’m wearing black cargo pants and a blue top. My boyfriend is wearing brown pants and a black top. How will I recognize you?”
“You won’t. I’ll approach you. But fair warning — you come alone. Anything’s off, I bolt, and you lose the dagger.”
“Why are you so nervous?” she asked.
“Your partner was decapitated and you’re asking me why I’m nervous? Be at the gate at seven thirty, and no games. Keep your phone on.”
“You’ll call?”
“No, I just don’t want you to miss any important messages,” he said, his tone derisive. “You really are out of your depth, aren’t you?”
“All you should be worried about is how I can transfer money in the middle of the night,” Allie snapped.
“Figure it out.”
The line went dead and she stared at the phone in anger. “What an ass.”
“I heard. He upped the price,” Spencer said.
“Yeah. That’s not the problem.”
“No? Then what is?”
She looked around the café, her eyes locking on the waitress, who was texting someone on her phone while studiously ignoring two tables of customers. When Allie glanced back at Spencer, she appeared pensive.
“Underneath all the bluster, he sounded terrified.”
“Of what?”
“He didn’t say. But I think it’s about time to call Reynolds and find out what he’s gotten us into.”
Chapter 25
Casey Reynolds was startled by his cell phone vibrating in his shirt — he rarely received calls on his personal number, and his pulse quickened as he ducked out of his meeting and hurried to the bathroom. He answered the call on the fifth ring.
“Yes?”
“Reynolds, it’s Allie.”
“Allie! Where are you? Roland told me about the boat. I have no idea how that happened.”
“Not a lot of ways I can think of.”
Reynolds paused. “You think Roland told the police? I told you, he’s completely loyal.”
“That’s one explanation. Or you could have.”
“Are you out of your mind? Why would I do that? I helped you get away.”
Allie sounded less sure. “I don’t know.”
“They must have gotten a tip. Maybe one of the other boats saw you and phoned it in. I was able to kill most of the enthusiasm for finding your buddy, but he was all over the news last night. That’s the only thing that makes sense.”
“Drake thinks they might have been able to track Carson’s phone.”
“You have it?” Reynolds’s surprise didn’t sound faked.
“Had. We couldn’t recover the data.”
“Damn. Well, remove the battery, and you can hand it over when I see you. Maybe one of our tech guys can do something.”
“That’s not why I’m calling. I want to know who you think killed Carson and why.”
“We’ve been over this. I don’t know. But I’m guessing it has to do with what he was working on.”
“I don’t believe you. I think you know more.”
“I wish I did. I’m just as in the dark as you are.” Reynolds paused. “You never told me where you are.”
“That’s right. I’ll be in touch when we have something material.”
“Allie—”
The line went dead. He cursed, and then the door opened and another man entered. “Falling asleep in there, huh?” the man asked good-naturedly.
“No. Got some bad curry last night.”
“Stuff will kill you,” the man agreed.
Reynolds nodded, his mind elsewhere. “Death by a thousand cuts.”
Allie shook her head as she slid the phone into her back pocket. “I don’t know. He sounded like he was playing straight.”
“The guy’s a spy. It’s his job to lie convincingly,” Drake said.
“But to what end?” Spencer asked. “That doesn’t compute.”
“Well, if Reynolds doesn’t have a clue, maybe Indiana does,” Allie said. “He’s scared of something — that came through loud and clear.”
“You’ll be able to ask him in a few hours. Were you able to make the transfer to your online wallet?”
“Yes. It was actually pretty painless. Electronic, from my checking account.”
“You keep that kind of money in your checking account?” Spencer asked.
“I keep a half million, just in case.”
Spencer shook his head. “Okay. Let’s go over this again. You know the layout. There’s a police outpost at the gate, so it’ll actually be pretty safe for a meet,” he said, and swiveled back to the monitor, where a zoomed image of the fort dominated the screen. He tapped the screen with his forefinger. “I’ll be here, watching your back.”
“He said that if he spotted anything funny, he’d walk away and we’d never hear from him again. Or words to that effect.”
Spencer’s face hardened. “He won’t spot me.”
“How are we going to make sure he doesn’t pull a fast one on his end?” Drake asked.
“I’ve been thinking about that. Allie, you give me the private key for your wallet. When you’re ready to make the exchange, you call me. You’ll have a safeword to use so I know you’re fine, and I’ll make the transfer. It should be fairly instantaneous. If there’s a problem, don’t use the safeword, and I’ll stand down.”
“Which won’t help us,” Drake said.
“There’s risk to everything. But it sounds like he wants the money, so we have to believe he’ll perform. No tickee, no laundry.”
“I really wish Allie wasn’t involved in this part,” Drake protested.
“And I really wish you didn’t talk about me like some kind of object,” Allie snapped. “I’m right here. I can hear you just fine, and in case you haven’t noticed, I’m an adult. Besides which, it’s too late now.”
“You can call him and tell him it’s just going to be me.”
“And risk losing him? What’s the logic in that again?” Allie asked. Her voice softened. “Drake, I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself. I appreciate the concern, but it isn’t necessary. Spencer will be looking out for us. This is as good as it’s going to get.”
“We should buy a gun,” Drake said. “Several guns.”
“Just walk outside and start asking people where we can buy weapons?” Allie asked.
“Tell me there’s no black market here,” Drake countered. “Look around you and tell me that.” He turned to Spencer. “Ask your girlfriend where you can buy some drugs. She looks like she’d know.”
“What have you got against her? She’s been nice to me,” Spencer said.
Drake rolled his eyes. “Just do it. Clock’s ticking.”
“For the record, I think this is a terrible idea,” Allie said.
“Why? They already want him for murder one and me for helping. What are they going to do to us? Kill us twice?” Drake said.