Sandman (Unknown Identities #3) (11 page)

“
Don’t think I’ll go into hiding,” she said, pulling him from his dismal thoughts. “Not without you.”

“
You should.” He warmed to the idea. “That gives me time to take him out and join you later.”

“
No,” she said. She paced to the window and then turned, her face brightening with a sudden smile.

How was that even p
ossible under the circumstances? Then he remembered that look. It often preceded her enthusiasm for a new adventure. “What are you thinking?”

“
I was raised with the understanding that
family
comes first.”

He looked away, afraid
of where she was heading with this. Leaving her was the smart thing to do, for both of them, but the thought caused him something close to physical pain, exacerbated by the knowledge that she’d never stopped loving him.

“
Relax.” She rushed across the room and wrapped him in a soft, unshakable embrace. “Let me make a phone call or two. Do you think they have a fax machine here?”

“
I don’t know.”

“
Either way, I can make it work. Then we’ll go meet your boss. I’ll tell you the rest on the way.”

Manhattan, New Year’s Eve, 1:27 p.m.

Renata watched Matthew square off against the man in the gray suit, hoping with every heartbeat she hadn’t overestimated the value of the angle they were bargaining with. They should have done it his way, she thought, and simply disappeared, assumed dead. This had the potential to backfire a dozen different ways. Why had she argued so hard for this?

Because she was greedy. She wanted Matthew
and
her family. She wanted closure and security. Now all of her wants might very well cost her everything.

The other man, in his expensive, perfectly tailored clothing, looked like the next
mature cover model for GQ magazine. It was easy to see why Matthew assumed the man wouldn’t get his hands dirty with something like a murdered museum curator or dangerous research.

Still, s
omething about him put her on edge. Something more than knowing this man had faked Matthew’s death and ordered the hit on Rafe. The man came off too slick, too calculating. He appeared relaxed, as he took a seat and crossed his legs. He felt safe here, and the arrogance she’d noted at social events they’d both attended in other countries was obvious. So were the signs of stress and hyper-vigilance in the way he adjusted his cuff links and scanned the room behind Matthew.

She
’d spotted the other suits, the guard detail Matthew warned her about. One man stood outside the main door and the other was loitering at the landing on the restaurant’s second level. She didn’t turn, didn’t need to look to know there would be another man somewhere behind her, covering the kitchen access.

It wasn
’t unlike a diplomatic mission with all of the security and posturing and she understood. The man had interests and secrets he didn’t intend to risk.

Welcome to the club, she thought. At least this time it was two against one, since she and Matthew
were operating as a team. Without going into classified or gory details, Matthew had admitted much of what he’d done for UI had been for the good of the general population, but that didn’t mean it had all been legal.

He
’d been clearing the air, giving her the option to turn him away. She wasn’t about to desert him no matter what he told her. It just wasn’t a viable option.

They
’d arrived separately, but she’d felt him keeping watch until she was safely seated inside. As she watched him, she was relieved beyond words that they would have a second chance. And grateful he appeared calm despite everything riding on this one conversation.

If the man in the gray suit
wouldn’t accept Matthew’s proposal or her terms, they would find another solution. Between her connections and his, there would be options. Even if those choices posed a bigger risk than this one. She would not stop until he was free of the system that had nearly destroyed both of them in different ways.

“
Pardon me.”

Renata glanced up, distracted by the stranger who had suddenly appeared at her table. His suit, also an understated gray, looked eerily similar to that of the man meeting with Matthew, right
down to the colors and pattern of the tie. His sable hair was swept back from his face, his mouth tilted in a cagey half smile, and his eyes were brown. He leaned close enough that she could see flecks of gold in his irises.

“
A woman so lovely should not dine alone.”

She swallowed
, not at all certain what to do with this unexpected development. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m waiting for someone,” she said, opting to play it like a pick up effort gone bad.

“
I know.” He snickered and flashed a wide grin that made her shiver. “For now, that someone is me.”

“
You.” Ah, this was the man who’d been in the barn. The invisible man who’d helped them escape and provided them with the bed and breakfast reservation. She watched, a cold fear rendering her mute, as he pulled out the chair across from hers. Was he still on their side or was he working against them now?

He
r unwelcome guest cleared his throat. “You are aware your friend there is dealing for his life. And yours.”

“
Yes.” Her hand shook slightly as she raised the water goblet to her lips.

“
Good. I won’t stay long, I promise.”

“
Good?” she echoed.

“
Let’s play a game.” He rested his forearms on the table and leaned forward. “I will ask you questions. Yes is the only acceptable answer, but when you mean ‘no’, touch the stem of your water glass. Do you understand?”

She nodded.

His eyes darted to her hand, perfectly still on her napkin. “Very good.”

“
Do you have the evidence to protect Sandman?”

“
Yes.”

“
Is it on your person?”

“
Yes,” she said, running her finger down the stem of her glass.

“
Good.” His smile didn’t ease her fear. “Are you prepared to use it?”

She brought her hands together, adjusting her ring.
“Yes.”

“
You impress me.” He leaned back from the table. “I expected you to be scared, but you’re tough. It might be some time before you have to expose that evidence. Will you hesitate?”

Never
. Her answer sang through her system, restoring her courage. From this moment forward, Renata knew she would always do whatever it took to protect Matthew, their relationship, and their future. She reached for her water glass as she nodded an affirmative reply.

“
Excellent.” This time his smile lit up his eyes in a way that made him look almost friendly. “You’ll do. I had to be sure. He’s one of my favorites.”

Renata gaped at him
. “Who
are
you?”

“
Doesn’t matter.” He pulled a small white envelope from his pocket and slid it across the table. “Keep that little gem safe with the evidence you hold. If I get caught with it, they’ll kill me. Oh,” he tipped his head toward Matthew and the man in the gray suit, “his name is Gabriel. Be sure you use it. And when you’re done, have him check his phone.”

She was surprised her hand was steady as she tucked the envelope into her purse. Whatever
the trouble, she and Matthew would face it together. No turning back, not that she wanted to make any kind of move without him by her side.

“
As my gift to the two of you, Gabriel will be hip deep in a new crisis far from New York within two hours.” He stood, pausing for a moment longer. “We should all be so lucky as Sandman. Happy New Year, sweet lady.”

He was striding away before
she found her voice, but there was no time to dwell on it as she got the high sign from Matthew. He’d made a case for his separation from the program and been denied. No surprise there.

She crossed the restaurant with steel in her spine and determination in her step. Matthew
stood and pulled out a chair for her. The other man remained seated, hardly sparing her a look.

“
Gabriel,” she extended her hand to him. “A pleasure to meet you. Officially.”

His eyebrows twitched, but it was his only reaction.
“Ms. Vaccaro.” He raised a finger toward the man on the second floor landing. “A shame our acquaintance will be short lived.”

“
Oh, I do hope so.” She smiled sweetly. “But before you do anything drastic to hurry things along, I wanted to make our position and terms absolutely clear. Won’t you call off your dog?”

Gabriel looked
past Sandman, then back at her before assuming an absolutely bored mien. He adjusted his cufflinks. “What is clear to me is this appalling breach of security,” he said to her. “I’ve just explained the consequences to your old friend.”

Renata folded her hands on the table.
“You remember Matthew’s team, I’m sure. One young man by the name of Rafe survived a combat zone only to fall to senseless violence right here on the streets of New York City. Or so the papers reported.”

“
How tragic society has become.”

“
Yes. What you failed to consider while you were burying all the men who knew the truth, is Rafe’s father, Renaldo Vaccaro. Does the name ring a bell?” His narrowed gaze proved to her that he did indeed know the name. “My uncle still deeply mourns the death of his only son.”

“
Many families lose loved ones to senseless violence.”

“
True,” she agreed. But her family’s suffering stopped here. Today. “I might not be able to halt your ongoing enterprises, but should anything happen to Matthew or me, my uncle will learn what really happened to his beloved son. He will know
you
killed him.”

“
I did no such thing.”

“
I don’t suppose your word will be much good against a sworn statement from me, a member of the family, delivered through the family lawyers.” She stared him down.

Gabriel
blinked first. “What assurances do I have from you?”

She nodded thoughtfully, drawing all of her uncle
’s skill for intimidation around her like a cloak. “I can assure you we have no interest in seeing you or any of your associates ever again. I can assure you my uncle will make your life hell, so you suffer as he has suffered. I can assure you his reach is long and he strikes fear in his enemies for good reason. I can assure you he will start with your business interests and progress through your life like an unquenchable fire until he has dismantled and dismembered every last bit of you and your special interests. Are those the assurances you need?”

“
That’s hardly a reasonable arrangement.”

“
Did I misunderstand?” She turned to Matthew. “Did he offer you a reasonable arrangement?”

Matthew shook his head,
his eyes shining with laughter and pride. It made her bold. They’d taken a chance and were going to walk out of this situation as winners.

“
Then I believe our business is almost done.”

“
Almost?”

She felt the look Matthew slid her way
at the deviation from the plan and did her best to ignore it. “Check your phone.” With no idea what the strange man had planned, she hoped she hadn’t just overplayed her hand.

Gabriel looked at her oddly,
reaching into his pocket as the device in question rattled with incoming messages. His complexion suddenly resembled the crisp white collar of his shirt as the blood drained from his face.

She leaned closer and saw
a snapshot of his current bank statement, followed by the cover sheet of his most recent physical exam, and finally something that must have hit a bit closer to home.

She
ignored the chill dancing down her spine and kept her voice even. “Is that your son? It looks like he’s enjoying the holiday break. What a handsome snowman he’s made.”

Gabriel tucked his phone away.
“We have an understanding.”

“
How lovely,” she said, getting to her feet, sending out silent thanks to the stranger who’d helped them along. “Don’t forget that long reach.”

She didn
’t breathe easy until they were out of the restaurant and into a taxi, heading out of the city.

“
Well played,” Matthew said, giving her cold hand a squeeze. “You were brilliant.”

His praise chased away the last of the nerves and filled her with the warmth of security and promise.
“I think the pictures sealed it.”

“
Do I want to know where you got those?”

She shrugged.
“Your invisible friend told me to play it that way.” She reached into her purse. “He also gave me this.” She pulled out the envelope. “He said he’d have Messenger out of the city in less than two hours.”

“
Huh.” Matthew opened the envelope and showed her an invitation to a New Year’s Eve party at a pub in Times Square. “Must be nice to be invisible.”

“
He’s strange, but I’m glad he’s on your side.”

“
Our
side,” he said. “Are you ready to call your family?”

Definitely
, but she couldn’t decide where to go or who to speak with first. Selena who knew she’d been in trouble or her brother who’d only give her crap for not calling on Christmas Day? She could stop by Uncle Torry’s deli or head for Little Italy and let the rumor mill handle the rest. “I think we might as well keep the cabbie on retainer.”

Matthew laughed.
“If that’s what it takes, fine by me.”

“
What should we tell them about you?”

“
The truth.” He kissed her. “I was lost until you rescued me.”

* * *

Times Square,
New Year’s Eve, 9:48 p.m.