“Don’t tempt me.”
Rising, we donned our jackets, then wended our way through the tables and diners toward the doors. I glanced back once but saw nothing of Arnaud. Nor did I guess he could see us. I didn’t like having him at my back, even in a public place. My father’s self-restraint could be thin at times.
The cold air slapped us in our faces, the chilling wind biting deep despite our coats. I slid my arm through Jade’s, hurrying across the parking lot to the Jeep. As I unlocked the doors, I glanced again at the restaurant, expecting to see Arnaud staring at us.
The doors stayed closed.
Once inside, I started the engine and drove from the lot, merging into the light traffic on the street.
“Should we go to his house?” Jade asked. “Now that we know where he is?”
“No.” I studied the mirrors for any followers. “He’s suspicious. We’re in his domain. We need hours to find what we need, he’ll eat fast, then head home. Dammit, I shouldn’t have chosen this place to take you.”
“I think I like having him on edge.” Jade looked over her shoulder. “Off balance. Make him wonder what we’re up to, why we’re so cozy together when you were the one to take me to him.”
“That would set him on edge,” I agreed. “He’s worried. But will he stand guard over his house, his precious records? Does he have a clue what we’re planning?”
“Let’s hope not. I’m not seeing a tail.”
“I’m going to make some funky turns just to make sure.”
Making random right and left turns, driving down quiet streets with little or no traffic, I concluded we weren’t tailed. Arnaud didn’t have any goons sitting in parked cars watching over him as he ate dinner with his sex slave.
“I think we’re good,” I commented. “Home?”
“Yeah.”
Something in her tone had me eyeing her sidelong. “You okay?”
“Yeah. No.”
“What’s wrong?”
Her face lit by the dashboard, she frowned, nibbling her lip I’d come to recognize as a sign she thought hard about something. “Why was Arnaud so open about flaunting a trafficked woman? It’s like, he’s so arrogant, no one cared a hoot about her. That she’s on something.”
“Would we have known she’d been brought to this country illegally to become a sex toy,” I asked, “had we not already known Arnaud made money trafficking humans?”
“Their age difference sticks out.”
I shook my head. “Rich dudes can have any women they want. Look at Hugh Heffner.”
“I see your point.” Jade sighed heavily. “I suppose that unless you knew what she was, she’s his arm candy.”
“Exactly. Not everyone can see she’s stoned. To the casual eye, they’re just another couple.”
“After seeing him with her,” Jade growled, “I really need to end him. End his business of bringing girls like her to this country to sell.” She met my gaze, her eyes as hard as green agates. “I’m really glad you convinced me to help you.”
“Somehow, I don’t think I can do this without your help.”
***
The next morning brought relative warmth for the season, permitting us to toss our jackets in the Wrangler’s back seat. Snow melted rapidly under the bright sunlight and unseasonal heat. I backed the Jeep from the garage, the tires sluicing wet on the driveway and street.
“Arnaud tends to sleep late,” I commented. “Especially since he, you know, with the girl, last night. We have time for some breakfast before there’s any chance he’ll leave the house.”
“Why are you so shy about saying he had sex with her?” Jade asked with a grin.
I coughed, clearing my throat. “It may not have been exactly consensual.”
