Page 57 of Dangerous Liaisons

Chapter Forty-Three

Jesse now understood why Perez hadn’t killed Cole in the village. Cole was the only witness to the fact Green Leader was selling national secrets to the most notorious Colombian drug lord of their time. Perez would have told Cole everything he told her. Yet Cole hadn’t admitted to the meeting because he feared she would deduce that he knew Lanton was guilty. Why hide that fact? Why not use to convince her he was on her side?

Too damn many questions. No real answers.

“What do you want?” Jesse demanded of Perez.

“The same thing you do.”

Who was wagging the dog now? Lanton set up Perez, and now Perez had the only two people who could put Green Leader behind bars.

“How about that? Lanton thought I could get you for him, and you think I can get him for you. Funny how I became so popular all of a sudden.”

“I offer you what you want.”

“Why should I make a deal with you?”

“Because we want the same thing. We can work together.”

“You don’t expect me to accept a position in your organization.”

Perez laughed. “No. This is not the movies. I simply propose a deal for our mutual benefit, not a relationship.”

“And what might that be?”

“Mr. Smith is in league with our common enemy. We must take his power, then I will give you proof Robert Lanton is on my payroll. You clear your name and I have made an example of him.”

“What guarantee do you have I won’t come back for you?”

Perez flashed another smile. “You won’t.”

The two words conveyed a world of innuendo: You are not the assassin that Cole Smith is.

Jesse swallowed against the lump in her throat. “If I find out you lied about Maria Hamilton, I’ll be back and, this time, you won’t see me coming.”

“Then I have nothing to worry about.”

Only a lifetime of karma to pay back for all the other children’s lives you’ve ruined.

Jesse nodded gave a single nod of acknowledgement.

Perez’s eyes glittered. “I will now show you how to take Lanton’s power. Together, we must take our revenge.”

A chill settled over her. “Revenge?”