Page 9 of Hostile Extraction
“We getting any help from the feds?” Al asked.
“We’ll have some assets from the FBI, all on the down low, of course. We can’t tip off their mole.”
“You think it's possible?” Stan pointed to the photo. “Getting into one of these auctions? Pulling off a charade like that? What’s Dusty going to be? A Russian Oligarch?” Stan turned to Dusty. “You speak Russian, buddy?”
“This isn’t a joke,” Chris replied.
Stan straightened. “I’m not joking.”
“We’ll work the details out. What I need to know is if you boys are in or out. I can’t pay on this one. We do it for free. If any of you aren’t good with that, I’ll understand.”
Grady looked around the table. “I say we’re either all in or all out.” He raised his hand. “I’m in.”
Big Al raised his hand. “Let’s nail this guy.”
“I agree.” Chris nodded.
Dusty raised his hand and looked over at Stan, who stared back at him, chewing on that damn straw, until finally he pulled it from his mouth and grinned, then slapped Dusty on the shoulder. “Of course, I’m in, douchebag. You think I’d miss all the fun?”
Dusty let out the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding and smiled. “Thanks, man. Thanks, all of you.”
There was a tap on the door, and Heather stuck her head in. “They’re here, Chris.”
“Thanks, Heather. Show them in.”
Dusty stood as Carter walked in with a woman. “Thanks for coming so quickly.” The two friends embraced, and Dusty backslapped him, then searched Carter’s eyes. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” Carter stepped back. “This is Emily. Asia’s BFF.”
Dusty shook her hand. “Thanks for coming.”
“Of course. Thank you for helping us. I’ve been so worried.”
Dusty gestured to Chris. “This is my boss, Chris Draper. He owns Tri Star. We have him to thank for agreeing to take on the case.”
“Sit down. Please. Would you like something? Coffee? Tea?” Chris gestured to some open chairs.
“No thank you,” Carter murmured, pulling out a seat for Emily.
“I’m fine,” she replied, slipping the strap of her purse from her shoulder.
“Tell us whatever you know about what’s happened,” Chris requested.
Carter folded his hands. “My sister, Asia, has led a very sheltered life. My parents were very protective. Overly so. To the point some would say restrictive. She’s their only daughter. She was brought up in a strict catholic home. She wasn’t allowed the freedom most girls her age were allowed.”
Chris nodded. “Go on.”
“Naturally, she resented it, grew to hate it, in fact. Six months ago, she ran off. Moved in with a friend who had an apartment in Miami. My parents disowned her. I was on a mission trip to Central America. I didn’t find out about any of this until about three weeks ago when I got back.” Carter nodded to Emily. “Emily can fill you in on more.”
The petite blonde cleared her throat. “I’ve been worried about Asia since she moved in with Mandy. Mandy was always a free spirit. I think Asia always envied her. When Mandy said she was moving to Miami, I think Asia saw it as a chance to go with her and escape. Mandy’s parents have money, so it wasn’t a big deal to her to have Asia come stay with her. I know Asia couldn’t afford to pay rent. She’d been looking for a job, but as far as I know, she hadn’t found one. We’d stayed in touch while I was in college. Asia had been envious of the fact that I got to go to school, and her parents hadn’t allowed her to go.” Emily looked at Carter. “She told me they said college was a waste of money for girls who were just going to get married. It’s like 1950s thinking. I’m sorry, Carter, but it is.”
Carter held his hands up. “Don’t apologize.”
“Anyway,” Emily continued, “I tried to keep in touch. I was worried about her for all the reasons Carter stated. She’s been so sheltered. The last few weeks, all Asia’s talked about was this new man she’d met through an acquaintance. She was absolutely infatuated. She talked about him like he was the original Prince Charming or something. He was supposedly good-looking, rich, well-mannered, and treated her like a queen. The next thing I know, she’s telling me they’re engaged and planning a wedding. I spoke with Mandy, and she said Asia moved out a week ago. She gave me the address Asia had left her to forward her mail.” Emily took a breath, splaying her hands. “Suddenly Asia stopped taking my calls. Everything went straight to voicemail for a while, then I started getting a message that her number was no longer in service. Of course, I went to the address Mandy had given me. There were these big goons at the door who wouldn’t let me in. They said they’d inform Miss Fox that I had called.” She looked at Chris. “Something is off. I’m afraid something’s happened to her. This isn’t like Asia. She’d never refuse to see me. I’m her best friend.”
Chris nodded. “It seems your fears are well founded. I’ve looked into Nico Amorosi, and what I’ve uncovered is not good news.”
“What did you find?” Carter leaned forward.