Page 134 of Code 6
They just sat down. Asian guy with the girl.
Kate put her phone away.
“Diego, turn up the volume on the audio feed,” she said.
“If I turn it any louder, there’s too much static from the background noises around them.”
Kate put her ear to the car speaker. As they made their third trip around the block, she listened to the conversation at the table inside Club Siloé.
Chapter 62
Liu entered Club Siloé with a beautiful woman on his arm. If Olga was going to accompany him, she had to look the part. A backless dress would have been sexier, but Javier’s knife had done its own brand of salsa dancing there. She looked hot enough in his second choice. Red was her color. A little makeup went a long way to hide the worry lines of captivity.
“Say nothing,” he reminded her, as the hostess led them to the Cruz booth.
Liu had reserved this particular booth with purpose. Its proximity to the fire exit, an avenue of escape, had made it narcos’ table of choice in Cali’s drug-trafficking heyday.
“Speak only ifIask you a question,” he said. “Understand?”
“Yes.”
Ten steps from the booth, he made eye contact with Peel. He didn’t recognize the man beside him, but his instructions had expressly allowed for “one bodyguard,” and he had no doubt that Peel had chosen a capable one. The hostess placed two more menus on the table. Liu slipped her a hundred-dollar bill and said they wanted to be left alone. She smiled and stepped away.
“Don’t sit,” said Peel, before they could slide into the booth. “Your old friend here hasn’t seen you in a while. He wants to give you a hug.”
The bodyguard rose and embraced Liu. It was a patdown, in actuality, and Liu went along with it.
“Great to see you again,” said the bodyguard, satisfied. He returned to his seat. Olga took a seat directly opposite Peel. Liu followed, sitting across from the bodyguard.
“Doesn’t Olga look terrific, Jeremy? All grown up, just for you. I meandressedup. Freudian slip.”
“Can we get on with this,” said Peel. “We agreed on ten minutes. I’ve been waiting at least that long. You’re lucky I didn’t leave.”
“And you’re lucky you’re still alive,” said Liu, and then he addressed the bodyguard. “Just so my old friend here is in the loop, this is our second go at this transaction. The first time, we paid in full, but Mr. Peel didn’t deliver in full. He left something out. Patrick Battle calls it Code Six. I don’t know if that’s a real name or not. But whatever was missing the first time better be on the flash drive the second time.”
“Don’t threaten Mr. Peel,” said the bodyguard.
“What’re you gonna do, shoot me? Then what, genius? You keep the girl, and nobody ever sees or hears from Patrick Battle again? Tell him, Olga. Even if your life depended on it, could you find your way back to Patrick?”
She hesitated, as if making double sure she was allowed to answer. “No. I couldn’t.”
“There you have it,” said Liu. “That’s why I’m not afraid to come here unarmed. And why you, pea brain, shouldn’t even think of reaching for that pistol you have strapped to your ankle.”
Peel and his bodyguard didn’t deny he was armed. “Let’s all just take a breath and relax,” said Peel.
“How ’bout the two of you shut up and listen,” said Liu. “Here’s the deal. You give me the flash drive. Olga stays here. I take the flash drive to Patrick. If he can show me it’s real, I let him go, and all is cool. If it’s bullshit, I come for you, Jeremy. And next time, I plan to bring my benzene, gasoline, and plenty of Styrofoam cups.”
“Bringwhat?” asked Peel.
“Homemade napalm,” said his bodyguard.
“I fucking burn you alive,” said Liu. “Not a pleasant way to go. Hurts just to have all that gel smeared on your skin. Right, Olga?”
A moment of hesitation, and then she responded. “Yes. It hurts a lot.”
“Especially around the eyes,” said Liu. “After a few minutes, most people end up begging me to light them up just to get it over with.”
Peel laid the flash drive on the table but kept it close, covering it with his hand. “I’m not betting my life on Patrick’s ability to convince you this is real.”