Eddie nodded. “Vloggers. We had one two months ago. When they couldn’t get permission to come in the proper way, they chartered a small plane and parachuted into the jungle. Naturally one of them broke an ankle, and we had to send a rescue party in. But it won’t stop others. Did you get a name?”
Luis shook his head. “A. Rose. That’s all we have. I don’t know if that stands for Andrew or Albert or what. Three white guys with backpacks. One of them has a limp, and they argued a lot.”
David didn’t know anyone with the last name of Rose, so Eddie was likely right. “They’re vloggers. They won’t stop here. They’ll go for the jungle where everyone thinks the hunt begins.”
“But you don’t, do you, Professor?” Luis pocketed the walkie, but the pistol was still in his hand.
“I’ve explained my thoughts on why I believe the treasure is closer than we think,” he murmured. He opened the folder. Despite the panic that was simmering in his gut, there was also a spark of excitement because he knew he was on the right path. He could figure this out.
He spread out the blueprints.
Luis’s radio crackled again, and he pulled it back out, walking to the other side of the room before responding.
“Maybe you should slow down,” Eddie whispered. “Surely someone will realize there’s a problem here at the estate. The maids will be back to work in a few days.”
David brought his gaze up to stare at Eddie. “I thought you wanted this over as quickly as possible.”
“I’m starting to think that’s a bad idea.” Eddie leaned in. “I’m sorry I got you into this. I didn’t think they would hurt anyone. I thought they wanted to keep everything as quiet as possible. They told me if you found the treasure they would let you go and then they would take what they wanted and I would get my son back. I just want him to be okay. I know this sounds stupid, and I wouldn’t have believed it could be true, but I saw that baby and I saw my father’s eyes staring back at me. Like I have a second chance.”
“I’m glad. I’m happy for you.” It was good Eddie seemed to be taking fatherhood seriously, but it didn’t change the situation. “I hope this works out and you get what you want.”
“What I want is for Camila to not be a part of this.” Eddie sat back. “And yet I do because if she is then they’re not in danger, you know?”
If she was in on it, Camila would be safe. Unlike Tessa.
He stared down at the blueprints, smoothing them out. He wasn’t sure what he was looking for. The dining room had a high ceiling, all the way up to the third floor where a skylight illuminated the room. Anyone walking overhead could look down and see the magnificent space where Montez used to hold court with some of the most fascinating people in the world.
That space was all accounted for. He was looking for missing space, something that wasn’t in the plans. Something hidden.
“That boy is my heart, and I think I was my father’s,” Eddie said with a sigh. “I wish I’d told him I loved him more.”
His heart. Montez referenced heart and river several times.
“I think you’re right.” Luis walked back up to the table. “My guy on the ground confirms the pilot was told they wanted to fly over the jungle and come back to the mainland. They’re not even getting off the chopper, so we’re fine. My men are taking a lunch break. When they’re done you’ll be brought food.”
“What about Tessa?” David asked.
Luis shrugged. “Your girlfriend is taking a nap.”
Tessa wouldn’t sleep. David found himself on his feet. “What the hell did you do to her?”
Luis rolled his eyes, but the gun was up at his side. “Calm down. Marta gave her a sedative so we could all take a break. She’s watching over her so no one touches your precious girl. I’m not a monster. I’m a man who owes other people money.”
“She’s helpless,” David heard himself growl. She wouldn’t be able to defend herself in any way.
“Hey, sit back down. She’s fine. Like I said, Marta is watching her while the others eat. We had to put her down because Marta’s an old lady, and I don’t trust that your girl couldn’t hurt her and get away. We can’t have that.” Luis pointed the weapon his way. “Now sit back down and get to work. Maybe if you get a good enough lead, I’ll let you see her.”
The radio crackled and then David would have sworn he heard someone scream in the distance.
Eddie stood up beside him. “What was that?”
“Sit back down.” Luis nodded to the man at the door. “Andá y mirás a los demás.”
The man rushed out with a nod.
Luis got on his radio, asking for his henchmen to check in.
Nothing but static.
“What’s going on?” Eddie asked, his eyes on the door.
Luis started toward it.
“Should we tackle him?” Eddie whispered.
David sighed because he was pretty sure what was coming. “Nah, I want her to have a clear line of sight. Us rushing him would create chaos, and if he got his hands on me that would throw her off her game. Best to let her do her job.”
He wasn’t sure how he knew, but he did. Tessa was coming for him, and he would make it easy on her. It was obvious that they had their roles in this relationship, and he wasn’t going to fight it.
But he was going to fight for her. He would show up at the McKay-Taggart building every day until she couldn’t stand it anymore and gave in to fate. He would show that woman that he was the man for her, and it started by trusting her.
“You should take cover now,” David said, moving to the side of the room so she didn’t have to worry about hitting him when she took Luis out.
The door flew open, and Luis’s arm came up, taking his shot right before his body flew back and hit the ground.
“I told you not on the carpets,” a disgruntled voice said.
“And I told you to buy a freaking steam cleaner.” Tessa came through the door wearing shorts and a T-shirt, all that dark hair piled high on her head. She stalked into the library, her eyes going around the room. “Anyone left in here?”
“No. It was only Luis. You get the one outside?” David stayed where he was, wanting to give her time to come down from what had to be an adrenaline high. His heart had sped up, though, because she was gorgeous.
“She gets them all,” a deeply accented voice said. Marta walked in behind her with a frown on her face. She pointed Eddie’s way. “I am not cleaning up all this blood, you understand. I am the cook. I do not clean, and especially not after messy Americans.”
Tessa picked up the gun Luis had dropped when she’d taken out both his lungs.
Damn. He was going to remember not to piss off his baby.
“I am not messy.” Tessa turned on Marta. “You are bossy as hell, and you don’t know what you’re doing. You’re a cook. Leave taking out the trash to the professionals.” She turned his way, and a brilliant smile crossed her face. “Hey, Professor. You okay?”
He crossed the space between them, careful to not step in all that blood. Marta was right about the mess, but he wasn’t saying a thing. Not about that. He did have a few things to say to Tessa. “I love you.”