She pulled her hand away and then came to her feet. “Actually it is. What’s more, down deep I guess I expected just this response. That doesn’t mean it hurts any less.” She blinked away her tears, more set than ever on her course and unwilling to ever let this man make her cry again. Too many years, too many tears.
“We understand each other, Robert. Just as we always have. I’ve given you my all. Now it’s time for me to take care of me.”
* * *
Zoe marched straight back to her office, any indecision having evaporated.
She picked up her phone and called David Cheng.
“Hi, David, it’s Zoe. I’m ready to hear your offer.”
“Great.” He sounded more than pleased. “Let’s meet for a drink at Jake’s. What time is good for you?”
“There’s no time like the present. How about three o’clock?”
“Done. I’ll bring our offer in writing. You’ll see firsthand how much we value our partners. In anticipation of us striking a deal, why don’t you bring a copy of Nano’s org charts? That way, we can start making money together sooner.”
“That works for me. See you at three.”
Zoe disconnected the call and dialed Jen’s extension.
; “Can you sit at my desk for the rest of the afternoon?” Zoe almost smiled as she asked. Jen would jump at this chance. She might be just a seat-holder. But she’d relish any interaction with their CEO.
Sure enough, Jen sounded delighted. “No problem, Zoe. Is everything okay?”
“I just have a splitting migraine. Tell that to Robert if he asks.”
Sava Bridge, Zagreb
28 February
Wednesday, 11:25 p.m. local time
The night was winter cold, with only a few pedestrians making their way across the arched bridge that spanned the old and new sections of Zagreb. There was a second bridge a short distance away, where a small stream of cars was moving in both directions, but the bridge on which Marc waited was solely a pedestrian bridge, where walkers, joggers, and bikers were free to travel without vehicle interference. Tonight, few of them were taking advantage of that opportunity, given the dipping temperatures and the lateness of the hour.
Marc leaned against the railing of the bridge, staring out across the smooth, dark waters of the Sava. The lights cast by the occasional streetlamps flickered off the river surface, reflecting off the snow-covered trees and making them glisten. A picture-perfect postcard, were Marc here for the scenery. But he was not.
He knew he was early. A quick glance at his watch confirmed that fact. Ten minutes to go. He pushed away from the railing, instinctively glancing to his left and to his right before reaching down his shirt, feeling for the slide switch on the transmitter, and moving it to the on position. A couple of seconds later, he could hear the sounds of Philip’s voice coming through his earpiece.
Speaking at a normal volume, he sought the verification he needed. “Philip, can you hear me?”
“Loud and clear,” Philip replied in Marc’s earpiece. “At your end?”
“Crystal.”
“Good.” A pause, during which Marc could visualize Philip scanning the area.
“No sign of them yet,” Philip reported. “But it shouldn’t be long now. Sorry you don’t have your Rambo knife to play with while you wait.”
Marc didn’t smile. “Evidently, that’s for the best,” he replied. When he’d spoken with Danijel a short while ago, he’d felt obligated to be forthcoming. And Danijel had told him—no, ordered him was more like it—to leave the knife behind.
“This is a key contact I’m setting you up with,” he’d said in a tone that shut the door on any argument. “I’ve worked with him before and kept him out of prison more than once. But feel lucky that he agreed to talk to you. He’s not a big talker. You won’t get a second chance. So use this one wisely. Know who you’re dealing with. This is not a violent man. Let’s say he arranges shipments for a competing Albanian group.”
Okay, drugs. Marc got it. “So he’s doing this because he owes you?” he’d asked.
“Partly. But also because the Sallaku family was responsible for killing his brother. His desire for vengeance is great. But his fear is greater. If you show up with a weapon, he’ll bolt. Leave the knife at the hotel, or I’m calling off this meeting.”