Lose Your Breath (Detectives Kane and Alton)

“By the roof.” Farid grinned. “The buildings are close together. You can easily step from one to another across the rooftops but no one will expect to find you here. Come inside. People seeing you coming and going will think you are here to buy clothes. Just the right place for your wife to visit. Everything she needs is here. You as well. Go inside. They are expecting you. I must go but I’ll be back very soon.”

Dave collected the bags and led Annie into the store. It was like going back in time. He waited for a man to come out from the back, with one hand on his sidearm and Annie safely behind him. He peered at the small man. “We are friends of Farid.”

“Yes, come this way. The rooms upstairs belonged to my son and his wife but they were killed last year in an explosion. We live on the other side. It’s small but has everything you need.” He glanced at Annie and then back at Dave. “There is food and hot water. Clothes for your wife as ordered.” The man paused for a few seconds as if waiting for something. “I’m sure you’ll be comfortable.”

Dave had wads of cash in his pockets, just in case he’d have to leave his bag behind. All the US bills he’d stashed in his backpack. They’d need cash to get out of trouble if the evac went to hell. He slid his hand inside his pocket and pulled out folded bills. He handed them to the man and his eyes widened. Dave smiled at him. “More than enough for your trouble don’t you agree?”

“You are very generous.” The man held the wad of bills as if it were precious jewels.

Dave hadn’t been born yesterday. He understood loyalty was a commodity easily bought and betrayal rampant in this neck of the woods. He removed his sunglasses and eyeballed him. “I’m no fool. I can make you rich or dead. It’s your decision. Are we clear?”

“Most certainly.” The man tucked the money away and waved a hand toward the back of the shop. “Through the curtain and up the stairs, the door on the left. You are most welcome in my humble home.”

Moving to the steps, Dave motioned Annie to wait. He leaned into her and dropped his voice to just above a whisper. “Watch him. If he goes for his phone, tell me. If he does anything suspicious, tell me. I’ll clear the room. Don’t move until I come get you.” When she nodded, he turned away and checked every step, looking for tripwires and found none. He moved into the room and searched the small space with a bathroom, noting the pull-down steps leading to the roof. Heat from a fireplace brushed his face and a savory smelling concoction came from a pot bubbling over the flames. A double bed and a small table and two wooden chairs took up the rest of the space. He went back to the stairs and waved Annie toward him.

The shop owner had supplied many of the things he’d requested. A set of warm clothes sat folded on one end of the bed. He looked through them, finding three changes of women’s undergarments and a clean dress and burka. He didn’t need anything. He carried extra clothes in his backpack. Food included dates, cheese, and bread. He checked through a box of supplies and found a jar of instant coffee. Ambrosia. When Annie came into the room puffing like a train, he locked the door and helped her out of her dress in order to remove the backpack. His gaze moved over the purple bruises coming out over her lower back and elbows. She’d been hurt in the fall and hadn’t said a word. He ground his teeth. “Why didn’t you tell me you were injured?”

“I didn’t want to slow us down.” Annie picked up the clothes and examined them. She seemed oblivious to the fact she was in her underwear.

Dave averted his eyes and waved to his backpack. “I have a med kit. Morphine and other meds.”

“I don’t need morphine just yet. Tylenol maybe?”

Dave kept his eyes on the floor. “Sure. I’ll find you some and then check on the food.” He waved her toward the bathroom. “I’m guessing you’ll want to wash up first? Maybe take the clean clothes in with you?”

“You can look at me, Dave. I wear less than this on the beach.” Annie held the clothes to her chest. “Do you have a comb?”

“Sure.” Dave pulled off his robe and took a comb from a pocket and handed it to her. “Don’t use all the hot water. It’s a luxury here.” He cleared his throat. “If you need to rinse out your underwear, I’ll rig up a line in front of the fire. I’ll be doing mine.”

“Copy that.” Annie grinned at him and hurried into the bathroom.

Chapter Fourteen

The tiny bathroom had no shower but a tin hip bath with a plug in the bottom sat under the taps beside a toilet. The rust-stained hand basin had a small cabinet above, containing a few toiletries. They’d supplied the essentials, soap, shampoo, and towels. Annie examined the sponge on the sink. It appeared clean enough and after soaping it up in the hand basin and washing it thoroughly, she added a small amount of hot water to the hip bath and bathed. She couldn’t imagine how Dave could possibly use the hip bath as she’d had enough trouble getting cleaned up, and washing her hair under the tap had been a nightmare. She’d dried off as best she could and then rinsed her underwear in the sink. After dressing in the thick undergarments they’d kindly supplied, which covered her from neck to ankles, she combed her hair and, teeth chattering, returned to the other room.

She hung her underwear on the makeshift washing line above the mantel and took the blanket Dave offered her and draped it around herself. She smiled at him. “Thanks.” She peered into the pot he’d been stirring on the fire. “What do you think that is?”

“I’ve no idea.” He covered the pot and looked up at her. “Best we don’t ask and just eat it. It’s been simmering for some time and smells okay. I’d say this is breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The dates and cheese are staples around this area. Fresh bread is a bonus.” He gave her a long look. “When I’m in the bathroom, don’t go near the window or open the door if anyone knocks. They wouldn’t expect you to speak to anyone, so just tell me if anyone shows.” He stood and removed his flowing robes. “Do you mind, if I strip down? I won’t be able to turn around in the bathroom.”

Shaking her head, Annie averted her gaze. “Go right ahead. You can’t do anything to embarrass me.”

He said nothing but gave a little snort.

Annie dragged one of t

he chairs over to the fire and sat down. As she combed her wet hair over the heat, she snuck a peek at him. He looked so different in his fatigues, and when he undressed and stood there in brown skivvies, she had to force her attention back to the fire. She’d been surrounded by Marines all her life and the size of him didn’t intimidate her at all, but his raw masculinity made her toes curl in a good way. She relaxed when he closed the bathroom door and got up to search around for plates. Hunger gnawed at her belly and whatever it was in the pot cooking, she didn’t care anymore.

It took Dave less than ten minutes to wash up and return in fresh skivvies, his hair wet and glossy like a seal. He’d washed his clothes as well and hung them to dry. When he’d dressed, she handed him a plate and he scooped out food for both of them. Annie tasted the meal with apprehension, but the savory meat dish was okay, very oily and the meat tough but it filled her belly along with some of the bread. Dave had offered her half the loaf but she’d pulled a little off and handed it back to him. She’d heard his stomach growling since they’d met but he’d always offered her the food and eaten just enough to survive. “You need to eat. I’ve never eaten much and we need you to be strong. I’ll tell you if I’m hungry, so please eat your fill.”

“I’ve money to buy more food now we’re in the city.” Dave dipped the bread into the gravy. “We’ll be sick of cheese and dates by the time we leave but they’re plentiful here. They’re good enough to survive on for some time. I’ll make sure to take some with us when we leave here.”

Annie took the kettle from the fire and filled two cups, adding the instant coffee. She handed him one. “No sugar or cream but it’s better than nothing.”

“Ambrosia.” Dave sniffed the brew. “You’d better go get some sleep when you’re done. I’ll fix the dishes and take the first watch.”

As Annie had slept in the truck, she shook her head. “Nope, I’m wide awake. I insist you get a few hours shut-eye. How long has it been since you’ve slept?”

“I’ve lost track but I’ll only need four hours.” He inserted an earpiece in one ear. “I’ll check in first.” He handed her his Glock. “If anyone forces their way through that door when I’m asleep, don’t hesitate. I’ll wake but you’ll have the edge. Understand?”