Capture Me: The Complete Trilogy

Chapter 10

10Lucas

Julian Esguerra is already in his office when I step in, the flatscreen monitors on the wall displaying news from all over the world. I take note of the Bloomberg one, where a reputable economist is forecasting another market crash.

It may be time to catch up with my investment manager.

I walk past a large oval conference table and approach Esguerra’s wide desk, which is populated with several computer screens. He’s on the phone, so he gestures for me to take a seat in one of the high-end leather chairs. I do so and wait for him to wrap up his conversation. Given the mention of Israeli border security, I’m guessing he’s talking with his contact at the Israeli intelligence agency, the Mossad.

After a minute, Esguerra hangs up and turns his attention to me. “How’s the interrogation going?” he asks. “Any progress so far?”

“A little,” I say with a shrug. “Nothing worth mentioning yet.” I don’t usually keep secrets from my boss, but I don’t want to discuss Yulia with him until I figure out the best way to approach the topic. Out of everyone on the estate, he’s the only one with the power to take her away from me—which means I need to tread carefully.

Esguerra’s harsh reputation is well deserved.

“Good.” He seems satisfied with my answer. “Now, on to the reason I wanted you here…”

“An urgent security matter, you said.”

“Yes.” He leans back, interlocking his hands behind his head. “Nora and I will be taking a trip to the States to visit her family. I’m going to need you to make sure we—and they—are fully protected for the duration.”

“You’re going to visit your wife’s parents? In Oak Lawn?” I’m convinced I must’ve misheard him, but he nods.

“We’ll be there for two weeks,” he says. “And I want the security to be top-notch.”

“All right,” I say. I’m fairly certain Esguerra’s lost his mind, but it’s not my place to say so. If he wants to enter a country where he’s technically wanted by the FBI and spend two weeks with the parents of a girl he kidnapped, married, and impregnated, that’s his business.

My job is to ensure he can do it safely.

“The new recruits are already far in their training, so we can take some of the more experienced guys with us,” I say, thinking out loud. “Two dozen should probably suffice.”

“That sounds about right. Also, I want armored vehicles for all of us, and a good supply of ammo.”

I nod, already thinking through the logistics of that. Some would say Esguerra’s being paranoid—bulletproof cars are hardly a necessity in the Chicago suburbs—but I don’t blame him for being cautious. Al-Quadar may have been squashed for now, but there are plenty of others who’d love to get their hands on him and his pretty young wife.

“I’ll make the arrangements,” I say, even as my chest tightens at the realization of what this trip will mean.

For two whole weeks, I’m going to be separated from my captive.

“How long do you think it’ll take to set everything up?” Esguerra asks. “Nora should be done with her exams in about a week and a half.”

“I’m guessing about two weeks.” Two weeks during which I’ll still have Yulia. “Procuring the cars and all the weapons will take some time, especially if we don’t want to set off any alarms at the FBI or CIA.”

“Good thinking. We definitely don’t want that.” Unlocking his hands from behind his head, Esguerra leans forward. “All right. Two weeks should be good. Thanks.”

I incline my head and stand up so I can leave and start making calls, but before I can turn away, Esguerra says, “Lucas, there’s one more thing.”

I stop, my attention caught by an unusual note in his voice. “What is it?”

“I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but my wife and her friend saw Yulia Tzakova in your house yesterday morning. Nora mentioned it to me today.”

“What?” That’s the last thing I expected him to say. “Why were Nora and her friend—Wait, what friend?”

“Rosa, our maid,” Esguerra says. “They’ve become close in recent months. I have no idea what they were doing over there, but you need to make sure your house is secure.” He pauses and gives me a grim look. “I don’t want Nora exposed to anything disturbing in her condition. Do you understand me?”

“Perfectly.” I keep my voice even. “I’ll keep an eye out for any visitors, I promise.”

And the next time I see Esguerra’s maid, I’m going to have a little talk with her.