Secret Indiscretions (Sue Thomas FBEye)

Chapter Eighteen

"Raphael?" Kav stared at the man sitting at the table. "What is going on?"

Bobby and the investigating officer leaned against the wall and watched.

"Get her out."

"Now, that's not very nice, mate," Bobby objected with a smirk. "Kavina is paying you a visit."

"Why the crazy accusations, Raphael? They say Tosca left for South America with some criminal named Carlos or Joey."

"They're lying to you, Kav."

"Then why is she with him at the airport when she's supposed to be with you?"

"What makes you think she'd be with me?"

"Four days ago, she packed her suitcase and said she was going on a romantic getaway with YOU," she accused, trying to make sense of the situation. "She never mentioned him. Do you know who he is?"

The man retreated behind another wall of silence.

"That's very rude, mate, to ignore a pretty woman. Joey is Raphael's trustworthy childhood friend," he volunteered the information to Kavina.

"You know him?" She stared at Raphael who was clamming up even tighter. "Is Tosca involved with him? Why are there pictures of him driving MY car in DC? You're a mechanic. Did you fix my car so I wouldn't know?"

"Forget your damn car," he retorted. "They have no proof."

"No proof? Then why am I here?" she yelled. "I'm accused of smuggling money in mom's cane."

"They didn't find any money, did they?" He glared at the investigators. "They're fishing, Kav, so just keep your mouth shut."

"But I have nothing to hide. I... They are right," she suddenly said after drawing her own conclusions. "You gave mom the cane. You're in with that Joey guy. Tosca was the one who suggested DC for our trip. How did you drag her into this? Were you blackmailing her?"

"Your loyalty to your girlfriend is admirable, Raphael," the officer observed when he remained silent.

"Especially considering she dumped you for him, mate. But I wouldn't expect any visits from her while you're rotting in jail. She'll be too busy enjoying her freedom and your money."

"She doesn't have the—" But he shut his own mouth too late.

The officer and Bobby exchanged a glance.

"You think she doesn't have what? The money? Is that why you think she didn't leave you?" the officer probed. "I hate to break it to you, son, but I think you underestimated her."

"Come on, officer, Raphael wasn't stupid enough to share his cache with her. But that would hurt, mate, if she cleaned you up before taking off with your buddy," he said, seeing doubts crossing Raphael's face.

"One way or another, you're going down, son. We have enough to charge you and convict you. And when the FBI finds your prints on the money they confiscated, they will add more charges."

"But if you give us your accomplices and clients, maybe I can convince my government to let you serve your sentence in a cosy Canadian jail instead of deporting you in the States. Trust me when I say our hospitality is overrated in penitentiaries."

"I'm not going down alone. Your mother and sister are coming down with me," he spat at Kavina. "And it's your fault for helping the police."

"My fault? You're a pathetic loser. What did you do to them?"

"Let's go, Kavina," Bobby said, firmly nudging her towards the door.

***

"Where are Hudson and Thomas going this morning?" asked Volodymyr as he watched them exit the hotel.