CHAPTER SIX
Artyan Vitas had been seething with anger for three days, since he’d screwed up. He’d been sitting behind the wheel of his rental car for hours now, watching catering and flower vans make deliveries to the Danforth residence. It was six p.m.
A dark-blue Lincoln Towncar drove up and parked in front of the house. A middle-aged man and a young woman got out of the car and walked up the path toward the front door. Vitas recognized the man – he’d been with Danforth on Connecticut Avenue three days ago. He felt a bolus of anger rise inside him at the memory of his failure. Then he concentrated on the woman. Where have I seen her? The connection wouldn’t come. He concentrated on her shapely body. She wore a black sheath and black high heels. Her long, thick, black hair cascaded over her shoulders and down the middle of her back.
He imagined getting his hands on her tight young body. His vision wavered momentarily, distorted as though under water. He forced himself to focus on his mission. Suddenly he recognized her. Karadjic’s Gypsy fortune-teller! Miriana Georgadoff. That’s it! Olga Madanovic had given him information about the Gypsy girl. Serb intelligence had given him the girl’s photograph. But it can’t be, Artyan thought. Here in Washington, D.C.? Dressed like that! How the hell did she get here?
Yet it all made sense. She had been in on the plot to kidnap Karadjic. She’s working with the CIA. They brought her out of Yugoslavia. This is getting interesting, he thought, rubbing his crotch.
When the doorbell rang, Liz removed her apron and hung it on a hook by the refrigerator. The guests are arriving, she thought, glancing at the stove’s digital clock. She hurried to the front door and saw Jack Cole through the glass, standing next to a woman of about twenty, with blue eyes, black hair, and olive skin. She looks swimsuit-model perfect in that dress, Liz thought. She opened the door.
“Jack, thanks for coming,” Liz said with a sparkling smile. “And who’s this?”
Jack gave a little bow. “Let me introduce you to Miriana Georgadoff, a visitor from Yugoslavia.”
Liz shook the girl’s hand. “Come in, my dear. Even though you’re in the company of Mr. Cole, we won’t hold it against you.” She led them through the house to the backyard and pointed at a corner of the lawn. “Michael’s messing with the barbecue.”
“Where’s Bob?” Jack asked.
Liz felt her face get hot. She didn’t want to let Jack know how pissed off she was. Bob had promised to get home in time for Michael’s party. Just one broken promise in a series of thousands of broken promises. With Bob, work always seemed to come first. “He’ll be here any minute,” she said.
“Hey Mike,” Jack said when he came through the door onto the patio, “You look great.”
“Thanks, Uncle Jack, it’s good . . ..” Michael inhaled an audible breath when Miriana stepped from behind Jack, then exhaled loudly. Unfortunately for him, the sound came out as a whistle. Jack laughed while Michael’s face turned crimson.
“Michael, meet Miriana Georgadoff.”
Michael put out his hand and shook Miriana’s. “Nice to meet you,” he said.
“You have a nice whistle,” she laughed, a devilish grin showing on her face.
“Oh, jeez,” Michael said, his complexion turning even redder than before.
“Why don’t you take Miriana over to the bar, Mike? You look like you could use a cold drink.”
Michael gave Jack an embarrassed look, then touched Miriana’s elbow. “Would you like something to drink?” he asked.
YOU ARE READING
EVIL DEEDS
Mistério / SuspenseEvil Deeds is the first in a 4-book series that follows the Danforth family from the kidnapping of their 2-year-old son in Greece in 1971 to present day. The book (and series) is a roller coaster ride of action and suspense. This book, as with all o...
