Keeping Faith

Chapter Fifteen: Danger, Danger

      Tony glanced at his watch and then surveyed the horizon. He should be here by now. Come on Anthony, where are you?

Finally, Anthony appeared. He shook his head as he got out of the car, "Sorry, I didn't think I was ever going to get out of there." "You're sure no one followed you?" Anthony grinned, "Yeah, they followed me. But I lost them."

Tony questioned him, "Are you sure?" He nodded, "Yeah." Tony gave him a hug, "How are you holding up?" Anthony inhaled deeply, "I'm surviving."

"And David?" Tony urged.

Anthony shook his head, "I haven't really got to see much of him to tell you the truth. They are always keeping us apart. But I do know he has made contact with the vice president of their ring...he said it is Darien Clark — you know, that television guy. Anyway, he said he's been compromised because he met Darien in Aspen or something."

Tony shook his head, "I need to get you two out of there." Anthony protested, "No, he said to give him a little more time. He said he's sure we can crack this before it's too late."

"If they know who he is then it's already too late, you know that!" Anthony nodded, "I know, but the thing is Darien can't prove it. At least if he can, he's not. We don't know why, but he is just letting David come back and forth without a word."

Tony shook his head, "I don't like it. It's too risky. And believe me, I've had my share of risk." He rubbed his neck where a scar still remained. Anthony nodded, "I know, but please Tony. Just give us a little more time."

Tony nodded, "Fine. I'll give you forty-eight hours. No more." He placed a hand on Anthony's shoulder, "I can't lose you guys, okay?" Anthony nodded, "I understand. Do me a favor?"

Tony shrugged his shoulders, "Sure, anything kid." "David said something that maybe didn't really mean anything, but it struck me funny."

"What did he say?" Tony questioned.

Anthony drew in a shaky breath, "He said that he thinks there might be a link here with Gino. He didn't tell me what, other than there was more going on than we knew."

"Uh huh...Yeah. Who?" Jonathan demanded of Tony through the phone. Tony repeated the name, "Cora Beth." Jonathan shouted, "Tony, you've got to pull David out now!"

"Why, who is she?" "Cora Beth is a cryptonym." "A what?" Tony queried. Jonathan sighed, "A secret code name. Cora is a feminine name derived the word 'core' or a type of granite. It's code for the name Grant. And Beth is just short for Elizabeth — Elizabeth Grant. Gino's girlfriend!"