Page 68 of Clive Cussler The Iron Storm

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The girl held out forthree days. Archie Abbott was impressed. With Al Tanner’s cops beating the bushes for her, he figured she would have gone to the bar a day or two ago. He knew she’d go there. It’s why he left his card with the bartender with instructions to give it to her when she showed up.

“Who told the cops about me? You?” she asked when he’d picked up his phone and identified himself. She had an accent that couldn’t mask her anger.

“It was easier to flush you out than for me to hunt you down. What is your name?”

“Hanna Muntean.”

“It’s nice to speak with you, Hanna. As you know from my card, my name is Archie and I’m a private detective, but not police. Do you understand?”

She ignored his trying to charm her. “You knew I would come to the bar? How?”

“It’s the only public place connecting you to Vano Hetzko. You had to go back to find out who convinced the police Vano’s death was murder and not a suicide.”

“I didn’t kill him,” she said at once.

Archie took it as a good sign that she didn’t want him to think she was a murderer. It was clear that she already cared what he thought of her.

“I never believed that you did. Neither do the police, now that I’ve talked to them.”

“I didn’t know he was going to kill him.”

“Balka Rath?”

“Yes.”

“What is he to you? How do you know him? Is he your boyfriend?”

“No,” she spat. “Never. Not if he was the last man on earth.”

It was clear from the vehemence of her denial that she once harbored strong feelings for him, love or her version of it, but now felt betrayed. This is good, Archie thought. He could use that.

“You need protection from him.”

“Now I do, thanks to you,” she shot back at him.

“You always did, only now you’re a priority because the police are involved. He can’t take the chance of you being interrogated. He’s hunting for you even as we speak.”

“No. He is on a mission with my brother.”

“What mission?”

“Do you think they tell me anything?”

She was scared and getting defensive. Archie had to be careful, or he’d lose her.

“Let me help you. We can protect you.”

“I can take care of myself.”

“Normally I would agree with you, but I don’t think you quite understand how dangerous Balka Rath really is. He’s part of a group back in Europe who will kill without a second’s thought. My partner is over there now. He’s seen them kill at least ten people, several in cold blood, one of them an injured soldier. They are savages, Hanna, and we believe they are on their way to New York led by Balka’s older brother, Karl. Even if Balka has a soft spot for you, his brother does not, and he will order your death as soon as he finds out you exist.”

This was met by silence.

Archie continued. “Please, Hanna. Let me help you. We are going to round up Balka, his brother, and all the rest, and then you will be safe. Until we do, though, you need protection. Can we meet?”

“I…”