Chapter 3

“You saw what happened out there.” Danni pointed at the windows. “Nice of you to help. Instead, you sat in here on your ass and watched me take on all three of them home boys.”

“Yeah, I saw it all. Quite a show but you seemed to handle yourself so well, I didn’t think you needed my help.” Rudy shrugged his shoulders.

Dannie huffed in disdain. “Okay, let’s make this quick. You know I’m really getting tired of you.”

“Oh, and I thought we got along so well. ‘Cause you know, I like you, and that’s in spite of your pissed off attitude. Deep down I really think you enjoy my assignments. It makes me think your attitude is all an act,” Rudy smiled.

“Well, you’re wrong, totally wrong,” Dannie insisted. “The more I see of you the less I like you. Not that I was that fond of you to begin with. Now, can we dispense with the pleasantries and get down to business.”

Rudy shrugged.

“It’s Columbia, South America this time. I got a client that wants me to get some things retrieved.”

“Yeah, like what?”

“Oh, you know? It’s just the usual. You heard about the recent problems there with rebels causing shit?”

Danni nodded. She did recall hearing something about it a few days ago on a TV news channel but disregarded it. If she’d have known she would soon be going there she would have paid more attention but it was too late to worry about it now.

“Well, my client and his wife, who are well entrenched with the government over there, were holidaying in the good old US of A when the shit hit the fan. Now they’re scared to go back so they want me to send someone to retrieve a few things.”

“Let’s cut the bull shit, Rudy. Like what? You’ve been beating around the bush so much you still haven’t told me what exactly it is you want me to do.” Danni interrupted.

“My, my, you are in a cheery mood today, aren’t you?” Rudy chided.

“Now, if you’re finished with your little tantrum I’ll explain what they want you to retrieve.”

He hesitated for a moment as if he expected another outburst from Danni and when she remained silent, he continued.

“My client and his wife say they’ll pay away over my going rate if you can bring back everything they want. Legal documents, valuable jewellery that’s been in the family for years and one another very important item.” Rudy explained.

Danni nodded. Nothing out of the ordinary so far. It seemed like a normal enough job. So why was the client willing to pay extra? It must hinge on the important item Rudy hadn’t mentioned yet. She hit the roof when Rudy told her what it was.

“What the fuck. You want me to bring out a little girl. Do you think I’m nuts? I told you before I’ll do your dirty work but there’s some things I just won’t do. No guns, no drugs and especially no girls.”

“Relax. It’s not what you’re thinking. It’s their daughter. They left her there in the care of friends when they took their holiday. Since everything was stable when they left, the friends thought they were just gonna be baby sitters. Now they are forced to hide her and they don’t know how long they can manage it. Of course, if my clients had known about the rebel uprising they would have taken the child with them. But since they couldn’t have predicted it, she’s stuck there. If the rebels ever find her and discover who she really is then her life is worthless unless it’s exchanged for a huge ransom. They’re willing to pay top dollar because they are extremely desperate to get the girl out.”
Danni stomped in circles, her eyes flashing in anger and her fists clenched. She screamed at Rudy again.