Chapter 12 #2
Fouad instantly grew more serious. “Yes, of course, mademoiselle. We handle those sorts of cases with the utmost diligence.”
Ruby’s mouth opened and closed like a fish.
The American businessman shifted, his face written with confusion. “Theo Wilkerson? Didn’t you say—”
“Jack Darby, by the way,” Jack said, reaching a hand out toward him. “You staying in Shepheard’s, Mr.—?”
“Dillard,” the man supplied with a deep frown. “Thomas Dillard. Yes, but—”
“I’m sure Ruby and I would love to meet with you later for dinner. I’ll have my man send your man a note, yes? Good. Nice to meet you.” Jack gave him a curt nod.
The businessman stared at him, dumbfounded. Blinking rapidly, he turned away, muttering to himself as he left the garden.
Ruby shifted under his arm. “Jack—”
“So, what’ll it be, Ruby? Do you want to give Inspector El-Serafi your report now? I’m sure he’s eager to catch the criminals plaguing the streets of Cairo.”
She swallowed hard enough that her throat bobbed. “Actually, Inspector, there’s no need. The man who robbed us was caught—I read all about it in the newspaper. Jack must have missed the news, since he was at the Kharga.”
“Ah, well, all’s well that ends well.” Jack’s hand squeezed her shoulder. He gave Fouad an apologetic look. “Sorry to drag you away for nothing, Inspector. I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity when I saw you both here. But I suppose it’s always good to have contacts within the CID.”
“It’s not a bother.” Fouad smiled warmly, then tipped his hat at them. “Always good to see you, Jack. Please—do come find me while you’re here in Cairo. It’s been too long.”
As the inspector left the garden, Ruby yanked herself away from Jack. “Are you crazy?” she hissed through her teeth.
“Maybe,” Jack said, snatching her wrist with a firm hand.
“But maybe you should have thought about that before you decided to rob me blind. I’m not entirely without connections—and the way I see it, you owe me.
Big.” He leaned closer to her, eyes narrowing.
“Unless you’d like to see what you look like in prison stripes.
I hear jail in Egypt isn’t the nicest place for women, especially pretty little things like you. ”
Ruby gulped a breath, paling further. She blinked back tears suddenly, her blue eyes wide. “He made me do it,” she stammered, looking in the direction Theo had been. Theo had vanished by now, but Jack didn’t doubt he was probably still lurking nearby. “And we’ve barely enough to eat.”
Jack arched a brow. Impressive. The waterworks routine, right on cue. If she could bottle that talent, Hollywood would weep at her feet.
“Save it for someone who’ll believe your crocodile tears, sweetheart.
” Jack winked. “Fool me once, you know?” He released her wrist. “I wasn’t trying to compliment you anyway.
I like redheads. Ones that walk the straight and narrow.
” He gave her a dismissive look. “And who don’t point a gun at me when I’m not looking. ”
She scowled, the tears disappearing instantly as she set her hands on her hips. “What do you want? I don’t have your money. It’s long gone.”
“Fortunately for you, I have bigger plans for you.” Jack nodded toward the hotel. “Care to take a walk, Miss …”
She stared at him, then crossed her arms. “Wilson. Ruby Wilson.”
He chuckled. “Sure.”
“And, no. I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Guess maybe I should call the inspector back here, then. Or, better yet, Mr. Thomas Dillard. He’d probably be interested to learn his missing wallet is in your handbag.
” He counted a few beats, then decided to take a gamble.
“Along with the possessions of the other poor suckers you’ve fleeced today. I’ve been tracking you, Ruby.”
Her gaze grew frosty. “Lead the way.”
If nothing else, maybe I can help a man get his stolen wallet back.
Jack smiled, a satisfied feeling settling in his chest. “We’re going to be good friends, Ruby. Just wait and see.”
She snorted. “You’ve got a funny way of making friends, Jack Darby. Ever try not being an ass?”
He gave her a chagrinned look. “Once. Didn’t take. And I doubt it’s going to start with you.”
He led her out of the garden toward the entrance to the hotel. “Bit bold of you and your friends—working the nicest establishments in Cairo. Pickpocketing, I can see how maybe you wouldn’t get caught. But what you did to me in Mena House? That’s a surefire way to end up on a wanted poster.”
Ruby’s eyes darted around them. “Yeah, well, I’m not in Cairo for long. And you’d be amazed what a change in hair color can do. Keep your voice down, will you?”
“How’s your friend’s throat?”
“Still recovering from your brutality.” She shot him a glare. “Which is a shame—he’s a classically trained tenor. Where are you taking me?” A look of hesitation crossed her face as they ventured further into the hotel lobby, passing the massive granite columns.
“To my room.” He didn’t falter in his step as he led her toward the elevator.
“I’m not that kind of girl.” A muscle in her jaw worked. “If you try anything, I have a gun in my bag—”
“Thanks for letting me know. Does it have bullets this time?” He smirked at her. “But you don’t have to worry, I’m not going to hurt you. As it turns out, I’m in the market for a thief.”
She cringed visibly, glancing at the awaiting elevator operator as they stepped inside it.
He was enjoying this a little too much. Truthfully, he wasn’t worried about anything the elevator operator saw or heard—they turned a blind eye to plenty around here, and Jack had paid more than one of them for secrets and silence before. They knew him here well enough.
Anyway, right now he wasn’t exactly acting according to any sort of plan.
Involving Ruby might be a massive mistake—he couldn’t trust her as far as he could spit. But she did seem scared to get caught. He could use that.
Chances were, if Ruby and her friends had managed to survive in Cairo without winding up in jail, they had connections to the seedy underbelly of the city. And that’s exactly who—and what—Jack needed right now.