The Death Relic

18

Payne and Jones straightened up Maria’s suite for twenty minutes while they discussed their plan of attack. Meanwhile, Maria called the Italian Embassy in Mexico City to find out how to get a new passport. Without one, she wouldn’t be allowed to leave the country.

‘Good news,’ she said as she emerged from her bedroom. ‘There’s an Italian consulate in Cancún, about five miles from the hotel. I can get new paperwork there.’

Jones pushed the sofa into place. ‘Great. Do you need a lift?’

‘Eventually. I’m not in a rush, though. I’m not leaving Mexico until I know why I was invited here, who trashed my suite and what happened to Hamilton.’

‘Really? Because we’re taking off today.’

She glared at him. ‘You’re leaving? Why?’

Jones sighed. ‘I miss the snow.’

She laughed, glad that he was only joking. ‘If you like, we can fill the jacuzzi with ice and you can hop in for a while. It will remind you of home.’

‘Only if you join me, you kinky minx.’

Payne grimaced. ‘No thanks.’

Jones pointed at Maria. ‘I was talking to her.’

Payne scoffed at the notion. ‘I don’t believe that for a second.’

‘Neither do I,’ Maria teased.

Jones was tempted to argue but realized it would get him nowhere. He opted to leave the suite instead. ‘I need to check something outside. When I return, I expect the two of you to be on your best behaviour. That means no more childishness.’

‘What are you checking?’ Payne wondered.

Jones opened the front door. ‘None of your damn business.’

‘Oh, I get it. Don’t ask, don’t tell.’

Jones stammered, trying to think of a witty response. When none came to mind, he stormed into the hallway and slammed the door shut.

Maria looked to Payne for an explanation. ‘I don’t get it.’

‘Get what?’

‘That expression. Why did he get so mad?’

Payne smiled at her confusion. The term ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is commonly used in the US military to describe its policy towards homosexual behaviour. Military personnel are forbidden from talking about sexual orientation or homosexual acts of any kind. This is to prevent harassment or discrimination throughout the ranks. Of course, that didn’t prevent soldiers from joking about it. Especially smartasses like Payne and Jones, who didn’t give a damn about the sexual preferences of the troops around them, as long as they did their job.

Payne chuckled to himself. ‘I’d be happy to tell you, but it’ll be much funnier if you ask him about it — since the two of you dated for a while.’

She shrugged and agreed.

‘Speaking of dating, do you mind if I ask you a personal question?’ Payne asked

Maria instantly tensed. ‘That depends on the question.’

He sat on the arm of the couch. ‘Why did you two stop seeing each other? One minute it seemed like you were hot and heavy, and the next it was over.’

In a flash, her face flushed with emotion. She didn’t have to see her reflection in a mirror to know it. She could literally feel her cheeks burn. It was so intense it felt like an allergic reaction. Maria tried to hide her embarrassment from Payne by turning away and scooping up some magazines off the floor, but she didn’t turn quickly enough.

‘Why?’ she asked over her shoulder. ‘What did David say?’

‘Nothing. That’s why I’m asking you.’

She tried to play it cool. ‘Does it really matter?’

‘I don’t know. That’s what I’m trying to figure out. Trust me, I’m doing it for his own good.’

‘How do you figure?’

‘I’m just trying to see if there’s a pattern. I figure, if his relationships keep ending in the same way, maybe I can do something to help. He’s a great guy. He deserves to be happy.’

She fiddled with the magazines. ‘He isn’t happy?’

Payne laughed. ‘Not when it’s cold outside.’

‘I meant in general.’

‘Happy, sad, it’s tough to tell since he’s always joking around.’

‘You’re right about that — he loves to joke. That’s one of the things I miss the most about him. He kept me laughing constantly.’

Payne leaned to his right and tried to see her face, but the angle of her body prevented it. ‘You miss him?’

She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. ‘Of course I miss him. I miss all of my friends when I’m out in the field. My job can be lonely at times.’

‘That’s not what I meant.’

‘Trust me, I know what you meant. I’m not stupid.’

‘I didn’t say that you were. In fact, I find the opposite to be true.’

She turned and faced him from across the room. ‘Was that a compliment?’

He studied her face. ‘You sound surprised.’

‘I am,’ she admitted. ‘You’re not exactly known for flattery.’

‘Hold up. Was that an insult?’

She shrugged off the claim. ‘Not necessarily. I’ve met many men who weren’t known for their flattery. Some of them were wonderful. Others were idiots.’

‘Which am I?’

She smiled coyly. ‘I’d rather not say.’

He laughed at the comment. ‘That doesn’t surprise me. You’re not exactly known for your openness.’

‘Well, I … Wait. What?’

‘I asked you a question two minutes ago, and I’m still waiting for an answer. Why did you and DJ stop dating?’

She glanced away. ‘It’s complicated.’

‘Isn’t it always?’

‘Not like this, it isn’t.’

‘Try me. I’m not as dumb as I look.’

She shook her head. ‘I’d rather not.’

‘Come on. Give me a hint. Was it you?’

‘Jon.’

‘Was it DJ?’

‘Jon!’

‘Was it mutual?’

‘Enough! Can’t you see I don’t want to talk about it?’

Payne held up his hands in surrender. ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to freak you out. I’m just trying to protect my friend.’

‘Protect him from what?’

‘Take a wild guess.’

She pointed at herself. ‘Me? You’re trying to protect him from me?’

‘See! You are smart. I said you were, and you are.’

‘Trust me, Jon. You don’t have to worry about me. I want the best for David. I really do. I’d never hurt him on purpose.’

‘Really? Then what’s with the mind games?’

‘Mind games? What are you talking about?’

‘Give me a break. You know exactly what I’m talking about.’

She shook her head violently. ‘I don’t. I swear to God, I don’t!’

He sensed she was telling the truth. ‘Last night’s phone call. Why did you call me?’

‘What?’

‘You heard my question. Why in the world did you call me?’

She paused, searching for the words to explain her rationale. ‘I don’t know. I was scared and needed advice from someone who’d been in dangerous situations, and I thought you would be less emotional than David. I figured he might flip out if I told him my life was in danger, and I didn’t want that to happen. I didn’t want him to feel that pain. Besides, I didn’t even know if he would answer my call. We haven’t spoken in a very long time.’

Payne rubbed his eyes in thought. After having doubts about her intentions, he realized maybe she wasn’t playing games after all. Maybe she honestly didn’t realize how much damage her phone call had caused. Although slightly naïve, her explanation made a lot of sense. ‘Just so you know, calling the best friend of your ex is never the best thing to do, especially in the middle of the night.’

She glared at him. ‘Sorry if I bothered you. I promise it won’t happen again.’

He shook his head to let her know she’d missed his point. ‘Maria, your call didn’t bother me. It bothered him.’

‘It bothered David?’

‘Of course it bothered him. You were in trouble, and you called me instead of him. How do you think that made him feel?’

She groaned in understanding. ‘Not very good.’

Payne lowered his voice to a whisper. ‘But he was willing to swallow his pride and fly down here to make sure you were OK. If you ask me, that says a hell of a lot about him and his feelings for you. Please keep that in mind over the next few days.’

She nodded. ‘I promise I will.’

‘If not — if you start messing with his heart in any way — I swear to God we’ll be on the next flight out of here, even if I have to kidnap him myself.’