Third Half (32 page)

             
She wondered if he'd still be at the airport when they returned,
or if he'd take the opportunity to get out of the whole mess. 

             
Looking again at Eduardo, she thought of the time he had
spent alone with Todd in his office, while she was in the next room
dressing.  He, too, must have had doubts about what Todd would do. 
But now he seemed confident.

             
Entering the huge lobby they were immediately met by a
lovely blonde hostess.  "Welcome to the
Calypso Club
," the woman
said with a warm smile.  "Are there only the two of you?"

             
"I'm sorry, but I wasn't told whether to come in another
entrance or not.  I'm scheduled to do a show here tonight,"  Liane told
the young woman.  "I'm Miss Katt."

             
"Oh yes, I believe Mr. Demotto said something about the
change when he called.  I believe you'll be replacing Spence Jackson."

             
"Yes, I will."  Liane sighed, feeling she should be getting used
to taking her brother's place.  "And my friend here, will, of course, sit
at my table."

             
"Of course."  The girl looked into the room filled to capacity
with customers.  "I'll show you to your table, then if you like, I can take you to your dressing room.  Unless you prefer waiting.  There is
another hour until you go on."

             
"Thank you,"  Liane replied, then turned to Eduardo. "Come
along,
Dear
."  She clenched her teeth as she said the endearment. 
Pretending to like this man was more difficult than she had
anticipated it would be.

             
"Would you care for a drink?" a waitress asked after they were
seated.

             
"No, thank you," Eduardo politely refused, taking for granted
she would not want one either.

             
"Actually, I would," Liane said, noting the surprised look on
his face.  "I think tonight, I could use one.  A Pina Colada, please,"
she said to the waitress.  "Ah . . .very mild."

             
When the waitress returned with the drink, Eduardo watched
closely as she took a careful sip.  "I see you are extremely nervous." 
Eduardo looked at her smugly.  "I would not have expected you to
drink.  But then, I would not have expected many things of you."

             
Surprised by his statement, Liane nearly choked on her drink. 
Quickly she grabbed for her napkin to cover her mouth.

             
"Please forgive me, Sister."  He smiled at her, not looking the
least bit sorry as he leaned back in his chair and eyed her with the
same rat-like expression he had used on the plane.  "I was only
making an observation.  I did not mean to shock you so."

             
"I'd like to make an observation about you," she spat, when
again she could speak.  "But you have me at the disadvantage."

             
He laughed.  "I believe you would anyway.  You are, what
they call, a spit-fire.  I knew that from the moment you came into the
building and rescued your friend."

             
How well she could remember that night.  She wondered if she
would do the same thing now, knowing what she did.

             
"I think I'll go to my dressing room."  She rose from her chair.

             
"Just remember your brother, Sister, and don't try anything
when you are back there," Eduardo instructed as he watched her turn
to leave.

             
In the dressing room she sat before the mirror, prepared to
touch up her make-up with the cosmetics also purchased that
afternoon.  She wanted very much to cry, but knew she couldn't. 
Tears wouldn't help anything.  Nor would they wash away the pain
she was feeling inside.

             
Realizing she was still clutching the napkin in her hand, she
laid it on the vanity before her.  As her eyes cleared, she focused on an
insignia on the corner of the white napkin.  Inside the red shield was a
dark green V, with a black horse head in the middle.

             
It took only a second to recognize the Coat-of-arms of the
Valenquez family. 
What is it doing here on these napkins?  In this
Los Angeles' nightclub?
  Liane tried to remember what Todd had told
her about this place.  It was supposedly connected with the mafia.

             
Getting up from her seat, she went to look for the young
hostess who had shown them to their table.  She passed several tables
before she spotted the blonde seating a young couple at a table near
the stage. 

             
"Excuse me," Liane said as she cautiously approached the
hostess.  "Do you have a moment?"  She glanced around, hoping
Eduardo wouldn't see and become suspicious.

             
"Yes, what is it?" the girl asked, startled to find Liane beside
her.  "Do you know you go on in just a moment?"

             
"This won't take long."  Liane forced a smile.  "I just wondered
if you could answer a question.  You mentioned a Mr. Demotto.  Is he
your boss?"

             
"Yes, he runs the nightclub."

             
"I assume he's from L.A.," Liane began, watching the girl's
curious expression.  "I was just wondering about his wife.  I used to
have an old school friend, and I heard she married a man named
Demotto.  He was said to be in the nightclub business."

             
"What's her name."

             
"Bonita," Liane replied.

             
"Bonnie."  The girl laughed.  "That's her.  But I've never heard
anyone call her Bonita.  Except maybe, her brother, when he visits."

             
"Is she here tonight?" Liane asked.

             
"No, they don't come in very often at night.  Mr. Demotto is
usually here during the day.  Bonnie is more of a family person.  The
only time we see her here is when she does the decorating.  She
handles it all.  Don't you think she does a lovely job?"

             
"Definitely."  Liane looked around the room, noting the
Spanish influence.  "She likes to retain part of her heritage."

             
"Yes, from her father's side."

             
"Does her brother visit often?" Liane asked, but didn't have
time to hear the answer as someone on stage introduced her act.

I

             
As soon as she finished singing her medley of songs and was
given her request, Liane sang one last tune.  It would be her last one
for the evening.  She was only to do one show before heading straight
back to the airport.

             
Now that she knew Daniel Valenquez was connected with the
Los Angeles nightclub Liane was glad to return to Todd so quickly. 
She couldn't wait to tell him her newfound knowledge.  Maybe it
would help him sort out some things that had taken place.

             
It was difficult to contain herself as she sat beside Eduardo
during their taxi ride to the airport, but she knew she couldn't let on
that she had learned something vital.  She forced herself to relax until
the cab finally stopped in front of the airstrip office.

             
She nearly leaped out of the back seat, leaving Eduardo to pay
for the ride, while she quickened her pace toward the door.

             
Rushing inside, she headed straight to where Todd was laying
on a cot.  "Wake up," she nearly shouted as she shook the man.

             
"What happened!" Todd jumped, immediately alert.  "Are you
okay?"  He looked past her.  "Where's . . .?  Oh," he stopped as the
barrel-chested man came through the door.

             
"What was your hurry, Sister?" Eduardo asked suspiciously as
he came over to her side.

             
"I . . .I was just happy to be back.  I mean . . ." She released a
breath.  "There's no use hiding it from you, Eduardo.  You already
guessed.  You implied as much at the nightclub."

             
The man broke into laughter.  "So the nun has fallen in love
with the pilot.  You make a very unusual couple.  But I hope you work
together well, because you still have very much to do tonight."

             
"What's up?" Todd asked, his eyes narrow slits as he got up
from the cot and stood beside her.

             
"He's guessed how I feel about you."  She turned to him with
wide eyes nearly as green as her dress, throwing her arms around him. 
"Please find a way to talk to me alone, it's important," she whispered
into his ear.

             
Todd held her close, his hands gently caressing her back. 
Then finally he kissed her.  A long, passionate kiss.

             
"We have to get on with things," Eduardo interrupted,
unmoved by their display.  "You will have to save this for another
time."

             
"Or you could step outside for a few moments," Todd asked
with a smile.

             
"I am afraid that, even if I would like to, I could not do that,"
the man replied, with just a touch of humor in his voice.  "We must be
on our way."

             
Todd looked deep into Liane's eyes.  "Later, my love."

             
"Yes, if you want to save your brother from the fate that will
befall him if we do not return on time, we must be on our way. 
Now
," 
Eduardo added.

             
"Do you have the message?" Todd asked her.

             
"Here."  She handed it to him, frustration clearly written on her
face.  She knew somehow she had to tell him.  If her suspicions were
correct, Daniel Valenquez was behind everything."

             
"Okay, we're to land in the Mojave dessert.  When they see us
land there, a semi will come with the weapons," Todd said as he read
the note.  "I have the exact coordinates here."

             
"I suppose I'll have to change again," Liane said.  "You'll need
me dressed as a nun in case any customs' officials show up."

             
"Yes, I'm afraid you will, Sister," Eduardo said sarcastically. 
"But I am sure, it will be the last time for you."  His laughter filled the
room.

I

             
Liane sat next to Todd during the short flight to the dessert. 
She wanted to find a way to talk to him, but Eduardo remained close
the entire time.

             
It wasn't until after they had the crates of rifles and
ammunition loaded onto the plane that she decided to take the chance. 
They were in the air again and Eduardo seemed absorbed in checking
each crate to make certain they had every part of their load."

             
"Todd," she whispered.  "I think we're going to Tingo Maria."

             
"What?"  His eyes narrowed as he turned to look at her. 
"Valenquez's ranch?"

             
She nodded.  "Did you know he owns the
Calypso Club
?"

             
"That explains a few things," Todd replied.  "He probably
owns the one in Lima too."