Chapter 25

Delilah's mind was blank when she climbed off the bus and walked several blocks. She couldn't afford to think beyond the next step. She'd never done anything like this. After André had destroyed her business, she'd wanted to confront him but couldn't face him. Maybe she was wrong to do it, but she had to face Demir.

When she reached the Turkish embassy, she passed the gate, then stood looking through the wrought iron pickets, searching the windows.

If Demir worked out of one of those offices, would he look out and see her?

The gate hummed to life, opening as a car drove through to the parking lot. She pushed her breath out in a slowly steady stream as she crept closer. If God needed her to face her enemy, then He could make a way.

But as she neared, a woman got out of the car. Delilah wasn't sure whether what she felt was relief or disappointment.

The woman spotted her and walked over cautiously. "Can I help you?" she said.

"Uh." Her words failed her for a second. "I, uh…" She swallowed back her fear and said, "Actually, I'm looking for a man named Burak Demir."

"Is he expecting you?"

"No. I was hoping to catch him."

"You'll need to make an appointment. He isn't often at these premises."

"He's not here?"

"This building is only temporary. Our permanent offices are currently under renovations, and he spends a lot of his time working there."

"So that's where I can find him?"

"I'm afraid not."

"But you said he works from there."

"Yes, but all the support staff work from this building, and because of the construction, any appointments are also done from here."

"Oh."

"You really should ring the embassy and make an appointment. I'm sorry you've wasted your time."

"Thanks for your help."

The woman nodded politely and then hurried into the building.

Delilah headed back the way she'd come, looking up information on the embassy's other offices. She made a screenshot of the address then called Agent Trevors.

"Delilah."

"Hi."

"You managed to go two weeks without calling. I think that's a new record."

"I told you I wouldn't call unless it was important."

"Does that mean you have information for me? Because my answer is the same as before. I don't have anything for you. The investigation is ongoing."

"I found out something, and I wanted to make sure you know."

"I thought I told you to leave the investigation to me."

"I know. I'm not trying to do your job for you, but it's hard to sit around waiting."

"I thought you were looking for work."

"I am. But that's not nearly distracting enough."

"I hope you're not getting yourself into trouble just for the distraction."

"I'm not in trouble. I visited the Turkish embassy?—"

"Stop right there. I told you to leave it to me, and you've gone directly against my order. You're going to get yourself into serious trouble if you don't back off. This is a dangerous operation."

"So was getting Marc off the street, and you were happy to have my assistance in that."

"Burak Demir is not Marc, and I had control of that situation."

"Fine, then why don't you hear me out before you chastise me any more?"

Trevors sighed loudly into the phone. "Are you safe right now?"

"Very. I'm not at the embassy anymore."

"Okay. Tell me what you discovered."

"I spoke to a woman there who said Demir isn't usually on site. She said he more often works out of the old embassy. I can send you the address."

"That won't be necessary. Now, please, Delilah, leave it to me. It's for your own safety. You have to promise me."

"Hang on. Did you already know about the other embassy building?"

"Yes."

"And you knew Demir was working out of there?"

"Yes. And I am ordering you to stay away. Otherwise, I'll have you arrested."

"You're not serious."

"I am. You're being rash. It's not safe for you or my team."

She stopped walking before she asked her next question. "Do you think they could be holding Samson there?"

"I will call you as soon as I have anything."

"That's not an answer."

"It's all you're getting."

"This is driving me nuts."

"I know it is. I understand this is hard, but the best thing you can do right now is forget about it. Get on with your life. These investigations can go on for years. And it's possible that Demir will be sent back to Turkey if they don't waive his immunity."

"You're kidding. So he could get away with everything?"

"It's unlikely, but I want you to be prepared. That's why you need to put this behind you."

"But what about Samson?"

"Samson's dead, Delilah."

"What? When?"

"He was probably dead when Demir said he was."

"So you still don't know."

"Let it go."

"How can I? It's my fault."

"No, it's not. You have to stop believing that."

"Then why does it hurt so much?"

"Because you lost someone you cared about."

"I just wish there was some good news."

"What about Luca?"

"What about him?"

"He didn't tell you?"

"Uh, no. He and I haven't really been speaking."

"He's been helping us with the investigation."

"He has?"

"Yeah. He came in and confessed his part. He was ready to go to prison, but with the information he's been able to give us, and the small part he's played in Marc's activities, I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't end up doing any time."

"And what about Marc? How much time do you think you can put him away for?"

"With the evidence you helped us get at the warehouse and what Luca has added, he'll go away for a very long time. We've put together a strong case. He may not be able to give us Demir, but you won't have to worry about him anymore."

"That's good news."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. I assumed Luca would have shared it."

"At least it's something, right?"

"Yeah. You've got to take the good wherever you get it. But listen, Delilah, I've got to get going, so I want you to promise me you'll stop pursuing this."

"Yeah."

"Take care. And I'll be in touch if anything happens."

She climbed onto the bus as she hung up. She'd been so busy pursuing Demir that she'd neglected those who were a part of her life.

"Luca?" Delilah banged on the door. "I know you're in there. I saw your car. Open up."

"I'm coming. Hang on." He sounded groggy.

When he opened the door, he was digging at his eye with the heel of his hand. "Come in," he said without looking at her.

She followed him to the living room, taking in his boxers and ripped T-shirt. "Did you just wake up?"

"The sleeping pills I've been taking have been messing with me. It's hard to get up in the mornings."

"I didn't know you were having trouble sleeping."

"You never asked." He flopped down onto the couch.

"I didn't know I needed to." She sat on the edge of the nearest chair.

"You haven't been saying much to me lately. I didn't think you wanted to know."

"I didn't think you wanted to talk to me," she said.

"Why? Because you helped put Marc behind bars?"

"That and I put you at risk of prosecution as well."

"I guess it was a risk you were willing to take." He picked at his fingers to avoid looking at her.

"I'm sorry. But it got out of hand. I couldn't let it go. Too much had been lost."

"I know. Every day I've been expecting you to tell me you quit. Or maybe even disappear without a word."

"I have been looking for other work."

Luca nodded. "I deserve that."

"No, you don't."

He looked at her and pursed his lips. "I did this to you. You had already been through so much, and then I made things worse when all I wanted to do was help."

"The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry."

Luca huffed a laugh. "Sounds to me like you're letting me off the hook."

"I am. I want us to be friends again. You're my family, and I don't want to lose that."

"Even though I don't deserve it?"

"I spoke to Agent Trevors this morning."

"Oh yeah? They get a break in the case?"

"He told me you helped their investigation into Marc."

"That. Yeah. I bet he told you I did it to save my own butt."

"Did you?"

"Partly."

"What about the other part?"

"D, I'm ashamed of what I did. I thought I was being smart, taking Marc's offer to help me with my restaurant. I thought because I'd been out of the game so long, I was strong enough to control him."

"But you couldn't."

"Marc is brilliant at manipulation. He let me think I was in control at the start. And when your business went under, I was so proud that I was in a position to look after you. It was like I was the big brother helping out my little sis." He focused back on his hands. "And then I made you turn against someone you cared about. Samson is dead because of me. I'd like to say I wouldn't have done it if I knew it was going to end that way, but I can't be sure."

"It doesn't matter, though, does it? What's done is done."

"You're right. Now you have to leave this all behind. Go find somewhere wonderful where you can meet a nice man and raise a family and be happy. And forget I exist."

"Luca. Stop it. I came here because I want to make things right between us." She stood and paced the room. "I've been stuck in this vortex, unable to move. But we have to, Luca. You've got a restaurant to run."

"I don't know if that can happen."

"It has to. You have to fight for it. When I lost everything back in San Diego, I didn't have any fight in me. I don't know if it would have made a difference, but I let it defeat me. Don't do that. Don't let Marc win."

"I'll keep fighting if you promise to do it too."

"My chance is gone. There nothing left for me back there."

"That's not what I mean. You have so much talent. Whatever you do, don't settle. Get out of waitressing, and get back on top. It's where you were meant to be."

"Thanks for saying that."

He limped over to her and gave her a hug. "Thank you for coming over."

She blinked back her tears. "It's good to have you back in my life."

"All right," he said, stepping back. "I think that's enough emotion for one day. Do you want a coffee?"

"Yeah, that sounds good. That sounds normal."

"Normal?" Luca smiled at her as he poured. "Normal is not a word I'd ever use for you. You were never happy with the status quo growing up. You never fit in with those around you. You stand out. That's probably what drew Samson to you." He frowned. "Sorry, I shouldn't have brought him up."

"No, that's okay. But after everything that's happened, I think normal is the better option."

But it wasn't sitting right with her. All this talk about moving on and having a happy life didn't sound like what she was supposed to be pursuing. She'd given her life to God again, and whatever it was that He had planned for her, she didn't think it was normal.

"You know what Samson said to me?" she said.

"No, but I bet it was interesting."

"He said God had made him for a purpose. That's what he was doing with his job. He was fighting for what was right."

"It doesn't surprise me that Samson thought God had sent him to this planet for a special purpose," he scoffed. "I don't mean to speak ill of the dead, but he was pretty full of himself."

Delilah frowned. "Yeah, maybe." The embassy came back into her mind, and her leg bounced in agitation. "I think I gotta go."

"Go where?"

"Um. There's just something I need to see to." She had to finish this. Everyone was telling her to step away and settle down. To forget the wrongs that had been done, but she couldn't. She wouldn't. Maybe it was God, maybe it wasn't, but she couldn't do nothing.

"You okay? You're looking a little intense all of the sudden."

"Yeah, I'm good. But do you mind if I borrow your car?"

"Yeah, sure. I don't need it until later. The keys are on the table over there."

"Thanks."

She hurried for the door but stopped for a second when a thought occurred to her. It was a revelation she would never have expected but confirmed for her what she needed to do.