And Then You Die Read Online Free PDF Page A

Tenajo got out before we could complete our investigation.”
    She couldn't believe what he was implying. “You're saying you want to cover it up?”
    He looked shocked. “Certainly not. We merely need a little time. Water samples were taken and are on their way to the Centers for Disease Control. As soon as we have results we'll be able to take appropriate action.”
    She supposed that made sense. Damage control was common in government and military circles. Esteban's request wasn't really that unusual. And maybe she had been ill and was just being paranoid.
    But Esteban had said they'd taken water samples. Yet she had seen something put
into
the fountain. What if the Mexican government had committed some sort of environmental foul-up and was trying to cover it up? “And what do you want from me?”
    He smiled. “Nothing very much. Just your patience and your silence for the next few days. Is that too much to ask?”
    “Maybe. I want to see my sister.”
    “In a few days.”
    “I want to see her now.”
    “Be reasonable. Neither of you is well enough.”
    She tried to think through her growing uneasiness. That he didn't want her to see Emily could mean one of two things. Either Emily and Josie had escaped, or Emily was a prisoner. “I want to speak to someone from the American embassy.”
    He clucked reprovingly. “You don't seem to realize your position. You're very ill and in no shape to have visitors.”
    “I'm not ill and I want to see someone from the American embassy.”
    “In time. You really must be patient.” He went to the door and motioned someone to come in. “It's time for your shot now.”
    “Shot?”
    “You need to rest. Sleep is so healing.”
    She went rigid when a white-coated orderly entered the room carrying a hypodermic tray. “I don't need to go to sleep. I just woke up.”
    “But sleep brings wisdom,” Esteban said.
    “I don't need––”
    She jerked as the needle entered her right arm.
     
    The next twenty-four hours were lost in a haze.
    She woke, she slept. She woke again. Sometimes Esteban was there, looking at her. Sometimes she was alone.
    Emily, where was Emily? She had to find––
    The needle again.
    And darkness.
     
    Esteban was standing over her. He wasn't alone.
    That hard face, those blue eyes gazing down at her with dispassion––they were familiar.
Kaldak.
The man in Tenajo. The one who had hit her. Esteban had said he had been disciplined, but that was a lie. This man wouldn't tolerate being disciplined.
    “You can't put it off much longer,” Kaldak said. “She's a witness.”
    “Don't be so eager. There's still a little time. Habin is uneasy about disposing of an American citizen. I can wait.” Esteban smiled down at Bess. “Ah, awake again? How do you feel?”
    Her tongue felt thick, but she managed to form a word. “Bastard.”
    His smile faded. “Actually, I am, but how unkind of you to comment on it. Maybe you're right, Kaldak. Perhaps I've been indulging Habin.”
    “Emily . . . Have to see Emily.”
    “Not possible. I told you that she was still ill. Though she's being much more polite and cooperative than you.”
    “Liar. She's––not––here. She––ran––”
    He shrugged. “Think what you like. Come along, Kaldak.”
    They were gone. Darkness was closing in again.
    She had to fight it. She had to think.
    What Esteban and Kaldak had said meant something.
    Disposing of an American citizen.
    They were going to kill her.
    Kaldak had wanted to do it immediately, but Habin had objected to––
    Who was Habin? Didn't matter. Only Esteban and Kaldak were the threat.
    What had she witnessed? A cover-up?
    That didn't really matter either. Keeping herself alive mattered. And keeping Emily alive.
    Esteban wouldn't let her see Emily, so she must have escaped. Dear God, she hoped her sister had escaped.
    But he might already be searching for her. She had to get to Emily and warn her, protect her . . .
    She was so weak, she couldn't even lift a