Ayesha Dean--The Lisbon Lawbreaker by Melati Lum

Author:Melati Lum
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Melby Rose Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Ayesha couldn’t tell how old the woman was by looking at her. Below her mask, where half of her face was uncovered, her skin was unlined, and it was clear from her physique that she kept in good shape. Her voice sounded like that of a mature woman, but Ayesha thought she could have been anywhere from twenty-eight to fifty-eight years old.

“It is good of you to come tonight, Ayesha,” the woman continued. “I trust your journey here was pleasant enough?”

“Yes, thank you for the invitation,” Ayesha answered. The teenager stood where she was, a few steps away from the top stair and lightly clasping her hands together in front of her in a relaxed pose. Meanwhile, Gustavo and Francisca moved to stand on each side of the woman, facing Ayesha. From the corner of her eye, Ayesha observed two other men in suits similar to those worn by Gustavo and Francisca. Their faces were also covered by bandanas and they were standing on each side of the exit with their arms crossed in front of them.

“This is an incredible location,” Ayesha observed. “Is it your own?”

The woman walked slowly towards a small stone side table that had been set up with a silver tray; on it were a crystal decanter containing some amber liquid and a few small glasses.

“Would you like a drink, Ayesha?” the woman asked.

Ayesha shook her head. “No, thank you, I’m fine.”

The woman shrugged and poured a little of the amber liquid into a glass before taking a small sip. “You may be wondering about all the rigmarole and the secrecy. Although, I’m sure you understand the necessity of secrecy.”

Ayesha inclined her head. “Of course.”

The woman studied Ayesha for several moments. “I like to get to know the people I deal with. I don’t care much for the hard and fast nature of buying and selling and acquiring things online these days. The facelessness of the transaction, the lack of connection. There is something missing in it, especially when it comes to the things that move me, the things I’m passionate about. Do you understand, Ayesha?”

“Yes, in fact, I do,” Ayesha answered.

“Well then, tell me,” the woman continued. “What is the reason you came here tonight?”

Ayesha felt her heartbeat quicken. Could the woman be onto her already? Does she know I just want to expose the whole criminal network so I can prove myself innocent? Calm down and focus, Ayesha told herself. Now’s the time to put on a show, and remember to stick to the truth as much as possible. Sara had given her that last tip. It was the safest way to ensure she wouldn’t get tripped up in the fake story she was going to give these people.

“I don’t really know when the idea first came to me,” Ayesha begun. “But I adore animals and nature. There’s something about wild animals though, the uncaged species, going about their lives in nature, in the wild, that makes me… I can’t even explain it. Thinking of it makes me feel as if I’m part of it, part of nature.

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