Feeling someone behind him, Fermin swiftly turned and struck out.


    Juan dodged but saw a dagger hidden in Fermin''s sleeve.


    "Mr. Eaton, aren''t you being a bit too cautious?" he said.


    Fermin smiled, but his voice was cold. "I don''t like people sneaking up on me. Next time, this knife might slit your throat."


    Juan threw his hands up. "I mean no harm."


    Liza tugged at Fermin''s sleeve. He looked down at her and slowly lowered the dagger. "I''m taking her with me. If Jeffrey has any problems, he can talk to me."


    He went inside and grabbed Liza''s suitcase.


    "I don''t..." she protested.


    "Don''t want to go?" Fermin pinched her cheek. "Say that again."


    Liza held back her words. "I''ll go with you."


    Satisfied, Fermin let go of her cheek.


    Juan suddenly spoke up. "Mr. Eaton, do you have time for a private talk?"


    "There''s nothing to talk about between us," Fermin said tly.


    Liza nced at Juan and blurted, "Just talk to him."


    Fermin raised an eyebrow. "Why do you speak up for him?"


    "I need to use the restroom," she lied.


    She couldn''t tell Fermin that


    was


    know whose side he


    Gontent belongs to sa t belongs to sw


    on.


    Fermin checked his watch. "Ten minutes. That''s all you get."


    Juan nodded. "That''s enough."


    Liza lingered in the bathroom. When she finally came out to see how the conversation was going, Fermin''s voice came from the corner. "Looks like your digestive system isn''t doing so welltely."


    She jumped With the suitcase in tow, Fermin grabbed her wrist


    led her to leave. Content blevet


    "Are you done talking?"


    "Yes."


    "Did it go well?"


    "Pretty well."


    "What did you talk about?"


    Fermin halted his steps and grinned at her. "Trying to get info out of me?"