Nita went to the window, and tilted her head as she looked at the street below. Cars cruised down the street, an odd mix of old boxy models and new luxury brands. People laughed and chatted as they puttered down the sidewalk. A little girl ran ahead of her parents, carrying a blue balloon.

Nita turned back. “Fabricio.”

He gave her an uneasy look. “Yes?”

“There’s an international conference starting tomorrow dealing with unnatural trafficking along the Amazon.” She crossed her arms. “Would your father come?”

He considered. “Probably not. He’d send someone to see how it went, though.”

Nita tapped a finger on her leg. “Would he come to meet a high-profile client there?”

“Maybe. Depends on the client.”

“With only a day’s notice?”

“Notice isn’t an issue if the person is important enough.”

Nita nodded to herself. “I figured as much.” Nita turned to Kovit. “We’re going out.”

He blinked at her. “Now?”

“Yes.”

Fabricio ran his hand through his hair. “Where?”

Nita raised her eyebrows. “You’re not going anywhere. You’re staying right here. Kovit, get the duct tape.”

Fabricio raised his hands again, palms out. “I thought we were working together?”

“We are. But I don’t want to leave you here unbound. Who knows what plans you could set up behind my back?”

Fabricio’s shoulders slumped as Kovit led him to a chair and began duct-taping him to it. Fabricio gave Kovit a mournful look. “Can you tape me to the couch instead? It’s more comfortable.”

Kovit shrugged. “All right.”

Nita rolled her eyes. “Kovit, you need to stop doing everything your prisoners ask.”

“There’s no harm in letting him be comfortable,” Kovit protested.

Nita sighed dramatically.

Fabricio plopped on the couch and held out his hands for Kovit to tape. “You’re not a great team player, Nita, you know that?”

“I don’t particularly care.”

He muttered something inaudible over the squeak of the duct tape being peeled off its roll.

When Fabricio was bound, Nita and Kovit headed for the door. “Don’t worry, Fabricio, we’ll be back in a few hours.”

“And if you die?” His voice was caustic. “I’ll be stuck here in a duct tape cocoon until I die too.”

“Nonsense, the Airbnb is only booked for three days. They’ll discover you when they come in to clean it. You can survive without water for at least that long.”

“That’s not exactly comforting.”

Nita waved it away. “Not my problem.”

She closed the door behind her before Fabricio could voice any more complaints.