Chapter 34
Sue blinked her eyes several times, her forehead wrinkling in utter confusion. Sheer panic surged through her. She should have realized it by Montega's name and his occupation, but she never imagined his accent would be that hard to lip read. It had taken her a while to get used to Bobby's Aussie accent but his wasn't near as heavy as Montega's.
Many of the words seem to blend together making incoherent jumbles. She thought she understood one or two of the words so she assumed he was talking in English. However, without one of the team here to interpret, the only way she was going to find out was to ask. Sue worried rubbing her hands back and forth across her thighs.
"I'm sorry, I didn't get that," Sue said nervously watching the drug lord closely. "I'm deaf and…" Before she could finish, she felt the sharp sting of a hand connect with her face. Her head snapped back and she squeezed her eyes shut as tears threatened.
Putting her hand up to the reddening welt appearing on her cheek, Sue slowing opened her moist eyes. The short, stocky man who'd brought her upstairs was standing over her, his irritation evident. The fear was evident in her eyes as well as how her hand shook as she dropped it back to her side.
"It's hard for me to read the lips of someone with an accent or someone who talks fast," she tried to explain quickly; afraid they were going to hit her again. "Until I get used to them, I miss words…sometimes whole sentences." Sue held her breath waiting and watching.
Montega must have said something, because he looked over his shoulder and backed away. When he was a safe distance away, Sue released the breath she was holding, her eyes darting between the two men. She wanted to crawl into a corner and cry; she was so scared.
Montega said something again, waving his hand at the short man. Looking at the other man, Sue realized he was speaking and struggled to compose herself so she could concentrate on what he was saying.
"We've seen you with Agent Michaels so we know you are working with her," he said disdainfully. "So if you tell us where she's at it will go easier on you."
She? Sue questioned her forehead furrowing as she tried to think of who they might be talking about.
"Who?" she asked. When the short man stalked over his arm up ready to back hand her, Sue sunk down into her chair throwing her hands up to protect herself from his attack.
"Please don't," she begged. "Please." She watched through her hands as he slowly backed away.
"I'm not working with Jordan," Sue said quickly. "I've had lunch with her but I don't know what case she was working on; she didn't talk about it." Montega spoke again to the man. She still wasn't having any easier time understanding him, but the short man turned to her and repeated.
"If you aren't working with her, why were you at the house in Chantilly?" he questioned.
House? What did Jordan's sister have to do with this? Sue tried to think. Did they have something to do with Melissa's death?