“Why not?” Atlas continued to flip through the pages.
“I don’t want him working in some filthy mine.” She wrinkled her nose. “I just wanted to bring him here for a getaway. For a reunion. You’ve botched my entire plan.”
“If I want him to work for me, he’ll work for me. You don’t make the decisions about my business. Are we clear?” Atlas said.
“Perfectly.” Gemini huffed her reply, but as she turned her attention to Joseph, he saw the Mona Lisa smile ghost her lips. Gemini was a master manipulator. She had wanted Atlas to hire Miguel Ramirez, and she had not only done it, she’d made him think it was his idea.
“Joseph, good morning. I’m sorry I didn’t say it earlier. I was…distracted. You know how long I’ve been looking for Miguel.” She bent down and pecked her late father's loyal assistant on the cheek.
“Well, the heart wants what it wants, I suppose.” Joseph patted her hand.
“Yes. You understand.” Gemini rested a hand on his shoulder.
“May I see the file? I’m curious about this young man of yours.” Joseph folded his newspaper and set it to the side.
“He's dark and dangerous. Atlas better not make a miner out of him. I think I would lose interest immediately.” She gave a dismissive wave to her cousin.
Atlas stood and walked the length of the table. He handed the file to Joseph but spoke to his cousin. “Not everyone who works in a mine is a miner.”
Joseph cleaned his wire-rimmed glasses with a handkerchief, replaced them on his nose, and opened the file. “Gemini, this man is a criminal.”
“I know. Isn’t it exciting?” She beamed.
Joseph eyed her over his glasses.“I feel obligated to discourage you from pursuing a relationship with him.”
“A year, Joseph. I have been looking for him for one year.”
Atlas took the chair next to Joseph and lit a cigarette. “Perhaps he didn’t want to be found.” He puffed a smoke ring across the table.
“I’m sure he didn’t want some people to find him, and I’m also sure that list does not include me,” Gemini insisted.
“How did you suddenly discover his whereabouts?” Atlas prodded. “I imagine men of his ilk are probably very good at disappearing. Or dying.”
“The planets finally aligned. Out of the blue, someone I employed to find Miguel managed to track down a former colleague who was able to get a message to him.” Gemini plucked a grape from Joseph's plate. “What can I say? It's fate.”
Atlas grunted his disbelief.
Joseph continued paging through the file. He held up a grainy color image and inhaled sharply. Miguel Ramirez was undeniably handsome with an imposing build and chiseled features, but that wasn’t what had elicited the gasp. “Those eyes,” Joseph said.
“I know. Isn’t he magnificent? He's like a Latin lover fantasy come to life.” Gemini kissed Joseph again. “I’m off. While Miguel recuperates, I can get some work done.”
Atlas laughed. “What could you possibly have to do? Practice your runway walk? Post tips for applying mascara?”
Joseph felt Gemini's grip on his shoulder tighten to the point of pain. “What I do is more work than you could possibly imagine.”
In hopes of avoiding another confrontation, Atlas lifted both hands in surrender, the cigarette like a small white flag.
Gemini turned and stalked out.
“I have some thoughts.” Joseph paged through the file.
“I’m listening,” Atlas replied.
“I think you should hire him,” Joseph advised.
“I was joking, Joseph. That was for Gemini's benefit.”
“I’m aware of that, but think about it. This man, Miguel Ramirez, was one of Dario Sava's men.” Joseph ran his finger down the papers. The infamous black market broker was well known to both men.