43 - One of His Deepest Regrets

GILDEON

This was too much of a coincidence—if it even was one. Did this guy know Arah worked here?

Durante cracked open his cooler, grabbed another beer, and strolled over. Gildeon caught a glimpse of a gun in the agent’s waist holster, partially hidden by his jacket.

“Didn’t expect to see you here,” Gildeon said, keeping his tone casual.

Durante waved his arm vaguely. “This is a public beach, isn’t it? I’m having some downtime.” His movements were looser, probably from the alcohol, less controlled than when they first met. His face gave no indication though. No red cheeks, no glassy eyes. He didn’t even stagger one bit.

“Alone,” he implied, adjusting his glasses. “You're too far from where most people hang out.”

“Too loud over there,” Durante said, nodding his head toward the distance. “I prefer the quiet.” His friendly smile looked unsettling in the dim light. “How about you, Mr. Ayadi? What brings you here this late?”

He handed him a beer, but Gildeon quickly put up a hand to decli