133

Fabian's brief encounter with Delia had added to the strain and pressure he had felt beforehand. The strange cryptic alerts, the threat of Martinez, thoughts of Loretta everything was racing through his mind. But the one controllable aspect of all this madness was his resolution regarding the wedding. He had to move.

He quickly had his phone out and quickly put it back, very briefly, clenched with a fist before hitting Tasha’s number. The phone rang only once before she answered.

“Fabian?” When Tasha spoke, the voice was smooth with a tinge of inquisitiveness; it was urgent.

"Meeting at the restaurant we talked about last time," he said in a calm voice. "It's imperative I speak with you."

There was a moment of silence as Tasha processed this, then she said, "Alright. I’ll be there shortly."

As Tasha took her time in coming, Fabien got to the restaurant first and occupied himself in a booth at the far corner for privacy. The soft voices around him, and the dim light that shrouded him i