Last Breath Read Online Free

Disappeared. He was on an expedition into the Amazon and just, poof! Vanished. My parents have sent trackers in to search for him at least a half-dozen times, but it’s as if he didn’t exist. As if he hadn’t been there at all.”
    â€œHow long ago?”
    â€œTen years. He’s been gone since 1997. I miss him every day. Think about him every day. Wonder if he’s dead or alive. My parents never give up. Every other year or so, they hire someone to go down there to look for him.”
    â€œI have some connections in South America,” Connor said thoughtfully. “Maybe I can have someone look into it.”
    â€œThat’s really very nice of you, but I don’t want to waste anyone’s time.”
    â€œYou think he’s dead?”
    â€œYou send teams of professional trackers into the jungle where he supposedly had gone, and they come out with no more information than they went in with, you have to suspect that—”
    â€œThat he may well have gone somewhere else.”
    She’d stared at him. When the waiter arrived to serve their dinners, she leaned back from the table silently.
    â€œYou’re not going to tell me that no one considered that possibility, are you?” Connor asked.
    â€œYes. I mean, no, no one did. He’d been with a group, and all the investigators followed the trail the members of the group had given them. To the camp, then to the ruins…”
    â€œSo maybe for some reason your brother—Jack, was it? Maybe he took off on his own, or joined another group, or got lost and is out there somewhere.”
    â€œI’d like to think that. That somehow he’s out there and that someday we’ll see him again.”
    â€œI’d be happy to make some inquiries. Really. It’s no trouble. I have some contacts in the area.”
    â€œThat would be very kind of you. Thank you. I’ll get you all of the information—when and where and with whom.”
    She tasted the fish, and smiled. “This is so good. Is there a better chef in all North Africa than Claude?”
    â€œNot for my money, no.” He appeared thoughtful for a moment before asking, “Have you ever taken an evening horseback ride on the beach?”
    â€œSeveral times. You?”
    â€œYes, but the camel rides are more fun.”
    â€œUgh.” She wrinkled her nose. “I spend enough of my time on camels.”
    â€œDon’t knock it until you’ve tried it. There’s nothing like watching the sun set on the Atlantic from the back of one of those large, swaying—”
    â€œMr. Shields?” A man had appeared at his elbow. “You are Mr. Shields?”
    â€œYes.” Connor nodded.
    â€œThe Madame asked me to give this to you. It was dropped off at the front desk.”
    He handed Connor an envelope bearing his name.
    â€œThank you,” Connor told him. To Daria, he said, “Excuse me, I just need to…”
    â€œGo right ahead.”
    Connor opened the envelope and read the note that had been tucked inside. When he was finished, he folded it, returned it to the envelope, and slid it into the inside pocket of his jacket.
    â€œDaria, I really hate to cut this short,” he said. “I’ve been enjoying this evening more than I can say, but I’m going to have to make my apologies.”
    â€œI hope it’s nothing serious?”
    â€œNo, no. This is business.” He stood. “I’m really sorry. Maybe tomorrow?”
    â€œI’m leaving in the morning.” She smiled to hide her disappointment. “It’s all right, if you have to go. I understand. We all have those emergencies to deal with from time to time.”
    â€œLook, let me give you my card. When you’re back in the States, maybe you’ll give me a call and we can get together.” He took a card from his wallet and wrote something on the back before he handed it to her. “Assuming