“Ms. Hughes was well-liked by many of the parents here at the school, and the staff as well. She participated heavily in after-school programs and was looking forward to assisting us with our end of the year fair. Each year, the students present one project they’d been working on the entire year in anything such as science, creative arts…”
Audrey nodded, too shocked to speak. Her sister — motherly. Who would have thought? Audrey certainly hadn’t, but here she was standing in her nephew’s school, learning more and more about the secret life her sister lived so far removed from the drugs and partying of her earlier years. A pang of jealousy struck Audrey. From what she gathered, Angel was, well, an angel and Penny, the perfect mother. How am I ever going to measure up? Penny didn’t even like it when I tried to enforce our parents’ rules, and she was actually a parent!
“Ms. Hughes, you’ll need to sign this release paper.”
Taking the document from the administrator’s hand, Audrey signed the paperwork and in three minutes, she, Mel, and Angel were sitting in the SUV — not moving. “Something wrong?” she asked Mel.
“There’s a vehicle directly to our left. I didn’t notice it when we arrived. I’m not sure, but I think I can make out someone behind the tinted windows.”
Audrey tried not to let the apprehensiveness in Mel’s voice worry her. They were at a school. Someone was probably here for some sort of parent-teacher conference. The engine roared to life and Mel drove out of the lot. Audrey rotated her neck to look out the back window. A car was slowly following them to the main road. “Is that—”
Mel’s firm tone said everything. “Yes, it is.” Mel made a quick right turn and accelerated into traffic. “I’ll have to lose him before we can return to the safe house. In fact, I may just take you to another one, just in case.”
Audrey swallowed, wrapping an arm around Angel, who thankfully was still engrossed in his game. “Just in case, what?”
“In case we need to hide you and Angel somewhere else.”
Another safe house? All of their things were at Ale’s. Even more troubling was how this instability was affecting Angel. He seemed to be adjusting well, but the boy still asked for his mother every day, and although he hadn’t displayed any anger or emotional outbursts that would alarm Audrey, this type of traumatic experience always took its toll on youngsters in more ways than one.
Angel yelled his pleasure as Mel wove in and out of traffic. “It’s like a roller coaster!”
Only not so safe.
“Auntie Audrey, are there roller coasters in Virginia?”
Audrey answered, happy for the distraction. “Yes, many. There are two large theme parks, and we can visit them both.”
Another cry of enthusiasm from the boy.
Mel spoke over Angel’s exclamation. “I think we’ve lost them.”
Audrey looked over her shoulder. “You think? Are you sure?”
“Yep. Positive. I’ll take you to the other safe house. Not much is there, but I’m sure Ale will want to take you back to his place himself.”
Twenty minutes later, they were settled in the tiny studio apartment in an area of the city Audrey would never label as “safe.” Good cover, perhaps, for some nefarious activity, but secure? “You actually use this place?” The tiny kitchen had all the essentials, but the apartment held little more than a bed with a flimsy comforter, a square wooden table with four chairs, and… and that was it. Audrey’s eyes found Angel, who was shifting his weight from one foot to the next. “Does this place have a bathroom?” she asked Mel.
Mel pointed to a door on the opposite wall of the bed. “In there.”
Audrey didn’t need to say a word to Angel, who rushed forward and disappeared behind the door. “How long do you think we’ll be here?”
Mel blew out a long breath. “Let me make some calls and we’ll go from there.”
Half an hour later, Mel and Audrey sat at the functional table while Angel napped on the bed. Audrey perused Angel’s school file, impressed with her nephew’s grades for the year. School would break for the summer in one week. Audrey hated the thought of pulling him out before he finished, but given their situation, she didn’t feel she had any other choice. She caught sight of Penny’s signature on a form and pride for her sister surged. Penny had turned her life around. God, thank you for answering my prayers.
At least her sister had embraced a somewhat normal life.
She may have left a few things out.
Ale’s words didn’t make any sense. Left what out? Did she forget to tell him something? His accusatory tone — was it something crucial to the investigation? Whatever her sister kept from him, he seemed to think she knew.
“Well, Ale is on his way, and he’s not happy.”
“Mel, what was the relationship between my sister and Alejandro?”
Mel blinked, a look of surprise on her face. “Ah, well, they worked together to get information on Trujillo.”
“I know that, but were they friends? How close were they?”
Mel’s eyes narrowed. “Why do you want to know? What do you think happened between them?”
“So there was something between them?” Audrey’s heart sank. She should have assumed. Penny was beautiful, and she and Ale had worked closely, in a high-risk situation. Emotions were bound to be charged. How many times had she and Ale kissed? Audrey swallowed a groan. Kissing. Ale and her sister…
“Audrey?” Mel reached out to touch her arm. “Are you okay? You look pale.”
Forcing a cinched smile to her lips, Audrey nodded. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.”
“Look, I’m not exactly sure what their relationship was, but I know they were close. They had to be, given the mission.”
“Sure, right,” Audrey responded quickly, hoping to put an end to the conversation. Her insides were churning in a way that would soon force her to the nearest sink. How could she have allowed herself to be kissed by him? Well, never again.
Mel gave her a knowing look. “You want to know if they were involved romantically.”
Audrey felt her blush burn from her neck to the roots of her hair. Was there any way of asking that question delicately? Mel continued to scrutinize her. “Well, I, um—”
“You like him, don’t you?” Mel said with a smile.
“No!”
Mel nodded, crossing her arms and leaning back casually in her chair, her eyes twinkling. “Sure you do. What’s not to like? He’s handsome, built, employed.” Mel chuckled. “Latin.”
“Well, I can’t say looks don’t mean anything…”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“But character is important, too, and his faith.”
Mel scrunched her features. “Well, I’m not too sure about his faith, but he’s one of the best men I’ve ever known.”
“Then why don’t you like him?” Audrey teased.
Mel smirked. “We’re just colleagues. I…” A shade of discomfort crossed her features as Mel shifted in her seat. She took a swig from her water bottle before speaking. “I’m not interested in a relationship right now.”
Mel abruptly stood and walked to the front window overlooking the community parking lot. Had something happened to her?
“Anyway,” Mel continued. “Like I said, I’m not exactly sure what the relationship was between them, but,” she looked Audrey in the eyes, “I know he cared about her. When it was discovered she’d been murdered, Alejandro took the news pretty hard. He’s on a personal quest to see justice for your sister.” A chime drew Mel’s attention to the phone in her back pocket. “Ale sent a text. He’s two minutes out.”
The thought of seeing Ale in two short minutes sent a shiver up Audrey’s spine that warmed instead of cooled her. Why was he coming here? Mel had secured them well enough on her own. He was jeopardizing the mission by rushing to her aid when she didn’t necessarily need him. Emotionally compromised… Dreading the answer, she asked, “Do you think he and my sister were involved?”
Facing her, Mel
shrugged. “Honestly, I can’t tell you because I don’t know for sure. Alejandro — well, he’s pretty well guarded. If he were romantically attached to Penny, he’d never admit it. Getting involved with your source is a cardinal sin in our world. But…” she paused, biting her lip before twisted it into a scowl. “It’s not unheard of. I know I’m being vague, and I promise it’s not on purpose.”
Mel eyed her curiously, but Audrey averted her gaze, trying to appear calm and unconcerned by her response. It was no use. Other than accusing her sister of hiding details pertinent to the case, Ale had been strangely quiet on the subject of her sister. All she knew was Penny was involved in a drug ring and agreed to help the US Marshals find a fugitive — oh, and her head was hacked off.
Audrey breathed in deeply, hoping to calm the tremor of grief threatening to break her resolve. Perhaps it was time she asked Ale for more information about her sister’s association with Trujillo. He owed her that much.
“Did Ale say something to you about Penny?”
Audrey shook her head. “He’s barely said anything about her.”
“But you think they were… intimate?”
If they were, why would he be kissing me? “I don’t know what I’m thinking. I barely heard a word from my sister in the years she’d been missing, and everyone seems to know more about her than I do. I just want some answers on who she was.” Audrey fingered the pages of her nephew’s school records, her eyes spotting Penny’s name on the list of volunteers for the school’s Parent Teacher Association. “What she was like…”
“Did Ale allude to a relationship?”
A loud knock at the door prevented Audrey from answering. Mel looked through the peephole before unlocking the door. Ale stormed into the room, almost knocking Mel down if she hadn’t dodged out of his path. His gaze locked with Audrey’s and he headed straight for her. Stopping within a foot from the table where she sat, his troubled gaze ran over her before returning to her eyes. “You all right?”
Audrey refused to enjoy the tingling sensation his perusal gave her. Inquiring after her well-being was part of his job. “Yes, thank you.”
“And I’m okay, if you care.” An irritated Mel glared from her position at the door. “Knock me aside anytime…”
His eyes found Angel, still asleep on the bed nearby. “Angel?”
Following his gaze, she nodded. “He’s taking all of this like a champ. No worries on his end.”
Turning his eyes on Mel, he asked, “What happened?”
“We were tailed from Angel’s school.”
Ale crossed his arms, a pensive look on his face. “Tailed? So someone was waiting for you?”
“The car wasn’t there when we arrived.”
“But someone knew you’d be there.”
“The boy’s school, maybe. It’s a stroke of luck they happened to see us walking out to the car.”
Ale frowned. “Did you see who was inside the car?”
Mel’s expression mirrored Ale’s. “Tinted windows.”
Audrey cleared her throat. “Look, Alejandro, I appreciate you coming, but Mel has kept us safe. You can’t be in two places at once, and I’m sure you’d rather be at the garage gathering information about Trujillo.” Steely eyes rested on her, but she didn’t cower. “We’ll be okay. Please, you can go.”
She didn’t want him to go; in fact, it thrilled her that he dropped whatever he was doing to come see about her and Angel’s safety. But he was supposed to be undercover. His job was important. Finding this Alba character and catching the man who killed Penny were his top priorities, according to him. She and Angel were okay.
“That’s funny,” he began, a sardonic smile on his face. “I wasn’t aware operation leadership had changed hands.”
Willing the rising blush to die down, Audrey continued to hold his gaze. Perhaps their kisses had clouded his judgment. Didn’t he trust Mel to keep them safe? Was he the only one capable of protecting her and Angel? He had promised — well, not exactly — to keep his distance and remain professional. Maybe her safety, and that of her nephew’s, was more of a burden than even he realized. If she could convince him…
“Would you like to tell me how to run this investigation?”
“Ale!” Mel stepped forward, disapproval written on her face. “What has gotten into you?”
Not acknowledging his partner, Ale put his hands on his hips, his slitted eyes on Audrey. “I get to care.”
A spasm ripped through her heart. Emotionally compromised. Because of her or Penny? Unable to look away, her voice died in her throat.
Mel touched his arm. “Alejandro. What do you want to do? I can take them back to the safe house if you still have unfinished business at the garage.”
Ale severed their connection and allowed Mel into the discussion. “It might be best to return to HQ. Change vehicles. The DEA lead is meeting with the boss, so I’ll meet you there.”
Mel nodded. “Okay, whatever you want.”
Audrey caught the angry look he threw at her before leaving the apartment. She released a shaky breath at his departure.
“Okay, someone isn’t telling me something, and I don’t like being in the dark.” Audrey reluctantly met Mel’s accusatory stare. “I don’t know if Ale had a relationship with Penny, but something is obviously going on between the two of you.”
Heat rose from her neck and into her face. Audrey opened her mouth to respond, but Mel’s voice interrupted.
“Because of his time undercover, and the need to appear controlled, I know Ale would lie to my face, so I’m asking you. What was that all about?”
Audrey hesitated, swallowing a lump of embarrassment. How much should she tell Mel? Ale was clearly keeping his partner in the dark. I can’t exactly mention that we’ve kissed… What purpose would it serve? “I’m sure he’s just stressed. The other night he seemed a bit preoccupied with something.” Audrey refused to allow the memory of their scorching kiss to resurface. “Last night, after seeing Trujillo… He was pretty worried.”
Mel smirked. “That’s the lamest cover ever. Of course he’s preoccupied, worried, stressed. He’s undercover.” Under Mel’s scrutinizing gaze, Audrey shrank into her seat. After a tense moment of silence, Mel nodded, her lips twisting, displaying her disbelief. “You're not going to tell me.”
“There’s no relationship between us.”
Chapter Eight
SOMETHING’S going on with her. Ale tried in vain to concentrate on the mission. He thought of the taillights he busted so he could return to the garage tonight, Angel, anything to keep his mind from Audrey’s lovely, yet guarded expression he’d seen at the emergency safe house.
I appreciate you coming, but Mel has kept us safe.
Gritting his teeth, Ale kicked open the back door to the headquarters and stomped up the stairs to the fourth-floor office. Nothing against Mel, but he’d made it his mission to keep Audrey and Angel safe. How had Trujillo’s men known to go to the school? Had they followed Lana there one day? Did they think the boy was still attending classes?
Even more terrifying than not being with Mel, Audrey, and Angel when they were followed was knowing Trujillo had lost confidence in him. Or Trujillo only trusted him so far. Only now admitting he killed Lana because of some lie she’d told — or over Angel — he was still keeping Ale in the dark about what Lana had actually said. All the hard work to earn Trujillo’s trust — to become his right-hand man. What was it about Lana that kept Trujillo from confiding in him? She had to have told him about the operation. The bruises on her body… the knife marks. No one had ever outlasted Trujillo’s torture tactics.
Ale paused in the stairwell in front of the door to the fourth floor. He hadn’t told Audrey about Lana’s last moments, only that she’d been shot and beheaded. If she knew Lana had suffered before she died… Ale grimaced before yanking the handle and sending the door crashing into the wall.
Ignoring the stares of his colleagues, Ale proceeded to the main conference room
, which now doubled as command central for the upcoming raid on Trujillo’s garage. His thoughts drifted back to Audrey. Her distant attitude bewildered him. Something must have happened during the chase. Had she lost confidence in him? Too bad. She was staying at his place, and there wasn’t a thing she could do to change that. She needed his protection, and whether she wanted it or not, he was going to give it to her.
“Alejandro! Just in time.”
Ale acknowledged his boss with a nod and followed him into the conference room. Several agents had parked themselves and their computers at the far corner and the tale-tell clicks of fingers pressing keys could be heard across the room. The large flat screen on the south wall displayed a PowerPoint of Trujillo’s network. Lights from the battery chargers on the north wall table flashed as batteries juiced. A few DEA agents were conversing on their cell phones, while others were bent over the conference table, studying an enlarged aerial shot of Trujillo’s garage and surrounding businesses.
Less than forty-eight hours. Both Trujillo and Alba would be in custody, Audrey and Angel safe, and he could come to terms with how he’d run this operation. All the mistakes he’d made. The lives lost.
“Marshal Santiago. Good to see you again.”
“Agent Brooks,” Ale responded while gripping the hand of the lead DEA agent.
“What’s the ETA on Alba?” Brooks asked.
Ale let out a heavy breath and moved to the table, his eyes on the photo. “Trujillo is pretty tight-lipped. Alba’s still scheduled to show on Saturday. When? Not entirely sure.”
“That doesn’t give us much of a window,” Phillips stated.
The dissatisfied voice of Ale’s boss nettled him. Ale raised his eyes to his boss and Brooks, confidence steeling his voice. “I plan to return to the garage tonight. Carlos will be there. He may be open to discussing Alba’s plans.”
Brooks nodded. “Good. Whatever you can get. The more specific the better, of course.”
Alejandro (The Santiago Brothers Book Two) Page 11
