Call of Duty 02 - Sworn to Protect

by DiAnn Mills

  Chapter 52

  Excel in all that you do; bring no stain upon your honor.

  Sirach 33:22 (RSV)

  One more time, Danika examined the series of events plaguing her life and those she loved. For the past three hours, she’d sat in her living room and rethought every event that had vexed her. Evening shadows had crept across the room like the predators who wanted her dead. She snapped on the light. The notion of being in the dark affected her physically and emotionally, and she dare not enter that abyss. The notebook she’d started in the hospital remained at her fingertips, as though the answers were a mere thought away. She repeated the conversation with Barbara about Jacob and Nadine’s involvement in the fire, and it settled uneasily in the pit of her stomach. She needed to check on things herself—talk to Jacob and search deeper for Nadine.

  Whoever was after all of them had grown bolder, and with boldness came a chance of error. They had to be stopped, and she had to be ready to accept the truth. Sandra had evidently known whom to blame, but she’d refused to give the information to anyone but Danika, and now she was gone. Obviously the killer feared her confession. Who had connections with both households besides Sandra?

  She considered Jacob and Toby’s common friends, some of whom were Border Patrol agents. No one seemed to fit. Jacob didn’t care for Toby’s teacher friends, and the two men had never accompanied each other to church functions.

  Danika’s heart hammered against her chest as realization nearly choked her. There was one person connected to both her and Jacob.

  Lucy.

  Barbara’s best friend. Sandra’s employer and a woman Sandra despised. But Danika had never learned why Sandra disliked her, and Lucy knew Sandra had been arrested. The possibilities floating through her mind ranged from Lucy’s having discovered Sandra’s illegal entry to Lucy’s having masterminded the plot to destroy the Morales family. But the question was still why. Without motivation, Danika had nothing but a frail supposition.

  But what if Lucy was behind all of this? She had access to Jacob’s house, and Barbara shared personal and family matters with her.

  Had Toby suspected Lucy? A chill crept over her. If he had, wouldn’t he have said something to Danika or Jacob—unless he didn’t have proof?

  She struggled to stand. Water. Danika needed water to quench the dryness in her throat. She walked slowly into the kitchen, opened the fridge, and selected a bottle. Her suspicions were unwarranted. If Toby suspected Lucy, he wouldn’t have kept the information to himself. He cared too much for those who were being abused.

  What if he had discovered the truth just before he was killed? What if that was the reason he’d been killed? Danika drank deeply of the cold water. Had her thoughts run crazy under the influence of her medication? Still, she wondered if she’d stumbled onto the truth. For a moment she pondered where Toby could have noted what he’d been doing in aiding the illegals. He neither kept a journal nor had a confidant.

  For the next several minutes, she dug through his personal items in the bottom of her closet for a clue or a lead. Greeting cards and photographs brought tears to her eyes, but nothing indicated his work with illegals.

  Toby’s Bible . . . There were slips of paper and church bulletins tucked inside. Would he have referenced anything about his possible killer?

  She picked up his Bible and eased onto her bed. A prayer for truth left her trembling, as though whatever she learned would shatter her frail belief in Toby’s integrity. One by one she opened the paper inserts in his Bible. A piece of paper had been slipped into the book of John, where Toby had underlined verse thirty-two of the eighth chapter. “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” She opened the folded paper and read:

  I find this hard to believe, but I’ve stumbled onto something that disturbs me greatly. Cira slipped and said the name “Lucy” the other day when I was taking her to Alex for her prenatal appointment. The longer I think and pray about it, the more I realize Lucy—Barbara’s best friend—could be the one who is taking advantage of desperate young women who will do anything to get across the border. I’m going to follow her. Find out the truth.

  Danika gasped. It was Lucy. Tears flowed and she did nothing to stop them. Dear Toby had searched out the truth, and it appeared that it may have killed him. The happenings over the past several weeks all made sense, and she held in her hands enough suspicion to have Lucy brought in for questioning and her business investigated.

  She closed the Bible and walked into the kitchen for more water. All the while her thoughts raced. She snatched up the landline and pressed in Alex’s number in hopes he was available. A horrible car crash had detained him at work.

  The phone rang once, twice, three times . . .

  “Hey, are you all right? Ed text-messaged me about Sandra.” His voice grounded her to the truth.

  “I’m in shock and grieving. I loved Sandra, and like a child, I wanted to believe there had been a mistake about her legal documentation.”

  “When I stop by tonight, we’ll talk. You loved her, and she played an important part in your life and Tiana’s.”

  Danika appreciated him not mentioning the lies, but instead the good things. “I have an idea who could be behind this.” Her breathless voice caused her to swallow and begin again. “Barbara’s best friend is Sandra’s boss.” Thinking about Sandra in the past tense cut deep. “Or rather, the woman was Sandra’s boss. She has access to and knowledge of both households because of the cleaning service.”

  “What makes you think she’s our mastermind? Doesn’t she own the largest maid and nanny service in McAllen? And didn’t you tell me that Jacob helped her get started?”

  “Yes, he did. But Sandra disliked Lucy. I never knew why. Until a few minutes ago, I assumed it was because of her lack of documentation. Now my mind is spinning with what could be the answer to all of this.”

  “Are you thinking she’s the one fronting the money for the women?”

  “I’m fairly certain of it. I found a piece of paper in Toby’s Bible in which he states his suspicions about Lucy. He was going to follow her and find out the truth.”

  “Is it dated?”

  “Oh, how I wish it was. I’m thinking she could have easily gone through Jacob’s backpack for sensor information since she has a key to Jacob and Barbara’s house.”

  “Yours too?”

  “No. Only Sandra had an extra key. Besides I have nothing here anyone could use.”

  “But if Barbara and Lucy are good friends—”

  “Barbara talks to her about everything, and Lucy has always been close to Nadine.” She swallowed the emotion threatening to surface again. “I’m thinking she could have ordered Toby’s death—and possibly Sandra’s—or she knows who did.”

  “Have you called Ed or the police?”

  “Not yet. I wanted to make sure my conclusions made sense to you, and my suspicions weren’t an overreaction to all of this medication.” She closed her eyes, fighting fatigue.

  “I don’t think it’s far-fetched at all.”

  “Some investigators—and understand that’s not my job description—want to know what motivates a perp, while others try to find the person by following a criminal pattern. But for me, it’s both. I know why people cross the border, and I also know how to follow the signs to track them down. The paths they take are fairly predictable.” She paused. “Yet this is different. Too many variables. But the more I think about it, Lucy Pinion seems like someone the authorities would want to question.”

  “If she’s fronting money for undocumented immigrants, then I see the tie-in even to me.” Alex’s tone softened, as though his mind churned with each word. “Lucy’s reputation is impeccable. She gives money to charitable events at the medical center and offers jobs to those who are legally cleared to work. I’ve met her—sociable, caring, a respectable member of our community.”

  Danika hesitated. The final conclusion of over two years of wondering who could be behind
Toby’s death and the turmoil surrounding her family caused her to shiver. “She advertises as bonded and licensed. When Jacob first hired her, he went through every letter of her paperwork.” Was her heart going to burst from her chest? “If she’s behind all of this, why is she after Jacob and me?”

  “Danika, the key is Toby.” Alex’s words were sobering.

  She rubbed her arms. “You’re right. If Toby followed her to learn the truth and he’s dead, then Jacob and I are involved by who we are.”

  “He pulled women out of her business and not only got them medical care but also encouraged them to run. I never considered Sandra’s former creditor—whoever helped her across the border—to still be involved in her life today.”

  The pieces were beginning to fit. “Toby’s interference cut into her profits.”

  Alex continued. “It would make the puzzle pieces fit. And it explains why Sandra is dead—why she refused to talk to anyone but you.”

  “Why would Lucy be out for revenge against me and Jacob when Toby’s no longer in the picture?”

  “I don’t know.”

  She rubbed her weary eyes. “If Lucy is the key, then all the questions rolling around in my head have answers—except why now. Whom do we call first, Chief Jimenez or the police?”

  “I’ll call Ed and let him make the next move. But Barbara is in a scary position. If we’re right, she could be in danger.”

  “Like Nadine.” Her precious niece may very well be dead too.

  “Yes, honey.”

  “I’ll call Barbara.” Danika stood and began to pace until the pain in her abdomen reminded her of why she was at home.

  “Take a breath. The end is near, and it could be today. Thank goodness you have the police there to protect you.”

  She’d been very foolish. “I sent them home.”

  “Danika, have you lost your mind?” His tone alarmed her. “I’m calling Ed and having him send someone to guard you now.”

  “Lucy doesn’t know I’m here because Barbara thinks I’m out of town.”

  “Lucy didn’t get to where she’s at because she’s stupid. She wasn’t supposed to find out about Sandra either.”

  He was right, and she’d been the stupid one. Anyone could have watched her leave the hospital or arrive home. “I know better, Alex. I’m sorry. I have my assigned weapon in my bedroom.”

  “Go get it, and keep it on you.”

  Danika disconnected the call. She heard the doorbell but refused to answer it. Again, it sounded like a pipe organ ringing through the house. She crept to the dining room window and with her finger lifted a slat of the blinds. Her breath caught in her throat. Nadine stood on the porch, her small frame looking so much like her mother’s.

  Danika’s heart pounded painfully against her chest. How many times had she feared her niece was dead or caught up in drugs and a gang? Relief and anger wove confusion. In one breath she wanted to shake Nadine, and in the next kiss her. Yet there she stood looking every bit like the sweet little girl who used to crawl on Danika’s lap for a story, the sweet little girl who wanted Danika to take her to a movie, to help her convince Barbara that she was old enough to wear mascara.

  She had to answer the door. Nadine would not have come to her if she didn’t need help. Talking to her would dispel all of the doubts plaguing Danika about the teen’s involvement in Jacob’s blackmail. Barbara would have her daughter back, and maybe she’d gather information about Lucy.

  Danika didn’t need to weigh her decision about opening the door any longer. She’d deal with the police, Jimenez, and Alex later. With a prayer of thanks for Nadine’s safety, she unbolted the door and opened it just enough to talk. Nadine looked healthy but definitely thinner, and she’d always been tiny.

  “Nadine, I don’t know what to say. We’ve all been so worried about you.”

  The girl’s lips quivered, and she held her hands in front of her. “I’m sorry. I’ve been hiding, afraid to contact my parents because of all the trouble I’d caused.” Tears pooled in her eyes. “The longer I stayed away, the harder it was to go home. And then I read about how Daddy lost his job, and then how he tried to kill Mom, Kaitlyn, Jake, and Amber.”

  Compassion swept over Danika. Caution nudged her, but she shoved it away, blaming it on the medication. The teen had come to her for help, and Danika could not deny it. “Your mother and I believe he’s innocent of the explosion and fire. Come in. Let’s talk about this.”

  “I was hoping you’d help me. I knew I could depend on you. Can I ask my friend in too? He’s the one who convinced me to come here.”

  Danika glanced at a pickup parked a little farther down the street. All she could see was the outline of the truck bed. She couldn’t tell the make or read the license plates in the dark. But Nadine had come to her for help.

  “Please, Aunt Danika. I want to make this all right with my family.”

  How could she refuse? If Nadine did know what was going on, Danika could learn the truth. “I guess so. I’m not supposed to be letting anyone in the house.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s not important. Sure, invite him in.”

  Nadine motioned to someone in the truck.

  A man exited the truck and walked up the driveway. In the shadows, she didn’t recognize him, and Danika didn’t want to turn on the porch light. Nadine introduced them and called him Joe. Danika shoved aside her apprehensions, but she didn’t forget them. This could be an opportunity to help her niece reunite with her family.

  Once in the living room, Nadine glanced about. “Where’s Tiana?”

  “Out of town visiting with a friend of mine.”

  “Sandra too?”

  “She’s gone too.” Danika nearly choked on the lie, but she needed to be careful. She studied the man Nadine had introduced as Joe. His eyes held a wild glint in them, and not that of a man who lusted after a young woman. He looked familiar. . . .

  And then she placed him.

  He’s the one who murdered Rita.

  Danika hid her recognition. Surely Nadine was not a part of this killer’s life.

  Nadine’s eyes widened. “What’s been going on?”

  “Too much. Please sit down, and we’ll work through getting you reunited with your family. And I do have some questions.” Danika turned to Joe. “Can I get you something?”

  “No, ma’am.” He sat on the sofa beside Nadine. The girl cringed.

  Danika smiled. “If you’ll excuse me for a moment, I—”

  Joe whipped out a .45. “The only place you’re going is with us.”

  Had Nadine been reduced to this? to planning the demise of her own family? The thought sickened Danika, but the proof was before her.

  Nadine stood and took a step back from Joe.

  “It’s only a matter of time before the authorities discover who you are,” Danika said. “The volunteer who saw you at the hospital has given the police your description. My guess is you’re the one who blew out my tires.”

  He laughed and waved the firearm in her face. “Maybe so, but by the time I’m across the border, no one will find me.”

  Danika watched Nadine draw a .380 automatic from the back of her jeans, where it had been covered by an oversize shirt. What was she about to do? Nadine trembled and pointed the gun at Joe’s back. “Jose, drop the gun before I kill you.”

  His eyes narrowed, and he lifted his weapon to Danika’s face. “I thought you and I could get something going here. But you played me.”

  “I’ll send a bullet through you for every woman you beat, for setting my house on fire, for sending that finger to my dad, for trying to kill my aunt.”

  He sneered. “Got us a stand-off, Nadine. What’s it going to—”

  Pop. Nadine sent a bullet into Jose’s back. Then again.

  His eyes went wide, and Danika slapped away his arm before he fired at her. His limp body fell against her, the weight forcing her to the floor. Her gaze darted to Nadine, who shook with the gun in her hand. />
  “I had to make them believe I didn’t care about what they did.” Her voice broke into sobs. “Lucy and Jose have hurt and murdered so many people. You have no idea what they’ve done. She’s behind all of it.”

  “It’s all over.” Danika struggled to shove the body from her. She grabbed the sofa for support and forced herself to stand, the agony in her abdomen nearly taking away her breath. Nadine had drifted into shock, her eyes glazed and her body seemingly paralyzed. “Give me the gun, and I’ll call the police.”

  The front door opened and shut with a crash that shook the house. Danika’s attention flew to the entranceway, where Lucy aimed a gun at Nadine. “Toss that piece over here, Nadine. You thought you could outsmart me? Jose wasn’t the only one listenin’ in.”

  Nadine did as she was told, still trembling and ashen. Danika stepped in front of the girl. “I’m the one you’re after. Leave her alone.”

  “Brave talk for an unarmed agent.” Lucy shook her head. “And so soon after surgery. By the way, I don’t have a problem killing you both.”

  “Take my advice and get out of here. The police are on their way.”

  “How’s that? The pair guarding you left hours ago.”

  Danika wondered how quickly Jimenez contacted the police. The time neared ten thirty. If not for an emergency at the medical center, Alex would have been there hours ago. Now he’d be walking into a hornet’s nest. “Chief Jimenez wasn’t happy with me dismissing the cops, so he’s sending more.”

  “Now’s as good a time as any to leave. Both of you are to walk through the kitchen to the garage, where Danika will pull my car inside. Either of you try anything, and Nadine gets the first bullet. In fact, Nadine, you are to laugh, talk about all of us going to dinner. We want the neighbors to think this is a good time. Do not use any names. Understand?”

  The teen merely nodded, obviously too frightened to speak.