Call of Duty 02 - Sworn to Protect

by DiAnn Mills

  Alex shoved aside the thought of his wounded leg to size up Ed’s request. “I could grab the steering wheel, while you scoot out from underneath it. Then I’ll take over.”

  “I don’t intend to slow down much.”

  No point in wasting time and energy to argue. “Let’s do it.”

  Alex slid next to him and took the wheel. The gearshift on the floor would be the next obstacle. “Why are we doing this?”

  “So I can get a clear shot.”

  Alex guided the truck with one hand and positioned himself to straddle the gearshift. “Aren’t you taking a risk?”

  “Don’t think we have much choice. Get your foot on the gas now.”

  With both eyes on the road, Alex managed to steer and swing his leg over to the accelerator. Fire raced through his right leg, and he still had to drag it over the gearshift. Ed drew his feet up onto the seat and maneuvered to the passenger side. For a big man, he moved quickly.

  Alex gritted his teeth and pulled his right leg over the gearshift. He eased down onto the seat, his leg throbbing while he blinked back the blinding pain. “That was impossible.”

  “Not for two old cowboys.” Ed chuckled and pointed to the right. “There, slow down a bit and follow the road. I’ll tell you where to stop.”

  Ed grabbed his backpack from the floorboard and pulled out his night vision goggles. He reached under the seat and wrapped his hand around a rifle. Alex had seen this jewel before, a M40A1 sniper rifle.

  * * *

  Danika listened to the distant sound of Spanish-speaking voices—two, possibly three men. Obviously the men didn’t trust Lucy and wanted her to bring the women to them. Danika heard the word decapitar. Nadine heard her fate, but she no longer sobbed. Maybe they’d see youth and beauty and spare the girl. But that alternative sounded almost as grim. Nadine needed the courage that had kept her strong for the past several days. More importantly, she needed God’s grace. They both did.

  The trunk popped open. In the darkness, Danika made out Lucy’s shadowy form. The woman stood back to avoid a kick or a punch, knowing Danika would have welcomed an opportunity to send her sprawling on the dirt road.

  “Get out,” Lucy said. “Slowly. You don’t have anywhere to run.”

  That was her opinion. As soon as Danika climbed from the trunk, a man stepped from the side of the car and jerked her hands behind her, tying them with a cord. Nadine followed behind her.

  “The girl shot Jose,” Lucy said. “Should bring you a good price.”

  The man laughed. “If she doesn’t slit a man’s throat.”

  Lucy swore. “What she’s about to see will take care of her fight.”

  Dread washed over Danika, not for herself but for Nadine.

  “We’re taking them back with us,” another man said. “We got plans.”

  “What about mine?” Lucy’s voice tightened. “I’ve thought about this for two years.”

  “What’s more important to you: revenge or money?”

  Lucy paused. “Okay, Carlos, take them with you.”

  The men laughed, drowning out the dirge of insects in the surrounding brush. Two of them grabbed Danika and Nadine.

  “Wait a minute. I want my money for the girl.” Lucy’s exasperation wouldn’t go down well with these men. They’d chew her up and use her for fish bait.

  “When we’re back, I’ll send it to you,” Carlos sounded confident, his mocking words no doubt aimed to frustrate her.

  “Neither of them go until I have the cash.”

  “You don’t know who you’re talking to.” Carlos’s tone edged beyond menacing.

  “I’ll kill them right here.” Lucy raised her gun and aimed straight at Danika’s face.

  This is it. Is this how Toby felt? I wish I hadn’t argued with him that day. . . . I wish I’d gotten to know Alex better . . . been a better friend. Trusted more. Jesus, take care of my baby.

  Danika stared into the dark outline of Lucy’s face. I’m ready.

  Rifle fire cracked and Lucy fell as the shot echoed across the night. Two more rapid shots, and the men holding Danika and Nadine fell. Only Carlos remained.

  “U.S. Border Patrol. Raise your hands.” Chief Patrol Agent Edwardo Jimenez’s booming voice sounded like sweet music as four vehicles swarmed the riverbank drop point.

  It was over. Finally over.

  Danika peered at Nadine and the two leaned into each other. Words failed both of them, for none existed to claim the joy of life and the sadness of death in one breath. Nadine did not sob. She was made of the same sturdy stock as her dad and uncle.

  “Danika.” Alex’s voice rang out in the darkness. She heard the thud of boots and the thump of his crutch and craved his arms around her.

  Helicopter blades whirled above them. Vehicle headlights ahead flashed on, and then she saw them—the dynamic duo of the chief and Alex. Her superheroes. Alex limped faster, and her eyes pooled. Shaken, she refused to give in to a complete breakdown. Alex reached for her at the same time that the chief reached for Nadine.

  “You all right?” Jimenez asked as he untied the young girl and Alex untied Danika.

  Nadine nodded and sniffed. “Thank you, sir. I was so scared. I just knew they were going to kill us.”

  “They’re dead or in custody,” he said. “This whole thing is finished.”

  “I’d like to see my dad,” Nadine said. “Can we do that? I have to tell him I’m sorry and ask him to forgive me.”

  “I’ll take you myself.”

  While Danika listened to the conversation and the scuffle of men handling the bodies and handcuffing Carlos, she basked in the arms of a man who meant more to her than she could imagine.

  “I was afraid I’d lost you,” he said, “that Ed might be wrong.”

  “Was he the one who killed Lucy?”

  “Sure thing.”

  Danika turned to Chief Jimenez. “I take back all of the things I ever said about you. You saved my life.”

  “Why do I think all those things weren’t good?”

  “Maybe the other agents need to get to know you better.”

  “Ruin my image? Hey, there’s something you can do for me.”

  She breathed in and fought the pain tearing through her body. “What’s that?”

  “Take the supervisor position. Chasing you down is making an old man out of me. Besides, I think you have a lot to teach the new guys.”

  “Deal.” She nestled into Alex’s embrace. Deep inside, she realized they’d been placed together for a purpose. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “For what?”

  “For not giving up on me. For being here. For finding a place for Tiana. For helping to solve this whole thing. For—”

  “Agent Morales, hush and let me kiss you.”

  And she did.

  * * *

  Jacob woke in the wee hours of the morning. A police officer rattled Jacob’s cell, startling, then annoying him. He snapped his attention toward the cop.

  “You’re out of here, Morales,” the officer said. “Free to go.”

  Barbara must have paid his bail. She shouldn’t have gone into her savings for him. She’d get it back, for sure. “Is my wife waiting?”

  “I have no idea. Let’s go get your belongings, and you can see for yourself.”

  The fluorescent lights immediately wakened him, and he followed the officer down the hall and through two locked doors. He hoped he never saw the inside of a cell again. A clerk who talked through his mustache shoved discharge paperwork Jacob’s way and had him sign a receipt for his personal belongings. Odd, there wasn’t a bondsman or paperwork to complete for the bail.

  The officer opened the door to the front office and bade him good night. Jacob hoped so. He stepped across the threshold and saw Nadine. He blinked, wondering if he was still asleep.

  She hurried across the waiting area. “Dad, oh, Daddy.”

  The sound of her voice awakened a part of him that he thought he’d never find again.
She rushed into his arms like the little toddler who used to greet him after work. He could die this very minute and be one happy man.

  “It’s over,” she sobbed. “I’m sorry for running away and causing all of this trouble. It was Lucy who killed Uncle Toby, and she wanted to kill Aunt Danika and you too. She made me ride along and hold your watch when Jose put a bomb in the truck.”

  “Go ahead and cry, Naddie girl.” He stroked her silky black hair. Never would he let anything come between him and his family again. God might have to bridle his tongue, but it would happen.

  He glanced up to see Barbara standing with a small group—Danika, Alex Price, Chief Jimenez, and a handful of Border Patrol agents. They all looked beat. Must have been a hard night on the line. Later he’d find out what all had happened. Right now, he wanted to hold his daughter and his wife. Blinking back the tears, Jacob beckoned Barbara to join him and Nadine.

  Chapter 56

  O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.

  Psalm 139:1

  Six weeks later

  “Hey, honey. The coals are about ready for the meat,” Alex called from the door leading to the patio.

  “I’ll bring the burgers.” Danika dried her hands on a dish towel and stole a moment to watch Alex through the window. He must have sensed her staring at him and turned to wave.

  She blew him a kiss and felt a tingle clear to her toes. Their relationship kept getting better and better. And even though she’d not admit it this quickly, Alex was a keeper and she had no intentions of letting him go. He’d mentioned the big M word, and she’d suggested they wait until after the first of the year. But all it would take was a weak moment and one of his kisses, and she’d be saying yes to becoming Mrs. Alex Price.

  “Here, I’ll take those.” Jacob took the tray of meat and grinned. “If we wait on you and Alex to stop making eyes at each other, we’ll all starve.” He nodded toward the kids in the living room. “Listen to that. If we don’t feed them soon, we’ll have mutiny.”

  Danika wrinkled her nose at him. “You’re one to talk. I heard your kids say you and Barbara act like newlyweds.”

  “We are,” Jacob said as he headed for the patio.

  Danika whirled around to Barbara. “Do you know how wonderful it is to see Jacob happy and your marriage rock solid?”

  Barbara nodded. “Every day I thank God for my family. I never dreamed my husband would be content building furniture. His blood pressure is back to normal without medication, and he’s home with us every night.”

  “I’m so happy for you.” Danika hugged her.

  “Mom, we’re starved,” Jake called from the other room.

  “You’re only hungry because I’m beating you at Monopoly,” Nadine said. “Little brother, you’re bankrupt.”

  The doorbell rang, and Danika hurried to answer it. “Must be Felipe and Becca. They’re bringing the dessert.”

  She glanced out the window. The media had ceased to follow her around like the paparazzi, but they were clever. She’d insulted enough reporters to last a lifetime, but sufficient time had passed for them to move on to something else. A black taxi was parked at the curb.

  Curious, she opened the door and started. The blood seemed to drain from her face, and she couldn’t utter a word. Mom and Dad stood before her. They were older, Dad’s hair a little whiter and a few more lines around Mom’s eyes. They looked as anxious as she felt.

  “I know you’re shocked.” Dad shifted from one foot to another. “We didn’t know how else to do this. Can’t blame you if you slam the door in our faces.”

  Danika stood in the doorway numb—hot and cold at the same time. A part of her wanted to cry. Another part of her did want to slam the door in their faces. The biggest part of her wanted everything to be right.

  Tiana patted her leg. “Who is this?” she signed.

  “Can I tell her?” Mom asked. Danika had forgotten how soft her mother’s voice was and how she always dressed in fashion.

  “I . . . I suppose it’s all right.”

  “Danika, who’s at the door?” Alex called from the kitchen. She hadn’t even heard the back door close.

  “My parents.”

  Mom bent to one knee, visibly nervous. “Tiana, I am your grandmother. Your mommy’s mommy,” she signed.

  Mom had learned sign language? Danika attempted to stop the flow of tears, but they swept over her cheeks. She was angry. She was happy. She didn’t know what to feel.

  In an instant, Alex’s arm slipped around her waist. He stuck out his hand to Dad. “Alex Price.”

  Dad grasped his hand. “Good to meet you. William Cutchner.” He sounded like he was greeting church members.

  “Danika looks like you,” Alex said.

  “Prettier than her dad. She gets her stubborn streak from me,” Dad said. “I have the dominant gene.”

  “Is this my grandfather?” Tiana signed.

  Dad stiffened. He took a deep breath and nodded.

  “Is this true, Mommy?”

  The lump in Danika’s throat thickened. For the first time she was glad to sign her response instead of speaking it. “Yes.”

  “Can they come in?” Tiana’s dark eyes sparkled. She clapped her hands.

  Mom’s gaze peered into Danika’s face, tears brimming her eyes. “I’ve missed my daughter.”

  Dad cleared his throat, his normal habit before delivering a sermon. “I feel like I’m the Prodigal Son asking for forgiveness.” He shook his head. “I regret the years I tried to dictate your life. Our last conversation was . . . my fault. You reached out for help, and I smacked you in the face with it. And then when what happened to you hit the news, I realized I had to get my girl back. I’m so sorry. I can’t even imagine what the past two years have been like—how dangerous your job and the enormity of responsibility.”

  Danika stared into the faces of two people whom she’d never stopped loving. Her own tears fell unchecked for all the years of misunderstanding. “Please, come in,” she finally said. “I want you to meet the rest of my family.”

  Danika walked through her home, stepping around children and toys and listening to the sounds of what real love was all about.

  The Rio Grande was not just murky. It was toxic. Danika Morales respected the river’s temperament—lazy and rushing, crystal and muddy, breathtaking and devastating. To many illegal immigrants, its flowing water signified hope and an opportunity for a better tomorrow. Others viewed the river crossing as a means of smuggling drugs or spreading terrorism. But for Danika, the depths had brought back life and love.

  A Note from the Author

  Dear reader,

  When I started writing Sworn to Protect, I believed I had an understanding of the immigration problem. After all, I know people who are undocumented immigrants, and I know people who are Border Patrol agents. Their situation and plight are familiar to most of us living in southern Texas.

  Then Danika and Alex’s story began to unfold. As I looked into their hearts and those of the people around them, I discovered I really didn’t know much at all about the emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual stresses of our neighbors south of the Rio Grande or the brave men and women who protect our borders. Learning along with my characters proved to be a challenging and enjoyable journey.

  While conducting research, I was fortunate to ride the line with a couple of Border Patrol agents. I hope I have been able to portray these courageous people accurately. I remember how hot the days, how muddy the Rio Grande, and how desperate the people. The Border Patrol agents’ compassion and respect for undocumented immigrants impressed me. I also became aware of the dangers the agents face. Can you imagine not wearing your uniform to and from work for fear of endangering your family’s lives?

  Without a doubt, Sworn to Protect does not attempt to address all the complex issues surrounding immigration in the United States. It would be difficult to do that within the pages of a novel. If you’d like to learn more about th
e Border Patrol and undocumented immigrants, I invite you to read Patrolling Chaos: The U.S. Border Patrol in Deep South Texas by Robert Lee Maril (Texas Tech University Press, 2006). For a distinctly Christian perspective, you may want to read Welcoming the Stranger by Matthew Soerens and Jenny Hwang (InterVarsity Press, 2009).

  I hope you enjoyed Sworn to Protect. I left a piece of my heart with the characters. It’s been said that if a writer doesn’t change and grow in writing a novel, then she can’t expect the reader to change and grow either. I hope this novel has made you more aware of our immigration issues, and may we pray together for a resolution.

  Expect an Adventure

  DiAnn Mills

  www.diannmills.com

  About the Author

  Award-winning author DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels. DiAnn’s first book was published in 1998. She currently has more than forty books in print, which have sold more than a million and a half copies.

  Six of her books have appeared on the CBA best-seller list. Eight of her books have been nominated for the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year contest, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005 and 2007. Lightning and Lace was a 2008 Christy Award finalist.

  DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Inspirational Writers Alive; Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope and Love chapter; and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also a mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild.

  Her latest releases are Awaken My Heart and Breach of Trust.

  Discussion Questions

  1. Have you ever considered taking a job that might put you or your family in danger?