by JoAnn Durgin
Sam’s blue eyes pierced hers. “Wear your seat belt.”
“No talking between you two!” Howard warned. “Just you and her.” He nodded his head at Sheila. “Find out where my girl is, and then we’re out of here.”
Standing close to Sheila, Lexa turned and met the other woman’s dark eyes. “Sheila, you’ve got to tell me where Angelina is. We don’t have a choice if we’re all going to make it through this. We can help, but we need your cooperation.”
Sheila nodded and mumbled an address in a rundown section on the outskirts of the city. Lexa recognized the street name which was a miracle in itself. It wasn’t far from where they turned off the dirt road onto the main highway when headed toward San Antonio.
“What happened to Howard’s car?”
“Br–bro–broke d–down on th–th–the w–wa–way out he–here. H–he . . . a–aban–abandon–abandoned it, a–an–and . . . w–we wa–wa–walked . . . th–the re–rest of th–the . . . w–way.”
Lexa frowned. They’d played right into Howard’s hands by arriving at the mission when they did. But they had to help Sheila, so Lexa didn’t regret any of it. Imprinting the address on her brain, she turned back around and swallowed her fear. “Okay. I know where she is.”
Looking smug, Howard nodded in satisfaction. He kept the gun trained on them as he ordered them around the back wall of the mission. Telling them to kneel, Howard reached into a burlap bag he retrieved from the ground and pulled out a section of thick, white rope. He made quick work of tying their wrists and ankles, using a pocket knife to roughly sever the ends. Next he pulled out dirty cloths and forced them into their mouths but not before first reaching a hand down into Sam’s pockets to make sure he, too, wasn’t carrying a pocket knife. Finding one, Howard snarled and pocketed it.
Lexa’s heart pounded with uncontrollable force as she watched Howard through terrified eyes. Please, God. Help us. Don’t let him do anything to Sam or Sheila. Not like this. The scene was reminiscent of those movies where prisoners are blindfolded and shot while standing in front of a wall not unlike the mission behind them. Lexa shuddered.
“Come on! We’ve got some business to do.” Howard threw a menacing look at Lexa.
With one last glance at Sam, who nodded and gave her a reassuring wink, Lexa allowed Howard to pull her along behind him.
Lord, please watch over us all tonight.
Chapter 41
“Don’t try anything funny,” Howard warned, releasing his grip on her arm.
Lexa handed over the car keys on demand. “Don’t worry. I won’t.” She climbed into the car beside him. He must not have bathed in a few days. Turning her head, Lexa exhaled slowly and tried not to breathe in. If only there was more of a breeze in the humid, still night air.
They rode in silence with Lexa speaking only when she needed to tell him when to turn the car. She prayed she’d remember the way. Howard wouldn’t take kindly to being lost in the Texas countryside in the middle of the night.
“You one of those Jesus people, too?”
Lexa startled. She nodded but waited to see what he’d say next.
“Sometimes I’d listen to Sheila singing to Angelina at night.” It sounded more like he was reminiscing out loud rather than consciously speaking to her. “She’d sing Jesus Loves Me and Angelina would start singin’ in that sweet little voice of hers.”
Lexa jumped as he slammed his big hand down hard on the steering wheel and muttered a stream of expletives. She slipped further down into the seat and leaned a bit closer to the door of the car. Her fingers gripped the door handle so tight they hurt.
“Get your hand off the door!” Howard roared, reaching over and shoving her arm. “Aren’t you going to try and convert me?” he taunted, his voice full of contempt. “Try to tell me how Jesus loves me and wants me to be part of His kingdom or whatever that rot is you people are always talkin’ about. Answer me, woman!” he bellowed when she didn’t respond.
“Jesus does love you, Howard. Is that what you want to hear?” She shot a sidelong glance at him. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re just dying to hear the truth about how He died for you and your sins. That’s definitely something you should hear about,” she muttered under her breath.
Watch it, Lexa. She needed to take it easy with this guy or he might lose his cool. She wanted to live past tonight if she had a prayer of a future with Sam. To Lexa’s immense relief, Howard burst into booming laughter, amused by her wry sense of humor.
“Tell me why a guy like Jesus Christ should care about a guy like me.” He made the Savior’s name sound like a curse. But he’d asked the question.
Lexa sat up straighter in the car. Here she was being handed a golden opportunity to share the gospel, and she was about to let it pass her by. She shook her head at her own lack of perception and squared her shoulders, her mind searching for the right words. Sharing the gospel message was something Sam and the other volunteers at the camp talked about a lot. But it was all new and foreign for her.
Even though she couldn’t remember any complete scripture verses to save her life, she had to tell this man what she could. How ironic. It might be the only time Howard Morris ever heard the gospel message. The Lord had given her an awesome responsibility, and she couldn’t let Him down. It wasn’t the time to flee in the other direction. He had chosen her for the task.
You and me, Lord. Here goes.
“I’m a new believer myself.” Lexa stole a glance. Howard appeared to listen. “It’s all strange, but comforting in a weird way.” Lexa couldn’t believe she was engaged in conversation with a man who kidnapped his wife, then kidnapped her, and now intended to kidnap his daughter. “I’ve done a lot of bad things in my life that I’m sorry for, Howard.” She hoped to reach him more on a more personal level by using his first name.
“Yeah, right,” he muttered, turning onto a street where she directed. “Like you’ve done really bad things.”
Now he was mocking her. She blew out a deep breath. “We’ve all done bad things. What you consider bad and what I consider bad—and what’s considered bad in the eyes of the law—might all be different things. But you know what I mean.”
She paused, and he nodded in agreement.
“You know, the things you do that you know in your heart are wrong.” She hesitated a minute to let the effect of her words sink in. “I know you have a heart in there somewhere because it shows whenever you talk about Angelina.”
“My little girl’s the best thing that ever happened to me. I can’t lose her.” Howard slanted a glance her way. In that moment, he looked more curious than menacing. It went a long way toward soothing her trepidation. “What’s your name?”
Lexa felt like lying but decided to give it to him anyway. “Alexis Clarke.” She didn’t bother telling him that most people called her Lexa. It was more a private name she didn’t want Howard Morris to use. He grunted an unintelligible response, and she didn’t ask him to repeat it.
“You’re not a bad person, Howard. Why don’t you stop all this hurting?” Her voice was quiet and calm. Maybe this is what it meant to have the Holy Spirit take over. He didn’t answer, and she dared not look over at him. He slowed the car, but he kept going, much to Lexa’s relief. She didn’t know what she’d do if he stopped the car in the middle of nowhere. The insidious stirrings of fear began to rumble again in the pit of her stomach.
I will not be afraid. Lord be with me. I will not be afraid. She couldn’t allow herself to give into paralyzing fear. It would serve no purpose other than perhaps getting herself killed. Deep down, Lexa didn’t think Howard was capable of serious physical violence. She’d glimpsed the softness deep inside the man, but she didn’t want to test his limits.
Talk about the Lord. Talk about something. Anything. Keep his mind occupied. You’re almost there now.
“Jesus died for our sins, yours and mine.” She forced a boldness into her voice so he’d hear over the noisy engine. It had started tha
t annoying rumble. Lexa prayed the old Volvo would get them where they needed to go and then back to the mission. What in the world would they do if the bomb decided to give out when she was with Howard? She didn’t even want to think about that one.
“Jesus was crucified and died a horrible death to take our place, Howard. He’s our Savior because He died for the sins of man. All you have to do is confess your sins to Him and ask Him into your heart, and you’ll have eternal life,” she said, cramming it all in when it seemed he might try to stop her.
He started to interrupt her, but then stopped. Lexa could tell he was still listening.
“You’ll live forever with Him . . .”
“I know what it means!” he shouted, slamming his big hand down on the steering wheel again. “You’re crazy, lady. Just like Sheila, that boyfriend of yours, and all the rest of ’em,” Howard muttered, shaking his head. “And I kinda had higher hopes for you.”
“Maybe we’re crazy,” she rebutted in a firm voice, “but at least we know for sure we’re going to heaven when we die. Can you say that much?”
“Shut up!” he demanded, turning to look at her with that menacing look in his dark eyes again. Lexa did as he commanded but turned her head, knowing she’d shared as much as she could with him and maybe given him something to think about and chew on.
Plant the seeds, Lexa. She couldn’t expect to reap an immediate harvest with this man. But he’d heard what he needed to do to have eternal life. And he’d called her lady this time. The best thing was, it hadn’t been hard at all to share about Jesus with this man.
“Turn here, and the house should be somewhere on this street.” Lexa motioned with her arm, thankful they’d found it with no trouble. Howard turned off the noisy engine and they coasted down the narrow street. Steering over to the curb with concentrated effort, he ordered her to remain seated.
“What’s the number of the house?” he barked in a gruff voice as he climbed out. He came around and yanked open her door, and motioned with his head for her to get out of the car.
“One-forty-two.” Her eyes strained to see any house numbers in the darkness.
Pulling her along with a rough hand on her arm, Howard gestured to a house a few doors down. “Must be over here.”
“I can walk by myself,” Lexa protested. “I’m not going to run away. You can believe me.” He looked at her long and hard before releasing her arm. She could still feel his rough fingers digging into her flesh.
“Make sure you don’t.” They made their way in silence toward the front door of the house, stopping on the front step. “What time is it?”
“I don’t know.” Lexa glanced up at the night sky. “Judging by the position of the moon, I’d say it’s about four o’clock.”
Howard snorted. “Ain’t you the smart one? Well, then, it’s time to wake some people up!” He rapped on the front door a few times, each knock louder and more insistent. A dog inside the house yapped, and soon they heard yelling and a door slammed.
From the back of the house, Lexa heard someone call out in Spanish. “Keep your pants on. I’m comin’,” a disgruntled female voice called, this time in English. They heard the sound of a lock and then a deadbolt being unlatched before the door opened a crack.
“Yeah?”
Howard shoved Lexa in front of the door so the occupant of the house would only see her, not him.
“Yeah?” the woman repeated, staring at Lexa with wide eyes. “Hey, don’t I know you?”
Lexa shook her head. “I’m sorry to disturb you at this hour, ma’am, but I’m in need of some assistance.” She followed her gut instincts about what to say to this woman. “I need to use your phone if it’s all right. Please.”
The woman eyed Lexa, looking her up and down with one brow cocked. “Why? Some guy beat you up, sweetheart? You look okay to me.” She started to close the door in her face until Lexa stuck her foot in the door, effectively blocking the woman from closing it entirely.
“You wanna keep the foot, you’d better move it.”
“Look, I’m not a thief or a criminal, but I need a phone. Please,” Lexa implored.
At least the woman didn’t slam the door on her foot. Finally, she opened the door a crack and looked outside. In that moment, Howard seized his opportunity and burst past the woman into the house. Spouting a stream of loud profanity, the woman stared at Howard and then glared at Lexa with venomous eyes.
“I’m sorry.” Lexa shifted to her other foot and captured the woman’s eye contact. “I assure you, we don’t mean you any harm.” She kept her voice as calm as she could muster.
“Shut up! I don’t wanna hear anything else outta the likes of you.”
Lexa obeyed, knowing it was in her best interest. She stepped aside.
“What are you doin’ here, Howard?” The tone was belligerent. She looked not in the least frightened or intimidated by this man. In fact, she looked meaner than he did, and downright menacing.
It was then that Lexa remembered where she’d seen this woman. “You’re Margarita’s mother, aren’t you?” Lexa interrupted, stepping forward.
The woman laughed, but it lacked mirth. “Sweetheart, I ain’t that girl’s mother and I ain’t never been. Only reason I’m keepin’ that kid is ’cause she belongs to my sister. I’m doin’ her a favor, keepin’ that rug rat away from this good-for-nothin’ lazy husband of hers. Howard,” she said, returning her attention to him, “what do you think you’re doin’ burstin’ in here at all hours of the night? You’re a crazy idiot.” Shaking her head, she plopped into a chair.
“Justina, go get Angelina now!” Howard yanked Lexa by the arm again and pulled the gun from the pocket of his pants.
The woman’s eyes widened as she spied the gun, and she held up her hands. “Don’t go and get all crazy on me. I’ll get her for you. Hang on.” She shrugged as she stood up again. “All she’s been is a heap of trouble anyhow. I’m glad to get rid of her.”
“Get her and shut up about it,” Howard warned in a low, threatening tone. “If you don’t, there’s gonna be trouble. And, considering the amount of coke you’ve got stashed in your sofa cushions over there,” he added, waving the gun, “I don’t think you want the cops in here.” At his words, Justina quickly departed the room without a word. In less than a minute, she was back in the living room with a small, sleepy girl in-tow.
Lexa cocked her head to one side, trying to get a better look at the child. Her hair was tousled and half in her face but there was no mistaking the haunted, dark eyes when they looked up at her.
Margarita.
Chapter 42
“Margarita?” Lexa held her breath as Margarita flew into her arms. Lexa held her tight. She stroked her hair and whispered that everything would be all right.
“Angelina, baby.” Howard scowled in Lexa’s direction. Stooping down, he opened his arms to his child. Angelina clung to Lexa, but stared with wide eyes at her father. “Come on. I won’t hurt you, sweetie,” he coaxed. At least he’d put away the gun. No need to scare the child with the weapon. Thank goodness he seemed like a halfway decent parent. That thought struck Lexa as highly ironic.
Angelina released her grip on Lexa and walked over to Howard. She laid her head on his shoulder. With gentle strokes, he ran his big hands over her hair, murmuring something into her ear. The child smiled her customary shy smile, and put a finger in her mouth, sucking on it in a familiar gesture. Watching Howard with his daughter, Lexa glimpsed a softer side of the gruff man. Yes, Angelina was his soft spot all right.
Margarita is Angelina. Sheila and Howard’s daughter. Lexa didn’t know why she hadn’t put two and two together before. Same dark, silky hair, small hands and shy smile. But it was the big, sad eyes that were remarkable in their similarity. Sheila never worked with the children at the makeshift schoolhouse. She kept to herself, never talked about herself or revealed much about her life. This was all part of Sheila’s plan to stay hidden and nondescript. Too bad it hadn’t worked.
“Get a move on,” Howard barked in Lexa’s direction. She moved forward and grabbed the knob on the front door, aware that Justina’s eyes bore into her back.
“Hurry it up,” Howard repeated in a low voice. “We don’t have all night.” He followed behind Lexa, pulling Angelina along by the hand. “Come on, Angie. Your friend’s comin’, too.” Lexa heard small whimpers and, as Howard passed her on the sidewalk, he picked up the child’s slight form and threw her over one broad shoulder. Seemed men liked doing that.
Lexa grimaced as she started to climb into the back seat of the car beside Angelina. She was thankful he made sure his daughter was strapped in properly.
“Where do ya think you’re goin’?” Howard kept his voice calm for Angelina’s benefit. “Get up front, woman!” His small black eyes bore into hers.
Lowering her gaze, Lexa did as he ordered, giving Angelina a reassuring wink. She couldn’t allow her to see any fear. She had to be strong enough for both of them. But all she wanted to do was hug the little girl close. But at least her mother would be able to do it soon enough if that was Howard’s plan. Fear seized her again, squeezing tight.
“It’s okay, Margar . . . Angelina.” Lexa forced her voice to sound as soothing as possible considering the current circumstances. She was rewarded with a nod and a hint of a smile. Howard started the car again, and it sounded obnoxious in the quiet night. Cursing under his breath, he pulled the car around and headed in the opposite direction.
“You’d better tell me how to get back.” This time, he made no attempts at conversation, and Lexa was grateful. Within fifteen minutes, they were back at the mission. Lexa felt like flinging open the car door and making a run, not to escape from Howard but to run toward the comfort of Sam.
If she wanted, she could have escaped on that quiet street. But Lexa couldn’t leave Sam and Sheila at the mission, at the mercy of Howard. And she couldn’t leave Angelina. She wanted to stay by Sam’s side. The Lord put her in this situation for a reason, and she had to see it through. He’d protected her so far, and He’d continue to do so.
