by DiAnn Mills
“Why should I help you?”
“Why wouldn’t you?”
Kariss studied the leader. She’d seen his face on the squad board. He had high cheekbones and a mass of acne scars. A deep dimple sunk into his left cheek. Cheeky Lopez.
“I don’t give anything away. You want to know about Delores, then you do business with me. I give the orders.”
“I’m looking for my child. Delores is the mother. The child is four years old, almost five.”
“Hmm. Boy or girl?”
The last question ground at Kariss’s heart. The poor man had no idea.
“I don’t know.”
Cheeky smirked. “Are you stupid?”
“I was deported before the child was born.” Xavier spoke like a man in control. Even in the depths of danger, she mustered respect for the simple man who desperately wanted to find his child.
“Like I said. You’re stupid. Maybe she killed it. Told me she killed the other one. Too much trouble.”
Xavier clenched his fists. “Maybe she did.”
“We’ll talk later. You help me. I help you. First I need to take care of the pretty lady.”
Kariss shivered, digesting every word.
“She’s a friend helping me find my child.”
“She’s been using you. I said she’s a cop.”
Xavier’s eyes flew to Kariss then back to Cheeky. “I don’t know anything about that.”
Cheeky walked to Kariss, his boots resounding on the concrete floor. He grabbed her jaw and squeezed. “You won’t leave here alive.”
“That’s right.” The businessman strode up beside Cheeky. “I know who she is. Sent one of my men to prison. Tried to bring an indictment against my law firm. She’s FBI.”
“No. You’re mistaken.” Desperation had sunk to the bottom of her soul. She had no idea what the businessman was talking about. “I’m not policía … FBI.” She nearly choked on the acid rising in her throat.
“Ah, that’s why she was at the hospital,” Cheeky said. “Check her for a wire. Make sure she didn’t bring any friends. Get her phone.”
“Look through my purse.” Desperation made her physically ill. “Nothing’s there to show I work for the FBI.”
The Arroyo nearest her tossed her purse to another man, then he searched her. His hands slid over her body, embarrassing and frightening her. When nothing was found he slapped her.
Cheeky turned to the businessman. “Want to do the honors?”
“I do.”
She gasped, her knees weakening along with any resemblance of courage.
Cheeky stepped back, and the business man pulled a gun from inside his suit coat and aimed.
“Please. You’re wrong. I’m just here to help Xavier find his child.”
“And to our good fortune,” the businessman said.
Reality pounded into her nightmarish situation. She couldn’t call on God again after leaving Him behind with all the things she’d done …
Please.
Xavier protested. Then he tried to stand between her and the shooter. Cheeky smirked and pushed him to the floor beside her.
The businessman lifted his gun.
Narrowed his eyes.
Then drew it back. “I have a better idea.”
Cheeky swore. “You haven’t the guts to kill her?”
The businessman stared at Cheeky, his eyes narrowed and evil. “No one lives who accuses me of being a coward.”
“What’s stopping you?”
“I want a little … shall I say, entertainment from our FBI friend. As a part of our little agreement I’ll return her to you when we conduct our transaction. Unless she angers me. Then I might have to get rid of her myself.”
“She’s cost me time and money. Chop her up and send her to the FBI as a warning. I’d rather see her blood run now.”
“You don’t trust me, Cheeky? I’m supplying you with 250 AK-47s for two hundred and forty grand, and you don’t trust me to deliver this piece of trash or kill her myself?”
“I have people watching.”
“So do I. Would you like a few more references?”
Cheeky hesitated, then nodded. “I’m fine. Just bring her with the guns.”
The businessman smiled. “Be on time with the money, and I’ll count every cent of it before you receive one rifle.”
Kariss sucked in a breath. Time … this horrendous exchange of money, guns, and her blood had bought seven days for her to figure out how to survive.
The businessman replaced his gun and shook Cheeky’s hand. “Deal. Don’t let me down. The Skulls would like my business too. But you impressed me with your operation.”
CHAPTER 49
Tigo grabbed Kariss by the arm and yanked her out of the building. She’d nearly blown their cover and lost the case for them. Worse yet, she’d nearly become Cheeky’s next victim.
“Please.” Kariss’s trembling voice displayed her terror.
“Shut up, or I’ll finish what I started.” He understood the Arroyos were glued to the shadows, and he must maintain rough treatment of her and his Hispanic accent.
“I’m not FBI.”
He stopped and smacked her in the face. Not hard, but enough to prove his point with Arroyos watching. “You might be pretty, but your kind is easily disposed of. Let’s see how much you fight later,” he said in English.
At the SUV, he stuffed her into the floorboard of the backseat with orders not to make a sound. He and Ryan quickly entered the vehicle and sped away.
“Did Cheeky have this bugged?” Tigo said.
“Possibly. I’ll check once we’re back.”
“Doesn’t matter. Get the gun shipment arranged and let our people know we have a new buyer.”
“You were an idiot to take the woman.” Ryan’s words punctuated how he’d nearly seen her killed.
“I saw it as leverage.”
“Maybe so. But I’d have pulled the trigger.”
“I wanted to. The FBI’s going to pay for this one. Have you thought about her backup?”
“Not the guy looking for a kid.” Ryan laughed. “Didn’t know if it was a boy or girl. I studied him. Nothing but a stupid Mexican.”
“Let’s hope so. Both could have been FBI. That’s why we’ll contact Cheeky and move the exchange date. Are we being followed?”
“Looks like it.”
Tigo needed time to think. The adrenaline still flowed. They were this close to nailing Cheeky and a handful of the Arroyos. His thoughts turned to Kariss. She’d have to sweat it out on the floorboard until they switched vehicles. Then he’d give her the lecture of her life — after apologizing for slapping her. Not exactly one of his finer moments.
Xavier … Would he survive this? The man had no reason to doubt Kariss worked for the FBI since that’s where he’d met her. Cheeky held the ace in that deal, and Xavier just might do whatever was necessary to get information about Delores and their child. If he refused, he’d be the one left in a pool of blood instead of Kariss.
Tigo drove toward Houston’s Northwest Medical Center where they’d left Ryan’s car. He kept his attention on the rearview mirror, certain they were followed. After speeding down an off ramp then back onto the interstate several times, he felt assured they’d lost any Arroyos.
Tigo eased the SUV into the hospital parking garage. No one followed, but if the vehicle was bugged, then trailing him was no longer necessary. On the third floor, he pulled in beside Ryan’s Toyota.
They exited with flashlights and looked for a bug. There it was behind the left rear tire. Tigo removed it and crushed it with his rented shoes. If Kariss hadn’t succumbed to a heart attack by now, then she had guts. In any event, he needed to get her out of there.
She’d nearly been killed.
That’s when he realized where his heart had gone.
Kariss had prayed every prayer she’d remembered growing up. She’d added verses along with all the typical promises of how she’d live her life if God saved
her from this mess. Back then, her show of piety was to please Mom and Dad. But not now, even if God didn’t remember her name.
Was there a way to bribe God?
She thought about Xavier, who was most likely getting initiated into the Arroyos or killed.
Fear set her teeth chattering, made her dizzy. Every day since Nikki had died in the fire, she’d struggled to keep children safe and scatter the accusing voices that tormented her. Taking the job as news anchor for Channel 5 had given her exposure to continue protecting children. But reporting the Cherished Doe case with no closure had only reminded her of her failure. So she’d resigned to write novels. Maybe by putting her efforts in another direction, she’d forget.
The haunting whispers refused to leave her. How could she ever make up for losing Nikki?
She’d volunteered at a women’s shelter and ended up mentoring kids.
She’d supported children around the world.
She’d given away thousands of dollars on behalf of needy children.
Then the idea of writing a novel that showed justice for Cherished Doe entered her mind and wrapped around her heart. On the heels of that endeavor came helping Xavier find his child.
Now she’d be dead in a matter of days, and she’d done nothing to redeem herself for letting Nikki die.
God, I tried to make a difference, she thought.
I’m the only One who can redeem you.
She shuddered. Those weren’t her words. Was this the voice of God? Could—
The vehicle stopped. Stage two of her demise. She’d run if given the opportunity. And scream. The younger man regretted the older one’s decision to use her as leverage. How did she form the words to convince them that she wasn’t an agent? What did the older man mean by stating she’d sent one of his men to jail? Did she have a lookalike somewhere?
The SUV’s door opened, and the older man grabbed her arm. “We’re moving, little lady.” He walked her to a dark green sedan.
Her heart continued to race until she thought it might burst from her chest. Yet that would be an easier way to die. Death by terror had a better ring than what she feared.
God, if it’s not too late, I’m really sorry for turning my back on You.
“Inside. We’re about to have a little talk.” The businessman seemed angrier than before.
Bargaining. Yes. Anything sounded better than what she’d heard back there.
She plopped onto the seat and buckled up out of habit. What was she thinking? She should jump from the car at the first opportunity. The two climbed into the vehicle and fastened their own seat belts. Ever so quietly, she released hers.
“Buckle up, Kariss. You’re safe now.” The voice was one she knew. Tigo! She gasped. He’d been in disguise.
“Tigo,” she whispered, more like a prayer than an understanding. “I … I didn’t recognize you.” Her attention swept from one man to the other, their disguises masking their identity.
“Good. You weren’t supposed to.” Frustration came through from every word.
She didn’t care. She burst into tears, a floodgate of everything that had transpired since she agreed to accompany Xavier. “I’m alive. You saved my life.” She sobbed, unable to control herself, and she didn’t care how weak it sounded. “How will I ever repay you?”
“Don’t ask.”
She could feel his anger, but right now she’d kiss him at the first opportunity. “Ryan, is it you too?”
“Yes. It’s me.” He turned to her from the front seat, lines dug into his forehead. “Before Tigo gets started, I have a few things to say.”
She gulped. For a moment she feared throwing up.
“Tonight was something we’d planned for months.” Ryan glared into her face. “Do I need to state the risks involved in Operation Wasp? Or the extent we went to with our disguises and paper trail? You nearly blew it all.”
She held her breath, almost afraid to let it out. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry all right,” Ryan said. “I can’t wait to voice a complaint to Linc about his ludicrous idea to let you write from our files. Your ego might be in good shape, but my wife could be a widow right now and my kids minus a dad.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You’re right.” His tone inched closer to a growl. “One sorry excuse for a selfish human being.”
“I was trying to help Xavier. See—”
“Don’t even want to hear it.” Ryan’s voice rose. “Your stupid stunt had nothing to do with Xavier. It had everything to do with a fiction writer looking for a thrill to write into her next book. Your idiocy put good people in danger. Xavier is most likely dead. How do you feel about that?”
“You’re not being fair.” The heat rising in her face had grown into a full-blown defense case. “How dare you size me up and spit me out like a piece of trash. My motives were to help Xavier. That’s all.”
“Kariss, you’re screaming.” Tigo’s dry tone did nothing to ease her wrath.
“What of it? After what happened tonight and Ryan’s accusations, I have the right to scream until tomorrow. You were the ones who refused to help Xavier.”
“Calm down. You’re reaching hysteria,” Tigo said. “He doesn’t even know if the child was born.”
“But it’s a life, and that means something. Did you hear Cheeky? He knows Delores, and she admitted to killing Benita and maybe her other child.”
“She’s all yours, Tigo.” Ryan stared out the passenger window as the car veered onto the 610 loop headed west.
“I don’t want her. In fact, I could let her out right here. In fact, if I never see her again, it would be too soon.”
Kariss took a few breaths to calm herself before he made good on his threat. “I appreciate your saving my life. I’m grateful. I was frightened out of my mind.” She gasped. “You slapped me.”
“I apologize. I needed to look credible.”
She understood, only too well. “Thanks. What … what do you plan to do about the gun exchange … and me?”
“I don’t have any problem with the exchange. Cheeky can have you,” Tigo said. “What do you think, Ryan?”
“Sure. Give Cheeky what he wants.” Ryan’s tone indicated his anger had not subsided.
“But I think we can take him into custody before he mistreats you.” Tigo didn’t miss a beat.
“That’s horrible. I won’t permit it.” The moment the words left her mouth, she realized how ridiculous they sounded. “Guys, please. You have to understand how this happened.” Kariss’s temples throbbed.
“It wasn’t an accident,” Tigo said. “You had a gun, which they now have.”
“For protection, that’s all. I was afraid for Xavier.”
“So why did you go?”
She began to sob. “I couldn’t bear deserting him when all he wanted was to find his child. I didn’t think—”
“Stop right there,” Tigo said. “I’ve done enough of a background check to know why. What happened in that fire was not your fault.”
How long had he known? “I think about it all the time. Hear the cries.”
“Looks to me like heroism burned a few brain cells,” Ryan said.
“I wasn’t a hero. I failed. She died.”
“Hey, now, I’m sorry,” Ryan said, “but you can’t live in the past.”
“I’m working on that.” She stuffed her emotions. Later she’d work through what tonight meant — nearly getting killed, failing again, and hearing what she thought was the voice of God. “Seriously, what are you going to do?”
“Have your obituary placed in the paper and send Cheeky a copy,” Tigo said.
She noted her clasped hands in her lap. Still praying. “Will he believe it?”
“I have a better idea,” Ryan said. “Let’s get the word out on the streets. That’ll take care of the Arroyos who don’t know how to read.”
“Great idea.” Tigo palmed the steering wheel. “FBI Agent Sally Seymore found dismembered in parking garage a
t Northwest Medical Center. Too many pieces to bury.”
“Sally Seymore?” If she hadn’t been shaking, she’d laugh. “Can’t you give me a more professional name?”
Ryan laughed. “Yeah, like Tellie Toomuch?”
They were trying to make her feel better, and she should ease up. Relax if possible. “My car’s parked back there.”
“We’ll have someone pick it up in the morning. Just in case an Arroyo is following us,” Tigo said.
“I thought you said we were fine.” Panic rose again.
“We are.” Tigo glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “Do you really want to pick up your car tonight?”
She didn’t want to be alone in a vehicle, worrying about who might be following her. “I can wait.” She held her breath. “Do you think Xavier is okay?”
Neither man responded.
“Tigo?”
“Depends on Cheeky’s mood. To stay alive, he’ll have to prove his loyalty to the Arroyos. Much like initiation.”
“How can we find out?”
“If his body is found, then we’ll know. If the next time you see your bud he’s covered in gang signs, you’ll know then too.”
“He wouldn’t kill anyone.”
“Probably not. There’s your answer.”
Kariss closed her eyes as Tigo drove toward the FBI office.
Thank You, God, for saving me. Thank You for not deserting me when I tuned You out after the fire. I’m listening, really listening. Tonight was miraculous. Would You keep Xavier safe too?
“Are you going to sleep?” Tigo said.
“No. I’m praying.”
“Been there already tonight,” Ryan said.
“I owe Him big time for this.” Reverence laced her words.
“One of these days I’ll look into the God thing,” Tigo said. “Promised my mother I would.”
Ryan shook his head. “Tonight should have made you a believer.”
“Not yet. When Cheeky is behind bars along with Masterson and Bates, then I’ll sit on the front row of your church. How’s that?”
“Don’t wait too long.”
The finality of Ryan’s advice squeezed her heart. She’d seen enough blood and too much of the vile actions of cruel men.
“Guys, I have something to say.”
