Uneven Exchange

by Derban, S. K.

  Alexandra continued to enjoy her breakfast as she listened to their affectionate banter. She also observed the bond of family love Rico and Yoli shared with each other. Her thoughts turned to her own family and to Jake. How she wished they could be a part of each other’s families.

  “So tell me, Yoli,” Rico said loudly, capturing Alexandra’s attention. “Have you heard from your painter friend in Los Angeles?”

  “A true lady never tells.”

  “Ha! That’s what I like, double standards. You’re always asking me about Daniela.”

  “Yes, but what do you tell me? Not one little thing.” Yoli stood to clear the table.

  “Here, let me help you, Yoli.” Alexandra started to push out her chair.

  Rico jumped up and began stacking plates.

  “Oh no you don’t,” their hostess ordered playfully. “Both of you sit down and relax. Besides, there is something I want to tell Alex.”

  Alexandra’s eyes opened wider with anticipation. “What it is, Yoli?”

  “When I was thinking about you, your mission, and everything, it made me think of the Book of Esther. Perhaps God is using you like He used Esther of the Bible.”

  “I’m not familiar with the story,” Rico commented. “How did God use her?”

  “Esther, a young Jewish woman, became queen after the king dethroned Queen Vashti,” Yoli responded.

  “Then shortly thereafter,” Alexandra added, “Haman, one of the king’s top men, conspired to kill all of the Jews. He even coerced King Ahasuerus to sign a decree.”

  “Did the king know his queen was Jewish?” Rico asked.

  Both ladies shook their heads and responded in unison, “No.”

  Yoli lifted a wet plate from the rack and began wiping as she moved closer to the kitchen table. “So as a result, Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, encouraged her to go and intercede for her people. But Esther was afraid.”

  “King or not, he was still her husband. I don’t understand. Why was she afraid?”

  “No one, not even the queen, could ask to see the king without being first being called,” Alexandra explained.

  Yoli gave them a radiant smile. “Chapter four of the Book of Esther contains one of my favorite Bible verses. To paraphrase verse fourteen, Mordecai tells Esther that if she remains silent, relief for the Jewish nations will arise from elsewhere, but Esther and her father’s house will perish. Mordecai explains that perhaps she was brought to the kingdom for such a time as this.”

  “Esther saved her people, didn’t she?” Rico asked.

  “Yes, she did. Perhaps Alexandra was brought here for such a time as this.”

  Alexandra placed a loving palm on Yoli’s hand. “Thank you, Yoli. I love that story too.”

  “It is you I should thank. Now I had better get back to these dishes.” Yoli returned to the sink. “I’m sure you have business to discuss.”

  “Speaking of business,” Alexandra said suspiciously, looking directly into Rico’s dark eyes. “Something just occurred to me.”

  “What?” Rico answered hesitantly.

  “About the airport…”

  “What about the airport?”

  “What happened at the airport?” Yoli called out. “What did Rico do this time?”

  “He kissed me.” Alexandra turned her attention to Yoli. “And it wasn’t only a peck.”

  “Ah-ha,” Yoli teased. “So Daniela isn’t the only love of your life!”

  “I,” Rico stuttered, his face flushed. “I was just doing my job.”

  “Doing your job? Ha!” Alexandra accused. “What does kissing me have to do with your job?”

  “Yes, tell us, Rico,” Yoli said while laughing loudly.

  Suddenly, Rico gained his composure. He lifted his chin proudly and countered, “You didn’t exactly push me away.”

  Now it was Alexandra’s turn to flush with embarrassment. “Touché,” she said, and raised her coffee cup for a pseudo toast. She then briefly closed her eyes and recalled the fire of her passion. “I think we better change the subject.”

  “I think that is a great idea,” Rico said. “Besides, we need to discuss our travel plans.”

  “Oh, darn,” Yoli complained. “It was getting good.” While pretending to sulk, she collected the remaining dishes and returned to her bubble-filled sink.

  “Travel plans?” Alexandra’s spirits lifted at the prospect of going home. “Just tell me where and when, and I’ll be there.”

  Rico reached into the top pocket of his muted black T-shirt and withdrew two tickets. “We leave tomorrow at three.”

  “Not today?” Alexandra asked, disappointed.

  “No, I’m sorry, but I did try. In fact, you could say I earned my breakfast, both of my breakfasts!” Rico placed the tickets on the table for her to see. “I got up extra early to try and get us on the ferry today, but first class was booked.”

  “We’re taking the ferry?” Alexandra questioned while examining the tickets. She read their destination and asked, “Why are we going to La Paz?”

  “Alex, we really only have two choices. Well, three if you count driving from here to the border,” Rico explained. “We can fly out or we can take the ferry to La Paz.”

  “Why don’t you want to fly? Wouldn’t that be a lot faster?”

  “It’s not that I don’t want to fly. It’s that I want to avoid the airports.”

  “Are we still in danger?”

  “We could be.”

  “But who is left? Carlos Camacho?”

  “No, Camacho is already in custody. After you went to bed, I called Kevin and was patched through to their plane. At that point, he didn’t know Camacho’s status, and neither did I. But when I checked back with him this morning, Kevin confirmed Armando and Conner picked up Camacho late last night.”

  “Then they didn’t fly back with Kevin either?”

  “Of course they didn’t! Not with you missing.”

  “Are they still in Mazatlan?” Yoli asked. “I would love to see Armando.”

  “No, I’m sorry, Yoli,” Rico explained. “They had orders to fly out first thing this morning.”

  Alexandra was puzzled. “Since Carlos Camacho is in custody, then who would be looking for us at the airports?”

  “That I don’t know. Although he would like to think otherwise, Santiago was technically a hired gun, just like Camacho. It won’t take long for word to get out that Santiago has been put away.”

  “So whoever is in charge of him will be looking for us?”

  “It’s a possibility and a chance I am not willing to take.”

  “Do you really think the ferry will be safer?”

  “Definitely, plus we won’t need to show any identification. Also, we have a private cabin, so we can remain inside for the entire trip. We could have left today, but we would have had to travel third class. I didn’t want to risk sitting up all night out in the open.”

  “I understand, but what about the airport in La Paz? Aren’t you afraid we’ll be watched once we arrive there? Plus, won’t we have to show passports?”

  “Yes to both questions,” Rico told her. “That’s why we’re not flying out of La Paz either.”

  With only her eyes and facial expression, Alexandra asked him to explain.

  “We’re going by bus,” Rico continued.

  “You must be joking,” Yoli blurted before Alexandra could respond. “You’re taking a bus all the way to the border?”

  “Why do you say it like that, Yoli? How long will it take?” Alexandra asked timidly.

  “Try all day and all night,” Yoli offered.

  “You mean we’ll be on a bus for more than twenty-four hours?”

  “More like twenty-eight,” Yoli continued as Rico glared in her direction.

  “So you see, Alex,” Rico said softly, “the rest you’ll get today should be helpful.”

  “Well, I’m not so sure about the bus ride, but I am certain of one thing,” Alexandra said.

  “What
’s that?” Rico asked.

  “Nobody would ever dream of taking such a long detour home.”

  “That’s what I’m counting on,” Rico added. “Now I better go out and get you some clothes. I want something casual, maybe tourist-like.”

  “Since we’re traveling together, you should look the part too.”

  “You’re right. I’ll go and hit the beach shops while you rest up.” He stood to leave.

  “What should I do with the car after you two have left?” Yoli asked him.

  “Thank you, but there’s nothing to do. It’s already gone.”

  “It is? When did you take care of that?”

  “Very early this morning before you were even up. Torres arranged a pickup.”

  “Wow. Is there anything you can’t do?” Yoli asked, amazed.

  “Oh yes,” Rico said.

  “What’s that?” Alexandra asked.

  “Isn’t it obvious?” Rico asked as he stepped out the side door. His final comment faded as he walked away. “I can’t seem to win Daniela’s heart.”

  Yoli moved closer to the kitchen table. “He really loves her,” she whispered to Alexandra.

  Alexandra nodded. “I can tell. Do you think they will ever get back together?”

  Yoli shrugged.

  Both women were silent for several minutes until Alexandra spoke. “Thank you again for breakfast, Yoli, and for everything you have done for me.”

  “It has been my pleasure.”

  “I wish you would let me at least help you finish drying the dishes.”

  “I will let you rest and nothing more. You have a long journey ahead of you.”

  Alexandra stood to stretch her long legs. It was hard to believe after all that sleep she was still exhausted. “May I borrow your Bible?” she asked. “I would love to read a while.”

  “Of course you may.” Yoli moved toward the living room. “Come with me and I’ll get it for you. There is nothing more comforting than the Word of God.”

  “I agree.” Alexandra smiled.

  Yoli retrieved her Bible from a round wooden table next to an overstuffed side chair as she continued speaking. “I’ve heard it said that when you pray, it is you speaking to God. But when you read the Bible, it is God speaking to you through His Word.”

  Alexandra nodded enthusiastically. “You can say that again. God is a great listener, but I would rather hear Him than me!” She accepted the Bible and then snuggled into the comfortable living room chair. “Thank you, Yoli.”

  “It’s my pleasure. Now don’t get up and promise me you will stay there and call out if you need anything.”

  “I promise.”

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-FOUR

  THE TELEPHONE CALL

  The Daniel Cole Company

  Old Town, San Diego, California

  Jake

  As normal, Jake took the stairs leading up to their company two at a time. Upon entering, he noticed the lights shining in his private office and quickly discovered Isaiah, his apprentice, hard at work on the computer.

  “What are you doing here?” Jake questioned. “It’s only seven in the morning, and besides, today is a holiday!”

  “Now that’s where you are wrong, old man,” Isaiah responded, teasingly. “Yesterday was the holiday, not today. Don’t you know the day after Thanksgiving is a free day?”

  “Yes, free from work,” Jake countered. “So what gives?”

  “You know, I could ask you the same thing.”

  “Yes, you could, but the reason is easy to guess. I own the place. How often do you get four days off in a row?”

  “Not often, and that is exactly why I’m here so early. The truth is, I’ve got a paper due next week and I needed some computer time. I love this new construction program.”

  “It is a time-saver,” Jake agreed. “So,” he said, patting Isaiah on the shoulder, “no time for surfing this long weekend, eh?”

  “Are you kidding? I should be done here within the hour,” Isaiah volunteered. “Then it’s down to Baja!”

  “Good for you. How are the waves?”

  “They couldn’t be better. So tell me, what’s your story? Why are you here on this long weekend?”

  “I had a really nice time with the Callet family yesterday. Alexandra’s mom cooks a mean turkey, plus she spoiled me rotten. So I thought I’d call Alex, say hi, see how she’s doing, and tell her how much she was missed.”

  “And you don’t have a phone right there on your belt?”

  “Cute,” Jake said while entering his office. He began rifling through the loose papers on his desk and then added, “Alex called right before Thanksgiving, so I thought she had cell service, but when I tried her mobile, it just rang and rang. My call didn’t even go to voice mail. I also tried texting, and nothing. Alex must have called me when she was in the city, as I have a feeling she’s not in a service area right now. So here I am in search for the direct telephone number of the bed and breakfast.”

  Isaiah returned to his typing as Jake rummaged on his desk for Alexandra’s itinerary. But after several minutes, he called out in frustration, “Isaiah, have you seen that memo Alex left?”

  “Sorry, Jake,” Isaiah said, now standing in Jake’s doorway. “I haven’t seen it. Do you want me to see if Kathryn has a copy on her desk?”

  “Sure, if you don’t mind.”

  Isaiah scurried down the hall and returned almost instantly. “Not a paper in sight. I even checked the drawers. Man, Kathryn’s desk is so clean it looks like she’s moving out.”

  “I know.” Jake smiled affectionately. Every night, Kathryn methodically cleaned and even polished her desk.

  “Do you want me to check her files?” Isaiah asked.

  Jake turned his head, and sighed reluctantly. “I don’t know. I hate to invade her personal space. Kathryn will know if just one little thing is out of place.”

  “Then let’s call her at home.”

  Again Jake hesitated. “And interfere with her holiday? I hate to do that too. There must be another way.”

  “Did you try looking it up online?”

  “Of course I did. I tried that from home, but there was nothing,” Jake said as he logged onto his computer. “Maybe we have something in our contact files.”

  “Yes, but remember we haven’t entered all of the old ones. I’ll check Kathryn’s card files,” Isaiah volunteered. “What’s the name of the company?”

  “Jamison, Limited is the company, but I need the number for the bed and breakfast. It’s called Kingston something. Wait! The name is Kingston Manor.”

  “Okay, got it,” Isaiah called out, already jogging toward Kathryn’s work area.

  While Isaiah was away, Jake searched online for any combination of Kingston as a bed and breakfast. He scratched at his forehead, wondering why nothing appeared. He looked up to see Isaiah returning from down the hall. “I’ve had no luck. How about you?”

  “Bingo! Well kind of,” he added. “I checked for the listings under both J and K, but came up empty. But then I noticed an additional card file under the side return of Kathryn’s desk. I’m guessing that it’s a file for non-active clients. When I looked through the cards behind J, there was this one for Jamison, Limited. But I couldn’t find anything for Kingston Manor under the K section.” Isaiah held the card out to Jake.

  Jake gratefully accepted it. “No problem. I’m sure someone at the company office has the number for their bed and breakfast. Thanks.”

  “What time is it in England anyway?”

  “Oh man, I didn’t think of that.” Jake used his fingers to quickly calculate. “I’d better hurry. It’s right about closing time.”

  Isaiah again returned to his computer, leaving Jake alone in his office as he made the call.

  “Jamison, Limited,” a woman answered in a thick British accent.

  “Mr. Jamison, please,” Jake requested.

  “One moment, please. I will ring his assistant.”

  A dif
ferent, also heavily accented voice answered, “Mr. Jamison’s office. This is Emma speaking. How may I help you?”

  “Hello, Emma. My name is Daniel Taylor, Alexandra Callet’s business partner.”

  “Oh yes, I have heard Mr. Jamison speak of Miss Callet. How may I help you, Mr. Taylor?” she asked politely.

  “I seem to have misplaced the telephone number for Kingston Manor and would like to call Alexandra. Would you mind giving it to me?”

  “Pardon?” She sounded confused.

  “You know, Kingston Manor. I believe that is the correct name for the bed and breakfast Mr. Jamison is building.”

  “I am terribly sorry, Mr. Taylor. I have no idea about what you might be speaking. Mr. Jamison does not have a bed and breakfast, nor is he building one.”

  “Perhaps Mr. Jamison doesn’t tell you everything,” Jake suggested, letting his irritation get the better of him. “May I please speak with Mr. Jamison personally?”

  “That is not possible. Mr. Jamison is out of the country.”

  “Then would you please transfer me to someone who might know about Kingston Manor?”

  “I can assure you that Mr. Jamison knows nothing of this Kingston Manor, and, if he did, I would certainly be privy. I apologize for not being able to assist you, Mr. Taylor. However, there is nothing more I can do.”

  Sensing her inclination to terminate their conversation, Jake quickly apologized for his harsh tone and asked Emma if she knew where to find Alexandra.

  “Once again, Mr. Taylor, I am sorry, but I have never even met Miss Callet. Nor do I know her whereabouts.”

  Jake barely had the strength left to thank Emma before hanging up. An empty, nauseous feeling churned in his stomach while his mind screamed with pain. Why did she lie to me? One moment he felt sickened by the thought of Alexandra off with another man, and the next, he feared for her safety. Jake was lost in his emotions, not knowing where to turn. Dazed, he opened his office door and staggered into the hall.

  “Jake, what’s wrong?” Isaiah rushed to his side. “Is it Alexandra? Is she okay?”

  “I’m sorry, what?” Jake mumbled. “Yes, yes, she’s fine. Well, I don’t know.”