Invisibility Cloak

  “Here.” She batted off his hand and said, “Why don’t you let me dial?”

  Ryder rattled off Jeremy Coolman’s cell number. Trying to think ahead of all of this shit, he knew he’d need back-up before it all went FUBAR.

  “Fubar?” Amanda turned and studied his profile. “So what does Fubar mean? You’ve murmured it before under your breath a few times.”

  “I said that out-loud?” He shook his head. “It means I do not want this operation―” Ryder stopped and took a deep breath in. “I don’t want Sammie or Nickel to come to any harm.”

  “Is that what fubar means?”

  “Nah, it’s just a way for me to express my frustration, honey.” He swiped his right hand over his head. “I should’ve known better. Damn it!”

  “Ryder, stop it!” She looked out the car window watching but not seeing the landscape as it sped by. When she heard the phone ringing, she handed him the cell phone. “Here it’s ringing.”

  “Jer,” he grunted. “Got some action going down, bro. What’s that address again?” Ryder nodded keeping his eyes on the highway. “May need you. You sure? I owe ya, buddy.” He turned to her briefly, “My buddy, Jeremy Coolman is going to meet us down in Columbus.”

  “Columbus? I thought we were meeting in Albuquerque!” She clasped her hands together on her lap to keep them steady.” And how did you plant bugs on everybody, anyway?” Slanting her eyes over at him, she said, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I told your father and Nickel. I embedded the bugs in their tennis shoes. We pow-wowed the night before they left.”

  “Why didn’t you let me in on this Intel?” Her left arm snaked out and she wacked him in the gut. “They are my kids and parents, for cripes sakes!” Her anger was ripe. Why wasn’t she let in on this stuff? Too covert and manly for a little woman? Amanda gritted her teeth together and her left arm flew out on its own accord and whacked again in his taut abs, again.

  “What was that for?”

  “Because you didn’t tell me what you were doing with my father and my son!” Her left hand flew out at him again.

  He was ready for her this time and grabbed her hand. “Damn, woman. You are mean.”

  “Yeah, and don’t you forget it.”

  Letting go of her wrist, Ryder held up his right hand while he steered the car with his left. “Okay! Okay, I’m sorry. I didn’t want you worried about something that might not have happened in the first place.”

  “Don’t you dare twist this around.”

  “You’re right. I simply didn’t want to spook you unnecessarily.”

  Turning her head she studied his profile as he drove. “But I’m glad you did it, Ryder.” She bit her bottom lip. Undeniably thankful that he was with her right now. What would she have done without him? “So, thank you.”

  Ryder nodded once. “Oh―or it could’ve been this.” His right hand dug into his front jeans pocket. “Isn’t this your lucky charm?” Her delicate silver bracelet with the assorted circles dangled from his fingertips. “I almost forgot. That’s why I sped to your home last night and found Smeth on top of you.”

  She reached up and carefully slipped her bracelet from his hand. “Thank you, again. I forgot all about that I didn’t have it on after the Dinner Dance. I’m so glad I didn’t lose it.”

  “It was lying on the floor by the front door.” He slanted his eyes over to her. “Did he grab you a little too roughly?”

  “I honestly don’t remember much about last night.” She fastened the silver clasp on to her wrist before she rubbed her hand over her brows a few times.

  “You don’t?” He cursed softly under his breath. “I shouldn’t have―”

  Amanda placed her hand on his leg. “No. Ah, I remember everything about us.” Just the thought of what occurred between them allowed her to grin, but it was hard considering the circumstances. “And that was wonderful.” She patted his thigh lightly. “But the dance, I don’t.” The memory of her sitting on the toilet lid flashed back to her. “I do remember sitting in the woman’s restroom, though. Two or three women came in.” Heat surged up into her neck and cheeks just thinking about it. “I’m pretty sure they were talking about me and you.”

  “Really? Could you put a face to their voices?”

  “Everything was so darn blurry back then. I guess looking back; I assumed it was Mimi Carlyle and Sophia Edgington. Even though I hate to make an assumption without the proper data.”

  He smiled. “Ever the scientist, eh?”

  “I suppose. I have learned that not everything is always the way it seems.”

  He followed the signs that put them on Interstate 40. “Smart lady.” Ryder glanced at the screen mapping everyone’s location. “Looks like we’re going to meet up with Nick and your parents soon.”

  When his cell phone vibrated on the console between them, he asked her to get it.

  “Sure.” Picking it up, she pushed on the call button. “Hello? Ryder Stevenson’s phone.”

  “Is this Amanda Harris?” A deep voice asked. “This is Detective Jeremy Coolman, ma’am.”

  “Oh, hello, Detective.”

  “Is Ryder able to talk?”

  “Yes.” She handed the phone over to Ryder and he nodded a few times before he ended the call.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Jeremy’s in place at the liquor store in Columbus.”

  She pulled her brows together, confused.

  “I traced the plates. I am pretty sure they’re headed there.” He pointed to an area on the screen. “Keep an eye out for your parents’ car, will you?”

  She nodded and scanned the oncoming traffic for their white Lexus SUV. “I’ll call them to get a mile marker.”

  “Good idea.” He handed her his phone.

  After she got off the phone with her mother, she murmured, “They got off at mile-marker twelve. Nick was hungry.” She frowned briefly, before puffing out a chuckle. “So what else is new? Anyway. It’s called, El Farolito, they’ll grab a quick bite waiting for us.”

  “Are you hungry?”

  “No.” She shook her head. “No way can I eat right now.” Wrapping her arms around her waist, she looked over at him. “Are you?”

  “Nope. I’m fine.”

  They were silent until Ryder pulled into the restaurant and she pointed to her parents’ car and he parked next to it.

  “I’ll be right back.” She smiled briefly. “I need to go to the bathroom.”

  “I’ll walk you in.”

  As they exited the car, Nickel bounded out the restaurant doors and into his mother’s arms.

  Amanda cradled his face with her hands. “Are you all right, Nickel?”

  Her fifteen-year-old scrunched up his forehead. “Yeah. I’m sorry Mom.” Nick glanced over at Ryder. “I should’ve watched her closer.”

  “Nick.” Ryder walked over and placed his hand on his shoulder. “This wasn’t your fault. Look at me, son.”

  Nickel turned his face up at Ryder.

  “Got it?” Ryder patted him a few times on his back. “You couldn’t have done anything to prevent this. I got her on my radar.” He leaned over to shake Donald Ander’s hand as he walked up.

  “Ryder,” Donald Ander’s said. “It’s my fault. Not Nicks.”

  “Sir, it’s no one’s fault but the scum that grabbed her.”

  Amanda hugged her father. “Dad, I don’t blame you, let’s just go and get her back.”

  “Mom, I’m riding with you guys.” Nick looked over at his grandparents. “Is that okay, Gramps and Grandma?”

  They both nodded, overcome with grief.

  “But we really do need to get back on the road,” Ryder gently said.

  After grabbing a few coffees and using the facil
ities they were back on the road; this time with Nickel in the backseat.

  “Amanda, call your parents, tell them to go back to your house, will you? I don’t want them in the line of fire. Just in case anything ugly goes down.”

  She nodded and called her parents. Relieved that they were headed home lightened her burden until she realized that they could be in danger there. “Ryder. What happens if someone goes back to my house or they are watching it?”

  “I’ll call the HFPD. Have them meet your parents there.”

  “Thanks.” Amanda looked out the car window at the scenery as Ryder drove south on Interstate 25. The clay infused land was dry except for the tufts of crab grass and rocks sparsely covering the soil. Beyond the large boulders and spindly limbs of the trees and cacti, the Potrillo Mountain Range came into view.

  “Nick, why don’t you tell us what exactly happened to Sammie?” Ryder quietly said.

  Neither Amanda nor Ryder had asked Nickel how Sammie had been abducted up to this point; they were both so focused on making sure they stayed on her trail.

  “Well, we’d just got up. Spent the night over in Santa Fe, at the place Gramps and Grandma always stay and we were walking into downtown to get some breakfast. It was only a block away, man!” Nick’s eyes were big and he shook his head, before his voice caught and became jagged. “I didn’t even see the car, Mom! They came out of nowhere and grabbed her.”

  Turning to him in the backseat, she laid her palm on his arm. “Honey, it’s not your fault. We’ll find her.”

  “Shit, the blips gone. Staying stationary.” Ryder pointed to the monitor. “FUBAR! It’s not supposed to stop yet.” He smacked the car’s dashboard with his hand.

  “What do you mean?” Amanda studied the motionless blob on the radar screen.

  “Not moving,” he bit out. “This is out in the middle of nowhere.”

  “How many more miles?”

  “Up here just a few more.”

  “I don’t understand why you’re upset.”

  “I got Jeremy waiting at the place in Columbus.”

  They drove up to a handful of buildings. A two-story clapboard house painted mustard yellow sported a dilapidated sign that said ‘Gas and Go’. A few older, rusted cars were parked in front.

  “I need to check this out. According to my monitor, she’s around here somewhere.”

  “I’m coming, too.” She looked him evenly in the eyes.

  “Amanda―”

  “I’m going to use the bathroom.” She quickly held up her hand. “I’ll even buy some gum, so I don’t look suspicious.” She made a face at him before she opened her car door.

  Ryder shook his head. “Nick, stay here and pump the gas okay?” He turned to her son in the back seat. “Keep eyes and ears open. Got it?”

  “Got it, Ryder.”

  “Here.” He handed Nickel his credit card. “Let’s go.” Ryder jerked his head in her direction.

  Amanda followed Ryder up to the convenience station door, but he turned just before he yanked open the glass door. “Five minutes. You’re not out in five I’m coming in after you.” He leaned over and kissed her, hard. “Roger that?”

  “Yes,” she whispered. “You be careful too, Ryder.”

  And then they separated. Amanda walked over to the battered door that had the stick figure wearing a dress on it. Her eyes widened when she opened the door and flicked on the light. Surprisingly there were three stalls in the room with a white porcelain sink. This was a larger than expected restroom, but still dirty. She’d just expected one toilet and a sink.

  Crap! She forgot to buy gum. Slipping back out into the larger room of the house that was transformed into a gas station’s store, she perused the shelves lined with packaged snack items, not seeing any gum.

  Walking up to the attendant, she pretended like she was chewing the gum already and pointed to her mouth. “Gum, por favor?”

  “Si.” The older man said and pointed beside him, showing a few brands.

  “Gracias.” Amanda leaned forward and plucked a blue square package off the shelf and paid for it.

  She smiled lightly before going back in the bathroom and glanced around the small store, wondering where Ryder was, but didn’t see him anywhere. Peeking outside at the car, she saw Nickel filling up the gas tank. Pushing the door open to the bathroom once again, she picked the last stall to use, hoping it was less frequented than the others. The toilet bowl had a brown ring on the inside and the floor was filthy, matching the walls. On the insides of the white stall doors, names and phone numbers were scribbled everywhere.

  Maybe she could hold it, she thought. Shaking her head, she knew she should use the facilities now, because she really wasn’t sure when she’d get the chance later. Just as she’d secured the latch on her stall, the ladies’ door burst open. Two women were arguing in Spanish.

  “No puedo creer que esto es lo que está haciendo! ¿Cómo pued!.”

  “Yo no tengo una opción en el asunto. Usted sabe cómo, Alejandro!”

  “No más! Tengo que ponerme la niña en el túnel. el envío es irse pronto.”

  These voices sounded very familiar―they sounded like the same ones in the Country Club bathroom―but she was incredibly off that night, so she could be wrong. They were both talking so fast in Spanish she couldn’t understand what they were saying. But she couldn’t help but compare the circumstances of last night and right now. Instead of making noise, to alert the women that someone else was in the bathroom to stop their bickering―she froze. Unsure why, but she knew that was the right thing to do. Not realizing it until that moment she was holding her breath as well, she inhaled and the rancid air of the restroom invaded her lungs.

  “Por favor, Sofía! Estoy pidiendo que no se participe! Es tan malo.”

  “No! Suficiente. o bien ayudar a mí o dejar.”

  It was Sophia Edgington and Mimi Carlyle, she was almost positive! Letting her breath out softly, she lifted her fingers up to rub her forehead and her elbow hit the side of the bathroom stall. A dull thud resounded in the tiny bathroom and she wanted to scream at herself for her clumsiness.

  “Mimi, I don’t think we are alone,” Sophia said softly.

  Amanda squeezed her eyes shut praying they would just leave.

  Footsteps tapped on the concrete floor and the hinges creaked as the other stall doors were opened. Her stall door jiggled, but it wouldn’t open because she’d already locked the handle. Her heart thumped painfully in her chest.

  “Is someone in there?” Sophia asked out-loud.

  Amanda still didn’t move.

  The door handle rattled again and then Sophia said, “It must be locked from the inside. A little kid must have done it. Come on, Mimi.”

  Amanda held her breath again, squeezing her eyes shut until they opened the door to the bathroom to leave, shutting the light off when they left.

  She let out a long breath. Way too close and scary. She waved her hands around in the dark feeling for the door handle and slid open the latch. It was pitch black in the ladies’ bathroom and Amanda’s fingertips brushed along the wall helping her find the door. After she found the round handle, she pushed open the door.

  Light at last! Amanda stepped forward and Sophia Edgington’s face came into view before a sharp pain wacked her in the back of the head.

  Ryder swore under his breath. Just what were Sophia Edgington and Mimi Carlyle doing here? Their appearance only confirmed his suspicions of them being up to their made-up faces in this mess. After casing out the place, he found the tunnels that were dug underneath the clapboard house. It looked like an old cellar turned trafficking route for the Cartel. God only knew where Sammie was hidden down there. Just too many damn nooks and crannies, he’d need to go back out to his Jeep where the locator device was to hon
e in on Sammie. He’d just checked on Nickel and he was good. Now he needed to find Amanda. Just where in the hell was she? Time to go in. Worry gripped his gut for her. Pushing open the glass door, he nodded to the attendant and glanced around the back where she’d headed earlier. She was nowhere in sight.

  FUBAR!

  He headed back to the passageways under the house.

  With his monitor in one hand to track Sammie, he lightly treaded down the steps to the cellar, where he’d discovered the tunnels. Ryder flattened his body by the stairway as soon as he heard voices.

  What the . . . ? He’d stumbled on to Sophia Edgington slapping Amanda’s pale face into alertness. Clenching his fists tight, he had to hold himself back when he wanted to rush to Amanda’s defense and pound his fist into Edgington’s face.

  “Huh?” Amanda finally murmured after the fifth or sixth slap. She yanked her hands bound in back of her up and said drowsily, “Ouch, stop.”

  Her eyes were closed but he did notice the faint change in her posture as she sat on the wooden chair. She fought against her bindings and her back straightened, but her eyes were still closed.

  “What are you doing here? You do know your fate is in our hands, correct?” Edgington bent over and sneered in her ear, loud enough that he heard.

  Edgington held a burlap bag in one hand while she pulled Amanda up and out of the chair with the other. Amanda’s eyes barely slit open before Sophia pulled the gunnysack over her head. Fury erupted out of him as he stood by helplessly watching Amanda stumble around.

  Stand down.

  His hands curled into fists as he waited. Sophia had to leave before he could go get Amanda.