by DiAnn Mills
Jacob watched the young man in front of him. He looked to be around sixteen or so. He’d lagged behind the others and spit obscenities at the agents. None of the illegals had admitted it, but this smart-mouthed kid with the cell phone was most likely the guide. Because of his underage status, he’d be escorted back across the border only to lead another group across the Rio Grande tomorrow. They’d kept the other illegals outside of the trucks and jeeps until the ambulance left in hopes one of the men might comment on the injured women. The illegals huddled together, docile, as was usually the case.
Most of the men had been drinking, and three were drunk. Surprising that none of them drowned last night crossing the river with that much alcohol in their systems. All of the men claimed not to have any idea about the maltreatment going on in the back bedroom. One man expressed visible emotion at the sight, and another appeared angry. Not all of the men who claimed they wanted work to take care of their families were hardworking illegals; two wore gang colors—Zetas. Those men were searched and cuffed.
“I’m an honorable person,” a man, about forty-five, said. “I want to work in the U.S., not hurt anyone.”
Jacob believed him. He understood an empty belly and poverty moved a man to do what he could for his family.
Another curse came from the youth’s mouth. Ire twisted through Jacob. All he could think about was the condition of the young women on their way to the medical center. He grabbed the kid by the shoulder and swung him around. This was the kind of derelict that needed to stay away from Nadine.
“Go ahead and punch me,” the kid said.
“Shut up and keep up with the others.” Jacob raised his fist.
“Jacob!” Quin, one of the other agents, called. “Let him go. This isn’t worth getting fired.”
Jacob heard him, and his grip on the kid loosened.
“I’ll escort him,” Quin continued. “Come on, man. Give it a rest.”
Jacob dampened his lips and stiffened. Back off. He released the kid and shoved him toward the others in custody. Running his fingers through his hair, he inhaled and exhaled to gain control. “Thanks, Quin. All I could think about were those young women . . . and my daughter.”
Quin, a tall Caucasian who’d served in the Marines like about 25 percent of the Border Patrol, clamped his hand on Jacob’s shoulder. “We’re all shook up. Only animals could have treated those girls like that.”
* * *
Alex knew the Border Patrol’s protocol for bringing undocumented Mexicans to the medical center for treatment. Agent Danika Morales would stay with the women until he gave them clearance to travel back across the border, unless one of them had a record. In that event, they were handled by ICE. During her ten-hour shift, she’d guard them from anyone who might intend harm or aid in escaping the jurisdiction of the agents.
Two of the young women—actually they looked more like kids—were treated and released into the custody of another agent for processing. They’d looked worse than their injuries had indicated.
The third was a different story. She had five stitches on her left temple, and he’d set her left arm. But her nonresponsive attitude and tender internal organs alerted him to more extensive injuries. Alex guessed her age at around fourteen—probably frightened and all alone.
Danika held the young woman’s hand and smiled. She spoke softly to her in Spanish, offering the same reassurance that Alex had done. He’d conducted a little investigation of his own about Danika. She was Toby’s widow. His old friend used to bring undocumented workers who needed medical attention to the hospital, but Alex chose not to reveal that information to Danika. He had no idea how much she knew about her husband’s work as an immigration activist. Alex realized now why Toby had never invited him to his home, refused e-mail contact, and asked him to use Toby’s cell phone only. Certainly with his wife a BP agent, their controversial views about immigration must have been an issue in their marriage.
“Better call your supervisor,” Alex said, writing out his orders. “I need to keep this young woman at least overnight for observation and additional testing. Don’t suppose she gave you her name?”
Danika stared at her bruised face. “I couldn’t get her to say anything. In fact, I wondered if she could speak at all.”
“She’s in shock and afraid. No wonder, considering she’s been sexually assaulted.”
Danika shook her head. “Two of the illegals were gang members. Although they denied abusing her, my guess is it was them. One of them claimed it was the guide.”
“Perhaps she’ll tell us when she’s not so frightened.” He thought back over the number of abused women he’d treated during the past few months. Could this poor girl be a link to the brutal beatings of late?
“I’ll do my best.” Danika bent to the girl’s face and smoothed back her black hair. “Pequeña, ¿cómo te llamas?”
Tears formed in the girl’s eyes. Yet she didn’t utter a sound.
“Perhaps I can earn her confidence while I’m with her,” Danika said.
Many times Alex had seen compassion and pity in Border Patrol agents, and Danika appeared to genuinely grieve the abuse of the young woman. “She had a picture of Saint Toribio in her back pocket.”
The saint who was supposed to help Mexicans cross the border safely.
Most of the undocumented immigrants only wanted to work and were afraid of the Border Patrol. Which was why he believed the U.S. immigration laws needed reform. Those who needed U.S. jobs to feed their families deserved an opportunity to better themselves. However, he had no solution. Did anyone? What he despised were the drug smugglers. The gang leaders and cartels were in the news daily—often with gruesome pictures of those they’d killed. Lately they’d begun to exploit their cruelty via the Internet. Those lowlifes deserved all they received.
“I have a niece about her age. Protecting our border is not all I do.” Danika patted the young woman’s arm. “Me quedaré contigo por ahora,” she said, then looked at Alex. “I’m thankful this hospital treats those who need care—without question.”
“Which is why I’m here. I have a few minutes. Could I bring you some coffee or something? Cafeteria coffee is not Starbucks, but it’s not too bad when it’s fresh.” Alex sensed the same attraction that he’d felt before, not so much the physical as a sincere desire to establish a friendship.
Danika blinked. Had he said something stupid—again? “That would be nice.”
“I’ll get us both a cup and be right back. It will take a little while for admitting to complete the paperwork and locate a bed.”
“And a bath,” Danika said. “Sorry. I can be a little blunt.”
He smiled. “No problem. And you’re right. I’ve already noted it on the orders.”
“Now I’m really embarrassed. I didn’t mean to tell you how to do your job.”
“No need to apologize.” He glanced at the girl, who trembled and most likely wished she knew what Alex and Danika were saying. He explained to her about being admitted to the hospital and assured her that no one would hurt her. “I’ll be right back.”
Alex noted Jacob Morales in the hallway of the ER. He stood wide-legged with his thumbs stuck in his belt, reminding Alex of a cowboy. Even the crusty exterior seemed in character. “How’s the girl Agent Morales brought in?”
“I’m admitting her.”
Jacob frowned. “Sorry to hear that.”
Did his disapproval come from not being able to process her and get her back across the bridge or because of her injuries? Alex chose not to ask. “She’s been badly beaten and sexually assaulted. I’m concerned about internal injuries as well as a concussion.”
“What were her parents thinking to allow her to cross the border? She’s still a kid.” Jacob shook his head. “I know what they were thinking. This was a chance for their daughter to have a better life.”
“They all take chances and hope for the best.”
“This one probably scarred her for life.” He glanced
at the curtained partition where Danika waited.
“I have the same concerns. We weren’t able to get her name.”
Jacob cleared his throat. “I did. One of the other women called her Rita.”
Relieved, Alex stuck out his hand. “Thanks.”
Jacob’s brows narrowed, and his right hand did not budge. “It’s my job.”
Did this guy ever relax? The man was a heart attack in the making—probably popped antacids like Life Savers. “I’m going after coffee for Danika. Would you like a cup?”
“That’s Agent Morales to you, Dr. Price. And no thanks to the coffee. My advice to you is not to attempt to get friendly with Agent Morales.”
That remark hit Alex’s anger spot. “And what is the repercussion if I do?”
Jacob offered a tight smile. “You two aren’t compatible; that’s all.”
Alex tucked his hands inside the pockets of his white jacket and headed to the cafeteria. Was the agent simply playing a protective role for his widowed sister-in-law, or did Agent Jacob Morales have another motive?
Chapter 6
The Promised Land always lies on the other side of a Wilderness.
Havelock Ellis
“How long have you been seeing Alex Price?” Jacob’s voice grated against Danika’s nerves. If he raised his voice even the slightest, the medical staff in the ER area would hear him. Didn’t he have a life of his own without interfering in hers? They hadn’t talked since he’d berated her for asking Nadine questions about her health. At one time, she’d looked up to Jacob—his loyalty to the Border Patrol and the way he loved his family.
“What are you talking about?”
“He called you by your first name.”
“My conversations with Dr. Price are none of your business.”
“He’s bad news, Danika.” Jacob gestured around the small curtained area. “Look at what he stands for! He’s on staff at a hospital that treats illegals for free. Where do you think his loyalties lie?”
“I have no idea, and neither is it any of my concern. Compassion and human dignity happen to be a part of who we are too.” Danika hadn’t addressed his accusations last Friday night or voiced her suspicions about Nadine to him or Barbara. But they were on the tip of her tongue. “And for the record, you can browbeat your wife and children, but not me. Tiana and I are separating ourselves from you until you calm down.”
“You were out of line in questioning Nadine about her cold.”
He’d pushed her buttons for the last time. “You’ve got to be kidding. Don’t tell me you didn’t see her eyes or note the other symptoms.”
“Are you insinuating my daughter is using drugs?”
You have to know. “I care about Nadine, and I see a troubled teenager. I’m saying she has enough of the symptoms for you to look into the possibility.”
“You’re a liar. I know my daughter.” Anger flushed his cheeks. “Maybe you do need to distance yourself from us. I can’t have anyone around my family who insults our integrity or my parenting skills.”
“Wake up, Jacob, before it’s too late.”
The curtain swished open, and Alex stood with two mugs of steaming coffee in one hand. She hoped he hadn’t overheard the heated discussion. “Took a few minutes for the cafeteria to brew a fresh pot.”
“Thanks.” This was just what she needed to get something besides fury to energize her. “Smells wonderful.”
“I’m checking on Barnett before heading back to the station.” Jacob’s angry glare troubled her. He seemed to wear his state of mind on his face, just like he’d done for the past two years.
“I plan to do the same while I’m here.”
“I’ll call Barbara and let her know about our new arrangement.”
Danika frowned. What had happened to the once-congenial man who laughed and teased? Now all he did was scowl. “I’ll call her before the day is over.”
“Not necessary. In fact, I prefer you don’t.” Jacob opened his mouth as if to say more but instead he whirled around and left.
Danika glanced back at the young woman, battered and frightened. Her eyes were closed, either from the medication Alex had ordered for her or because the tone of Danika and Jacob’s conversation alarmed her.
“I’m sorry about my brother-in-law’s attitude,” Danika said.
“Is he always this friendly?”
“Always.” She hesitated. She didn’t even know the man before her. “His brother, my husband, was killed two years ago, and he’s had a tough time dealing with it.”
“I’m sorry. You handling it okay?”
“By the book. Toby was murdered, and the crime has never been solved.” Awkwardness rippled through her. She’d said too much to a stranger.
She took a sip of the coffee. Alex must have bribed the cafeteria personnel because the coffee was excellent. At her first break, she’d contact Barbara.
A warning flashed across her mind. That wasn’t a good idea since Barbara and Jacob’s relationship had suffered of late. Turning wife against husband and creating more chaos in the household went against everything Danika believed in. She’d wait to talk to Barbara, and maybe the situation at their home would mellow.
A nurse interrupted her thoughts. “Dr. Price, we have a room ready for your patient. A wheelchair is waiting.”
“Let’s move her on a gurney, and I’ve learned her name is Rita.”
The young woman opened her eyes, probably in recognition of her name. Alex used her native language to explain that she would be transported to her own room. Fear, like that of a cornered animal, flashed across her eyes.
Danika took her hand. “We won’t allow anyone to hurt you.”
Rita’s eyes clouded. Distrust. And she couldn’t blame the girl.
“How long will you be here today?” Alex said.
“Until somewhere between five thirty and six o’clock. Depends on the agent who takes over for me and how long it takes for me to summarize the situation here.”
“I understand. I’ll be back before I leave my shift to check on our friend. Maybe we’ll have time to talk.”
So Danika had read the signs correctly. Dr. Alex Price had more than a passing interest in her. But Jacob may have been right about one thing: she and Alex probably had polar opposite opinions about the immigration laws. To her, it seemed impossible for anyone to work at this hospital and not have conflicting views with the Border Patrol regarding the immigration laws. However, his viewpoint, like many other doctors’ and nurses’, could revolve around his dedication to healing. Alex had a nice smile and didn’t appear pretentious. A friendship would be nice . . . but nothing more. Someone to talk to or accompany her to a movie.
Reality punched her in the stomach. In addition to a possible conflict of interest with Alex, she had Tiana to consider. Her precious daughter needed lots of mommy time.
Danika watched the nurse assist Rita onto the gurney. The young woman winced. The man who did this was an animal. As soon as Rita was well enough to travel, she’d be taken to the station for processing. Her name and fingerprints would be entered in the computer database and a criminal check conducted. If she had a clean record, she’d be escorted across the Hidalgo Bridge to the life she’d forsaken. If she returned and was apprehended again, she’d be spending time in jail. That was the law, and Danika had sworn to uphold it.
Rita slept all afternoon, which gave the girl’s bludgeoned flesh time to heal. She was so young, and so many dreams had been shattered because she’d made a poor decision. Before the agent arrived who would relieve her, Danika received a call from the station and learned a different agent had been assigned to her day shift tomorrow. According to procedure, an agent who apprehended an illegal who required medical care was supposed to spend his or her shifts at the hospital until the doctor signed the patient’s release. Why the veering away from policy? But who was she to question the chief? Still, the change in protocol was odd.
Danika seized the opportunity to phone San
dra about arriving late that evening because of the day’s events and the need to complete paperwork at the station. She explained to Sandra about what happened to Rita.
“Poor girl,” Sandra said. “She sounds much too young to attempt crossing the border without a parent or relative.”
“It’s illegal,” Danika said. “Age has nothing to do with it, except she’s been thrown into an adult role and doesn’t appear equipped to handle it.”
“Sí.” Sandra paused. “Perhaps she has family here.”
“Or she has an uncle or a brother who is involved with drugs.”
“Do you really think that?”
Danika massaged her neck. “I know a mere girl is asleep on the bed beside me because she attempted to gain access to our country illegally and someone beat and raped her. I don’t know why she came alone or what she planned for the future. All I know is she could have been killed.”
“Our Tiana took a long nap this afternoon.”
Danika appreciated the change in conversation. “What’s she doing now?”
“Drawing pictures.”
Danika smiled, wishing as she so often did for a way to communicate audibly with her daughter. The doctors indicated she could be taught to talk in a few years, and that would help. “Add her artwork to the mounting collection on the fridge.”
“I will. Do you smell dinner?”
“I wish. I skipped lunch, and my stomach’s growling. What are you cooking?”
“Cilantro and pepper meatloaf.”
“Yum. You sure make my life easier.”
“Have you thought about hiring me from Lucy?”
“I made the request, but she’s not willing to release you from your contract. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it. Give my girl a hug, and I’ll see you later.”
“Oh, I nearly forgot. Becca phoned.”
“Thanks. I’ll call her later.” Danika slipped her phone back into her purse. Sandra . . . what a blessing. And Danika did plan to call her attorney about the legal ramifications of breaking the employment contract between Lucy’s Nanny and Maid Service and Sandra. Sure would make life easier.