by T N Lowe
“I’m sorry I don’t understand,” Fi-Fi yells back.
A tall Hispanic man with tattoos covering his arms and neck steps forward, “He asked what you are doing?”
“We are looking around the forest,” I reply.
“You are on private property,” the man points out in a heavy accent.
“Sorry. We didn’t know. Do you know how to get back to the path?” Fi-Fi asks.
“That way,” the man points to the north.
“Thank you,” I reply as Fi-Fi and I walk back towards our waiting husbands.
As soon as I break through the trees, Landon scoops me into his arm and squeezes me tight. “I can’t breathe,” I giggle.
“Sorry,” Landon whispers, setting me down and crushing his lips to mine. “I was worried. What happened?”
“Nothing. We walked around a bit; took some photos; then a guy yelled us for being on private property so we came back.”
“Did you learn anything?” Cain asks as he and Fi-Fi join us.
“It’s more like a fortress than an estate,” Fi-Fi answers.
“She’s right. Without help, we are not going to be able to free Rylie and Shauna if they’re in there.”
A group of people moves in our direction. Fi-Fi sees them and nods, “What do you want to do now?” I ask my companions.
“Let’s go back to the hotel and lounge by the pool till it’s time to go to the cantina,” Cain answers, pulling Fi-Fi close.
“Sounds like a good plan,” Landon beams.
Lounging by the pool, I log into the Gnome Treasure game and find a message from Patrick:
Thank you. Be careful. Love Patrick.
I make my way back to the secret garden and leave a message for Patrick:
We found the house we believe they are holding Rylie and Shauna. The bad news is, that without help, we are not getting in there. We are going to inspect the bar tonight before the meet tomorrow. Will let you know more information as we get it. Love Erin.
The cantina is a local tourist spot showcasing the historical places of Mexico City and its famous citizens. The walls are painted with bright murals of the Mexican countryside. Signed photos of famous actors, singers and politicians hang among the murals. Behind the bar is a painting of the Chapultepec forest. We take a table near the bar, in direct sight of the bartender. “What do you want?” Landon asks, helping me into my seat.
“Beer, please,” I reply.
“I’ll help you,” Cain says. Looking down at Fi-Fi, he asks, “You want a beer, honey?”
“Yes, please,” Fi-Fi answers with a coy smile.
As the guys retrieve our drinks from the bar, Fi-Fi asks, “What’s our play?”
“Have a good time and be seen. Then when we come back tomorrow looking for a lost earring my husband gave me for our anniversary,” I say as I drop an earring on the floor, “we won’t look suspicious.”
“Good idea,” Fi-Fi giggles as Cain and Landon join us, arguing the National’s chances at the World Series, and while Fi-Fi and I talk about work and the good old days. As the night goes on and the more we drink, we move to talking about our kids.
“Thank God we got lucky with Jackson. I don’t know if I could handle having a girl,” Landon says overhearing Fi-Fi and me talking.
“Tell me about it,” Cain mutters. “Alice already has a little boyfriend.”
“She’s four,” Landon deadpans.
“I know. She’s going to put me in an early grave.”
After too many beers and shots of Tequila, we make our way back to the hotel. Walking across the lobby to the elevator, the hotel’s front desk clerk waves to me. “Good evening Mrs. Jefferies. A package arrived for you,” she says, placing a large box on the counter.
“Thank you,” I reply, as Landon picks up the box for me.
“Who’s it from?” Fi-FI asks as we join her and Cain at the elevator.
“Not sure,” I say her as the doors open.
Fi-Fi and Cain follow us to our room to learn what is in the mysterious package. Landon sets the box on the bed and I pick at the end of the tape, ripping it off the cardboard. Opening the flaps, I find a note.
Hi Erin, I hope you are enjoying Mexico City. Here are a couple of gifts to make your trip a little better. -Paul-
Setting the note aside, I pull the packing paper back to find two nine-millimeter guns and a set of blueprints. Fi-Fi takes the blueprints and opens them on the desk, “These are the blueprints to the estate where we think Rylie and Shauna are being held. How the hell did Paul get these?”
“Paul never reveals his sources,” I laugh.
“Hi,” I greet the bartender at the American Cantina.
“Hello,” she replies with a slight accent.
“We were here last night with our husbands, and I seem to have lost an earring. Did anyone turn one in?”
“Not since I started,” she utters, pulling a small box from below the bar. “What does it look like?”
I hold up the sterling silver hoop with a small onyx stone dangling from the center, “Thank you for checking. It was a present from my husband.”
“Not a problem, but I don’t see it here. You are welcome to look around,” the bartender tells me.
“Thank you,” I mummer as Fi-Fi, and I move towards the table we were sitting at last night. The man who warned us from the estate yesterday is currently occupying the table. He looks like the contact Paul described. I give Fi-Fi a small, almost imperceptible, nod. We move closer to speak with him. “Hi. Sorry to bother you, but we were sitting here last night and I lost an earring. You haven’t happened to find one?”
The man opens his hand, “Here you go.”
“Thank you so much. Let us buy you a beer for your help,” Fi-Fi offers.
“Sure. I won’t turn down free beer. My name is Tomas; what’s yours?”
“I’m Fi-Fi and this is Erin. We’re here for a kid-free trip with our husbands,” she answers then leaves to get the beers.
“Two of my cousins are meeting us here, but we haven’t been able to find them. Maybe you have seen them around?” I query showing him a picture of Shauna and Rylie I took at Shauna’s wedding.
Tomas looks up and nods, “I’ve seen them around.”
“Are they okay?” I ask as Fi-Fi set a beer in front of Tomas and takes the seat next to me.
Tomas looks at the bartender and shakes his head once quickly, “Last time I saw them, they were alive and breathing.”
“You know how it is when you’re young and on vacation. You don’t want to be tied down with your older married cousins,” I say with a little chuckle. “If you see them again, can you tell them we are staying at the Green Park Boutique Hotel? We would like to see them before we leave.”
“If I see them, I will let them know,” Tomas says peeling the label off his beer bottle. “I think they did say something about leaving Friday.”
“We will have to try and catch them before they leave,” Fi-Fi says, taking a pull from her beer.
Tomas takes one last drink from his beer before whispering, “Southeast corner, three o’clock.” Standing, he says more loudly, “Thanks for the beer. I hope you find your cousins.”
Chapter Eleven - Patrick
“Have you gotten any updates?” Lena asks.
“Nothing yet.”
“Thank God this will be over soon. I miss you. Can we come home soon?” Lena pouts with Andrew squealing in the background.
“I miss you too. As soon as we know, it’s safe, not a second later.”
“I hate this,” Lena huffs.
“I know princess. I don’t like it either. But it does sound like Andrew is getting some quality time with his Papa.”
“Yeah, he and Dad are having a great time.” With a giggle, she adds, “I think Pepper is a little jealous of how much time Dad is spending with Andrew.”
I chuckle for the first time in days, “That bad?”
“Andrew insists on sleeping with his Papa.”
“Wow. How is Samuel handling it?”
“He’s on cloud nine and he can’t wait for our next one to be here.”
“You told him?”
“I had no choice. I got sick after dinner the other night, and he went overprotective father on me, demanding someone call his doctor to check me.”
After what Willow Thomas and Martin Wilson did to her, I can’t blame him.
“I’m sorry you are going through this on your own. I wish I was there with you,” I growl fighting the urge to race to Lena.
“It’s temporary.”
“I’m trying. I should go and check on Maks; he’s not doing well.”
“Give him a hug for me; love you.”
“Love you too,” I reply ending the call. Leaning against the kitchen counter, I take a deep breath before moving to the living room to check on Maks.
“How are you doing buddy?” I ask, plopping on the couch next to Maks.
Maks looks up and rolls his eyes, “How would you be doing if someone stole your wife?”
“Good point,” I reply as my cell beeps with a notification. Pulling it from my pocket, I see a Gnome Treasure notification from Erin. “We might have an update,” I tell Maks, opening my Gnome Treasure app and logging in.
“What does she say?” Maks demands.
“I don’t know yet.” I give the NCP gnome my code, then enter the garden to see Erin’s avatar there.
What did you learn? I type quickly.
They are being held at the Calvo estate. They are both alive but might be hurt. The contact couldn’t give up much. He is going to extract them Friday at three.
“What did she say?” Maks begs.
I turn my screen so he can read what Erin typed. “Three more fucking days? I can’t! I can’t take three more days of not knowing what is happening to Shauna.”
“You can do it. You have to stay strong for Shauna.”
Maks slumps in his seat, resting his head in his hands, then nods.
Thank you. Do you need anything from me? I type.
Our contact is breaking his cover to get them free. It makes me think things are horrific. We are going to meet up with them in the jeeps we rented and go straight to the US Embassy. If you can let them know we are coming and warn them about the possible shit storm following us, it would be a big help. Also, ask them to have a medical team on standby. I’m not sure what condition Rylie and Shauna will be in.
I can ask Samuel to call. He will make sure you have everything you need.
Thank you.
If there is anything else you need, ask.
Will do, have a good night, Patrick.
You, too. Be safe.
Exiting the game, I pat Maks on the back, “It’s going to be okay. Shauna will be home before you know it.”
Chapter Twelve - Rylie
I spend the night watching Shauna. Her ribs on the right side are black and blue and I can make out a detailed shoe print from where Gennadi kicked her. I’m scared that a broken rib could puncture her lung. I must have finally fallen asleep because I wake and it is morning and I see that Shauna is awake. “How are you feeling?” I ask.
“Like someone beat the shit out of me,” she answers, trying to sit up.
Jumping to my feet, I come to her side, helping her sit up. “Do you need anything?”
“Help me into the bathroom; I need to pee.”
“God, you’ve been living with Maks too long,” I tease her as I help her stand and slowly walk into the bathroom. “Yell when you’re done,” I instruct, leaving the door cracked so I can hear her call for me.
I help Shauna wash and dress in today’s clothes. We shuffle back to the bedroom and I settle her gingerly onto the bed.
Shortly after showering and dressing, Tomas comes in with breakfast. “How are you feeling this morning?”
“Like shit,” Shauna answers, taking her breakfast of toast and eggs from him.
Handing me my breakfast, Tomas says, “Eat quickly. Mr. Carballo is here and wants to speak to you.”
“What the hell does he want?” I mutter, taking the plate from him.
“I don’t know. They just asked me to collect you.”
“Will you watch Shauna for me?”
“If I can. I have a meeting this afternoon,” Tomas says before leaving us to eat. “I’ll be back in a few to take you to Carballo.”
I finish eating the eggs and toast, then make sure Shauna doesn’t need anything before Tomas comes to get me. This time he leads me to a terrace where Shauna and I first met Calvo. Carballo is sitting, looking out upon the estate grounds. I take my seat, and Tomas leaves us.
“What can I do for you, Mr. Carballo?” I ask in my lawyer voice.
“I want to get to know my daughter.”
I laugh, “You didn’t want me. So why do you want to know me now?”
“You’re right, I never wanted you. Your mother was one of my housekeepers. She was beautiful, funny, smart, and I grew attached. One drunken night I was not careful and she got pregnant. Alejandra refused to get an abortion. She said she would give the baby up for adoption instead.”
“She did,” I point out.
Carballo barks a laugh, “I guess she did. Now tell me about your adoptive family.”
“No. You only want to know about The Family. And you can fuck off because I will not tell you a thing.”
“Your father lets you speak to him in such a manner?”
“My father is a good man who wouldn’t use his children to get what he wants,” I spit back. Pushing my chair back, I stand, “I’m done, have a good day.”
Carballo grabs my arm and jerks me back into my chair. “You’re a bitch like your mother. Now sit down and tell me what I want to know before I make you tell me.”
“You can try, but I will never betray my Family.”
“We’ll see about that,” Carballo says, standing and walking behind me. Carballo sets his hands on my shoulders and pushes down, “Tell me about your Family.”
“Fuck off.”
“Wrong answer,” Carballo says, picking his hands up and wrapping them around my throat and squeezing. I claw at his hands, trying to pry them from me. “Tell me what I want to know and I will let you go.”
“Kill me; I won’t tell you shit.” Carballo doesn’t like my answers and squeezes tighter.
Tomas storms onto the terrace and rips Carballo off me. Carballo yells in rapid Spanish then tries to punch Tomas. Tomas ducks, then stands abruptly, jabbing his fist into Carballo’s stomach, making Carballo rock back on his foot, gasping for breath. Carballo takes two deep breaths then charges Tomas; they fall to the ground. Tomas, being thirty years younger than Carballo, quickly gets the upper hand and beats Carballo till he is limp and bloody.
Tomas jumps to his feet, coming to my side he scoops me into his arms. He carries me quickly, almost jogging through the narrow hallways to my room. Setting me on my bed, he examines my neck, “Are you okay?”
“I’ve been better,” I say hoarsely looking around the room. I see Shauna is missing. “Where’s Shauna?”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, but I need to find Shauna. If Gennadi took her, there is no telling what he is doing to her.”
Tomas looks down at his watch, “I have a meeting, but I’ll have one of the guys find her and bring her back.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?” Tomas asks.
“For saving me; Carballo would have killed me if you wouldn’t have stopped him,” I explain, standing to press a kiss on his cheek.
“Anything for you,” Tomas says grinning. He turns to press his lips to mine, then heads for the door. “Do not leave this room until I get back.”
“I promise.”
I’m mid-pace as the door flies open and a large man with a huge beer belly comes in carrying Shauna. “What the fuck did you do to her?” I scream as he lays her on the bed.
The man looks annoyed at me but says nothing before
leaving Shauna and me. Running into the bathroom, I wet a washrag and pick up the first aid kit, then race to Shauna’s side. “Shauna, can you hear me?” I ask dabbing the washrag on her cuts.
“Ouch!” Shauna screams. “Please stop.”
“I’m sorry, honey, but I need to clear your cuts,” I croak, tears leaking from my eyes. Digging through the first aid kit, I find a bottle of OxyContin. Running back to the bathroom, I fill a cup with water, then return to Shauna. Shaking two pills into my hand, I put them in her mouth and help her wash them down with a glass of water, “Those will help with the pain.”
“Thank you,” Shauna sobs, her voice weak.
“You are my cousin and friend; I would do anything for you. Now let me patch you up, then you can rest.”
Shauna closes her eyes tears streaming down her cheek as I clean her new cuts and abrasions. By the time I finish Shauna is asleep.
Packing the supplies back in the case, I leave the pain pills on the bedside table for later. There is no way Shauna will survive another beating like this one. Replacing the first aid kit in the bathroom and tossing the washrag in the clothes hamper, I curl up in my bed trying to figure a way out of this situation. I know Patrick and Maks are coming for us, but I believe we don’t have time to wait for them to find us.
Tomas doesn’t return till the next afternoon, “Where the hell have you been? Shauna needs a doctor.”
“What happened?” Tomas asks, looking at Shauna.
“Shortly after you left, Gennadi came. He dragged me from the room and to his lair.” Shauna sneered. “He spent two hours questioning me and when I wouldn’t give him the answers he was looking for, he the beat the hell out of me.”
“What did he want to know?” Tomas demanded.
Shauna looks to me, not sure if she should answer. I nod, giving her the okay to answer Tomas.
“He wanted access to our communication,” Shauna answers, trying to sit up. Shauna turns to tells me, “Gennadi will kill me next time he takes me. If I don’t make it out, tell Maks I love him.”