He reached her in time to catch her limp body and guided her to the sofa where she buried her face against his chest.
“How can I help? I’ll do whatever you ask.” He slipped his arm around her bony shoulders. She’d lost more weight since her surgery.
Beth heaved a quivering sigh. “You saw how upset the children are. How much should I tell them?”
Seated in the armchair, Lela crossed her legs, her left boot swinging gently. “Tell them the truth—or at least a sanitized version of it. They all witnessed Chuck being dragged away. When I questioned Danielle yesterday, she asked if I thought he was alive. I can talk to them if you’d like.”
With Beth pressing heavily against him, Jay eyed Lela. Certainly, she’d tracked the bad guys, but could she speak to the kids without adding to their fear?
“We can do that together. Beth, after Sean eats, take him to his room while Lela and I talk to the girls.”
She nodded and then abruptly tugged on Jay’s arm. “You said you’d do anything to help. In that case, I want you to go with Lela and her colleagues when they rescue Chuck. Can you do that for me?”
The desperate question in her eyes seared his heart. Of course he’d go. He needed to be involved. Jay set his attention on Lela and raised his eyebrows.
10
Work with Agent Lela Ortiz? Why not? At least then he’d be part of the solution. Jay would do whatever was necessary to return Chuck to his family. After all, wasn’t he partly to blame for being absent during the abduction? “I’m game.”
“It’s not up to me.” Lela scratched the marks on her left forearm. “I’ll have to check with my boss.”
“I’ll convince Bowen. He and Chuck roomed together in college.” Beth clasped her splinted wrist to her chest.
So that was why Beth contacted IRO. Jay jutted his chin in Lela’s direction. “If Chuck and Bowen are such good friends, why isn’t he here?”
Rising out of the armchair, Lela pulled the elastic from her hair. Mahogany waves cascaded over her shoulders. “Bowen was severely wounded eighteen months ago. He can no longer work as a field agent.”
Jay tried not to gawk while she gathered her hair into a ponytail. “Um.” He swallowed and then focused on his sister. “I see. If Bowen agrees, I’ll work with the team. Mr. Valdez will be generous if I need more vacation days.” No need to tell Beth he’d submitted his resignation.
Children’s voices carried from the kitchen followed by a squeal.
“Mama, Sean hit me.”
Beth hastened to the archway where she met Alyssa. Whimpering and rubbing her arm, the petite five-year-old exploded into full-blown tears when she spied her mother.
“Come here, Lyssie.” Beth squatted and swept a mass of blonde curls from the child’s eyes. “Let me see where he hit you.”
Alyssa pouted and held out her right arm.
Beth planted a kiss on the reddish mark and tsk-tsked. “I’m sorry, baby. You know he doesn’t mean to hurt you.”
Standing with Beth, Jay winked at Alyssa and tweaked her cheek. “I think now is a good time for you to—”
A whirlwind disguised as a little boy stormed into the room, babbling incoherently.
Jay grabbed Sean around the middle and embraced him. “It’s time to be quiet, Sean.” He used a soothing voice, but Sean would respond better to pictures and hand signs. “Lela, can you take Alyssa to the kitchen while I help get Sean settled. Beth, where’s his picture schedule?”
Lela held Alyssa’s hand and headed toward the kitchen while Jay carried Sean to his bedroom to hunt for the wallet-sized picture holder.
When Beth entered behind him, he turned, trying to keep the irritation from his voice. “Where’s his schedule? Now is not the time to break his routine.” He set the boy down beside an overflowing toy chest and made the sign for play—thumb and pinkie extended on both hands, other fingers folded down, and wiggling the wrists back and forth. “Time to play, Sean.”
Sean knelt on the floor and piled large wooden blocks together.
Without a word, Beth sank onto the unmade bed and tossed back the covers. “Here it is. I’ve tried to keep it updated, but I can’t think straight right now. Who would want to harm Chuck?”
Jay sat next to her. “Bethy, Sean will feed off your anxiety if we don’t help him make sense of his life. The girls will benefit, too, if they know their brother is under control.”
In silence, she stared at the floor with head bowed.
He’d been too critical. “Where are the pictures? I’ll help you set it up.”
“On the dresser, in the blue box.” She sniffed. “Why don’t you draw a picture of a man being dragged away in front of his children?” Sobs wracked her body.
He held her until the emotion played out. “I understand this has been a shock to you all. Let’s help Sean get through one day at a time.”
“I can’t handle him by myself. I need Olivia. I—”
“Why didn’t you bring her with you?” The well-paid educational aide might have welcomed a beach vacation.
“We…we wanted our last trip before school started to be just the family. Chuck said he’d take care of Sean.” More tears.
Jay located a box of tissues on the dresser and handed it to her. “I want you to take the children back to San Diego. Today. I’ll find someone to drive you.”
She wiped her eyes. “I can’t leave. The…the men who took Chuck said for me to wait here.”
“We’ll see what transpires when the other IRO agents arrive. Right now, you need to take care of Sean’s picture schedule, get him back on his routine. Lela and I will talk to the older children.”
Making car noises, Sean pushed a yellow dump truck across the tiled floor. At least he was occupied for the present.
Jay picked up the blue box and opened it. “Let’s find the pictures for today. We’ll make a basic schedule.” He riffled through the credit card-sized pictures. Simple line drawings—some in color, others black and white—depicted everyday actions such as eating, playing, bathing, sleeping.
He gathered cards that might constitute the day’s agenda and opened the wallet. The plastic accordion insert unfolded to reveal fifteen slots. He removed yesterday’s pictures and hesitated before replacing them with his selection. Beth needed to gain a semblance of normalcy too. “Come on, Beth. Help me assemble today’s schedule.”
Sniffling, she accepted the wallet from Jay and, favoring her injured wrist, inserted the cards, extracting three more from the box. “That will take us through supper. I’ll make the necessary changes if we drive back home.”
Jay ruffled her hair. “That’s my girl. After Lela and I talk to the kids, I’ll arrange for a driver.” He hesitated at the door. “Um, sis, are you sure it was a good idea to hire IRO? I mean, what do you know about Agent Ortiz? Is she even old enough to carry a weapon?”
Beth let out a ragged breath. “Chuck trusts Bowen who runs the IRO office in San Diego, and I trust Chuck. Lela is extremely competent, and came highly recommended. She’s older than she looks. Bowen said she’s twenty-nine, three years younger than you. Are you old enough to rescue Chuck?”
“Point taken. I’ll check on the girls.”
As Jay approached the kitchen, Lela and Marta’s loud exchange in Spanish overcame the children’s chatter. Although he’d often spent time with Beth and Chuck at their beach villa, he’d never heard Marta raise her voice before. What was going on? He opened the door, and the heated voices stopped. Hints of cinnamon filled the room.
Marta hung her head and disappeared into the large pantry.
Lela perched on a high stool and rested her elbows on the counter, an angelic expression not covering a telltale blush.
“What was that all about?” He chose the chair next to Alyssa whose eyes still brimmed with tears.
“We can discuss it later.” Lela cocked her head toward Danielle and Erin seated at the table next to him. “Right now, we need to tell these beautiful kids about their dad
dy.”
Jay quickly scanned the scene. Each girl had left food on her plate. A sure sign of their unease, as they usually ate every morsel. “Right. Girls, I know you’re worried about your daddy, but I’ll be helping Lela and her friends bring him home.”
Lela described the events of her night excursion, leaving out the gruesome details. Her delivery impressed him. He doubted she had children of her own, but she must have had practice in simplifying stories for young ears.
The expressions of trust on his nieces’ innocent faces, so like Beth’s, stabbed at Jay’s heart. “Later today your mother will take you back home to California.”
“And Daddy will find us there?” Erin asked.
Unable to come up with a quick answer, he silently appealed to Lela.
Confidence oozed from her expression. “Yes, your daddy will know where you are.”
Danielle, tall and delicately boned, stood and placed her hand on Jay’s shoulder. “Uncle Jay-Jay, is Mama all right?”
Sliding his arm around her waist, he nodded. “She will be, honey. We made Sean’s picture schedule to help him have a good day. I know you’ll be cooperative as usual.” He included the others in his sweeping gaze. “Be the best little girls you can, and before you know it, you’ll all be safe at home.” Safe at home. He scooted his chair back and gave them a broad smile. “I know you don’t like being cooped up inside, but you can’t go out right now. Although Tomas is on guard, it’s important for you to stay indoors. Why don’t you go upstairs and—”
“Let’s play Daddy’s game.” Danielle clapped her hands and grinned.
“I want to go first.” Erin skipped toward the door.
Following behind at a ladylike pace, Alyssa added, “Wait for me.”
“Daddy’s game?” Lela slid off the stool and poured a cup of coffee. “Do you want some?”
Jay nodded and accepted the cup she handed him.
She poured another cup and blew on the contents before taking a sip. “What’s Daddy’s game?”
He sniffed the aroma of the black brew. It always smelled better than it tasted. “Chuck lets the girls play with the billiard balls. Instead of using cues, they roll the balls into the pockets.”
Tilting her head, she raised her eyes to the ceiling. Faint giggles echoed from the upstairs room. “Sounds like they’re enjoying themselves.”
“For now. Anything to take their minds off Chuck’s abduction.” The gulp of coffee burned his mouth. Slow down.
Lela aimed narrowed eyes at him.
“What?” he asked.
“Why were you so hostile to me when we first met?”
Another swig of coffee. “It wasn’t intentional. Sorry if I offended you.”
“Not offended. I’m curious since we’re on the same side.”
A handful of seconds passed while he contemplated his answer. There were many reasons he could cite, but he knew deep down only one mattered. “I felt guilty for being away when Chuck was taken. It’s my fault.”
“No, it’s—”
“Stop right there. This is my family we’re talking about. To you, it’s merely a job.” No sooner had the words left his mouth, he regretted them. “Sorry. That was uncalled for.”
The nondescript expression on Lela’s face provided no reassurance she’d accepted his apology.
Step carefully, Vashon. You’re the outsider.
Time to move on. “I need to arrange for a driver to take the family home. Beth won’t be able to cope much longer without help.” He set the cup down and faced the doorway of the pantry. “Marta, are the O’Neals at their villa?”
The housekeeper bustled into the kitchen. “Sí. They came last week.” She gathered the dirty dishes from the table.
“Do you have their phone number?”
Marta pointed to a drawer at the end of the counter. “There is a book, señor.”
Rummaging through the contents, he located a small tan address book, flipped to the name, and dialed the number. After he explained the circumstance, Sully and Nan agreed to drive Beth and the children to San Diego.
“They’ve been good neighbors. The O’Neals and Davenports developed their vineyards in the area decades ago. The families have always been close. Let’s give Beth the good news.”
As Jay ushered Lela into the living room, he leaned close and whispered, “What were you and Marta discussing earlier?”
Lela walked ahead, as if ignoring his question.
“Please. I’ve never known her to raise her voice. Is there a problem?”
“She told me she’d worked for the family a long time but didn’t know if she could stay.”
Stopping at the sofa, he arched an eyebrow. “You don’t say. Is she ready to retire or what?”
“No. She, um, she doesn’t know how to handle Sean. I think she’s afraid of him.”
Jay nodded. “I can see how Sean’s behavior might affect her. I’ll have a talk with her—when this situation is resolved.”
“What exactly is, I mean…tell me about Sean’s disability.”
“He has fragile X syndrome. I’ll spare you the details, but basically, it’s a genetic abnormality. Chronologically, he’s four years old, but developmentally he’s way behind. He’s prone to temper outbursts and is awkward in social settings.” Jay plumped a cushion on the sofa. “He doesn’t process language like other children do. The use of simple pictures and common hand signs help him understand.”
“Signs?”
“Similar to those used to communicate with people who are deaf.”
The questioning frown lifted from Lela’s brow. “I know. Like that actress—”
“Jay-Jay. Come here.” Beth’s frantic voice shot down the hall.
Jay and Lela bolted.
Beth stood by an open doorway, her cell phone in her hand.
“What is it?” he asked.
She handed the phone to him. “They sent…a video.”
Lela sucked in air.
Jay held the device so they could both view the screen.
Jaw bruised and swollen, Chuck slouched in a chair with his arms behind his back. Torsos of men were visible around him, their rifles pointed at his chest and head. He opened his mouth but a muzzle jammed into his temple silenced him.
A man with a husky voice said, “Shut up. See, Mrs. Davenport. We mean business. And remember, don’t involve the cops.”
Muscles in Jay’s gut tightened, and he balled his other hand into a fist.
Lela pointed to the screen. “I’m sure this was made after I spoke to him.”
The video ended, and Jay stared at the phone. “What now?”
Propped up against the wall, Beth chewed on a fingernail. “What do they want? My poor Chuck, he must be in pain.”
“I’m surprised they sent the video.” Lela set her hands on her hips. “Once aware of someone’s presence, I was positive they’d abandon the ranch. I don’t understand.”
Beth’s phone chirped. “That’s a text message alert.” Her watery gaze flew to Jay’s face. “You read it.”
Jay activated the icon and again held the phone where Lela could see the screen.
“Weren’t fooled by your brother’s rescue attempt. Don’t try again. Expect a package this afternoon. Follow instructions, or next time you see your husband, he’ll be in pieces.”
11
The girls piled into the Davenports’ fully packed SUV while Sean squirmed into his car seat and rocked back and forth.
Lela stood beside the passenger door and waited for Beth to say good-bye to Jay. He’d helped pack suitcases, soothed anxious nieces, and calmed Beth more than once. Now, as he ushered her to the vehicle, a tender smile spread across his face.
As far as brothers were concerned, he’d proved himself a star.
Lela had two younger brothers and couldn’t wait for them to mature to the point where they treated her like a princess. What would it be like to have Jay lavish attention on her? Jolted back to reality by a gentle hand on h
er shoulder, she stepped aside for Beth to join Sean in the middle row of seats. Once strapped in, the boy relaxed.
Beth’s face had taken on a grayish pallor. Frown furrows etched into her forehead. “I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing. They said—”
“We’ll take care of everything on this end.” Lela gave Beth’s hand a squeeze. “I know what the text said, but you don’t have to be here to receive the package.”
Lela swallowed and backed away. A package. Every fiber of her being hoped that it did not contain a piece of Chuck.
Jay hugged his sister. “Beth, honey. Your job, right now, is to take the children home and keep them safe. You also need rest. Call me when you arrive.”
“All set?” Sully heaved himself into the driver’s seat, his gray ponytail hanging over his shoulder.
Lela nodded and closed the door.
Jay touched Nan’s arm through the passenger window. “You’ve been such good neighbors. Thanks for letting us impose on you guys.”
Nan, a woman every bit as large as her husband, rested her arms on her ample paunch and shook her head. Curls the color of carrot juice jiggled around her freckle-sprinkled face. “Not an imposition, dearie. We’ll spend the night in San Diego and return tomorrow with our kids and grandchildren. They were planning a trip anyway. Now, you find Chuck, and we’ll deliver the family safely home.”
One final round of farewells then Sully maneuvered the SUV out of the driveway.
Lela waved as the automatic gate closed behind the vehicle and it disappeared around the corner.
Smitty, who had arrived twenty minutes earlier, sauntered out of the house. In spite of his golden hair, tanned Adonis face, and well-built body, he no longer had the power to turn her knees to mush. A competent operative he may be, but he definitely didn’t know how to treat a woman. How dare he break up with her by e-mail?
Although Lela recalled fun times with Smitty, they had a job to do, and she’d not allow their history to interfere. After all, he had a steady girlfriend, according to office gossip.
Brandishing his perfect smile, he asked, “Are we waiting for Cooper before we take off for El Porvenir? What time is the package supposed to arrive?”
Day of Reckoning Page 5