“Yes. Leon wants me to convince you to change your mind. Any chance?”
“I haven’t given Unique Resort Planners much thought lately.” Noise of a TV gameshow resonated from the monitor high on the wall. “Been kinda busy rescuing Chuck.”
“He’s home? Praise God. Who abducted him?”
Leaving out messy details, Jay provided Ed the basic outline of the case.
Ed paused. “With your family whole again, that means you could come back to work.”
Jay switched the phone to his left hand. “I don’t think so, pal. Working with you has been an honor, but I have a new venture in mind.”
“Do tell.”
Eyes on Lela at the far end of the room, he slapped his free hand over his heart to stop it from escaping. “I’ll get back to you when I know more. Tell Leon you tried your best. Thanks for calling.”
Phone stowed, Jay relaxed as much as he could on the hard, plastic seat, and waited for Lela to look at him.
64
Surrounded by the noise of TV advertisements and visitor chatter, Lela paced the room while Jay discussed resort building with his partner. The nugget she’d gleaned from Jay’s side of the conversation indicated he had resigned.
What about her future? Her job here was over. She could leave any time. With Jay’s help she’d located the kidnapped business man—big check mark in that column. But she couldn’t walk out on Jay. The tender expression on his face as he caught her eye was enough to keep her close. Coupled with her growing attraction to the man, no way could she stamp DONE on this assignment yet.
They’d talked about asking God for guidance in choosing a mate. What did that look like? Jay never told her how he asked for God’s help in this aspect of his life. Did he just pray for direction? Was she ready for such a life-changing commitment?
Lela glanced at Jay who laughed at a commercial. Father God, how do I do this? Is asking for a physical sign blasphemous? All I know is I want a godly man for a husband.
Still smiling, Jay beckoned her.
After a moment’s pause, she returned to her seat. “Is everything OK?”
“You bet. As of this moment, I’m unemployed.”
“Why did you resign?”
“I’ve given the decision a lot of prayerful consideration. It’s time for me to change direction. I want to help people, give back, instead of earning a salary for the sake of a hefty bank balance. My—”
Lela’s phone rang. Detective Cadena’s name displayed. Not now. But she answered the call anyway. “Hello.” She mouthed, “It’s Cadena.” To escape the hum of voices in the waiting room, she entered the area formally designated for pay phones.
“Ms. Ortiz, do you have a minute?”
“Certainly. We’re at the ER with Chuck.”
“I heard you’d located him. That’s one reason why I called. Zoe Epps and everyone in Walter Ferguson’s group have been arrested. Plus, authorities found enough evidence to convict the leaders of the adoption ring in Los Angeles.”
She squeezed her eyes shut. “Excellent. Chuck will be overjoyed with that news. Do you have any information on Margie?”
“She confessed to all four murders you uncovered. The first three were committed to cover up her real target, Larry Ellis.”
“Ah, yes. I met his son, the person stalking Margie. But why?”
“She believes he killed her husband, Ralph.”
Lela thumped the wall. “And how does she suppose he managed that?”
“This is where her hold on reality begins to unravel. Ralph was a salesman. Two years before he died, he was assigned a new route.”
“Let me guess. Along the Southern California coast?”
“Right. Margie hated how short the barber in Solana Beach cut Ralph’s hair. As much as she complained, her husband refused to change barbers. She believes his brain tumor was caused by sun stroke. Short hair, too much sun.”
Lela clicked her tongue. “I told you she was unstable.”
“She also added details to the reason she took Sean.”
“Other than distracting me?”
“Yes. She was jealous of you and your mother who bragged about your virtues and successes. Compared to Margie’s daughter, who is in and out of drug rehab, you were too good to be true.”
“Kidnapping Sean under my nose would take me down a notch.”
“Exactly.”
A moment passed before Lela said, “I’ve heard a lot of strange confessions in my time, but Margie’s beats all. Will she be committed?”
“That will be determined at her psych evaluation. We’re in the process of documenting evidence. I kinda feel sorry for her.”
“I don’t. You wouldn’t either if you’d seen Sean when we found him. Which reminds me of an unanswered question. How did Margie know Beth needed a housekeeper?”
“Ah, yes. Mrs. Knox happens to be very tech savvy. She discovered that Ilsa Galvan has a brother in Mexico who is wanted by the authorities. She threatened to divulge the alias he’s using—which she, in fact, didn’t know. Convinced Ilsa to give her a glowing recommendation. Ilsa leaves. Position vacant. Voilà. She applies with false references and ID.”
“As simple as that.”
“I told you she’s resourceful. To obtain fraudulent papers and orchestrate the housekeeper’s vacancy, all in a few days. Yup. One clever crook. I take my hat off to her.”
“I’m glad she’s out of circulation. Thank you, Detective. I appreciate the follow-up.”
“And I thank you and the other IRO operatives for your assistance in keeping our community safe. Good-bye, Agent Ortiz.”
Lela pocketed her phone. A sincere compliment to end the case.
Instead of returning to Jay, she mentally reviewed the past hectic hours. Rescuing Sean unharmed, locating Chuck, all without a shot being fired, were the highlights for sure. But the argument with Jay in her pickup stuck in her craw. He’d been right, and that was hard for her to admit. She had made mistakes in the past by going it alone, not accepting assistance from other agents.
Her recent benching, although for only three days, stewed fresh in her heart, but hearing the criticism from Jay provided a jolt of reality. Perhaps recognizing that she needed help in her spiritual life had spilled over into her regular life. Help, in the form of Jay Vashon, couldn’t be anything but good. Sharing a leadership role with or relinquishing control to someone like him did not fill her with anxiety or fear. Instead, she looked out the window and imagined them—
Whoa. Slow down, girl. Lela straightened her ponytail.
Strains from a golden-oldie crooned from the TV. Her grandmother used to sing that tune—the only song she sang in English. Lela focused on the screen. Video of people enjoying rides on tandem bicycles along lush, tree-lined paths accompanied the announcer’s pitch. “What are you waiting for? Rent your bicycle-built-for-two today.”
Lela giggled. Recalling the rest of the chorus brought heat to her cheeks.
A sign? Not sure.
Jay’s face had reddened when he’d suggested they date. Had that been mere hours ago? Now one look at Jay and her whole heart warmed. If he’d prayed about finding the right mate and showed an interest in her, and now she…so that’s how God worked?
Personal choices put on hold for the time being, she sat next to Jay and provided details of the call from Cadena then settled in for a long night. There’d be plenty of time to discuss life choices later.
How comfortable to rest on his shoulder. Warm, solid, and reassuring.
~*~
“Wake up, you two. Chuck’s conscious.” Beth gently prodded their interlocked hands.
Shaking off a pleasant dream, Lela soothed the crick in her neck. “Good news.”
“Praise the Lord.” Jay stood and threw his arms around his sister. “When can we see him?”
“In a little while.” She patted Jay's shoulder. “I will never forget what you did for us.”
“That’s what families do.”
&
nbsp; Beth pulled away from her brother’s embrace. “You, too, Lela. Thank you.” Dabbing at her moist eyes, she smiled. “A nurse will escort you both to Chuck's room in about thirty minutes. He’s eager to see you.”
Although Beth’s hair was gathered in a messy bun, Lela could only describe her as serene. No worry lines marred her brow, voice calm, posture relaxed.
When Beth glided back through the doors, Jay took Lela’s hand. “Let’s go outside for a change of scenery and privacy.”
Surrounded by cool, floral-scented air, Lela peeked at the sky. Stars twinkled through wispy clouds. “Why’d you want to come out here?”
“I’d like to pray with you.”
Not what she expected. “That will be…nice.”
He drew her close. “Father God, thank You for protecting Chuck and his family. Please be with those affected by Margie’s crimes and the illegal adoption procedures. We don’t understand why these tragedies happen, but help us to always see You in the aftermath. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
The words of his brief but powerful prayer covered her in peace. Snuggling in his embrace, Lela sighed. “I love listening to you pray.”
A chuckle resonated from the depths of his being. “I remember when you gave me the stink eye for praying.”
She giggled in return. “That seems like such a long time ago.”
What was she doing getting close to this man? Only a week had passed since she’d received the assignment. One week. Was that really enough time to completely change her view on relationships? Yeah, she’d discovered Jay was nothing like Gilbert. Or any other man she’d dated. But he was a man, and men…
No. That was her old self talking. Jay was different. He showed no fear or shame in living his values, his faith. Admitted when he’d made a mistake. Love of family guided his actions. He’d certainly proven his loyalty in that respect. And he was the most confident and secure man she’d ever met. Jay had set her on the path to healing her broken spirit. But could their relationship work? Did she want to find out?
Hands on her hips, she faced him. “After we talk to Chuck, my job here is over. I’ll be assigned another case that could take me anywhere in the world.” The words grated in her throat, but she had to say them.
“I know.” He closed the gap between them. “Working this case with you has made me reevaluate my life choices. I enjoyed using my engineering skills in the resort planning business, but I’m ready to make a change in professions. A complete change.”
In the ambient light shining through the windows, she examined his expression. Slowly, an idea crystalized in her mind. Was he thinking along the same lines? “You would make a great IRO agent.”
Close enough for his warm breath to tickle her face, his tone soft and full of meaning, he said, “I agree, and then it would be my job to keep people safe. Something I’m good at. I won’t have to police the whole world, just the cases I’m assigned. But I can’t consider the change unless I can be your partner.”
She tilted her head. “Um, partner? IRO doesn’t assign permanent partners. We work with whomever. Besides, if we were partners, one of us would have to lead, and one follow. Could you handle taking orders from me every day?” Why’d she ask that question? To test her resolve to give up control when necessary? Or to gauge his reaction?
“We could take turns leading or following.”
“It wouldn’t work that way. I would always be the more seasoned operative, and would, therefore, take the lead.” She raised her brows. “However, I will admit that I can’t do it all on my own and will welcome ideas and suggestions. Even from you.”
Without changing tone or acknowledging her playful jab, he said, “I think we’ll both benefit from sharing the load. Accepting help or advice, letting someone else be in charge.”
“Sure. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from you, it is that we need to invite God into the equation.”
“There’s a popular saying that I love. ‘Let go, and let God.’ I need to put it into practice in my life more often.”
“Me, too.”
Jay quirked his eyebrows. “I’m not ready to give up on this partner thing. If I can’t be your fulltime IRO partner, how about a different kind of partner?” Blue eyes, warm and beseeching. Lips curled in a sensual smile.
Her leg muscles turned to mush, and she staggered, but his strong arms kept her from falling. “Whatever do you mean?”
“A partner for life.”
Wow. He came right out and said it. Was she ready? Backing away, she leaned against the glass, her legs still wobbly. “I…”
“Take your time. I can wait.” He wiggled his fingers at his side. “Waiting.”
Whew. Just what she needed. A little humor to lighten the mood. “I don’t know enough about you to make such an important decision right now.” Where did those words come from? What about the sign?
“Will you at least give a future with me some consideration?”
Her recent thoughts about him? All pleasant and covered with prayer. And his kiss. Oops. Her knees were close to buckling again. The tandem bicycle commercial sang through her mind. Forget her previous comment. She was ready. “First, I have to ask a very important question.”
A cloud crossed his face. He took a step backward. “Ask away.”
“Why is your mother the only one who calls you Jarius?”
Shaking his head, he set his hands on her shoulders. “Are you serious? Mother is the only person who is allowed to use my given name.”
“I see, Jarius.” She bit her bottom lip, waiting for his reaction.
Eyes on her face, he said, “Well, there might be one other person who can call me Jarius and get away with it.”
“In that case…” Slipping her arms around his neck, she drew him close.
His eyes widened, but his quirky smile told her he knew what she wanted.
She inched her fingers up his neck and then tangled them in his hair.
Without saying a word, without doing anything other than meeting her gaze, he wrapped his strong arms around her and lowered his head.
At first the kiss was slow and gentle but deliberate.
On tiptoe, Lela gave herself wholeheartedly to his embrace, which was as satisfying as a long, cool drink on a steaming hot day. Or a breezy ride on a bicycle built for two.
A nurse tapped the window.
They sprang apart.
She motioned to come inside.
Lela sighed and offered her hand. “Let’s go, Jarius. Partner.”
Thank you…
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