"Nothing serious, I hope," Alex muttered vaguely, slipping out of her shoes. Her thoughts were filled with Nick Diamond.
"Depends on how you look at it, Alex."
"Rosemary—not the budget."
"It's public. And final. All exchange teachers have been cut. Oh, Alex, I'm so sorry."
CHAPTER TEN
"My God, Nick, you look awful."
"You don't look so great yourself." He drew her into the office. "Didn't you get any sleep last night?"
Alex smiled and shook her head. "Not much. Did you get your cargo delivered properly?"
"Yep. Only lost one little cockatiel. Might have been sick before we picked him up. They’re a precarious cargo. Anyway, we just got back a few hours ago."
"Just got back?" Alex raised her eyebrows in query. "From where—" She halted mid-sentence and gave him a cunning glance. "I know, I know. Don't ask."
"You catch on fast." Nick motioned toward his desk, where Jose hovered intently. "I wanted you to come down this afternoon because we have another lead, Alex. Photos of the man we think took Jenni. And maybe of Jenni too. We want you to make a positive identification of her."
Alex's heart pumped wildly and she rushed to Jose's side. The desk was strewn with photos, various shots of the accident.
"These are from the newspaper photographer," Jose explained. "He took all these at the scene."
"But where is Jenni?" Alex frantically scanned through the photos, her shaky fingers sorting them apart quickly. She tried not to look at the images of Teresa lying on the sidewalk and herself bending over the inert form.
Jose's large brown hand lifted a particular photo and handed it to her. "Your eyes must be, uh, how do you say, looking into the pictures."
"Discerning," Nick offered from behind Alex.
"Sí. Look carefully. See the child in the background? Near the right side."
Alex squinted her eyes to improve her discerning ability. "Yes, I see that child. It ... it could be Jenni."
"What about this one?" It was a blow-up of the same child.
"Oh, yes," Alex breathed excitedly. "Yes, this is her all right!"
"You sure, now?"
"Yes! She had on a pink dress with ruffles on the front. And see her curly hair? Yes, yes!" Alex swallowed hard. She was torn by tender emotion at seeing Jenni and a growing euphoria for finding her. "But you said a man took her. Where is he?”
"He's in this one." Jose handed her another photo. "You can see a man's arm around the child. We believe he's in the process of abducting her."
Alex seized the photo and stuck it close to her nose then held it at arm's length. "But, Jose, you can only see part of him. And a small part, at that."
"What did you expect? A mug shot?" Nick clipped, irritated by her lack of enthusiasm for their discovery.
"How can anyone identify him from this?" She threw it back down on the desk. Her balloon of hope was rapidly deflating.
Jose gave her a patient smile beneath his elaborate mustache. "Ah, but these photos tell us much. Here you see a leg, an arm, and half a face."
"So, what can you tell from that?"
"Well, his limbs are rather thin. So, we know he's not as chubby as me." Jose chuckled. "He's brown-skinned and has dark hair, so he's probably Mexican."
"Oh, that's just great." Alex folded her arms and flopped disgustedly into Nick's chair. "There are only about a million men around here who look like that.”
“But only half a mil who are skinny. All we have to do is match them up with half a face.”
“Shouldn't we start questioning them now? We might find a suspect by the time Jenni's twenty."
"Dammit, Alex!" Nick turned his back and stuffed his hands impotently into his pockets. He stared angrily out the dirty cracked glass of the door. Sure, he could understand her frustrations, but he knew the potential of this lead too.
"Senorita," Jose said gently. "True, this is not much. Still, it's better than nothing."
"Yes," she admitted bitterly. "Better than what we found in Guaymas."
"It gives us a start. We know now that Jenni was taken by this . . . this, how you say, donkey-ass.”
“Jackass.” Nick said. “Jose’s right. Before this, we were only guessing. Now we have a vague idea what her abductor looks like. And probably," Nick said, turning around and approaching the desk again, "probably, Jenni's involved in a baby ring. From the beginning, she was taken for this purpose. Trouble is, the adoptions take place in the United States."
"How do we know it hasn't already happened?" Alex asked, alarmed. Her large eyes searched his face for the truth.
Nick shrugged his broad shoulders. "We don't. We can only hope."
"Hope? That's not enough!" Alex stood hastily. "We need to get busy. Find out who this bastard is and—"
"What do you suggest? Start with the men on the street?" Nick's eyes flashed angrily.
"No." Jose began to stack the photos and pondered the problem as he spoke. "We start with whoever might be able to help us identify half a face."
"The police?" Alex questioned with a frown.
"No!" Nick snapped his fingers as an idea struck. "There is only one who might. Just might. Because he knows so many people and faces in this town."
"Padre Ramon?" Jose smiled determinedly and nodded.
"You bet. He's our closest link. And if he can't identify this face, maybe he can direct us to someone who can."
"I'm going with you, Nick!" Alex circled the desk.
"No, you aren't," he said firmly. "You go home and get some rest. You may need it later."
"But I want—"
"No, Alex. I don't expect Father Ramon to look at this photo and name the guy right away. This will take time."
"But we don't have much time.” Alex could feel her agitation grow into a knot in her stomach. “Meanwhile, what happens to Jenni? She may be—"
"Wherever she is, senorita, she's being cared for," Jose inserted gently. "I'm sure of it."
Alex's eyes grew large and sad. "That's what I want to believe, and it's what both of you keep telling me."
"It's as close to the truth as we can get at this time," Nick agreed. "You know I'll be honest with you, Alex. Now, there's nothing more for you to do here. Go home and get some rest." He led her to the door.
"Rest . . . and a new job," she muttered.
He nodded, tight-lipped. "Oh, yes. Your position at the university isn't being renewed, is it?"
"How did you know?"
Nick aimed a thumb over his shoulder. "Jose keeps me informed."
"But I just found out last night. How could he know?"
Nick raised his hands defensively. "He has his sources. I don't ask how."
"And I shouldn't ask either," she murmured sardonically. "You've got it."
"You will let me know if anything else develops."
"Of course." He kissed her lightly. "You'll be the first to know."
"At least in time to play whatever new role you have for me?" She smiled weakly and closed the rickety door behind her.
Email from Hermosillo
To: Carol W
From: Alex J
I'm trying to be positive about everything, and as the British say, keep a stiff upper lip. But nothing seems to be going right. I lost the fight for my job. I refuse to even think about it right now. But I know one thing. I'm not leaving here until I know something about Jenni. Rosemary offered me her spare room. I may consider it.
One bright ray. At least Nick seems to think so. They have a photo of the man who took Jenni. But it isn't a good likeness; more of a profile. They're hoping Father Ramon can identify him.
Every day I feel like I'm on the edge of a new discovery. And yet Jenni remains out of our reach. I don’t know how long I can hold out without a job.
Love, Alex
Alex had purposely left out information about the trip to Guaymas with Nick. Her involvement with him was still too new and too puzzling to reveal. And there were all tho
se questions still unanswered. For all Alex knew, she had fallen in love with someone on the lam from the American police.
Just as she stepped out of the shower, she heard a knock at her door. Thinking it was Nick with news from Father Ramon, she threw on a robe and dashed to the door. Not in her wildest dream did she think her guest would be Jack Kingsley, her former lover.
Alex stood mutely, staring at him.
Then reminders flashed through her mind. Carol had mentioned that he was looking for her —was it just last week? She had said Jack would be in Hermosillo on business in May and wanted her address. But Jack was the last person she wanted to see right now. She never thought of him anymore when she was lonely, never missed him. When she'd left Phoenix, she never wanted to see him again. Yet here he was, smiling and handsome, arms eagerly opened to greet her.
"Jack! What are you doing here?" Alex took an involuntary step backward.
"Surely you could come up with something more enthusiastic and heartwarming, like 'what a wonderful surprise to see you,' or 'I've missed you like hell,' or—"
"Jack, please. Whatever we had is over. Long, long ago.”
"Come on, Alex. Give me a little break here." He stood on the threshold with hands still outstretched. "Hey, am I invited in? After all, I did come five hundred miles to see you."
She considered him for a long moment. "Sure, come on in." She led the way into the living room.
"Hey, this is a nice place, Alex," Jack said, assessing the room as he followed her.
She shrugged. "It'll do. The University supplied it, furnished." There seemed to be no way out of this. Jack was already here and she supposed they could talk. But that was all.
"How do you like working south of the border?"
"Loved it, while it lasted. I lost my job yesterday." Alex smiled wistfully, thinking she should be more upset. Maybe she was still numb.
"How the hell did that happen?"
"Budget cuts due to the economy. Exchange profs were the first to go."
"That's a shame, Alex, especially since you like it so much here. Can't fully understand why, though," he said sitting down on a loveseat in the living room. "But I must admit, I'll be glad to see you heading back to Phoenix."
"Not right away," she hedged, lowering herself into a chair opposite him. "Maybe by fall."
"I'm sure you can get your old job back at ASU. Or, you just say the word, and I'll get you a job doing something really interesting."
"Really interesting? As if teaching isn't?"
"Well, it isn't dynamic and high-powered."
"I like it," she said simply. She gazed at his handsome chiseled features and sun-bleached blond hair and honestly tried to determine why she had been so attracted to him at one time. He was still quite handsome, especially with that distinguished gray above his ears. Now, though, she felt no physical attraction to him at all, just comfortable familiarity, as she might feel toward a brother. "Working for the governor, now?" she asked.
"Yeah." He nodded proudly. "No more of this academic stuff for me. Now, it's strictly big time. Powerful position."
"Sounds like a good job for you, Jack. Is that why you're here in Hermosillo? Something important?"
"Nothing so important as seeing you again, Alex. And, I must admit, you're as beautiful as ever." His gray eyes softened appreciably.
Alex smiled a faint thank you. "But you made the trip for other reasons."
"Delegation from the governor," he affirmed. There was a touch of pride in his voice. "We meet tomorrow to discuss contracts with the new Ford plant here, and to see about the viability of a couple of high-tech plants moving in from Arizona. They need industry desperately down here, and it will help our economy too."
She nodded, warming to his clipped, important manner. Conversation was easy. After all, she and Jack had spent a year sharing each other's lives. They did it very well. Jack told her how he'd lucked into this job as governor's advisor and how much he liked it. She could readily see that. And Alex related how she and Rosemary had worked on the proposal in a last ditch effort to save her job. She even showed him the letter she'd received from the president of the University, thanking her for her excellent field work and urging her to consider teaching there again, when they were more solvent.
Jack's hand sought hers. "Let me take you out to eat tonight, Alex. I really want to talk to you."
"Jack, I'm actually very tired," she declined, pulling her hand away gently. "I just don't feel like going out tonight."
"Hey, how about if I go out for Chinese food? Remember how we used to love Thai Fish, hot and spicy? I even have some Pinot Noir in the car. Good old California wine, Alex? Come on, babe. For old time's sake."
She smiled with a weak-willed submission. Thai Fish did sound good, along with a little California wine. "There's a Chinese restaurant about four blocks away."
"Atta girl! I'll be right back!"
Alex watched Jack leave and realized that he was good company. Always had been. He knew all the right questions to ask and seemed genuinely interested in her endeavors. Plus, he understood her world, having worked in a university setting for a number of years in Phoenix. She hoped dinner and interesting conversation were all he expected tonight. While he was gone, she donned a clean blouse and jeans, and met him at the door still barefoot.
By the time they'd finished the meal and polished off a couple of glasses of the specialty wine, she told him about Jenni. Jack listened patiently to her story and kissed away the two sparkling tears that edged unbidden to her eyes.
"Alex, I can't believe you've let yourself get so involved with a situation like this."
"I couldn't help it, Jack. I was just here and—"
"Then let it drop." He nudged her chin upward and kissed her unresponsive lips. "Alex, let me take you back to Phoenix when I go tomorrow. I'll take care of you—"
She backed away, startled. "You mean, let her go? Not try to find Jenni? Let her be sold?"
"Well," he motioned helplessly, "or whatever. This isn't your business. She isn't your child. What would you do with her if you found her?"
Without hesitation Alex answered, "I'd adopt her." She stopped and listened to herself. Alex had never even considered what she would do. But there was no doubt in her mind that she wanted Jenni as her own child. Maybe that was a little drastic.
"Adopt? Do you know how complicated an international adoption is?" Jack stared at her in disbelief.
"I don't care about that. I only care about Jenni. You obviously don't understand, Jack."
"Hardly! I thought I knew you, Alex, but you've changed. In a drastic way too."
"No, I haven't, Jack. You just didn't know me well enough. I was the one who wanted marriage, remember? You wanted a mistress."
"Things are different now, Alex. It wasn't the right time for marriage for me." He placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her to him. "Look at us tonight, Alex. Two lonely people, free to love. . . ." His lips covered hers before she could protest. He kissed her with growing passion, his tongue lightly nudging her lips to part.
But her response was wooden, and he stopped. "I can tell I've offended you about this missing kid. Look, Alex, let me make it up to you. Let me show you a good time."
She turned away from him but felt his hands on her shoulders. "No, Jack. It isn't what you said about Jenni. It's just not the same between us. Can't you tell?"
"I can make it good again, Alex. If you just give me a chance." He pulled her sensuously against him and she could feel his arousal against her back.
At that moment she wanted nothing more than to get away from Jack Kingsley. He represented a past she wanted to forget and a future in which she had no interest. "No, Jack. There is nothing I want to revive. Please leave."
"Dammit, Alex. If you only tried, if you could forget your own hang-ups for one night, you might enjoy life a little. You're so straight, so honest, you can't enjoy one night with an old lover."
She looked curiously at
him. Honest? Straight? Jack would be shocked if he knew she had helped Nick smuggle exotic birds across the border and had made wild and wonderful love with him after they had tried to buy a baby girl. The worst of it was, she'd do it all again if it were for Jenni or the man she loved.
Alex never wanted to make love with Jack again. Her feelings for Nick would get in the way. "No, Jack. It's us, not my hangups. Whatever was between us is gone. I'm sorry."
He stepped away from her, palms outward. "I won't forget your turning me away, Alex."
She turned and watched Jack walk out of the house, slamming the door behind him. Stoically Alex cleaned up their dinner mess of boxes and wine glasses. Even with all that wine, she didn't feel relaxed. And after the argument with Jack, she felt uneasy. She paced for an hour like a caged tiger, finally deciding to take action.
Her cab stopped in front of Nick's office. Through the broken-glassed window she could see him bent over his desk, just as she imagined. When she rattled the door on entering, he looked up, startled. Then, with recognition, he smiled warmly.
"Alex, come in."
"I thought I might find you here."
"Just going over these photos again to see if we missed something." He laid aside a magnifying glass and closed the folder.
"Then you're still looking for Jenni? I mean, you aren't too busy or anything?"
"Of course not." He motioned to the desk but looked at her curiously. "We have this new information and I intent to pursue it to the limit. Why do you ask?"
She shrugged and released a silent sigh of relief. Maybe she hadn't lost him, after all. Not yet, anyway. "Oh, nothing. Was Padre Ramon able to identify anyone in those pictures?"
Nick shook his head tightly. "Not immediately. I left two of the photos with him. He's going to work on it. I figured it would take some time."
She nodded and began to pace, this time in his office. "I see."
"Alex, you all right?"
"Yeah. Sure."
He stood, rather uncomfortably. "Look, Alex. We're rushing this thing as much as possible. I told you it wouldn't be easy. But she's—"
"I know, Nick. I understand. It isn't about Jenni."
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