by Zoe Dawson
The warmth and lushness of this area of Mexico showed her there were still places on earth that were definitely off the beaten track. Yet this is where people lived, drug lords flourished, and murder happened often. There was no concrete for miles. She breathed a sigh as the warm breeze slipped through the sedan’s window, tugging at her hair. Emma actually felt relieved that Reyes and Velasco were not present. She felt their judgment constantly. Whether that had to do with her being a woman, she wasn’t sure. But she couldn’t quite shake the fact that she and Derrick were being corralled. Boxed in and fed the information someone wanted them to swallow and say it was delicious.
She wondered if Derrick had the same feeling. He had to downshift to navigate an especially steep decline. Off in the distance, Lake Caliche glittered in the moonlight. The rest of the forest was like a blanket of rolling green, the air thin and the trees so dense she could barely see a few feet beyond the road.
“What do you think about our two official escorts?” Emma said.
He glanced at her. “In terms of?”
“I get the feeling we’re being led around by our noses. One or both could be in the cartel’s pocket for all we know. They could be working for the Ortegas.” They passed a small village, the lights the only indication there was life out here.
“The ambush? The fact they didn’t want you talking to Luis’s mother?”
“Yeah, it was a good argument, but my nephew’s abduction should matter. He’s alive, and Luis is dead. I’m sympathetic to his mother’s grief. I truly am, but Matty’s welfare should count for a disruption in ritual. I’ve got a bad feeling about this, Derrick.”
His expression was set, his eyes calm, his hands lightly gripping the wheel, his attention now tightly focused on her. “It’s been a nagging thought for me, as well. But if it’s one or both on the take, we’re going to have to discover the truth.”
Something shifted inside her as she continued to watch him. It was that focus, that intensity, that she couldn’t help but respond to. There was no doubt she was physically attracted to Derrick. The man was gorgeous, but as she shivered, she knew the depth of the connection she was forming with him was head and shoulders above anything in her life, except maybe her sister. “I know this environment,” Emma said. “Velasco is young, more susceptible to money or even addictions the cartel can play on. Hell, they could even be threatening his family.” She hoped not for his sake, but expected it was mostly greed. “As for Reyes, he’s been a good guy from the first day I met him. But still, Los Equis is ruthless, and Gilberto has run the organization like a well-oiled machine. He wouldn’t leave anything to chance when it comes to Matty. If he’s Arturo’s son, that means he’s Gilberto’s grandson.” She paused and she could feel Derrick’s interest in the short distance that separated them. He was alert, always, to every nuance, every word, every sound, breath, scent and texture of the world around him. No wonder he scared the living hell out of her. It was intimidating to be on the receiving end of such focused attention.
But she also identified with it. She was much the same, only she’d felt hers was a more intuitive connection. Maybe that was why everything with Derrick seemed so gut-deep intensive, because so much of her was tied up in him.
“Maybe Lily wanted nothing to do with them, which is understandable,” he said as they bumped over some ruts in the road, the suspension bouncing back as the tires hit smooth road again. “Maybe she cut off all ties and that angered both of them?” He shook his head and glanced at her, his eyes hard. “They feel they had a right to see Matty. Being the ruthless thugs they are, they decided that kidnapping him was their only course of action. Murdering your sister would take her out of the equation. What I don’t understand is why they didn’t come after you, as well.”
“Maybe that was something they planned on doing later on in the game. Especially if I caused a stink. Contacting the State Department about Matty, since I am his aunt, was a good move. There’s a legal precedence here called The Hague Convention that states no child under sixteen may be removed from their habitual residence or wrongfully removed or retained. Mexico is part of that treaty and my grandmother already got that legal ball rolling.”
Derrick nodded. “Too bad it turned out to be a dead end—even my buddy said so. Making the choice to go after him, the director and SECNAV made the stand that no US Military child would be subjected to abduction. It was a coordinated effort.”
“One I’m grateful for, but you’re probably right. As it stands right now, Lily is incapacitated. I don’t believe she has made any stipulation for Matty in that case. Even my grandmother, who is working with the State Department, could kick up a lot of dust. Maybe Gilberto just expects to disappear with Matty. Change his name, hide him God knows where and time will make the difference.”
Derrick frowned, his voice clipped. “He thinks he’s above the law and he has the right because Matty is of his blood. It doesn’t make it right.”
She looked over to find Derrick giving her quick glances. “But does Arturo have rights where Matty is concerned?”
Derrick reached over and squeezed her hand as if to soften his words. “Yes, he does, but if he wanted to exercise those rights, he’s gone about it the wrong way.”
She looked over at him, but his attention was back on the road. She worked at shoving aside the panic fluttering in her stomach. It had all been compartmentalized until now, when they might be close to finding out where Matty was. Jumbled up nervousness and how much she wanted—needed Matty back spiked over and over. “I’m horrified that Matty is connected to these people by blood and family, Derrick.” She looked out the window at the dark night. “I know the right course of action. Matty needs to be protected from them, for both his physical and psychological safety. Gilberto has to know that no judge in the US will ever give him visitation rights. He really didn’t have a legal recourse.”
“No, he didn’t.”
“It makes him extremely dangerous. He’s already had Luis kill two people and tried to murder my sister. It boggles my mind that my sister, my sweet, head-in-the-clouds sister, stood up to a drug lord’s son.” Her voice was full of the pride she felt.
“Why is that surprising? You said she changed her life.”
“Yes, she did, but now that I think about it, I realize that Matty was the fulcrum that brought her around. It was that tiny, happy, precious boy that had pushed her forward. She wanted to be the kind of mother Matty would be proud of—and that had nothing to do with career or a profession, although I believe the Navy played a role in her transformation. It had to do with Lily’s self-esteem and inner strength. The Navy gave her self-respect, but Matty gave her what she’d always been searching for—unconditional love. Motherhood was what really changed her.”
“Didn’t she have unconditional love with you?”
Emma looked at him, his profile so handsome even in the dim light of the car. “No. I was judgmental and always pushed her to be more responsible. I was more worried about protecting her than seeing her grow, even with our argument about her going to Japan.” Remorse thick in her voice, she murmured, “I was stubborn and ugly. I said some things I wish I could take back. She was so…strong, so sure of what she wanted. I couldn’t see that because I was too busy remembering Lily as she was in the past and not recognizing how much she’d changed. If I hadn’t been so…difficult, so judgmental, maybe she would have come to me with this problem instead of trying to handle it on her own. She was so sweet, she probably truly expected Arturo to just back off and bend to her wishes.” Her voice filled with affection. “She was naive when it came to harsher parts of life. Something I always tried to shield her from. It breaks my heart, Derrick. I truly regret treating her like a child and dismissing her ideas and plans.”
He clasped her hand and squeezed. “You understand now. It was out of love that you acted the way that you did. Give yourself some credit and cut yourself some slack. You’re not an ogre.”
“I feel like
one, and I so hope I don’t lose my sister. I hope I get the chance to tell her how much she means to me and how sorry I am.”
“You will.”
“Look at you, Mister Glass Half-Full.”
He chuckled.
“We’re almost there. I’m going to give you lead on this one. I think you’re right. Woman to woman. Mother to aunt is the way to handle Mrs. Montoya. I’ll hang back.”
“Thank you, Derrick, for trusting me on this.”
They came around a bend and she said, “Turn here.”
He made the left, which put them in a very small village. One house was lit up. Candles and people everywhere—it had to be the Montoya residence.
Derrick pulled the car over far enough from the house, so he didn’t garner any interest. He shut off the engine.
“The Mexican people share a depth of obligation toward family members that extends beyond death to burial. Funeral homes are pretty much nonexistent, so the body is returned to the family.” She reached for the door handle just as Derrick’s cell chimed. He looked at the display, and his mouth tightened.
“What is it?”
“There’s been an attempt on your sister’s life. Not sure how, but a cartel member got onto a Naval facility. They believe he entered illegally.”
Her heart sank at the same time her stomach tightened. “Is she all right?”
“Yes, she’s fine. They’ve doubled the guards, and everyone is being searched before they enter the hospital.”
She sagged against the seat, her heart pounding from the adrenaline. “Thank God she’s okay.” He leaned over and kissed her on the temple, then gently hugged her, settling back behind the wheel. She pushed the door open. “We have to resolve this now, but Matty and Lily are always going to be in danger, even if we do rescue him.” She got nauseated thinking about the implications and the disruption to both their lives. How were they going to handle this threat hanging over them? She would have to think about that once they got Matty back. Right now, she had to talk to the grieving mother of the man who had taken her nephew and almost killed her sister. The same man—teenager, really—who, God help her, had tried to kill them.
Derrick started texting as she closed the door behind her, trying to breathe around her fear for her sister and their precarious future. Focus. This moment, this desperate, heart-rending moment, was about Matty.
She walked up the street. Glancing back, she saw Derrick get out of the car and follow her at a safe distance. She took a deep breath. People were filing through the home; condolences to the family were part of every funeral.
Emma got in the line, many of the women openly weeping, others stony-faced; there were even children present. Once Emma was in the house, she found Luis’s mother accepting condolences from people, seated in a chair near the altar. Luis’s body was in the center on the floor, covered with a white sheet and surrounded by four lighted candles.
The Montoyas’ loved ones and friends were sharing in a prayer vigil, or velario.
Emma moved forward as an elderly woman who cried and squeezed Mrs. Montoya’s hands moved off, wiping her eyes. Gabriela Montoya’s eyes were red-rimmed and her cheeks rosy from crying. When Emma reached her, she looked up and her features froze. “You should not be here,” she whispered.
“I know this is a terrible breach of conduct, but it is imperative that I speak with you privately. Please, Mrs. Montoya. We both have lost so much,” Emma said in Spanish.
Gabriela heaved a huge sigh, and Emma waited, her gut in knots, anticipating her response. If she turned her away, it would be the last best chance to find Matty.
The woman closed her eyes, then she rose. “Come with me.” Emma followed her into a small room, and she closed the door.
“What is it you wish to speak with me about?”
“You know why I’m here. You know what your son has done.”
She brought a tissue up to her nose and blew, wiping vigorously. “Yes, I know all of it. He had no choice. I have no choice.”
“Yes, you do have a choice. You can choose to do the right thing.” She reached into her jacket and pulled out a photo of Lily and Matty. “This is my sister, Lily. She’s in a coma in the hospital. That’s my nephew, Matthew, but we call him Matty. He was kidnapped and I think you know where he is.”
A sob caught in her throat as shame and remorse filled her eyes. She clutched the tissue to her mouth, gasping around the sorrow, pain and tears. “Mateo.”
Emma’s eyes burned, her throat thick as tears welled and slid down her cheeks. “Yes, Matthew. Will you tell me where he is? Please…Gabriela, from a terrified and loving aunt, to a grieving and loving mother. I’m begging you.”
“He is not far from here,” she whispered, and Emma let out a soft, relieved sound.
“Where?”
“A hacienda in the forest, one that used to belong to the Sanchez family. They were wealthy and prosperous before the cartels took over. Murdered and buried now. That place is the home of a monster. Gilberto took it over. I work for him and have for many years. He is a bad, bad man, but he is death to those who refuse to do as he says. We couldn’t go against him, but he’s killed my boy anyway. Loose ends, I overheard him say. He ordered that…monster with no heart…Flores to kill him and leave his body for the police to find. He wants you and your friend dead.”
“We aren’t going to give up. Will you help us?”
“He plans to replace his son Arturo with your nephew. He will make it look like a rival cartel has killed Arturo. But he’s tired of Arturo’s party boy ways.”
“He’s going to kill Matty’s father?”
She looked at Emma with a startled expression. “Arturo? No, he isn’t the boy’s father. It’s Gilberto. He is the one.”
Shock coursed through Emma and she had to take a moment to absorb the information. All this time she thought it was his son who had gotten Lily pregnant, but it hadn’t been. Gilberto wanted a new family legacy. He was going to make Matty in his image, a monster, a dealer in death and addiction. A greedy, ruthless drug lord. Oh, no!
Emma reached out and clasped the woman’s shoulders. “Where is he? Where? Please tell me.”
Gabriela sobbed for a few minutes, the sympathy in her eyes thick with her grief. Then she took a breath, her eyes hardening. “I will give you directions, but you will have to be very careful. If he catches you, he will kill you. I will draw a map of the house and where the nursery is. I have already packed a bag for him in case of emergency. It’s in the closet. Don’t forget his medicine in the fridge. He has an ear infection, but he is doing very well.”
Emma hugged her hard and the woman hugged her back. “I’m sorry for what my son has done. Maybe my actions can redeem him in God’s eyes. I can only pray.” She wrote out the directions, then drew a quick map. “There are guards, but you can avoid them. Go through this path.”
Emma reached for the door, but Gabriela stopped her with a hand to her arm. “Good luck, and may God go with you.”
Emma covered her hand, then reached into her pocket and pressed some bills into Gabriela’s palm. “Take this for your son as a gift from one he’s wronged. I hope you find peace.”
She nodded, closing her fist over the money as Emma slipped out the door and made her way past the altar. Derrick was standing just outside the house.
“I know where he is,” she said, brushing at her tears.
“That’s great news.”
“There’s more, Derrick. So much more,” she said grimly.
Derrick absorbed all the information that Emma told him as they raced through the night toward the Ortegas’ place, located at the edge of the forest, according to the map. It was several miles past the Montoyas’ village.
They would have to be quick and silent to get in and then get the infant out. If he cried, made any noise whatsoever, they were going to be toast.
When he stopped the sedan, they were far enough away from the hacienda to stay out of sight, but close enough to g
o through the woods and take the path Gabriela had outlined for them. They exited the vehicle. “Let’s take another look at the map.”
“Derrick, we need to hurry.” She took a step, and he hauled her around and into his arms.
He wrapped her tightly against him, stilling her for the moment. “We have to be strategic about this. Let me get our ducks in a row.”
She tore her gaze away from the path and the lighted house beyond and looked at him. “He’s so close, Derrick.”
He tightened his hold on her again when she renewed her struggle. “I know. Give me a few more minutes. Trust me, Emma.”
She relaxed then gave him a nod. “All right.”
He took the paper from her and studied Gabriela’s drawing, memorizing it, then he handed it back to her. “This is the way we’re handling this. I will go first, neutralize any threat.”
“What about getting into the house?”
“We’ll go in through the kitchen. Everyone should be asleep except the guards. Gilberto’s and Arturo’s rooms aren’t near the nursery, but the nanny’s room is, so we’ll have to be very careful not to wake her. We’ll go up the back staircase—it’ll bring us close to the baby. We’ll get him, and then we’ll hightail it out of there.”
He pulled out his cell and texted.
We need extraction thirty minutes from now. We should have the boy. Will advise if not.
Austin texted back:
Copy that. Helo inbound. Stay safe.
The chopper was on standby and would meet them at a small airfield only ten minutes from here.
Derrick reached back and pulled out a wicked-looking knife. He was in his element, here in the shadows. No one would stand in his way.