Sworn to Protect (11 page)

Chapter 17

Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.

Sean O’Casey

Danika stared at the phone in her kitchen. Tiana was asleep, and Sandra had retired to her room. Calling Alex had sounded like a terrific idea when she mentioned it to Becca last night. Yet, at eight thirty on a Sunday evening, the reservations had returned with reinforcements.

“Do it,” she said to no one. Even if he was no longer interested, he’d be kind enough to bring her down graciously.

One more time, she stared at his business card. Plain and simple. No embossed lettering or high-dollar card stock, only the numbers to reach Dr. Alex Price, Family Medicine and Surgeon.

“You have no guts, Danika Morales,” she whispered.

Breathing in to steady herself, she picked up the phone and quickly punched in Alex’s personal cell phone number that he’d handwritten on the back of the card. Standing from the kitchen table with knees as weak as a newborn colt’s, she paced the length of the room.

One ring.

Two rings.

Three rings.

“Hi, this is Alex. I’m bronc ridin’ and unable to take your call. If you want to join me, leave a message. And don’t forget your spurs. Wouldn’t want you to miss out.”

She laughed. “This is Danika Morales. I’m heading out to do a little skydiving. If you want to join me, call me back. And don’t forget your parachute.”

Taking a deep breath, she coaxed herself into gaining control of her schoolgirl feelings. Of all the things she should be wasting energy on, she doubted if taking the first step to get to know Alex was on the list.

A twinge of regret nibbled at her resolve, as though she hadn’t considered the cards stacked against her and those she loved. Contacting Alex made no sense until Nadine was found and care taken to rehabilitate her physical and mental health. Add to that restoring Jacob and Barbara’s suffering marriage and their relationship, removing the doubts about her loyalty at the Border Patrol, and finding the caller who had threatened her life. What a dumb move.

Remember: God is in control.
She’d be reduced to pulling the covers over her head and taking on the characteristics of a coward if she hadn’t rededicated her life to Him last night. For too long she’d been off the radar with God, but she was back. And she intended to stay. Tiana deserved a mommy who modeled a godly woman, one who was filled with love and strength.

Danika’s cell phone rang, startling her like a gunshot to her ears. Where was all the courage when she needed it? Caller ID registered
Unknown
.

“This is Danika.”

“I’ve got my parachute ready and a private plane fueled to take off at a moment’s notice.” Alex’s strong voice rippled through her.

“And I’m wearing my favorite boots and spurs.” She began the pacing again.

“Which will it be, planes or horses?”

“Not sure. I’m leaving it up to you.” Her heart needed to slow down, or she’d be scheduling an appointment for a stress test. But she did want a chance to get to know him.

“Where do we start?”

“In the beginning.”

“Ah, a woman who quotes Genesis. Okay, here goes. Hi, my name is Alex Price.”

This was easier than she’d thought. “Danika Morales.”

“I’m a doctor at McAllen Medical Center. Been there over seven years. I’m deeply committed to my job.”

“I’m a Border Patrol agent at the McAllen station. Been there eight years, and I’m deeply committed to my job.”

“I’m a Christian.”

“Me too.” She laughed a bit nervously. Definitely a trait she needed to work on.

“We’re off to a good start.”

She felt the warmth in his voice and envisioned his eyes and sun-drenched hair. “Hobbies?”

“You already know my passion—bronc riding.”

Not at all what she expected. “I was serious.”

“I am. The local rodeo happenings are filled with rugged cowboys and Wild West entertainment.”

“I’m sure it’s fantastic.” She’d been called a cowgirl a few times in her life.

“Can I ask when you have your next days off?”

“Tuesday. Great, huh?”

“So are your ten-hour shifts.”

She ceased pacing and slid into a chair. “You must know another Border Patrol agent.”

“Chief Patrol Agent Edwardo Jimenez and I are accountability partners.”

The thought of ending the conversation waved its banner. Until last week, Chief Jimenez had been a man she respected and emulated. Right now the jury was out about his redeemable qualities.

“I know his wife and kids.” Had Alex picked up on the coldness?

“Great family. So how about dinner on Tuesday night?”

Uncertainty dug its claws into her heart—big-time.

“Don’t chicken out on me.”

She smiled through the phone. “Oh, you picked up on that.”

“Somewhere around the mention of Ed’s name. Let’s delete that comment and go straight to dinner on Tuesday night.”

Staring out into the dark backyard, she questioned her sanity. “Okay. Where do I meet you?”

“I’d like to pick you up. I’ve met Tiana, and I’d like to reassure her that Mommy will be home early.”

Danika churned the thought in her mind. What happened if Tiana grew attached to Alex and then he was out of the picture?

“I’ll tell your daughter we’re going to talk about doctor things. And we will. Hard for me to have a conversation without discussing the hospital. One of my bad habits. Will that help your dilemma?”

She hesitated. Why had she put herself in this position?

“And if you decide you never want to see me again, then you never have to worry about me darkening your doorstep again.”

“I guess this one time will be okay.” She gave him her address and hoped the warning signals were false alarms. “What time and where are we going?”

“Seven o’clock and is Chili’s okay? Lots of people there in case you feel uncomfortable.”

She laughed at the thought of Felipe and Becca being there. “Perfect.” The best prescription she could think of to put her woes on hold. At least he hadn’t asked her to attend a movie.

* * *

Alex clapped his hands. Hallelujah. He’d done it. Danika had agreed to a date, a real date. A plush restaurant had topped his mind a few times, but she didn’t come across as a woman who needed to be impressed with wealth and prestige. If he’d read her right, she’d be swayed his direction by truth and honesty. Instead of a black silk suit, he’d wear his jeans. Instead of a French menu, he’d opt for all-American. Come to think of it, did McAllen even have a restaurant printed in anything but Spanish and English?

Dating hadn’t been on his BlackBerry since before medical school, and then blackberries were little black sweet berries, not a modern technological necessity. He sensed from Danika’s nervousness that her dating schedule may go back a few years too. Even ground. If they both had trepidations about the relationship arena, then theirs could be rooted from the ground up. If one of them didn’t scare the other into total isolation.

Conversation was another layer of the dating process. Maybe he should take a fast-track course in text messaging. He could answer
IDK
to those questions which were out of his comfort zone or
LOL
to her witty comments. Somehow he knew those tactics wouldn’t work either.

Oh, the gut-wrenching agony of a first date.

After the dinner, he’d order flowers for Danika and a balloon bouquet for Tiana along with a singing telegram. Wow, what a guy. Too bad his confidence didn’t measure up to his plans.

Chapter 18

Virtue can only flourish among equals.

Mary Wollstonecraft

Danika had four outfits laid out on her bed in her dilemma to figure out what to wear for Tuesday night’s dinner: blue jeans, white jeans, a sundress, or a white cotton skirt. The skirt won out, along with a short-sleeved red and white blouse. She slipped her feet into a pair of wedged sandals and examined herself in the mirror. If this was what dating meant, tonight would be her last. Oh, rats, she’d forgotten the matching dangly red and white earrings.

Seven o’clock came far too quickly. Sandra laughed, but Danika didn’t find her anxiety amusing.

“Where are you going?” Tiana signed.

“To dinner with a doctor friend.”

“Are you sick?”

I’m getting there.
“No. We’re going to talk about his job.”

“Am I going?”

This may have been a huge mistake. She didn’t want to upset her baby. “Not this time.”

Tiana pursed her lips in a much-too-cute pout.

Danika reached down and pulled her into a big hug before freeing her arms to sign. “You know how you enjoy being with your friends without Mommy?”

Tiana nodded.

“This is a playtime for Mommy. I’ll tell you all about tonight over breakfast in the morning.”

Tiana had to think about it for a moment. She touched her finger to her chin as if deciding what to sign. “Can we go get doughnuts?”

Normally Danika frowned on those little delicacies filled with grease and sugar. And they’d eaten Sandra’s cinnamon rolls on Sunday and Monday morning. “Okay. We can.”

The doorbell rang, and Danika jumped. Alex had arrived. What had she been thinking? With a deep breath designed to make her feel vibrant and thoroughly accustomed to a gentleman caller, she made her way to the door. But her insides shouted she’d failed.

From the instant she opened the door, her pulse escalated into overdrive. Alex looked like he’d just stepped off a
GQ
runway. No wonder he was popular at the hospital. She nearly forgot to invite him inside. “Where are my manners? Come on in.”

“Thanks. You look great.” He walked inside, head up and amazingly confident. Her entrance never looked this good.

“Thanks.” Now they needed another word.

Tiana peeked around her skirt.

Alex bent to one knee and signed his greeting. She giggled and asked if he’d brought a shot for his mommy.

Danika was mortified. “Tiana, would you find Sandra for me? I’d like for her to meet Dr. Price.”

Sandra entered from the kitchen. She took one look at Alex and paled. What was wrong?

“Sandra, this is Dr. Alex Price.”

Alex took a step forward and reached out to take her hand with both of his. “It’s a pleasure.”

“Yes . . . it’s good to meet you too.” Sandra trembled.

Danika wanted to know why her dear friend was nervous with Alex. And she wanted the answers before she left for the evening.

“Sandra, can we have a word in the kitchen?” Danika smiled at Alex. “I’ll be right back.”

“Sure. Tiana and I will get to know each other better.”

In the kitchen, amid the leftover smells of Sandra and Tiana’s hamburger and baked potato dinner, Danika faced her friend. “Is there something about Alex I should know?”

Sandra gave a tight-lipped smile, forced at best. “I’ve never met him before. He’s quite handsome, and he knows how to sign.”

Danika understood evasiveness. “We’ve lived together long enough for me to see that he bothers you. I can’t go out with him until you tell me why.”

Sandra took her hand. “Maybe I’m afraid you’ll like him too much and replace me.”

Sympathy poured into Danika’s emotions. “I could never part company with you. In fact, I worry you will meet someone and not need us. And that is really selfish of me when you deserve happiness of your own.”

“We are silly women.” Sandra shooed Danika from the kitchen. “Go. Get to know the doctor. We all could use free medical care.”

Danika hugged her and stepped into a new world, at least for tonight.

Chapter 19

Extreme fear can neither fight nor fly.

Shakespeare

Wednesday midmorning, Danika bumped along in her truck down the back roads of the Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area. This morning at muster, Herrera had announced what they all knew—there was a traitor among them. Homeland Security had initiated an investigation and urged all agents to come forward with pertinent information or suspects.

“I don’t want to think any of you might put your fellow agents in danger or betray your country. But until this problem is resolved, all of you are on alert. We’ve talked to some of you already, and the rest will be interviewed within the next week.”

The fearful murmurings that followed showed how seriously each agent took his job and the anger resulting from knowing one of them was a traitor. Danika glanced at Felipe. His black eye indicated his family had found him last night and done more than shatter his windshield in retribution for his refusal to help his illegal cousin find safety in the States. Possibly the supes viewed his straightforwardness in a positive light. She hoped so.

“A former BP agent in Laredo was convicted of taking bribes from drug smugglers. He received fourteen years in prison,” Herrera said. “No one suspected him either.”

Danika inhaled deeply and attempted to relax. The Laredo agent’s name was Morales. Did trouble come with the name? She’d undergone her interrogation and hopefully had passed. But her concern was for Jacob. Life for him had spun out of control. Nothing about his future with the Border Patrol looked good.

Each day that passed without the authorities finding Nadine caused Danika to fear the teen had fled the McAllen area—or worse. Jacob had chosen not to alert the newspapers about his missing daughter due to the sensitive nature of his job. He claimed that if Nadine was hiding and the wrong person recognized her, her life could be in danger. Danika had mixed feelings about it. If Nadine’s disappearance was simply the act of an angry teenager, running the story with her photo in the paper could help in locating her. Ever since she had learned about the girl’s disappearance, Danika had text-messaged Nadine hoping for a response. And she’d continue to try to contact her niece for as long as it took.

She thought of Nadine, pretty, alone, and naive, thinking she could escape her problems with drugs and live life on her own. Danika lived with the danger of the area and what others could do to her, but not Nadine. Fear gripped Danika for what could happen to her niece. She had so much of life ahead of her—and so much to lose. What a nightmare for Barbara and Jacob. Usually tragedy brought a couple closer. However, this time a common sorrow had shattered any semblance of unity.

Guilt washed over her for having such a wonderful time on Tuesday night with Alex while misery clouded her family. She and Alex had talked during the appetizers and on through the molten chocolate cake for dessert. She liked him, but was it too soon? Was she betraying Toby?

Alex and Toby shared the same compassion for others, except Toby’d had a moody side. Alex knew how to laugh, and she cherished humor when her world carried such blackness. For now, she planned to ride it out, to see if Alex could prove to be a great friend.

* * *

Wednesday morning found Jacob knee-deep in paperwork. He hated it, relished the idea of lighting a match to the whole mess. Who cared about the consequences? Administrative duty, they called it. It was paperwork from the abyss. He’d chosen not to tell Barbara about the disciplinary actions here. She’d go straight to the kids and tell them. Lately he wondered if she knew where Nadine was hiding. Then he remembered Barbara’s red, swollen eyes. No drama presentation there. Or was it?

This morning, he had phoned the police on the way to the station. The officer in charge of the investigation indicated they had no lead. Jacob needed to ask the question penetrating his waking and sleeping hours. Forming the words was even harder. “Have you checked the morgue?”

“Nothing, Mr. Morales.”

“You’re telling me a seventeen-year-old girl has disappeared, and you can’t find her?”

“Yes, sir. But we haven’t given up.”

Neither had Jacob, but the chances of finding his daughter alive steadily diminished. “Put more men on it. Do you need a reward?”

“Sir, our officers do their job. An incentive is not required or appropriate. I have officers working overtime in an effort to find your daughter. And the FBI has been on this case since twenty-four hours after she turned up missing.”

He well remembered the FBI questioning. He and Barbara as well as each of the children were interviewed privately. The girls were in tears, and Jake kept glancing between his parents. No one had any idea of Nadine’s whereabouts. Unless Barbara was lying.

Afterward, Jacob phoned Barbara at work with this new grenade. “The FBI hasn’t turned up a thing either.”

“Where is our little girl?” She sobbed unlike he could ever remember. “Don’t you think she would have contacted us by now?”

He needed for her to get past the emotion and on to a solution. “Are you sure you’ve thought of every place she could be?”

“There’s nowhere else to look.”

“Unless someone is lying.”

Barbara blew her nose. “I’ve wondered if one of her friends could be hiding her.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“What, then?”

“You, Barbara.” Jacob’s discontent with his wife bubbled near the surface. “Do you know where Nadine is, and you’re keeping it from me?”

She gasped. “Jacob, would I be this upset if I knew?”

He’d gone too far. Of course she had no idea. He took a few breaths to calm himself. “Look, we’re both upset. I think we need to hire a private detective.”

“I can make some calls—”

“I’m the head of this household. I’ll handle it.”

“Stop it, Jacob. I can’t stand any more of your bullying. You criticize and accuse me of everything. Nadine’s disappearance is your fault. Don’t you get it? You are driving away your whole family. You say we can’t put this in the newspaper, that it increases Nadine’s danger. But I no longer agree with you. I want my daughter found. If something terrible has happened to Nadine, blame yourself. She ran away because of the way you treated her.” She hung up on him. The first time ever.

Shoving aside his anger and Barbara’s accusations, he reached for another stack of papers to file. At least with the administration demotion, he was able to leave the station a little earlier and get to the cabinet shop. The carpentry job was supposed to pay for Nadine’s college so she could attend an Ivy League school. Her grades were top-notch and scholarships were available, and he wanted nothing to stand in the way of his little girl’s having the best education.

At lunch, Jacob had no appetite. While inhaling some of the odors coming from the break room, his stomach wrenched again. Where was his little girl? His mind swept to Kaitlyn, Jake Jr., and Amber. He hadn’t spoken to them in days. Tonight he’d make things different at home. No yelling. No threats about their behavior. He needed to feel their arms around his neck and to hear the sound of “daddy” on their lips.

Jacob glanced up to see Herrera in the doorway. Had Jimenez sent him to make life more unbearable? Herrera held a small package in his arms. “This came for you.”

Confused, Jacob reached for it. “I have no idea what this could be.” He examined it on all sides. Plain brown paper. Only his name and the station’s address were on the top of the package. “Do you want me to open it?”

Herrera eyed him, then slowly nodded. “Probably so, since it doesn’t have a return address.”

“Did you have the bomb dogs sniff it?”

“I did.”

Furious at the thought of Herrera suspecting the worst, Jacob ripped into the package to find a shoe box. He lifted the lid. The contents curdled his stomach, leaving a mixture of grief and repulsion swirling throughout his body. He turned his head and vomited.

It was a finger. Nadine’s finger, wearing the opal birthstone ring that he’d given her on her sixteenth birthday.