Sworn to Protect (26 page)

Chapter 49

You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

Proverbs 3:25-26

Danika had to talk to Barbara. The horror of her sister-in-law’s home set on fire and Jacob’s arrest compounded with Nadine’s disappearance sounded like a prescription for a mental breakdown. Barbara had to wonder why Danika had not contacted her.

With the door to her hospital room closed, she reached into her nightstand and pulled out her cell phone. Chief Jimenez and the police authorities would not approve of this call, but too bad. Barbara should be at work, but with all the tragedy, she might be tending to estimates for her house repairs. She answered her cell phone on the second ring.

“Barbara, I just saw the news. I’m so sorry. Are you okay? What about the kids?”

Her sister-in-law sighed, a mixture of grief and despair. “We’re doing the best we can.
Shock
best describes all of us. I can’t believe half of my house is destroyed. If I hadn’t wakened, we’d all be dead.”

Danika struggled for the right words, knowing advice was not what Barbara needed. “I don’t know what to say except to cry with you.”

“And I love you for your tears. What has happened to our family?” The morose tone of her voice caused Danika to shiver.

“It seems that we’re being beaten, but we have to stay strong. We have children who depend on us. I think all we can do is believe the authorities will soon solve these crimes. I wish I was in a situation where I could visit you.”

“Are you out of town with Sandra and Tiana?”

Danika had promised to keep her whereabouts a secret, although she questioned whether she was any less a criminal by lying. “No. But I’m not in McAllen. Doesn’t look like I picked a good time to take a few days off.”

“What could you do?”

“Be there for you. Do you have a place to stay?” The moment Danika posed the statement, she regretted it. If Barbara and the kids needed her home, where would Danika go once she was released from the hospital?

“We’re at my mother’s. Thanks anyway.”

“Have you talked to Jacob?”

“I’m driving to the jail after work. Something’s not right about the fire and his arrest. We talked yesterday afternoon—about the mistakes he’s made. He’s been meeting with a priest from our church and wants to put our family back together. That’s not a man who blows up his wife’s vehicle and sets his family’s house on fire.”

Stunned, Danika no longer knew what to believe. That sounded like the man she remembered, the gentle giant who gave unselfishly to his family. “You’re certain he wouldn’t have done this?”

“No matter how angry Jacob was with me in the past, he’d never try to hurt his children.”

“He does love those kids.”
And I hope his words to you were sincere.

“You’re my role model right now, and Lucy is my encourager. You made it through Toby’s death and all of the investigation. With God, I can handle the damage done to our home and what the future holds for Jacob—and all of us.” Muffled sounds of weeping filled the phone line. “The police say Nadine’s fingerprints are on Jacob’s watch. But they are not letting anyone else know until they talk more with Jacob.”

How should Danika respond to that bomb? She heard a buzz. “Do you have to go?”

“Yes. Got another call. I appreciate your encouragement during all of this. I’d like to see you when you’re back in town. I desperately need your support.”

“I’m praying, Barbara. I have my cell phone, so don’t hesitate to contact me.”

Danika slipped her phone back into the nightstand drawer. Nadine’s fingerprints on Jacob’s watch? That aspect sickened her. Danika didn’t want to believe her niece would resort to attempted murder any more than she believed Jacob was capable of the same thing. The fire made no sense if Jacob had reached out in reconciliation. He was overprotective and stubborn, but not an arsonist. Or had Jacob and Nadine gone completely insane?

She pulled out her notebook with all the scribblings about her life over the past two years. Making a list of everything that had happened might expose a piece of evidence.

1. Toby’s murder, yet to be solved. He was supposedly killed by an illegal while administering care to the person.

2. Jacob’s decline into bitterness and depression.

3. Nadine’s rebellion against her dad’s rules; subsequent drug use.

4. Rita found in safe house and taken to hospital. Did this have anything to do with what was happening?

5. Arrested illegal threatens me.

6. Nadine runs away from home.

7. Jacob disciplined for abusing an illegal.

8. Chief Jimenez questions me about Toby’s death. Station suspects rogue agent.

9. Rita is murdered in the hospital, and the station receives a call that I’m next.

10. Jacob receives a finger wearing Nadine’s ring.

11. I receive a threatening call to my private cell phone.

12. I see the woman who attended Toby’s funeral, and she runs away.

13. Jacob is fired from the BP.

14. I learn about Toby and Alex’s relationship.

15. Alex is shot outside the restaurant while protecting me.

16. Jimenez refuses my resignation. Jacob is suspected as a rogue agent.

17. I find out from Alex that Toby helped Cira escape from a woman who fronts money for illegals. He was not unfaithful. Connection?

18. Alex tells me that Sandra is illegal. Connection to Cira and Jacob? Is Nadine involved?

19. Someone tries to kill me.

20. Sandra’s arrest; she refuses to talk to anyone but me.

21. Jacob arrested for setting Barbara’s house on fire. Nadine’s fingerprints found.

Twenty-one events and no substantial clues. But her suspicions fluctuated between Jacob, Nadine, and Sandra. Perhaps all three?

* * *

Alex stepped into the hospital with a dozen red roses, a box of Ghirardelli chocolates, and a CD by Andrea Bocelli. Every time he considered how he’d nearly lost Danika, he wanted to tell her what he truly felt. Was it too soon to tell a woman he was falling in love with her? Possibly, especially when he understood Danika and Tiana’s world needed to be safe before taking on any commitments.

Tomorrow the authorities would transport Danika to talk to Sandra. If the woman offered any clues—and the outlook for that looked optimistic—then arrests could be made.

Alex nodded at the policemen outside Danika’s door. He offered his driver’s license, and they checked his information against a list of approved visitors before allowing him to enter her room.

“Hey, gorgeous.”

The flowers were no match for the brief sparkle in her eyes. “Are those for me or the cops posted outside the door?”

He glanced at the roses. “I intended to use these as a bribe, but since they let me in, you can have them.” He set the pewter vase on the windowsill beside an equally large summer arrangement.

“Between you and Chief Jimenez, I’m keeping the florists in business.” She lifted her chin. “Are those chocolates?”

“Absolutely.” He handed her the candy and the CD.

She inhaled the package of candy. “Not sure what smells the best, the flowers or the chocolates.” She tilted her head. “Have you come courting, Dr. Price?” The moment the words left her mouth, she reddened. “I don’t believe I said that. The pain medication has given me loose lips.”

He laughed. “It’s most likely the truth. At least in a hospital, I feel comfortable courting in my own environment. Something we can talk about when this is over.”

She rested her head on the pillow. Aside from blushing, she still lacked good color. “I want to apologize for all the times I’ve been rude.”

“No problem. Remember, I kept information from you.”

“Doesn’t excuse the way I behaved.” She reached up with her free hand, the one not attached to an IV, and he grasped it. “I’m sorry.”

“Me too.” What a moment to kiss a beautiful lady, but he’d wait until she wasn’t numb from pain medication. “This whole immigration issue is tough to figure out. My church has Spanish services. They bring others and sing the loudest. I’m sure most of those attending are undocumented.”

“My church has Spanish services too. We also offer classes in English. I’ve been asked to teach, but I can’t. Not with what I do, but those asking don’t know I’m a Border Patrol agent. Christians all along the border face controversial issues when it comes to our faith and our laws.”

“The situation with Sandra has to break your heart.”

She pressed her lips together. “We were like family . . . but obviously not when it mattered the most.”

“We’ve got to get you out of here so you can make a video call to San Antonio.”

“Have you talked to Tiana?”

“I did. She says for you to get better, and she loves you.”

Danika brushed away tears. “Thank you. Did she ask about Sandra?”

Alex hated telling Danika things that would upset her. “Yes, and I told her Sandra was needed here with important people. I didn’t want to lie to her. Neither did I want to tell her the truth.”

“I couldn’t have done any better. Poor little thing. When this is over, I’ll make it up to her.” She released his hand and pulled a tissue from a box on her bed. “I’m sort of weepy this afternoon—with the news about the fire and Jacob’s arrest. The police told Barbara that Nadine’s fingerprints were on Jacob’s watch. No one is to know that part of it.”

Frustration crept through him. He wished Danika hadn’t phoned Barbara, although he understood why. The whole unsolved murder and continued threat against Danika and her family had to end soon. “Do you think either of them tried to burn down the house with their family in it?”

Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t want to. Barbara believes Jacob is innocent. Says he wants to put the family back together. I didn’t pry about Nadine.”

Alex moaned. The situation with the Morales family seemed to get more and more complicated. “I understand he was questioned about where he was the night of your accident.”

“Chief Jimenez didn’t reveal any of that. I imagine Jacob was in his apartment asleep.”

“Right.”

“I tried to get Sandra to agree to a phone call, but she insists our conversation has to be in person, which makes no sense. I think she’s being stubborn, maybe holding out to see if I have any clout that would stop her deportation.”

Alex remembered earlier in the day when they had agreed to pray. “What do you say we pray and ask God for wisdom and guidance?”

“Perfect.” She touched his hand, and he held it firmly. “Not so very long ago, I was so angry with God that I couldn’t pray or attend church. He’d taken Toby, and I wanted to know why. The tough realization came when I realized the
why
didn’t matter. People have free will to choose evil things, and I must forgive them. God didn’t stop Toby’s murderer, and I have to accept the reason is beyond my understanding. Rough realization, but true. Those nearly two years I spent away from God didn’t accomplish a thing but make me empty and bitter. I still want the killer found and brought to justice. Don’t think I’ve given up. I’m determined to find who is behind this nightmare and stop them before someone else is killed.”

The blue-gray pools of her eyes brimmed with tears. “See what happens when I’m on pain pills? I spill my guts.”

Alex leaned over and brushed a kiss against her lips. “You are such a blessing to me.” His whispered words connected to his heart, and the look he received from her said she understood.

“Heavenly Father,” he began. “We don’t know which way to turn with all the problems around us. But we’re trusting You to bring the darkness to light. Give us wisdom and guidance and strength to see this through to the end. We’re scared, Lord. . . .”

Chapter 50

If a man hasn’t discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Sandra hated being in jail even though she knew she’d broken the law. She wanted to believe she had a right to live in this country, even if her documentation papers were false. The thought of deportation churned her stomach. It would be different if she smuggled drugs or helped terrorists. After all, she paid taxes. She’d learned to read and write English before leaving her time of indenture to Lucy. Actually, forcing her to read was the best thing Lucy had ever done for her. Sandra consumed every book, magazine, and newspaper she could get her hands on. She worked hard to increase her vocabulary and keep up to date on current affairs, and she probably knew more about the politics in this country than the average American.

Without Sandra, Danika would not have been able to work and provide for her daughter. . . . Without Danika, Sandra wouldn’t have a home or a purpose or a dear friend.

Danika had given her so much love and devotion, and Sandra gladly returned it. But life and its complications were terribly unfair, and now the U.S. wanted to send her back to Mexico because she hadn’t entered the country legally? She’d do anything to stay in this country.

Sandra buried her face in her hands. She missed Tiana, the precious baby she’d never had. What did she have in Mexico without Tiana, without her parents? She should have left McAllen months ago—like Cira had fled with her son. Then Danika would never have had to face the disappointment of her maid and nanny living a lie.

Sandra’s one hope rested in Danika. After all, she was a Border Patrol agent, and she had access to those higher-up people who enforced U.S. laws. Besides, Sandra had valuable information about Lucy. Bargaining for her freedom seemed wrong, but Sandra had no choice.

What Sandra knew about Lucy could send the evil woman to death row. She’d killed and beaten women who attempted to escape her abuse. Lucy dabbled in drug dealing and worked with gangs on both sides of the river. Yes, Lucy was her ace. Sandra would tell all she knew about the supposedly legal maid and nanny business and fill up pages of information for the police or Border Patrol or ICE or Homeland Security or whoever wanted it. But first she had to tell Danika the truth. Her friend deserved to know why Sandra had betrayed her, not just a confession. Only Danika knew how loyal Sandra had been.

Sandra had suspected for a long time that Lucy was involved with Toby’s murder, and now she was certain of it. Especially after Lucy had Sandra’s parents killed. If Danika wanted Toby’s murder solved and all the terrible things happening to her and her brother-in-law’s family to end, then she’d have to ensure that Sandra never set foot in Mexico again.

I don’t know what is right anymore. I’m afraid, and maybe Danika can help. But am I using my love and friendship like a selfish child?

Sandra allowed the tears of regret to freely flow. As soon as she talked to Danika, she needed to request an audience with an attorney and a representative of the Mexican embassy. This was all going to work out just fine. Important people needed her and would make sure she wasn’t sent back to Mexico.

Then why did fear stamp terror across her heart?

* * *

Alex wanted his relationship with Danika to deepen, but it would never happen until they confronted the elephant in the room. Oh, they could discuss Jacob and the fire, the missing niece, Sandra, and whoever had tried to kill them, but none of that was what should be—must be—talked through. Undocumented immigrants. Or as Danika would call them,
illegals
.

He glanced at her, hooked up to IVs and monitors, her face pale and her body bruised. But she was out of danger, and he knew her mind raced as fast as his.

“Do you think it’s time to stop dancing around the one topic that stands between us?” Alex wasn’t sure where it would lead them, but honesty was the only road to understanding.

She blinked. “Why is it you seem to know exactly what I’m thinking?”

“I work at it.” He chuckled and took her hand.

She glanced away, then looked at him. “Okay. I’ll start. First of all, let me say that I grew up in church, and over the years I’ve examined every piece of Scripture about helping the alien and the poor and needy, and additional Scriptures about not moving our borders and obeying laws.”

“Where do you hold your ground?”

“I believe the laws are in place to protect our country. I’m against anyone stealing their way across the border for any reason. My heart goes out to those who risk everything they have—or don’t have—to get here. I know most of them are decent human beings, and I agree that they’re entitled to medical care and compassion before they’re returned to their own country. When I’m responsible for those being escorted across the bridge, I pray their lives will be better. I pray their country will become a safer and healthier place for them to live. And I pray for an end to gangs and drug cartels on both sides of the border. But I still maintain that immigrants need to enter through lawful means.”

He lightly squeezed her hand. “We’re very close in our beliefs. Despite what you might think, I’m not an immigration activist.” He winced as he realized that might hit close to home with her memories of her husband. But he couldn’t stop to worry about that right now. “My calling is to administer healing. I’m committed to that every bit as much as you are committed to the Border Patrol. I don’t ask for citizenship papers or green cards when I treat patients. I believe in understanding and respect. I hope we can come up with a way to reform the laws that will allow more compassionate treatment of the poor and needy who deserve it. But until that happens, my allegiance lies with the current laws.”

She nodded, her gaze never trailing from his face. “Considering that there are those in my own church who hold vastly differing views on these issues, I’d say we
are
very close.”

“Close enough to keep seeing each other?” Alex waited. He was determined not to say another word, despite his inclination to beg her on bended knee to give him a chance.

“If we’re to remain friends—or more—we have to be able to talk. So many times I’ve thought back over that last morning with Toby. I drove off in a rage when he wanted me to stay and talk to him. I was furious. Couldn’t get away from him fast enough. If I had stayed and allowed him to express his feelings, he’d be alive today, and Tiana would have her daddy.” She shook her head. “Eventually I figured out he was just doing his best to follow Christ. I know he wasn’t setting out to undermine everything I stood for.”

She glanced out the window. “In answer to your question, maybe we can keep seeing each other. I need a little time—time for the turmoil around me to subside.”

Time he could give, if it meant a lifetime with her.