Third Half (29 page)

             
"In that case, the sooner I have my things, the better."

             
He laughed and turned toward the door.  "I'll go and get your
bag right now."  He turned back to face her.  "Your things have been
in the bag for so long, they will most likely need some freshening. 
Would you like me to have Martina see to it?"

             
"Would you please?  If it's no problem."

             
"None at all."  He smiled.  "I'll bring you your bag so you can
remove whatever you want to give her before you return upstairs to
rest."

             
She could have laughed at the way he seemed to take for
granted she would follow his instructions.  Then she wondered again how far this ranch in Tingo Maria was from Lima.  It may be a long
trip back, rest would be a good idea.

             
She glanced around the room again, pausing to look at the
wall-hanging over the mantle.  The embroidery was of a blood red
shield with a dark green 'V' down its middle.  There was a head of a
black horse in its center.

             
"That is the Valenquez family coat-of-arms,"  Daniel said as
he came into the room and found her staring at the wall-hanging.  "It
was brought over from Spain when my family arrived here."

             
"It's beautiful."  Liane turned to see the pride in his eyes, then
watched them darken before he spoke again.

             
"Once the Valenquez horses were famed throughout Europe. 
The story goes that we were noblemen who owned vast lands where
we bred our Paso Finos.  Then there were wars and upheavals within
our country.  Our lands were slowly eaten up by the new government."

             
"My ancestors chose
–
rather than fight and possibly lose
everything they had left
–
to take the land offered them in the new
world
–
where we are now.  We have been here for centuries and this
is now our home.  But even this . . ."  He paused and stared at the
coat-of-arms, then slowly returned his near-black eyes to her.

             
"Forgive me for babbling on like an old man.  You have much
to do, not the least of which is to rest for your journey.  I have
arranged for you to be flown back to Lima tomorrow morning.  I hope
that is soon enough to satisfy you.  I would not have agreed to your
going that soon, had you not stressed the importance of time."

             
"Thank you, Senor Valenquez."  She smiled, taking the bag as
he handed it to her.  "Tomorrow will be fine."

             
"I asked Martina to come for your things,"  he reminded her.

             
"Oh yes,"  she unzipped the bag and reached inside.   As she
pulled out her sister's habit, a white envelope fell onto the floor. 
Daniel stooped to retrieve it.

             
She looked at it, wondering if it could be a note from Todd. 
As she reached for it, she felt a quiver of anticipation. 
Maybe he
hasn't totally abandoned me after all.

             
"By your expression I would say you don't know the contents
of that letter.  Would you like me to leave you while you read it?"

             
"No . . .no, that isn't necessary."  She anxiously tore it open as
she spoke.  "It's probably just a message from . . ."  She stopped when
she saw that it was not from Todd Marshal, but instead from the
people who were still holding her brother.

             
"What is it?"  Daniel came to her side.  "Are you all right? 
You look faint."  He took her over to a chair and watched as she read
on.

             
"I can't . . ."  Her eyes clouded as a feeling of total frustration
came over her.

             
"What is it?  Has something happened?"  Daniel asked with
concern.

             
"I'm sorry."  She sighed looking up again at her companion. 
"Just a change of plans.  My original plan has failed.  Not that it
should surprise me, considering all that's gone wrong already."

             
"I am not certain I understand,"  Daniel said.  "Are you
speaking about your search for your brother?"

             
"Yes, but please don't ask me to tell you more.  You've been
kind enough already.  I don't want to involve you in my problems."

             
"It is no trouble . . ."  he persisted.

             
Liane shook her head.  "No.  This is the first solid thing I've
had to go on.  I intend to do exactly what this letter says.  I will handle
this alone."  She looked back at the note.  "Or at least with whomever
the note says will be meeting me in Lima in three days."

             
"Not for three days?"

             
"Yes."

             
"Then I insist you remain here and use as much of that time as
possible to recuperate."

             
"Thank you, Daniel."  She forced a smile.  "I believe I may
take you up on that.  It might be best for me to stay out of the city
until then."

             
"I will be delighted to have you here.  It will give me time to
know you much better.  And I will try not to pry into this personal
business of yours.  But if I do, please understand, it is only out of
concern for you."

             
"Daniel, you must promise me you won't tell a soul any of
what I've told you,"  she said in near-panic.  "It's vital that you remain
silent."

             
"I see.  Very well."  He nodded.  "You have my word.  I am
honor bound to keep that word.  You need not fear that I will go to the
authorities about your problem.   You can trust me."

             
Liane remembered hearing those very words before.   Now, as
a sigh escaped her lips, tears stung her eyes.   Slowly rising from the
chair, she crossed the room.   "Please excuse me, Daniel.  I believe I
do need a little more rest."

             
"Certainly you do that."  He smiled.  "You go and get all the
rest you will need."

I

             
Juanita hung up the telephone and faced her companion.  A
slow smile spread across her lips.  "There has been a change in plans."

             
"That is what I have been trying to tell you," Todd Marshal
said as he leaned back in his chair, attempting to impress a calm he
didn't feel. 

             
He hadn't liked leaving Mary Catherine alone while she was
still so weak.  But the message he received had given him little
choice. 

             
Before leaving the doctor had assured him she was out of
danger.  Valenquez had promised to look after her.  What more could
he hope for?

             
"I suggest you get as much rest as you can during your flight
back to Los Angeles," Juanita interrupted his thoughts.  "You will
need it."

             
"And what do you want me to do in L.A.?"

             
"Get the other plane,"  Juanita said cooly, pushing a lose
strand of auburn hair behind her ear.  "Then return here for the rest of
your orders."

             
"I prefer knowing your plans ahead of time."

             
"You will find out our plans when we are ready for you to find
out," Juanita spat.  "It would do you good to cooperate if you care
about your friends.  Have you forgotten we have your partner?  And
we also know exactly where you left the nun.  They both mean a great
deal to you, do they not?"

             
Todd nodded his acquiescence then got up to leave. 
Yes, they
mean very much to me.  Too much.

             
He turned and headed for the door.  He had a long trip ahead
of him.  The sooner he was on the way the better.

CH-12

CHAPTER TWELVE

             
Daniel Valenquez was the perfect host.  When he was not
there to escort her himself, he assured her she could freely roam about
his home. 

             
For three days Liane was able to spend her time strolling
around the lush grounds of the Valenquez estate.  She enjoyed the
sense of freedom even more knowing that what laid ahead for her
probably would be the most difficult undertaking of her life. 

             
She had previously thought the staring role in Martin Sloane's
new play as that.  But considering the turn of events in her life, the
play now seemed almost trivial by comparison.

             
Though she did not use the opportunity to ride any of the
beautiful horses raised on the ranch, she did enjoy watching them. 
She'd spend hours wondering around the stables and barn, or leaning
against the rail of the corral watching the sturdy young ranch hands
–
rancheros
–
as she learned they were called, training several superb
specimens.

             
"Such exquisite horses," she commented, one day when Daniel
joined her.  "What breed did you say they were?"

             
"Paso Fino," Daniel replied with a proud smile. 

             
"
Pas-o Feen-o
," she pronounced.  "I've never heard of them,
but they are a truly beautiful breed."

             
"I am not surprised you haven't heard of them," Daniel
explained.  "The breed originated in Spain.  It took until the early
nineteen seventies for your people to discover what fine riding horses
they are.  Since that time they have grown in popularity because of
their smooth ride as well as their beauty.  Now we sell many
Valenquez horse's in your country."

             
She made mental a note to tell Jack about the breed.  That was,
after she found him.  With that in mind, she was more determined to
do whatever was necessary to locate him.

             
By the time she returned to Lima, she had fully regained her
strength, and in spite of her flagging spirits, she was determined to do
whatever possible to secure her brother's safe return.

             
The note had stated she was to return to the nightclub and wait
outside.  Someone would meet her there and give her further
instructions. 

             
Although it was earlier than her planned time, she stood across
the street, watching as people came and left the busy night spot.

             
She had a feeling of de
ja
vu as she remembered standing in
the same place just over a week ago.  As on that night, she stood
watching as the auburn-haired Juanita came from inside the
Conquistador
.  Juanita's two companions again were not far away. 
Liane saw them step out of the shadows.

             
Liane stepped out where she, too, could be seen, but as she
did, a taxi drew up in front of her.  Her heartbeat quickened at the
sight of its lone passenger slowly sliding out from the back seat.

             
It took all her strength to keep from running to him and
throwing her arms around his neck.  Still, she couldn't hide the look of
relief she felt as he slowly approached her.