Page 44 of Fatal Strike
“About five hundred.”
She’d have to make a withdrawal from the bank. “Will you come to the house to get it?”
“Too risky. I’m sure GPD and the FBI are watching the house and following you.”
“What do you suggest?”
“I’ll send a friend by the dental office early tomorrow morning.”
“I have a meeting at 7:30 and then back-to-back appointments. At lunch I can run by the bank.”
“Okay, look for a pickup in the afternoon.”
“Who?”
“I’m not giving you a name. That way you’re innocent. The person will say, ‘Dylan recommended you for a cleaning.’ Then he’ll ask to complete the paperwork. Wrap the money up in it.”
Silvia’s stomach soured. “This is hard, Dylan. You’ve been accused of murder. Police officers and the FBI won’t leave me alone.”
“I’m sorry. This will be over soon. Don’t tell Warren anything. I don’t like you seeing him.”
“He’s good to me.” She refused to break down and cry. Too many tears had been shed and nothing resolved.
“You’re toogoodfor him. You can do a whole lot better than Warren Livingston.”
He hung up, and she couldn’t stop shaking.
“I assume you can’t tell me anything,” Warren said. “But I’m here for you. Always have been and always will be.”
She buried her face in his chest. Dylan was jealous. Warren held her close, and she treasured his strong arms around her. “What would I do without you?”
“Marry me and let me take care of you.”
29
JON HAD WALKED INTO TRAGEDIESin the past and hoped the search for Elena James didn’t add another victim to the list. The probable danger hung heavy in his mind.
“This might not end well for the James family,” Leah said. “I don’t have a feel for Elena’s personality because we’ve been given contradictory descriptions of her.”
“In my opinion, Elena is a little more street-smart than her parents believe. But if she’s naive and acting on emotion, we’re looking at a dangerous situation.” He started the engine and followed Richard James’s silver Mercedes. “Let’s just hope we find her or she shows up in the morning.” But his gut told him otherwise.
They maneuvered through the soggy streets of Galveston to Stewart Beach, known for its family-friendly atmosphere. At12:50 a.m., the area had been closed for hours. Richard James parked his car near the entrance and Jon pulled in behind him.
Jon stepped from the rental into the continuing downpour. He and Leah shut their doors.
Richard James panned the deserted beach. Even in the faint light, Jon saw his features were drawn. “Her red Nissan isn’t here. She told her mother about spending the night with a girlfriend. But we don’t know who.” His attention moved across the street. “She likes the vegetarian pizza at Mario’s. It’s walking distance from here. I’m going to check.”
“We’ll come with you, sir,” Jon said.
“Because you have questions for Elena?” He stepped closer to Jon, a challenge rooted in a father’s fear.
“Our priority is your daughter’s safety.”
He ran his hand through rain-soaked hair. “I’m sorry.” He hesitated, then stuck out his hand. “I appreciate your helping me find Elena.”
Jon grasped it firmly. “Let’s see if your daughter is nearby.”
The three fell into step and crossed the street.
