Page 94 of Fatal Strike
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AT THE RATE THEY WERE GOING,Leah believed she and Jon might as well establish residency in Galveston. Sitting in Zachary Everson’s office, they tossed around all the possibilities connected to the investigation into the stolen prescription drugs.
Jon’s phone rang, and he glanced at the number. “It’s Richard James.”
Leah’s gaze flew to his. “Maybe he has word about Elena.” She wanted the young woman to be safe and innocent from the chaos.
Jon answered the call. “Hello, Richard.” He listened for a moment. “Wonderful news. Glad Elena is okay. Leah and I will be there in about twenty minutes.” He slipped the phone into his pocket. “Elena showed up at home around 11a.m. She says the Venenos nabbed her Wednesday evening. She’s with herparents being treated at a medical clinic. She wants to talk to Leah.” He stood. “They’ll be home by the time we get there.”
Zachary snatched his phone. “I’ll send officers to the clinic and another squad car to the home. GPD will take care of 24-7 protection.” He rose to his feet and held out his hand. “We are on the same side.”
Jon shook his hand. “Appreciate it. I’m taking Elena’s safety as a sign we’re about to end this gang’s terror streak.”
Leah’s thoughts spun. Was Dylan working with Elena’s kidnappers? Had the girl seen or heard from him? “I want to know how she got away.”
Jon headed for the door with her on his heels. “We’re about to find out.”
“Keep me posted,” Zachary said.
At the Jameses’ home, Jon parked at the curb. Zachary had worked fast because a GPD officer was already guarding the front door. After Leah and Jon displayed IDs, the officer gestured them inside.
Richard James met them in the foyer. His flushed face and red eyes spoke fathoms of his rattled emotions. “Thanks for coming. We arrived home about ten minutes ago. Elena is in the shower. Her mother is close by.” He ran his fingers through light-colored hair. “My daughter is dehydrated, exhausted, dizzy. We’ve gotten a smoothie down her, but it will take time for her to recover.”
Leah could only imagine the girl’s ordeal. “Should she be hospitalized?”
“We tried to persuade her, but she refused. We filled a prescription for an antidepressant that should help her sleep, and our regular doctor is stopping by later. She’s begged us not to leave her alone.” He swiped beneath his eyes and regained his composure. “You have supported us throughout this nightmare.We don’t want her in danger ever again. What do you suggest other than the officers posted outside our home?”
“GPD twenty-four-hour protection is one solution. The other is to leave town until arrests are made.”
“We have a cabin near Estes Park in Colorado. Olivia and I spoke briefly about going there.” He pointed to the living area where Leah and Jon had spoken with him and Olivia on their first visit. “Elena hasn’t said much about her ordeal other than what I told you. She’s expecting you, so I don’t imagine she’ll be much longer.”
“That’s fine.” Leah looked to Jon for the lead, and he didn’t disappoint her.
“How were you reunited with your daughter?”
Richard paced as he’d done previously. “Olivia and I were having coffee before I drove to work. I’ve been going in later and later because I didn’t like leaving my wife alone. We heard the alarm system chime that the back door had opened, and Elena walks in.” He closed his eyes. “God answered our prayers. She fell into our arms and cried. She said the men holding her had gotten drunk and passed out. She managed to get away, and a woman at a farmhouse drove her home. I rushed out to the woman and thanked her. She gave me her contact information. My guess is she’s in her late eighties.” He pressed his quivering lips together. “Elena’s wrists are rubbed raw from whatever they used to tie her up.”
Elena emerged in the doorway. “Dad, I can take it from here.” Her weak voice came out barely above a whisper.
Richard moved swiftly to his daughter’s side, asking her if she needed anything.
“I’m okay. Haven’t taken the medicine yet. It’s more important I talk to the FBI people.”
He helped his daughter into the room and onto the sofa, Olivia following close behind. The young woman’s gaunt condition was evidence of her ill-treatment. No visible bruises, but the inner scars would likely linger for a long time. Leah dreaded asking her tough questions. The heart-wrenching concern for Elena and her parents brought a lump to her throat. And that was okay ... Emotions made her human.
This was the first time Leah had seen Elena other than a photo. Even in her condition with wet hair dangling on her shoulders, her large blue eyes and flawless skin showed a beautiful young woman.
Leah moved to the sofa beside the girl. “Elena, I’m Leah Riesel. We talked on the phone before your disappearance.”
“I remember,” she said. “You’re the FBI agent looking for Dylan. Is he still missing?”
“We’re working hard to locate him.” Leah pointed to Jon. “This is Agent Jon Colbert.” He reached out to shake her hand. “We need to ask you some hard questions. Can you help us?”
Elena searched her mother’s face before responding. “If I don’t, someone else may go through the same nightmare.”
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LEAH STUDIED ELENA JAMES.She’d have to approach this interview with caution, taking care not to upset the girl or cause her more trauma. Elena had clearly been through an ordeal—and survived—but Leah didn’t want to push her past her breaking point.
