Page 96 of Fatal Strike
She shook her head.
“Do you remember any names mentioned?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Would you help me reconstruct what the two men look like? I have a face-sketching app on my phone to help us.”
Elena sat up straighter, seemed to gather her strength. “I’ll do whatever it takes. I won’t forget them.”
The abductors intended to kill her, or they’d not haveallowed her to identify them. “Was anything said we should know?”
“Most of the time they talked about waiting on the next job and what they planned to do with their money. I never heard how or who gave it to them.” She looked at her dad. “I want to call Silvia Ortega and tell her I’m okay. Maybe she’ll tell me if she’s heard from Dylan.”
“Are you sure?” Leah said. “What if she unknowingly tells the wrong person that you’ve escaped?”
“Please.”
“Baby, I’ll contact her later when the authorities say it’s okay,” Richard said. “When Dylan’s found, I want to meet the young man who stole my daughter’s heart.”
Leah hoped he was still alive.
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SILVIA’S PHONE VIBRATEDfor the third time since she’d started this patient’s cleaning. She turned to check the number but didn’t recognize it. A text flew in:Mom, call me @ this # ASAP.
“Excuse me. I’ll be right back,” she said to the older woman in her chair. “You mentioned you were tired. Close your eyes until I return.”
Silvia escaped to the bathroom, turned on the water, and tapped in the number, praying Dylan was okay.
He had to be safe.
He must have found proof of his innocence.
The moment he answered, the sound of his voice pierced her heart. “I’m here.”
“Mom, I’m leaving the country today, and I want to meet you somewhere and say good-bye.”
Her stomach twisted as the hope of a normal life for them dissolved. “Where are you going?”
“I’m not saying. That way you don’t have to lie. Mom, the cops and FBI are hot on me, and I’m afraid they’ll shoot first and discover I’m not a killer later. I’ll be safe.”
“Running doesn’t solve the problem, Son. It only makes you look guilty.”
“My mind’s made up. Will you take the ferry to the Bolivar about six tonight?”
“I’ll be there. Do you need anything?”
He sighed. “Hate to ask, but I could use money until I find a job.”
She wouldn’t mention the cash she’d given to the courier Dylan had sent to her office last week. Her son had to eat and pay for a place to live. “I have around ten thousand dollars in savings, but I’m not sure how much I can withdraw in one day.”
“I’ll pay you back—I promise. If only I had my trust fund.”
She forbade herself to cry. “I’m not concerned about the money. Is Elena with you?”
“Mom, she’s disappeared. I can’t find her anywhere. I’m afraid she’s been kidnapped. Or worse. Her father’s a rich man, and he loves her. I’m sure he’s doing more to help the law find her than I ever could.” He choked on his words. “Ihave to believe she’s okay. Hard to think of the next minute without her.”
What a tangled mess this had become. Love had bitten her son, but instead of happiness, he was filled with heartache. “I’m praying for both of you. When this is over, we’ll be stronger people for the suffering.”
