Dana Mentink - Abducted

Jett shrugged. “You’re the detective. Your family’s making quite a name for themselves in the investigation business.”

“Marco’s been filling you in?”

“He told me your sister recently cracked a case in Cobalt Cove.”

She smiled. “How sweet that you stay up-to-date on Gallagher family business.”

“I don’t,” he said, more severely than he’d meant to. “But seeing as how you and your sisters run an investigation firm, do your thing. Solve this guy’s mystery.”

“How am I supposed to do that under the present circumstances?”

“Don’t look at me—I’m just a diver. But it sounds like you just got yourself a case, Detective.”

* * *

Jett was clearly mocking her, so she ignored the remark. “Mr. Young? Can you hear me?” But he was unconscious. Go find whom? Was whoever he was looking for the reason he’d been beaten? The cause of Beretta’s relentless attention?

There was no sense in talking it over with Jett. He’d gone to the back window to wrench loose one of the boards, allowing a breeze to waft in. Delicious, she thought, lifting the hair off her neck and tying it into a ponytail with a piece of gauze. If she’d had a moment more to pack, she’d have been much better prepared, but as it was, she’d only tossed in basic medical supplies, her passport and one granola bar. At the bottom of the bag were two precious bottles of water. Thirst clawed at her. As much as she wanted to rip off the cap and guzzle some of the water, she was uncertain about their upcoming journey and she thought it best to save it. Maybe she should offer a bottle to Jett.

He’d stepped out into the back, which was nothing more than a scruff of weed-covered ground, dry and parched. He knelt to play with the one-eared dog who was so skinny she could see his ribs. Jett stroked his big hands tenderly over the dog’s delicate frame. Those same hands had caressed her face with a featherlight touch.

She was transported back in time to their first date, a trip to the ice cream parlor and a walk on the beach. He’d found a shell for her in the sand, a delicate white scallop tinged with the fiery glow of a sunrise on the inside. Shyly, he’d offered it to her.

It’s perfect, he’d said. Like you.

She remembered his arms embracing her, a bittersweet reminder. So much anger and so much heart wrapped up in one maddening man, she thought.

“Here,” she said, handing him a bottle of water.

“Thanks.” He twisted the cap and poured a small amount into his hand. The dog lapped it up eagerly. Jett lifted the bottle to his lips, eyeing her before he put it to his mouth. “Hang on. Did you get some?”

“I’m okay.”

He shook his head and handed it back to her. “You drink half.”

“I don’t need any.”

“Fine. Then I don’t, either.”

She folded her arms. “You’re a patient. Patients before nurses.”

“You’re a woman,” he snapped. “Women before men.”

He folded his arms to match hers, and she knew he wasn’t going to give in. “You’re infuriating, you know that?” she said, snatching the bottle.

“Funny how many people tell me that.”

She gulped, restraining herself from downing it all. Even though it was warm, the water tasted delectable. Then she handed it to him, and he drained the rest. They stood in the yard, trying to find some relief from the stifling heat, until Juanita called from inside. She’d returned with a bag of savory-smelling food and a clay jug. Sarah’s mouth watered.

“My cousin makes excellent chilaquiles. There is no meat today, but it is still good, I think.”

“It smells divine,” Sarah said.

She handed them plastic forks, metal plates covered with foil and two paper cups, which she filled with water. Jett raised his to his mouth, drinking it in two swallows.

Sarah set the plate aside and folded her hands to pray. Juanita did the same. Jett, she noticed, stepped away, arms crossed over his broad chest, until they were done.

Under the foil were quarters of fried corn tortilla covered with a green salsa and topped with slices of raw onion. A humble dish, generously shared by people who had little to give. There could be no greater blessing than that, Sarah thought.

There was a period of quiet while they devoured the luscious meal and drained the jug to the dregs. Jett offered one of his tortillas to the dog, who happily gobbled it up.

“Did you get word to your father?” Sarah said.

Juanita frowned. “Yes. He will meet us here.”

“How will he avoid Beretta’s men?” Jett said. “They’re probably swarming the town right about now.”

“He will be all right,” she said, turning away to gather up the remnants of the meal. Sarah helped her wipe out the dishes as best they could and pack them up to be returned to Juanita’s cousin.

“You have been very kind, Juanita,” Sarah said. “I know this is going above and beyond. You’ve been so brave.”

Juanita turned to face her. “No,” she said, voice cracking. “I haven’t. Oh, please forgive me, Sarah.”

The stricken look on her face started alarm bells ringing in Sarah’s brain. “Forgive you for what?”

Her lips trembled. “I...”

Jett drew close. “What did you do?”

The door swung open. On the threshold stood the men from the clinic, dark haired, sweating through their T-shirts, two holding bats.

The taller one smiled and turned to his partner as he looked at Young.

“Good thing for you he’s still alive. I told you not to hit him on the head—you might have killed him.” Then he jutted his chin in Juanita’s direction. “Go. Your father is safe. He will be released now that you have done your part.”

Sarah looked at Juanita in horror.

“You sold us out?” Jett said.

“I’m sorry.” Tears sprang up in her eyes, and she wrung her hands. “My father called my cell phone while I was waiting in the truck. They will kill him if I do not do as they ask. I could not sacrifice his life for yours.”

Jett shook his head in disgust, but Sarah gripped Juanita’s hand. “You didn’t have a choice.”

“Forgive me,” Juanita murmured.

Sarah nodded. “You did what you had to do. It’s okay.”

“Go,” said one of the men to Juanita. “And speak to no one of this.” She hurried out, a hand pressed to her mouth, stifling her sobs.

The taller man bobbed a chin at Young. “It is fortunate for us that we did not kill him before. Senor Beretta would be most unhappy. Thank you, Senorita Gallagher, for keeping him alive.”

She stuck up her chin and glared at him. “He needs a hospital.”

“He will get plenty of medical attention until his usefulness is over. As for you two...” He shook his head. “You were clever to escape the clinic.”

Jett smiled. “And you were stupid to fall for it.”

The taller man lashed out so quickly Sarah almost didn’t see it. His bat connected with Jett’s stomach, sending him sprawling backward.

She screamed and dropped to her knees next to him.

“Home-run hit, Miguel,” the leader said.

Jett sucked in a breath and groaned. She pressed her hands to his broad chest. “Please don’t antagonize him,” she whispered. “Please.”

Jett quirked a grin. “I’m just getting warmed up.”

She helped him to his feet, determined to take action before Jett could say another word.

“Listen to me.” She kept her voice calm, businesslike. “If Mr. Young is important to Senor Beretta, then he would want you to help get him to the hospital. We can get to the airport, fly him to Puerto Rosado. He needs a brain scan.”

The man considered. “That is not for us to decide. We’re taking him, and we no longer need your assistance.”