“He was a mule. Running money back to the cartel.”

“Did he even report me missing?”

“No. Your mom did that and Marcie told me about it. I’m really sorry.”

“Don’t be,” replied Lily bitterly, as her sorrow was replaced with anger. “I’ve had a lot of time to think about it. Marcie was sure right about the guy. Wish I had listened.”

Jack looked up and saw two vultures circling overhead. It gave him an uneasy feeling and he said, “We better get going. You can use John’s phone to call your mom,” added Jack, as he turned around and squatted to piggyback her again.

“I want so bad to talk to her,” said Lily, as she climbed on Jack’s back.

“I’m sure,” replied Jack, as he stumbled forward. “I’ve met your mom. She seems like a really nice lady.”

“She’s the best mom there is. I haven’t exactly always been an easy kid to get along with.”

“I don’t know. You seem like a good kid to me. I know you’re a hard worker.”

“Yeah? What makes you say that?”

“I’ve seen how you look after the yard. Looks great. A lot of kids wouldn’t make the effort you put into it.”

“Are you kidding? Mom makes me do yard work as punishment. I’m always out in the yard weeding or doing something.”

Jack chuckled, despite still being worried about their safety.

“I never thanked you for what you did,” said Lily.

“It’s okay.”

“You saved my life and, and … killing that guy who was … thank you.”

Oh yeah … that. “I need to put you down for a moment,” said Jack. Once he faced her he said, “Killed what guy?”

“You know … the guy who was … who was … you know, on me when you came in the room.”

“To shoot an unarmed man like that would be murder.”

“But —”

“Please listen to me. You’re suffering from deep shock. Your brain has blocked out certain things. What happened was I was there in an undercover capacity. They found out who I was and handcuffed me to a pipe in the laundry room.”

“I know. I heard them … and you, once, when you screamed.”

“Yeah, well, after that they left me alone. Then I heard a couple of the bad guys arguing about whose turn it was to rape you. First I saw a guy named El Pero walk past the laundry room and minutes later, another guy I don’t know went by with a revolver. It must have been him who killed El Pero. I picked the lock on my handcuffs when he returned to the kitchen and went into the bedroom to get you.”

Lily stared at him and Jack knew she wasn’t believing a word he’d said.

“But you had the gun in your hand. I saw it,” she said.

“It was empty. No bullets. Guess that is why the guy left it. I didn’t know until after I picked it up.”

“You’re trying to tell me you didn’t shoot him?” she said, incredulous.

“Under the circumstances, not only would I not have been allowed to shoot him, if I actually did shoot him, I might be returned to Mexico to face charges for murder. You would be called as a witness, as well.”

“Oh my God … for real?”

“Yes, a damned good chance of it.”

“But the other men who were there — what will they say?”

“They’re not going to come forward and say anything. It would be admitting their part in the smuggling operation as well as kidnapping and assaulting you. Besides, they’re bad guys. Who could believe anything they say? The basis of truth will rest upon the statements you and I give … providing you never give a different account of anything to anyone else.”

Lily nodded and said, “Now I understand, but, like, for a statement … I want to make sure I say the right thing.”

“I want you to say the right thing, as well.”

“So after some guy shot El Pero and left, you came in the room and told me to wait and went back to where they were?”

“Yeah, well, first I heard the man who did the shooting get in a big fight in the kitchen with a guy named Big Al.”

“If you say so.”

“I do say so.”

“Okay, it’s coming back to me now.”

“Good. Then a truck showed up to unload cocaine and I snuck into the kitchen and stole a set of keys off the counter when the men were down the tunnel hauling the dope away.”

“Then you came back and got me and we ran out of the house.”

“Exactly.”

“Okay, I think I’ve got it now.”

“Good.”

“So, to clarify everything, you and I weren’t hiding in the closet when some guy was praying over the body in the room and later was screaming he was going to kill you because you killed his nephew?”

“Nope. I never hid in any closet … let alone kill anyone.”

“Okay. I guess I didn’t hide in a closet, either.”

“Good.” Jack gave her a sideways glance and added, “It must have been two other people who were hiding in the closet.”

“Yeah, it must have been,” smiled Lily. It was the first time she had smiled in twenty-one days and nineteen hours.

chapter forty-five

As soon as Jack and Lily scrambled into the back seat, Adams quickly drove away. Under Rubalcava’s direction, Adams headed west on the highway and turned on another road going south. This road intersected with yet another road that would see them back in Juarez half an hour later.

Rubalcava, Adams, and Jack were all seasoned veterans. One would expect them to have become as emotionally tough as one could imagine, but all three men had tears spilling out of their eyes as Lily, sitting with Jack’s arm around her, called her mom to say she was alive.

When Adams stopped in an alley in Juarez to let Rubalcava out, Jack also got out to say a quick goodbye.

“I just realized it is dinnertime,” said Jack. “What about your two sons at school? You weren’t there to pick them up.”

“My wife took care of it. I was a little busy this afternoon.”

Jack smiled and said, “Having an affair, according to the rumours.”

Rubalcava grinned. “Of course, but I do recall getting some work done this afternoon, as well.”

“For that, I want to thank you. I really owe you one.”

“No, amigo, it is my country that owes you a debt. Perhaps someday it will be safe for you to bring your wife and children here to meet my family. It would be an honour to have you stay with us.”

“I would really like that. Be safe, my friend,” added Jack, as they gave each other a hug.

Twenty minutes later, Adams drove across The Bridge of the Americas with Jack and Lily both crammed into the trunk. It was an extra precaution that was not needed, as the trip was made without incident.

Once in El Paso, Adams drove Jack and Lily to a hospital for examination. Jack was immediately taken for a CAT scan while Lily was admitted to a different examining room.

Jack lay momentarily unattended on a gurney while waiting for the results of the scan and Adams took the opportunity to talk to him. It was the first time they had been alone together since morning.

“I should call Weber and tell him what happened,” said Adams.

“He’s your boss. You better call him.”

“What did happen?”

“Don’t get yourself in trouble. Tell them the truth. I heard the bad guys last night saying Lily was still alive, but that they were going to kill her soon. I made a decision to go to Mexico on my own as I believed there wasn’t time to save her if I had gone through channels. You and your friend helped me. I found Lily, grabbed her, and stole a vehicle and … well, you know the rest.”

“Yeah, but …”

“But what?”

“You make it sound so simple. They found out who you were and busted your skull open. These guys were armed to the teeth and you had nothing. How the hell did you escape? What happened in there?”

“They handcuffed me to a pipe. I simply picked the handcuffs, stole a set of keys, grabbed Lily, and bolted. There’s nothing more to say.”