Page 90 of Four Cards Exposed

Finally, she fell to the floor, exhausted.

“You’re going to help me show my men that a Mendoza never forgets an insult,” he said.

As she sobbed on the ground, a sudden thought struck her, strong enough to penetrate through the fog in her mind.

At least James isn’t here.

The thought made the fear recede into a corner of her mind and gave her the strength to look up at Mendoza. Gratitude filled her heart. That they hadn’t been able to find James.

Whatever happens to me, Mendoza can’t hurt James.

“What are you thinking about, querida? Something, just now, has made you hopeful.” He sniffed the air gently. “I can smell it on you. Tell me, do you think you can get away?”

Susan shook her head numbly.

“Get on with it, Miguel. Unless the plan is to tell your men you bored me to death,” she said, faking a courage she didn’t really feel.

“We’ll get started soon enough. Just need to wait a bit longer.”

“What are we waiting for?” she snarled.

“Your boyfriend, of course.”

Susan’s blood went cold.

It’s not true.

It’s just mind games.

“James isn’t here.”

“He will be soon.”

“He won’t,” Susan whispered. “He’s too smart.”

Miguel shrugged delicately. “I sent him a picture of you.”

“No! No!” Susan yelled, getting up and launching herself against Miguel.

Miguel sidestepped her flailing arms, moving just out of her reach.

“Relax, querida, you don’t want to hurt yourself.”

28

* * *

James

James stretched his legs, waiting for the pilot to indicate that they were getting ready to land.

Six hours cooped up in this small plane, worrying about Susan, had left him feeling almost feral.

What if she’s dead?

What if she died in that box?

Then you find her body and bring her back.