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Jake appeared, his attractive gray suit gone, replaced by wrinkled jeans and a black golf shirt. Never having seen him in ultra-relax clothes before, she took a second to appreciate his appearance. Now he looked like a guy she could hang with.
“So, Carlos, tell us what happened?”
“That’s just it. I got here seconds before I informed Rylee he was missing. There’s no clues as to why he’s gone.”
Rylee looked around the suite for anything suspicious. Noticing a tray of food still sitting on the table, she lifted the silver cover and found it to be full, only a few bites gone.
“You brought him this for supper?”
Carlos looked uncomfortable. “Yeah. It’s chicken cacciatore. Lots of tomato sauce and veggies, I figured the kid would like it.”
Jake approached and checked out the dish too. “Nah, he doesn’t like green onions and beans. I bet he just decided to sneak out for a pizza. Miguel’s a pizza freak. I’ll go down to the place where they serve it to order and see if he’s there.”
“I’m with you. Carl, check the upper mezzanine where they serve food by the pool, you know by the big screen where they show movies. See if he’s hanging out. I know they have pizzas there too. And keep in touch.” She showed her phone, but then she rubbed the skin under her ear.
He nodded.
Rylee had to run to keep up with a worried Jake, He took the steps two at a time until she cussed and caught his attention.
“Sorry. I’ll slow down. It’s just that you and Carlos have me worried sick. I know you think Miguel’s in danger, but I can’t imagine even Hakim would stoop as low as using a kid to get to me.”
So, he knew Hakim was on board. She’d wondered since he’d never said anything. But then, why would he? Not knowing she was an agent sent to protect him, he’d keep that kind of info to himself.
Rylee stopped on the landing between two sets of stairs, forcing him to do so too. “Jake, that man will go to any lengths to pay you back for you causing his brother’s death.”
“Right, when were you going to tell me?” His eyes locked with hers.
She suddenly realized that she’d just revealed knowledge of his past he hadn’t shared. God, she’d lost all sense of responsibility while working this case. Never had she been this unprofessional. Yet with Miguel’s life in the balance, did it matter?
“That you’re an FBI agent, and I’m pretty sure you’re still working with the Bureau, right?”
“How did you know?”
“Miguel found your wallet when one of your purses fell in the closet where he was hiding.”
“Shit! I didn’t put it in the safe because I like to keep it handy. Was he upset?”
“It’s why he ran away the other time. Not because he was scared. He didn’t want to get you in trouble.”
“Me? Trouble? How?”
“For hiding him.”
“Oh, Lord. That kid just keeps getting better.” She started up the stairs again, this time she took double steps. Jake followed close behind.
Once in the main food area, they split up, but both landed at the pizza place at the same time. Only to see Miguel being handed a medium pizza slathered with his favorites.
Heart rate slowing down to almost normal, Rylee spoke first. “Didn’t like Carlos’s dinner choice, Miguel?”
Jake steadied the pizza as Miguel swung in her direction and his arms wavered. “Hey, little dude, what kind did you get?”
“Dios Mio!” Miguel ignored Jake’s question and stuttered his own, the horror on his face comical. “Are you angry, Rylee? I was going back to the room now, I promise.”
“I told you not to leave in the first place.”
He hung his head, tears close. “Si, you did.”
“But you decided not to listen to me.”
