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“We’re on break.” It’s a weak excuse and total bull crap, and by the look she gives me, Mom knows this too. “Or maybe I just didn’t get the chance. There was so much going on when I last saw him and I. . .what?”
“Like the hickey on your neck that you’re failing to cover up with that scarf?”
“Mom!”
“What? You think I’m blind, or stupid?”
“It’s not that.” The phone rings again, but this time it’s Karen’s number and I hold a finger up. “Mariposa Bail Bonds. This is Amberlyn speaking.”
“Can I please speak with Amberlyn? It’s an emergency.”
“Karen, it’s me.”
“I know.” Voice low. So meek. I can also make out a male speaking nearby and the slamming of something, and my brows furrow. I also decided then to attend the call through the speaker option. “Is there any way we can meet today? Do you...” her breath hitches, the sound a little scared “...can we meet today?
My eyes meet Mom’s, and she’s shaking her head at me.
“My schedule is full today, but I am working on your case.” Mom leaves for a second but comes rushing back with Dad on her heels. His mouth opens to ask what’s going on, but his wife’s hand slapped over his mouth prevents that. “I’m actually waiting on a phone call from a private investigator who’s been helping me as a favor.”
All lies, but she doesn’t know that.
“Oh. Okay.” Still off, she sounds nothing like the woman who came here begging for help. “Do you have any new information? Has anyone contacted you? His family?” A choking sound comes from the background at the word family, but it’s covered by a sudden sob. “Karen, what’s going on? Are you okay?”
“Yes.” Sniffle. “It’s just all so hard. I miss him.”
“Understandable and expected, but please know I’m doing the best I can to help.”
“Thank you.” She mutters something that sounds like no one can save us, which my parents also pick up on. Dad grabs a notepad from my desk and writes something down while Mom grabs her cell and begins to record the conversation. “What you’re doing means so much to me. No one else has given me any answers or even looked into this mess. I just want my love to come home.”
“Let me call the investigator and see if anything has come up. If so, can you meet—”
“Please. I’ll meet with you anywhere and anytime.”
“Okay, Karen. I’ll call you if I hear anything.”
“Thank you, Amberlyn. For everything.”
The call disconnects and our expressions mirror each other: worry.
“Something else is going on here, kid. Her reaction and wording make me think she’s being forced into whatever this is.” Dad scratches his jaw and turns the notepad around to me. “Call him.”
“You think it’s necessary?”
“If you don’t, I will.”
“Okay.” At this point, I agree. Luna’s uncle would be the best person to call. “Do we alert the De Leons, too?”
“Get ahold of Ivan or his parents. They need to know just in case.”
“In case of what?” I ask. For the first time since meeting Karen and the detective, I feel a frisson of fear. “What do you suspect?”
Mom places a hand on Dad’s arm while giving me a small smile. “Because I’d bet money this is an attempt by the feds to gain information or—”
“Or what, Mom?”
“Or an enemy trying to get close, mi niña. They might feel as though you are their in.”
22
