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One of the deputies walked in the door just as Dana hung up. “We’ve just received a call on the radio. I’m supposed to take you and your daughter to the local sheriff’s office, ma’am. Right away.”
Fear sliced right through Dana’s heart. “Alex? Is it—is it bad news? You’ve got to tell me right now. Don’t make me wait.”
“I’m sorry, Doc. I tried to get more information, but the dispatcher refused to say anything more on the radio. All I know is that they want you there immediately.”
* * * *
FOR MOLLY’S SAKE, DANA held back her tears on the endless trip into town.
From inside the cruiser, the screaming siren and flashing lights faded into nothing as she held Molly close. A single litany of prayers filled the cotton batting of her thoughts. Please, Lord. Let this be good news. Please ...
When they pulled up at the sheriff’s office, she sat numbly in the back seat, barely aware of the deputy’s extended hand. “Come with me, Doc. We need to go inside.”
If I go inside, this might all be real.
“Come on, Mom,” Molly sat up straighter and gripped Dana’s hand. “We’ve got to go.”
Feeling like an automaton, as if every slow, hydraulic movement came from an outside force, Dana finally climbed out of the car and followed the deputy inside the small building barely the size of a two-stall garage. She’d been there once before to dispute a parking ticket and remembered the small reception area, with an office and a single holding cell in the back.
From the entryway she could see that the barred door of the cell was open. “What? Where is—”
“In here, ma’am,” the deputy said as he opened the door to the office and ushered Molly and her mother inside. “The deputy will explain.”
Dazed, fear clogging her lungs, she held Molly close and stepped through the door.
Robinson sat behind his desk and averted his eyes as she walked in. A tall, imposing blond man she’d never seen before, dressed city-casual in knife-pleated khakis and a black oxford shirt, stood next to him, with his arms folded across his chest.
Zach, his handcuffs gone, stood at the other side of the desk loading cartridges into a gun clip with calm precision.
He seemed like a complete stranger when he glanced up at her with a grim smile and an expression of steely determination in his eyes. He radiated the absolute confidence of a man in charge who would let nothing stand in his way.
“What’s going on here?” she demanded. “What have you heard about my son?”
“This is DEA Special Agent Mike Haley,” Zach said, nodding toward the stranger. “He came in to assist. There are a number of other agents on the way.”
“What about my son?” she demanded, her voice rising.
Haley cleared his throat. “When Robinson went out to Zach’s place to collect Zach’s identification, there was a message on the answering machine. This El Cazador guy says he has both children.”
“Where are they? Tell me.”
“Apparently Alex tried to save Katie, and the guy nabbed him, too. Both of them were put on the phone—just for a few words. He wants to deal.”
Relief flooded through her. “Money? How much does he want? I’ll get whatever it takes.”
“It’s a little more complex than that.” The agent shifted his attention to Zach. “Do you still want a few minutes alone?”
Zach gave a single nod, then waited as Robinson and Haley left. “Do you mind if I talk to your mom alone for a minute, Molly? We won’t be long.”
Molly shot a fearful look at Dana. “I want to know about Alex, Mom. Please!”
“He’s okay, honey. They heard him talk on the phone, remember?”
“But—”
“I’ll come and get you in a minute. It’s okay.” She waited until Molly closed the door, then turned to Zach. “What’s going on here?”
He’d seemed to be in complete control, but now his face took on a ravaged expression. “I’m sorry for all of this, Dana. You’ve got to believe that, if nothing else.”
