“No, I won’t let you go,” Carmen said following her in.
“Mama, you don’t have a choice.” She flicked through the options. “There’s one in just over two hours.” She’d be cutting it close, but she should be able to make it. She handed the tablet to her mother. “Book me on it.”
Carmen shook her head.
“Mama,please. I’m their only hope.”
There were tears in Carmen’s eyes.
“You know I’m right,” Zita said.
Emotions ran across Carmen’s face— fear, defiance and finally resignation. “All right.”
“Thank you.” Zita ran upstairs to grab her passport and change. She threw spare clothes in a backpack.
“It’s booked,” Carmen said as Zita returned downstairs.
“Thank you, Mama.” She hugged her. “I need you to call Maria and tell her I’m coming. I’ll need all the documentation from her.”
“Please, baby, promise me you won’t do anything tonight,” her mother begged. “It’s dangerous enough during the day, but that kind of neighborhood is deadly at night.”
“I promise.” She headed out the door.
***
David stopped at his apartment only long enough to grab his car, before heading for Casa Flanagan. He kept calling Zita, but she wouldn’t pick up. He didn’t blame her. He’d ignored his concerns about Bob.
On the freeway, he hit a traffic jam. He swore. He needed to get to Zita. Switching on the radio, he discovered it was a major crash and they were recommending people avoid the area. “Damn it.”
By the time he arrived, two hours had passed since Zita had left the hotel. He raced up the front steps and pounded on the front door.
Carmen opened it. “David.” She glared at him, blocking the entrance.
“Carmen, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know Dad would do that, I promise you. Can I see Zita? I have to explain.”
“No you can’t.” She burst into tears.
His heart jumped. Concerned, he put his arm around her and moved them into the house. “What’s wrong?”
“She’s gone to El Salvador,” she sobbed.
“What?” Shock speared him forward, directing Carmen into the living room and onto the sofa. “Why?”
He listened to Carmen explain, the concern morphing into full-on dread. “You’re telling me she’s gone to get Manuela and Johanna out of the country, because the gangshotthe person who was going to?”
She nodded. “There is no time to find anyone else. Not when someone might watch your father’s broadcast and tip off the gang.”
This was all his fault. He’d put the woman he loved in danger because his father was a jackass and he hadn’t recognized it. “What time is her flight?”
“Soon. She’ll be boarding.”
He swore. “I’ll go after her.”
Carmen shook her head, tears pouring down her face. “You’ll be too late. There isn’t another flight until morning.”
“I’ll take the company jet, then.” He prayed it was available. Carmen’s eyes widened as David got to his feet. “Where’s she staying?”
“I don’t know. She said she’d call when she arrived.”
