“It was the quickest way I could get here. Carmen was beside herself when I arrived at Casa Flanagan. I had to come after you. It was my fault this happened, and I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you.”
He reached for her and she stepped back, knowing she couldn’t let him touch her. She didn’t want to feel anything at the moment. She needed to be numb.
“Stop. I need to focus on what I have to do.”
“Whatwe’regoing to do,” he corrected her.
No. It was too dangerous to involve him. She didn’t want him hurt. “You’ll stick out as a foreigner.”
“If he stays with the car, it could work,” Maria said. “They do have some tourists in the area because of the hostel.”
Zita swore. She didn’t want him there.
“I can do that,” he said quickly. “I hired a car from the airport.”
“It would help you to have a fast getaway,” Maria said. “Just in case.”
The thought of David anywhere near the danger was terrifying. She still loved him.
“Please, Zita. Let me make amends for what I did.”
She heard the plea in his voice. She hated this, but she had to be sensible. “You’ll do exactly what I tell you without question?”
He nodded as Maria dished up breakfast.
She exhaled slowly. “All right. Let me show you the map.”
As they ate, she pointed out the market and the laundry where Johanna worked.
“Locals get their fresh food there, and there are stalls selling tourist things for the nearby hostel,” Maria said, pointing out the hostel.
“We can park there and I’ll go through the market to the laundry,” said Zita.
“I’m not letting you out of my sight,” David said.
“You don’t have a choice. You’re too conspicuous. I’ll give you some money and you can browse near where we park the car to make sure it doesn’t get stolen.”
They traced the route they would take, and the route to the airport. By the time they were done, they had finished breakfast and the sun was up.
“It’s time to go,” Zita said. She turned to Maria. “Thank you for your help. Give Fernando my love and tell him I hope he heals quickly.”
Maria nodded. “Be safe,niñita.”
Zita grabbed her backpack and followed David outside. He’d hired a mid-range white sedan, so hopefully it wouldn’t stand out in the neighborhood they were heading to. She got in the passenger side with the map clutched in her hand.
They were silent for the first two blocks, except for Zita giving directions.
“Zita, after all of this is over, I hope you can forgive me.” His voice was quiet. “I never meant to hurt anyone.”
Tears sprang to her eyes. “Please, David. Not now.” She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “I can’t do this now.” Her voice broke at the last word and he glanced over at her. She turned her head, blinking back the tears. “I need to focus.”
“All right.”
They continued in silence until David pulled into the street where the markets were located. Zita checked the map to orientate herself and took a deep breath. “Keep your phone with you. I’m going to find out where they’re keeping Manuela, and we’ll go from there.”
David looked unhappy, but agreed.
The markets were noisy and bustling with people. The stalls were full of fresh produce as well as souvenirs for tourists. She left David by a stall selling jocote, and wandered through the aisles toward the laundry.
