Soon, I received a phone call on my cell, and quickly forgot about Hayley. And her bonus.
“What have you got for me?” I asked my caller.
“Sorry, sir, precious little. They left a paper trail leading into Mexico, and I then lost it.”
I swore under my breath. “Mexico isn’t exactly planet Mars, Henry. We can and still do cross the border.”
“Except I don’t speak Spanish,” Henry said dryly. “I need a translator. When I have one, I can cross over and pick up the trail again.”
I sighed. “All right. I’ll pay the expense of a translator. Make sure he’s an American citizen. I don’t need the Border Patrol to lock him up on the wrong side.”
“Actually, I found a Spanish speaking Caucasian of Irish ancestry,” Henry said, a grin in his voice. “And he’s a she.”
“Great. Pretend you’re on your honeymoon or something. That sort of cover may prevent Fiona from spotting you.”
“Will do. I’ll make arrangements to fly both of us to Acapulco right away.”
“Is that where you think they went?” I demanded. “This isn’t your real honeymoon.”
“Yes, sir. I don’t think it, I know it. Fiona and friend flew to Acapulco yesterday.”
“Okay, then.” I breathed in deeply. “Good luck and stay in touch.”
“Yes, sir.”
After Henry clicked off, I sat and stared into space. “Why Mexico?”
“To escape you,” Willow replied.
“She can escape to Monaco and fit in there like a native,” I said. “Why hop to a beach resort in the jungle?”
That paused Willow. “You’re right,” she said slowly. “That’s very unlike her. She’s snobbish enough to want to rub elbows with the world’s elite. Acapulco is the last place she’d want to be seen in.”
“Or not seen.” I met Willow’s gaze. “Maybe she’s putting up a smokescreen.”
“Yes, but of what sort? She has to know you’re following her. She’s running to escape your anger.”
“Butheisn’t.” I rub my jaw thoughtfully. “He’s not afraid of me. Fiona is foolish enough to believe he loves her.”
“I suppose that’s true enough,” Willow said. “Damon is a chameleon. Always shifts his shades to make people believe what he wants them to believe.”
I chuckle. “I almost feel sorry for Fiona.”
***
The work day was nearly over when I looked up from my computer to find Hayley standing in the doorway. Her skin was pale, and small beads of sweat dotted her forehead. I squashed my irritation with her and beckoned to her with my forefingers.
“Come in.”
“I – I want to thank you, sir. For – for this.”
Hayley was turning her bonus check over and over with hands that trembled. She couldn’t seem to look me in the eye.
“You’ve earned it.”
A tiny smile twitched the corners of her lovely mouth and her impossibly green eyes flicked to mine for a moment. “This means I can move out of my sister’s house sooner.”
Taken aback by her sudden ability to speak without stammering, I grew curious. “You live with your sister?”
