Lethal Deception (7 page)

“No one is here!”

The scream punctured the floor, the sound so heartrending, Cassidy took an unconscious step back toward the opening. Gabe dragged her back, pulling her close, his warm breath whispering against her ear, “We can’t go back.”

“But we can’t just leave them, they’ll kill them.” The desire to get Alexis to safety warred with the desperate need to help the two people who had risked so much for her.

“Jorge will handle it. Go before they find us.”

Cassidy shivered in the dankness, the reality of their situation lodging in her throat and stealing her breath. Fifteen feet underground. Mud, dirt, decay. All they lacked was the coffin. She gave a violent shudder.

Alexis whimpered and Cassidy patted her back, knowing she’d risk anything for this little girl. “Okay. Let’s go.”

She put one foot in front of the other, following the sound of Gabe moving ahead until she heard a thud, then a grunt. “Gabe, you okay?”

She ran into his back, smashing her nose against hard muscles. “Ouch.”

“Hold on, this is where the tunnel narrows. I just found out the hard way. I have a lighter here somewhere.”

Alexis gave another mewling whimper, “Mama? Want Mama.”

Cassidy fought tears and struggled to breathe in the suffocating darkness. “I know, baby, I know.”

A light flickered on and Cassidy gave a strangled shriek. Damp mud walls were alive with roaches as big as her thumb. “I think I was better off not knowing what was down here. Turn the light off, Gabe. Please!” She felt the hysteria building and swallowed to contain it.

“Here, give me Alexis.” Gabe let the light flicker out and took the child. Cassidy grabbed his belt in a death grip. She crouched to follow as best she could, and while Gabe whispered assurances to Alexis, Cassidy took them to heart.

“Please, Jesus, get us out of here.” Cassidy didn’t even realize she’d started praying aloud until she heard her voice echo off the walls.

“That’s it, just keep praying. Do what you have to do to keep calm. We’re going to be fine. I have to turn the light back on, so get ready.”

Cassidy tensed, but kept walking. She heard the scrape of the lighter that once again lit up the underground. Cassidy struggled to focus on his voice and not her current location. Gabe spoke. “Okay, there’s a turn up ahead, just a slight curve to the right.”

Cassidy felt light-headed, short of breath. And her back was killing her from walking in the stooped position. Alexis began to wail. Cassidy panted, trying desperately to take even breaths even while feeling the panic rise to overwhelm her. Her heartbeat threatened to explode from her chest. Dizziness made her stumble and she felt the moisture of a cold sweat break across her neck. Harsh voices echoed down the tunnel to send more shivers of fear dancing across her nerves.

“I hear them. How much farther, Gabe?” she whispered.

“Not much, I don’t think.”

The light flickered and died. Gabe rasped it again as they made their way around the curve. Cassidy kept a tight rein on her nerves, but was starting to lose the battle. Alexis started crying and Cassidy ached to hold her and reassure her. She whispered, “It’s all right, baby.”

“That’s it, Cass. You can do this,” he encouraged.

She didn’t agree, but decided to keep up the prayers and do her best to ignore her surroundings.

“G
abe, stop. I can’t breathe. I’m sorry. Just stop for a minute.” Cassidy’s hitched whisper brought him back around to face her. Gabe shifted Alexis. Her cries had faded to whimpers. He had to let the lighter flicker out.

Panicked gasps whistled from Cassidy’s lips and Gabe ground his back teeth. He vowed to make those responsible pay for doing this to her. He grabbed her hand and pulled. He said, “Keep it together for Alexis, Cass. They’re coming. We need to hurry.”

“Alexis, right. Okay. I can do this, I can.”

“Go. Too dark. Mama? Don’t like,” Alexis whined.

Gabe flicked on his lighter again and listened to her harsh breathing. He was relieved she seemed able to keep her terror under control. Panic attacks were no fun at all. He could relate. Gabe let the light go out and they marched together in the dark, in the awkwardly stooped position for the next fifteen or so minutes, keeping just ahead of the noises behind them. He stopped and reached for the lighter again. “We should be almost at the end. Let me take a look.”

The small flame revealed the end of the tunnel. The log steps were directly in front of him. Steep, but manageable.

“Thank God,” he whispered under his breath.

Alexis squirmed in his arms, anxious to get down. He passed her to Cassidy and said, “I think we’re only about five minutes ahead of them. I don’t hear anything. Let me go up and get the top open, then I’ll come back and help you two up. Can you handle it for about a minute?”

“Of course.” She was being a good sport.

Gabe paused and listened again. Still nothing.
They
were probably listening for
them.
He had to hurry. Without any further hesitation, he scaled the steps and reached up to feel the hard piece of wood covering their exit. With a grunt, he shoved, but nothing happened.

Straining, he shoved again. Nothing.

“Gabe?”

“Yeah?”

“I hear them again. They’re getting really close!”

Adrenaline surged and he realized that saving Cassidy and Alexis was out of his hands. He begged, “God, if You’re listening, I could really use some help here. Please.”

“Gabe!” Panic surged in her voice. “They’re getting closer. I can see a flashlight. I’m coming up.”

Gabe took a deep breath and shoved with everything in him, praying at the same time. The wood moved, popped up and shifted to the right. Dirt and debris rained down on him and fresh air surged over him. Sweat ran off him in rivulets.

“Thank You, God.” Maybe God did listen after all.

By this time, Cassidy was right behind him, the strain of climbing with Alexis in one arm and pulling herself up with the other evident on her already drawn features. The steps were spaced diagonally enough that it was possible to climb this way, just difficult.

Gabe grabbed Alexis and pushed her through the opening off to the side. She whined and started crying. Gabe hauled himself out and set her on the ground beside him. He quickly turned back to the hole to help Cassidy.

“Gabe! They’re right behind me!”

Gabe could hear the clatter and pounding feet below him. Cassidy’s hands stretched through the opening, and Gabe grabbed both wrists and pulled to haul her up. She jerked against his hands.

“He’s got my foot!” she screamed. “Pull!”

He felt her kick; her wrists slipped.
No! Please, don’t let me lose her, God.
Gabe looked down through the opening to see a bearded, leering face contorted into an evil grin. A rough hand held Cassidy’s booted foot; the other hand swung a snub-nosed pistol up to center on Gabe’s heart. Cassidy twisted, one wrist slipped from his grip. Terrified, he grabbed for it, but she flailed her arm wildly, and the rebel below her clamped hard on the foot he still held. At least Cassidy’s flailing threw the man’s aim off. The bullet went over his head.

Gabe was determined not to let go of Cassidy’s wrist—even if it meant dislocating her shoulder. Then, as though in slow motion, Gabe watched Cassidy bring her other booted foot around and smash it into the man’s chin. A harsh scream echoed up from the tunnel as the rebel dropped down the steps to land on the hard-packed earth below. Gabe gave one last desperate pull and Cassidy popped through the opening, panting; mud and sweat covered her face. She scrambled away from the hole and Gabe moved fast.

He shoved the wood back into place and looked for something heavy to place on top of it. He urged Cassidy, “Shove all the dirt you can on top.”

She quickly complied and Gabe noticed a fallen tree to his right. The trunk was thick, about six feet in diameter, and it definitely looked heavy. He just hoped he could move it. Straddling the log, he reached down and wrapped his arms around the base.

Already tired muscles strained to the limit, he heaved the trunk inch by inch across the uneven jungle floor.

“Gabe!”

At Cassidy’s panicked cry, he looked to see the wooden covering moving. He heard the shouted orders. One last groaning effort dropped the tree on top of the wood covering the hole. Satisfaction soared when he heard a muffled yell. He hoped the fall had knocked the man out.

“What about Selena and Jorge?” Cassidy worried. Absently, she rubbed her throbbing arm and said, “The men will go back through the tunnel.”

“Hopefully Jorge had the foresight to nail that opening shut and run.”

Cassidy whispered, “It won’t matter, they’ll just shoot their way out.”

Gabe agreed but didn’t say so. He was worried about the missionary couple, too, but there was nothing that could be done at the moment. His primary concern was getting Cassidy and the child to safety.

Never had hot, humid, soggy air felt so good to Cassidy’s already overheated, dirt-plastered skin. The Amazon River roared close by. The damp earth smelled of decay and life and all things that made Cassidy feel grateful to be alive—even though her arm and shoulder throbbed with torn ligaments and pulled muscles.

Eyes clamped shut against the light of day, she clutched Alexis to her. Fortunately, the wide canopy of leaves blocked most of the bright sun, so it didn’t take long for her eyes to adjust.

She looked around and wondered how in the world they would make it to the airport. Right now, walking was not an option. She didn’t even think she could crawl.

Alexis howled, tears streaming down her flushed cheeks. The banging from below stopped. Muffled shots sounded and Cassidy flinched. They were trying to shoot their way out.
God, I’m so tired. I can’t take much more.

“Shush, baby, it’s okay,” Cassidy crooned to the child, stroking her cheek.

Gabe had his hands on his knees bent double, catching his breath. Finally he looked up, “Ready?”

He looked at his watch and grimaced. “We’ve got to hurry. The plane leaves in two hours. These guys will go back through the tunnel and try to figure out where it comes out, then pick up our tracks.”

“How far away are we from the plane?”

“You still got that map?”

She set Alexis down and with her good arm, Cassidy dug in the back pocket of her filthy jeans pulling out the map. “Um, yeah. Here.”

Gabe snapped it open and studied it for a minute. “We’re about two hours away by jeep. It’s three o’clock. The plane leaves at five. There’s no way we can make it on foot.”

“Gabe, where’s the motorcycle? The one Jorge said to look for.”

“He said it was near the exit.”

“There. I saw a flash of something.” Cassidy ignored the pain in her arm and trudged over to one of the heavily vined trees for a closer look.

Gabe picked up Alexis and followed behind Cassidy. “Do you see anything?”

“No…Wait a minute, yeah.”

Using one hand, Gabe started pulling the vines off and Cassidy gasped. “Thank you, Jorge.”

“With a side seat,” Gabe exclaimed.

“Wonderful. How old is this thing? You think it works?”

Gabe grinned and said, “One way to find out. The key’s in the ignition. Hop in.”

Cassidy climbed into the passenger car hooked to the side of the motorcycle. Gabe set Alexis in front of Cassidy then climbed on and twisted the key. The machine roared to life and Alexis started. Cassidy thought she was going to cry again, but then she grinned, laughed and clapped. “Ride. Go, go. Go zoom.”

Cassidy laughed the laugh of pent-up tension and stress. “Please, Gabe. Go zoom.”

Knuckles white with the strain of holding on and keeping Alexis steady while Gabe maneuvered the bike down an overgrown path had Cassidy clenching her jaw.

Finally, the path smoothed out a bit and they were on their way to the little airstrip in La Joya where the medical mission collected its supplies each week.

Two hours and ten minutes later, they reached the airstrip. Gabe let out a relieved breath and gunned the motorcycle toward the plane sitting on the runway. “Come on, let’s go home.”

T
en minutes later, the plane taxied without incident down the small runway and lifted into the air. Cassidy leaned back against her seat and let out a breath she felt she’d been holding for the last month.

Using the plane’s radio, she’d managed to contact Anna at the orphanage and let them know they were in the air. Alexis, stretched out on the double seat behind her, slept fitfully.

“What are you thinking?” Gabe’s voice sounded over the drone of the plane’s engine.

“Well, now that terror isn’t clouding my thought processes, I’m finally able to analyze the last couple of weeks. There’s something else going on besides my kidnapping.”

Gabe’s raised eyebrow encouraged her to express her thoughts out loud. “In the jungle when we were hiding, I overheard one of them say, ‘Don’t worry about the ransom, kill them immediately. I don’t want to have to report this failure.’ Or something along those lines.”

“Yeah, I heard it, too.”

“So, it sounds to me like someone wanted me…us…dead, and these guys may have gone out on their own and tried to milk my kidnapping for more than they were supposed to or…of course, they weren’t counting on you to show up and—” She broke off with a shrug. “I don’t know. Something’s not adding up, I just can’t put my finger on it.”

“You know your father’s going to want some answers. Fortunately, no law-enforcement agency knows about your disappearance, so there won’t be any attention on that front. No media waiting for you at the landing on your parents’ estate.”

Cassidy watched him as he spoke. His features still showed the strain of their ordeal; fatigue roughened his voice. A shave and a haircut should be at the top of his priority list.

She realized she really did care about him. He’d always been Micah’s best friend, in and out of her home on a daily basis. She was six years younger and had had a fierce crush on him as a teen. And now, she realized that in spite of his involvement in Micah’s death, she wanted to get to know him. Get to know what made him happy, sad and what lay behind the shutters he tried so hard to keep over his eyes. And she felt guilty for wanting that. After all, he knew what happened to Micah and refused to tell her.

He was saying something.

She blinked. “What?”

He frowned. “You okay?”

“I will be.” Cassidy sighed. At least she hoped so.

“Did your captors say anything else around you to give you an idea what they wanted?”

She shook her head. “No. They never really spoke to me—or around me.”

“How did they know you’d be there at the orphanage at that precise time and day?”

Cassidy stopped and thought. She spoke slowly. “I have absolutely no idea.”

“Who knew you were going to get Alexis?”

“No one, really. At least I don’t think so. I mean, I didn’t make it a huge secret that I was leaving, but I didn’t advertise my destination, either, because I knew Dad would try to stop me. He thought I was going to Paris. Mom and Dad knew Kara and Jacob had been killed, but they didn’t know about the custody arrangements. At least not until Amy told Daddy about it later. I’m sure they probably traced my plane ticket, but I went via Paris, hoping Dad wouldn’t think much of it other than I was resorting to my childhood pranks. I should have known his connections would be better than that. He managed to trace me to Brazil, I’m sure.” Cassidy chewed her bottom lip as she thought. “Oh, and Amy and her parents knew because I was eating supper with them when Anna called. Amy agreed to take care of my house and get the room ready for Alexis while I was gone. Really, anyone could have figured it out if they tried hard enough.”

“So, that’s how you knew where to find Alexis? Anna called you?”

“Yes, she was the third witness to the hand-written codicil.” Cassidy reached back and felt for the papers in the pocket of her jeans. They were gone of course. Thankfully, Anna had faxed a copy to Cassidy’s home. Still, from memory she was able to tell him the gist of what it said.

“What does the original will read?” Gabe asked.

“I have no idea. I took off to get Alexis before the reading of it.”

“Does the lawyer have a copy of the codicil?”

“I’m sure he does. His name is Oliver Morgan. But he wouldn’t have any idea that I’d hop a plane and go to Brazil.”

“So, Anna called you to tell you what happened to Kara and Jacob. Is it possible that she would have called the lawyer also?”

Cassidy stilled. Kara and Jacob had made it clear that if anything happened to them, Anna was to take temporary custody of Alexis until Cassidy could get to her.

“Yes,” she said thoughtfully. “She probably would have.”

“So, the lawyer knew you would have to go get the child. He also would know the location of the orphanage.”

“But why on earth would he send someone to kidnap me?”

Gabe shrugged. “I don’t know that he did. All I’m saying is that he knew you’d be traveling to get Alexis. Like you said, it wouldn’t be hard to track your itinerary if he wanted. You flew a commercial airline, right?”

Cassidy felt dazed. “Yes.”

“So, we need to start with Mr. Oliver Morgan, the lawyer.”

“Start what?”

“Tracking down whoever was behind your kidnapping. Because our rebel didn’t want to report his failure. Which means someone hired him. Which also means that person is still out there and probably knows by now that you’ve escaped.”

Cassidy shivered. “Which means someone may still want me dead.”

The plane landed and Gabe had never been so glad to be back on American soil. He hung back and held Alexis while Cassidy ran to greet her parents at the end of the runway. The three-story mansion set in the middle of twenty-seven luxuriously manicured acres, boasted its own hangar and landing strip, two pools—one indoor and one outdoor—a movie theater, a state-of-the-art security system, a helipad and, if Gabe’s memory served him right, twelve staff members. These were just a few of the niceties Cassidy had grown up with.

Gabe shook his head. Born to comfortable, but definitely not wealthy, parents, this lifestyle remained beyond his comprehension. Gabe also noticed that Cassidy’s parents had aged well. Cassidy’s mother, Christina McKnight, in her late fifties, looked as though she could pass as an older sister.

The woman had her hair dyed an expensive auburn red with blond highlights, and had it piled artfully on her head. She still had a trim figure and a classy style of dressing in designer jeans and a flowing flower child-type blouse.

Mrs. McKnight grabbed her daughter and covered her in kisses and tight hugs. Finally, Cassidy sputtered, “Okay, Mom, I’m glad to see you, too. I have someone you need to meet, though. Gabe?”

Gabe walked toward the three McKnights. The ambassador looked at him, and for a moment, Gabe swore he saw the sheen of tears in the man’s eyes. Then he pulled Gabe into an unexpected embrace.

“I don’t know how I can ever repay you, son.” His rough voice was low, but Gabe caught the words…and the thanks. Gabe still resented the way the man had taken control and forced his hand on the issue of rescuing Cassidy, but he decided against holding a grudge.

“Consider us even,” he said. He couldn’t help asking, “Did you know about the child?”

Jonathan McKnight pulled back and met Gabe’s eyes. Guilt flashed and he nodded. “I managed to track Cassidy to Brazil, so I figured that’s what she was doing. When I questioned Amy about it, she concurred. I planned to let Cassidy have it when she got home about doing something so dangerous. Then the note came…” He shrugged. “I knew if I told you about Alexis, you’d never go for it after…I don’t know all the details of the mission you were on with my son, but I knew there was a child involved that didn’t make it. I guess I owe you another apology.”

Gabe took a deep breath. “Forget it. It’s over.” He shifted Alexis on his hip and looked over at Cassidy. “You want to introduce the munchkin?”

Pleasure and sadness mingled as she introduced Alexis to her parents and explained to her mother how she came to be named guardian. Cassidy’s mother responded as expected…with worry and doubt about Cassidy’s sanity, but her father supported her wholeheartedly—now that he was over his anger about her taking off by herself.

Christina finally smiled then hardened her gaze toward her husband. “Now that the niceties are taken care of, why don’t we discuss this more while Marguerite fixes us something to snack on?”

Gabe almost laughed. The words may have been phrased as a question, but they were not a request.

Jonathan cleared his throat again. “Yes, let’s all go inside and get reacquainted.”

Gabe followed behind, his hand on Cassidy’s back for support. He had a feeling she might need it.

Cassidy clutched Alexis close and followed her mother through the French doors that led to the sunporch and then on into the informal den. She frowned at the undercurrents she sensed arcing between her parents. What was going on?

Knowing she’d have time to ask about that later, she plopped down onto the blue-and-green patterned love seat and placed Alexis beside her. The little girl promptly slid to the floor and began exploring her surroundings.

Christina sat on the matching couch opposite Cassidy, and Gabe stood in front of the fireplace, hands in the front pockets of his jeans. Marguerite Sayers, the family cook for over twenty years, bustled into the room carrying a tray laden with snacks and hot tea. Jonathan took the tray from her and passed out the treat. She rushed to Cassidy and hugged her tight. “I’m so glad you’re home.”

Cassidy returned the hug, smiled and said, “Me, too, Marguerite. Could I get a cup of milk for Alexis, if you don’t mind?”

“Sure, Miss Cass. I’ll get it right away. I’ll also see if I can round up a few toys. Will she come with me?”

“I’m sure she would, especially with the promise of milk and toys.” Marguerite may have been the hired help, but she was also family. Alexis looked up and grinned at Cassidy, “Toys, my Cass-ty. Play.”

“Yes, you go play with Miss Marguerite, okay?”

“Marty?”

Everyone laughed at the child’s mispronunciation, but Marguerite just said, “Marty it is, sweet one. Come on.”

To Cassidy’s surprise, the little girl went.

Her mother asked, “Why didn’t Kara’s sister and brother-in-law get custody?”

Cassidy shrugged. “Kara’s never really liked Brian. She said he was sneaky and that he only married Susan for her money. And Jacob’s parents were killed in a car wreck when he was fourteen. Kara’s grandmother was initially listed in the will as guardian but has since been admitted to a nursing home. So—” she held up her hands “—I’m it.”

“Oh, my.” Her mother rubbed her forehead.

“I know, Mom. I think after I became a Christian and Kara and Jacob saw how my life changed, they realized they could trust me with Alexis.”

Cassidy couldn’t fight the fact that her eyes kept straying over to Gabe during her tale. He was staring at her with a look that she couldn’t identify.

Her mother said, “So you just decided to hop a plane and go get the child? The least you could have done was let us know and take some bodyguards!”

“Mom, I don’t know how to explain it. I just know I was supposed to do it.”

Jonathan jumped in. “All right, Christina, let Cassidy finish.”

Cassidy watched her mother frown at her dad, but at least she let the topic drop for now. Her mother still didn’t understand about her becoming a Christian. Her father did. He’d given his life over to God about six months before she’d left for Brazil.

“So, we did all the paperwork naming me as guardian and sent it to the lawyer. Everything was fine for about nine months, then one night I was eating supper with Amy and her family and I got a phone call from Anna telling me that—” Cassidy swallowed hard and finished her sentence “—that there had been a raid on the village and Alexis was at the orphanage.”

“Why didn’t you let me help you?” her father demanded, intruding on her memories.

Cassidy smiled fondly and said, “Because you would have stopped me, and I had a promise to keep.”

He harrumphed and said, “Well, you’re home safe and sound now. That’s all that matters. Christina, why don’t you and I go get to know our newest addition to the family.”

Cassidy breathed a sigh of relief that her mother said no more but frowned as the woman stood and brushed past Cassidy’s father without a backward look. What in the world? Her mother had never treated her father with such disrespect. At least not that Cassidy remembered.

Cassidy wilted into the cushion. Gabe came over to sit beside her, which instantly set all of Cassidy’s nerves on high alert. She picked imaginary lint from the hem of her shirt.

Gabe took her hands and she froze. Her fingers tingled as she laced them with his. The attraction she’d felt in the jungle still simmered. And yet, her brother still lay between them like a concrete block, seemingly unmovable. But, maybe in time, they could chip that block away, piece by piece, until there was nothing left to keep them apart. She sighed and squeezed his fingers. Maybe she was dreaming.

Gabe couldn’t help the feeling of relief that shook him hard. He’d done it. He’d gotten her and Alexis home safe. He’d done his job, and he really should move on. No matter how much he wanted to explore a relationship with her, he knew he couldn’t. He could never accept her love, not while knowing he was responsible for Micah’s death. His secret stood between them. So he summoned up all the anger he had inside him. He needed to break this bond.