Lethal Deception (6 page)

“This situation is a lot different from just holding the gun in the jungle. Are you insane?” If his fury had been fire, she’d have been toast.

“Probably. Now keep us upright and moving while I try to make these guys back off.”

Gabe was scared to death. Not just scared of the guys behind him, but that he’d failed once again to keep safe those entrusted to his care.

Gabe decided to concentrate on driving—and praying.

Oh, God, why a child?

Cassidy checked Alexis one more time, not bothering to try to take the time to reassure the terrified tot. Hopefully, there would be time for that later once they were all somewhere safe. With the gun in her left hand, she released the safety and leaned out the open window only to pull back in and yell, “When I say ‘now’ you turn the wheel to the right so they’ll come toward this side of the jeep.”

“You’ll be exposed!”

“I’ll take that chance, okay?”

She didn’t wait for his response, just turned to position herself so she could keep Alexis safely pinned to the floor yet have a clear shot as soon as Gabe turned the jeep. Dust and dirt swirled in the air about them, but she thought she could see well enough at the right time…

“Now!” she yelled.

Gabe spun the wheel. Cassidy waited for what seemed like an hour but in reality was only a few gut-churning seconds then fired the weapon three times with deadly accuracy.

Several shots from the jeep behind zinged wildly by.

Cassidy pulled in from the window and leaned back with a grunt. Gabe waited for more bullets to come their way, but the only sound now was the rushing wind, Alexis screaming and the jeep’s whine.

“Did you get them?”

“I don’t know about them, but their two front tires are out.”

Sure enough, the men behind them had stopped and Gabe quickly pulled away to leave the other jeep behind. He looked over at Cassidy, who lifted Alexis from the floor, wiping her tears, cuddling her and offering much-needed reassurances.

Cassidy prayed and Gabe put as much distance between them and the rebels as he possibly could, considering the fact that he couldn’t go much over forty miles an hour due to the road conditions.

But after a few miles, the jeep sputtered, choked and died. Gabe whacked the wheel with the palm of his hand and muttered, “Not now.”

“What’s wrong?” Cassidy said.

Gabe didn’t answer, just pushed the jeep as far as it would go, then finally let it roll to a stop between two trees on the side of the makeshift road. Cassidy absently shifted Alexis to her other knee. The child’s cries had finally slowed to a whimper every now and then, but her big blue eyes followed the adults’ every move.

Gabe leaned his head back against the seat and closed his eyes. “The jeep’s done, but I’ve got to ask. Where’d you learn to shoot like that?”

G
abe hopped out of the jeep, wondering how much time they had. He rounded the front of the vehicle and popped the hood.

Steam hissed.

“Guess that’s not a good sign, huh?” Cassidy said as she came into view. She had Alexis on her hip. Tear tracks streaked the little one’s cheeks, and she scrubbed a grimy fist against one eye.

Gabe grunted, “Nope, not a good sign and I don’t have the tools to fix it. Wonder how far we are to the next village.”

“Here, hold her and I’ll raid the glove box for a map. And to answer your question, Micah taught me. Said it might come in handy one day.” A sad smile flickered across her face. “Guess he was right. Here.”

Before Gabe could respond or protest, he found himself clutching the toddler. Alexis reared back against his hold to stare him in the eye. She poked her bottom lip out and frowned. Gabe frowned back, unsure what to do with her. Finally, she whimpered and turned to watch Cassidy, but at least she didn’t cry. Probably too tired out from her last meltdown. Not that he blamed her. He patted her small back reassuringly.

“You find one?” Gabe walked over to the side of the jeep.

“Yep, look.” She shook out the map so he could see it and pointed to a village by the name of St. Lucia. “I know this village. It’s not too far from where Kara and Jacob were killed. They have friends here, Jorge and Selena Manuez. Their names are on the will as witnesses.”

“Will they help us if we can get there?”

“Probably. They’re missionaries, too.”

“Then, that’s where we’ll head. Here, take her back.” Alexis went willingly and put her head on Cassidy’s shoulder. Gabe’s heart softened at the sight. He could see why Cassidy had fought so hard to get back to the orphanage.

“I’m going to have to push this jeep off the road and cover our tracks as best I can.”

“All right.” She set Alexis in the passenger seat and settled herself behind the wheel. Gabe focused on the task at hand; getting the jeep off the path and hidden in the woods.

After twenty minutes of pushing, grumbling, resting and watching their backs, Gabe managed to hide the jeep then use the machete to strategically cut branches and vines to cover it.

Hopefully, the men would be so intent on the path and catching up to their prey that they wouldn’t notice this spot. Sweat trickled down his face to drip off his chin. Gabe used the hem of his shirt to wipe his forehead then walked over to the tree root Cassidy was using as a seat. Alexis gnawed on a banana and sipped water from one of their sparse bottles. Cassidy offered him one and he took it.

“We’ve got to get going.” He swigged the last of the water and put the empty container in his pack. He reached out to pick up the little girl, who frowned but thankfully didn’t cry, just rubbed her eyes, gave a huge jaw-popping yawn and lay her head on his shoulder to snuggle down for a nap. Gabe’s heart clenched. He had to get her and Cassidy to safety.

They continued the trek in silence, slowly eating up the distance. No jeep passed them on the road and no one jumped from the undergrowth to open fire. Two hours passed without incident. Gabe was worried about the lack of activity. Where were they?

Gradually, the dense trees began to spread out little by little and then a clearing opened up to reveal a village, populated with huts similar to the ones in the rebel camp.

Gabe felt eyes watching him and steeled himself for an ambush. “Here, hold Alexis.”

Cassidy took the still-sleeping child and Gabe shifted the machete for easier access and then felt for his gun in the belt at his back. “They know we’re here. I just hope they ask questions before they start shooting or tossing spears.” Rushing water gurgled from the river to his left; a dog barked and the squeal of a pig came from one of the huts. “All right. Follow my lead.”

Hands in plain sight to present a nonthreatening appearance, Gabe stepped into the clearing. Their arrival stirred the interest of several children who eyed them curiously then scattered in various directions.

A dark-skinned man, lean and strong-looking, emerged from the hut at the far end of the village. Gabe felt Cassidy start at the sight of the spear in the native’s left hand. He placed a firm hand on the small of her back to propel her forward.

Silent dark eyes watched their approach. The native eyed the child in Cassidy’s arms then held up his spear. Gabe immediately stopped. Cassidy followed suit.

“Why do you enter our village?”

Gabe blinked at the perfect English and responded in kind. “We need to find the missionaries Jorge and Selena Manuez.”

The dark eyes never changed, but the spear shifted higher. “And your purpose with them is?”

Before Gabe could answer, Cassidy offered, “This is Gabriel, I’m Cassidy and this is Alexis. The Manuezes were friends of Alexis’s parents.”

“Alexis?”

The woman’s breathy question turned all four heads in her direction.

Cassidy stared at the pretty, heavyset woman bearing down on them. She huddled Alexis closer and readied herself to run.

“Is that Alexis?” Panting gasps escaped as she held out dark brown arms in the child’s direction. Full brown lips pulled into a beaming smile.

Alexis, awake and frowning at the woman, wrapped her arms around Cassidy’s neck, shook her head and said, “No, stay, my Cass-ty.”

Immediately the arms dropped, but the smile remained and the woman’s dark eyes locked with Cassidy’s. “Cassidy? Kara and Jacob’s friend.”

Cassidy knew immediately who this was. “Selena.”

The chubby sun-browned round face creased into a smile, showing every wrinkle this kind woman had earned over her lifetime, which Cassidy judged to be around sixty years.

Selena turned toward the native who had originally greeted them when they entered the village and shooed him gently away. Cassidy thought she saw humor in the old eyes before he turned to leave, but couldn’t be sure. She turned back to the smiling woman.

“Selena, I’m so glad to meet you. This is Gabe and yes, this is Alexis.”

The smile disappeared and tears pooled for a moment before Selena blinked them away. “Kara, oh, I do miss her. Well,” she sniffed, “come, come. Our hut is this way. I saw the little blond girl and knew who this must be.”

Cassidy hefted Alexis higher and wearily offered Gabe a smile. “Well, we made it.”

He brushed the hair from her eyes. “Yeah, now we’ve got to make that plane.”

Cassidy nodded and started after the bustling woman, whose bright red, brown and yellow muumuu swayed with her every step. “I can’t wait to get home and get everything finalized. And I’m dying to brush my teeth.”

She stepped into the darkness of the hut and noticed it was much nicer than the one she’d been held captive in. This one actually had a small bathroom attached. A curtain down the middle separated the sleeping quarters from the living.

Selena waved them in. “Jorge, we have company.”

Jorge emerged from behind the curtain, a short stocky man whose smile matched his wife’s. Dark brown eyes twinkled with curiosity. Selena said, “Jorge, meet Kara and Jacob’s friend, Cassidy. You remember we witnessed the new will they made out naming Cassidy as guardian if something happened to them? And this is Gabe.”

The men shook hands and Jorge offered Alexis a smile.

“Good to meet you,” Gabe offered. “Unfortunately, we probably bring trouble with us. We just need a jeep or some kind of transportation then we’ll be out of here. Or your lives may be in danger for helping us.”

Jorge frowned. “Oh? Well, danger’s never stopped us before.”

Selena stepped forward and told Cassidy, “Feel free to use the bathroom. There are washcloths and extra toothbrushes on the shelf behind the sink. There is plenty of soap and water, so you can wash your hair if you like.”

Cassidy smiled at Selena and said, “Thank you.” She looked at Gabe. “What do you think? Do we have time?”

He shook his head. “Just for the basics. No time to linger.”

Jorge spoke up. “Selena, pack some food for our friends and I will see if I can find a jeep. They must get going.”

Selena headed for the kitchen. While she loaded down a small sack, Cassidy asked, “Do you know where I can find some diapers?”

Selena laughed. “We have many children in the village, I will find some for you.” She handed Cassidy the packed food and hurried out the door, promising to be right back.

Jorge came back as Selena left. “No jeep. We have one in the village and it’s not working.” He stepped into the kitchen and said, “Sit for a moment. Eat something while you can. Let’s think.” He placed fruit and bread on the small table and after everyone was seated said a short blessing.

“Our Father in heaven, we ask Your blessing on this food and these young ones on the run for their lives. Place Your protection around them. Confuse their enemies. Give our new friends safe passage home. In Your precious son’s name, Amen.”

“Amen,” Cassidy whispered.

Gabe shifted on his seat, the beautiful simplicity of the prayer grabbing his heart. Was God listening? He shrugged off the thought, promising himself that he would deal with it later. Gabe held on to the soggy child while Cassidy finished her food, every once in a while feeding a bite to Alexis, who gobbled it down with delight.

He couldn’t help stealing a glance at Cassidy every now and then. He realized he admired her. Her maternal feelings for the child were clearly displayed on her face, in her actions, and his chest ached at the thought of someone doing her harm. “You may have your hands full trying to feed this one. She’s got a healthy appetite,” Gabe teased.

Cassidy’s green gaze rose to lock with his and he had to work to ignore the false feeling of family. The door to the hut banged open and Gabe jumped, his hand reaching automatically for the weapon at his back, his other arm curved around the child. Selena hurried in and shut the door. She held pins and burp cloths that would function as diapers for Alexis. Cassidy took the items, but Gabe saw the worry stamped on the missionary’s leathery features. He asked, “What’s wrong?”

“There are men on the way. They are powerful men with many guns. Our village does not have a way to defend itself against such machines. You must hide. Jorge, show them where they must go—and tell them about the motorcycle.”

Jorge jumped up and ordered, “Selena, get rid of the dishes.” Then to the others, “You three follow me.”

Selena hurried to comply while the others followed Jorge behind the room’s dividing curtain. The old man’s knees popped as he knelt and reached under the bed and pulled out a box, then two more. Finally, he pulled out a piece of wood that was square and about three feet by three feet. It matched the floor’s grooves and lines perfectly.

Jorge grunted and hurried to explain. “Due to all the violence in this area, Selena and I knew we may need a way out. It’s a tunnel about fifteen feet deep, but once you get down there, it is only about four feet tall. You will have to crouch. It is approximately one mile long. It will lead you to the river. Once there, you will have to climb up some log steps and push hard on the piece of wood covering the exit. It will be difficult because of the growth, but if you push hard enough, it will move. Look for a motorcycle. It’s hidden near the exit.”

Gabe sucked in a breath. Fifteen feet deep. Great. He kept his thoughts to himself and said, “Don’t fight them. Tell them what they want to know. They’ll kill you if you don’t.”

“The Lord will be with us.”

Gabe narrowed his eyes and secretly thought that Kara and Jacob probably thought the same thing. Then he turned his gaze on Cassidy. She stood trembling but holding it together.

A gunshot echoed from somewhere outside the small hut. Jorge paled and Cassidy jumped. Jorge pushed them toward the floor. “Hurry, go, go. I must cover the hole back up.”

Gabe took Alexis from Cassidy’s arms and motioned for her to crawl under the bed and down into the hole. She hesitated, terror written all over her.

Men yelling. Gunshots. The explosion. Then the gun in his ear.
Gabe blinked against the harsh flashes and shoved the memories aside. He couldn’t fail again.

Cassidy finally scrambled under the bed and then Gabe heard her call in a shaky voice, “Okay, send Alexis down.”

Gabe quickly passed the child down to Cassidy.

Cassidy held her breath and caught Alexis as Gabe eased her down into the darkness. Gabe’s pack and the bag containing the food landed on the mud floor near her feet. She stepped back, hugging the little girl close as she waited for Gabe to follow.

Coarse shouts and loud banging sounded from somewhere above.
“Abra a porta!”

The rapid-fire Portuguese sizzled Cassidy’s nerves. Open the door, he’d shouted. Rafael. She’d know that guttural, harsh voice anywhere. She swallowed back the nausea. Now wasn’t the time for panic.

Gabe dropped beside her and grabbed up his pack to slide it over his shoulder. Wood scraped against wood as Jorge slid the door back into place, darkness enveloping Cassidy so quickly she gasped.

Thuds and stomps above told Cassidy that the men were searching. Had Jorge been able to move fast enough to slide the boxes back under the bed?