Read Silence in the Dark for Free Online Page B

Chihuahua won’t fix.”
    “Bueno.”
    After hanging up, Bailey leaned against the wall. Now for just a moment to collect herself.
    “How did the dress fit the little one?” The clerk’s voice penetrated the door.
    She glanced at the dress still on the hanger. Maria made a face. Bailey stood and grabbed the dress as she opened the door. “I don’t think it’s for her. Is there a place to get a cup of coffee around here?”
    The clerk wore a just-as-I-expected expression. “Down the street. It is on the left.”
    “Thank you.” This time Bailey found a real smile deep inside her. “Thank you. You have been very kind,” she said in Spanish.
    As they exited the store, Maria twisted to look back inside the shop. “That lady is looking at us funny.”
    “I just hope she doesn’t call the police,” Bailey muttered. But it wasn’t only the police she feared. She scanned the street, not sure what she expected to see. She hadn’t seen the men after them, but surely they would look suspicious. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, she led Maria to the small outdoor cafe and chose a table behind a potted plant.
    “What’s that smell?” Maria wrinkled her nose.
    Bailey sniffed the air. An acrid scent burned her nose. Something was on fire, but she couldn’t tell which direction the smell came from. When the waitress came, Bailey ordered herself a coffee and Maria chocolate milk, then asked about the odor.
    The waitress shrugged. “Someone said a business caught on fire.”
    Bailey placed her phone on the table. Why didn’t Miguel call?
    Maria fingered the locket Joel had given her. “Miss Bailey, why don’t we call Mr. Danny?” Her tiny voice cracked. “He would help us, I know he would.”
    She glanced at the small girl. She was right, and Bailey was being silly. Danny would help, and if he knew the cartel had taken Joel, he would be frantic when he couldn’t find them. He’d probably already called the false number she programmed into his phone.
    She hesitated with her finger on the keyboard. Did she really want to hear him say “I told you so”? Yes. She didn’t care what he said. She wanted him to come and get her and take care of everything. Her hand shook as she scrolled to his number and called. It went immediately to voicemail. No! Tears scalded her eyes. “C-call me.”
    Another call beeped in, and she answered. Miguel. He had his cousin on hold. After she told him where she was, he checked with the cousin and told her Clemente would pick her up in ten minutes in a maroon van. She waited until it was almost time, then picked up Maria and carried her on her hip to the sidewalk, watching for Clemente’s van.
    What if Miguel is part of the cartel? Or Clemente? What if they were in cahoots with Father Horatio? She tried to shake the thought off as a lime green Volkswagen Beetle whipped around the corner. It had a taxi symbol on the side.
    On impulse she flagged the car down. “Can you take us to the airport?”
    “Sí.” The wiry Mexican old enough to be Bailey’s father hopped out and opened the back door. His grin widened. “For the beautiful señorita,” he said in broken English. His smile dimmed at Maria’s head drooped on Bailey’s shoulder. “And the little one, she is tired.”
    “Sí. And gracias for taking us.” She put Maria in the backseat and looked for a seat belt. There wasn’t one, so she slid in and cradled Maria in her arms. A photo ID hanging from the mirror identified the driver as Tito Alaniz.
    “What terminal?” he asked over his shoulder as he put the car in gear.
    “US Airways.”
    Maria blinked her eyes open. “My head hurts.”
    Bailey’s heart stilled. She’d left the black bag with Maria’s medicine and prescription at the restaurant. The Depakote was the only thing that would ward off one of Maria’s migraines. She leaned forward in the car. “Can we go to . . .” What was the name of the restaurant? She pressed her hand to her forehead.