Love Inspired Suspense September 2015 #2 (34 page)

“Yes, actually. Much better. Though I need to check on Ana—”

“She's fine.” Grant put up a hand to stop her. “She went for a walk along the beach with Antonio. She's feeling better.”

“The manager sent someone to the pharmacy to get me what I needed for her. I'll need to watch her, because it's normal for the symptoms to come and go in cycles, but she should be on the mend.”

Both were silent as they watched the dazzling African sun drop into the horizon. The oranges and yellows exploded across the water as the ball of fire made its final descent. Tomorrow they would fly out of here, and in another couple days, as soon as they could get Sam's information into the right hands, she'd be able to go home. Maybe she would actually make it home in time for Christmas.

The wind caught the edge of her mom's letter and blew it across the veranda. Maddie hurried to pick it up before it flew away and frowned. Because while she might make it home for Christmas, right now she knew her family was struggling with not knowing what was going on.

“What's that?” he asked.

She held up the pink stationery with her mother's monogram at the top. “It's the letter you brought me from my mom. They have no idea what's going on. They don't know if I'm dead or alive. And I have to admit, I'm struggling not to simply head back into that hotel lobby and call them.”

He waited until she sat back down and then took her hands. “I know it's hard, but you just need to wait a little bit longer. We have to make sure Reid can't find us until we can turn over the evidence we have to the proper authorities. When I can ensure your safety, then we'll call. But this isn't the place.”

She knew he was right. Reid had resources, and it was still possible he could track them down here. All they had to do was make it till morning, and they'd finally be out of his reach.

FOURTEEN

M
addie took a bite of the omelet on her breakfast plate the next morning and let out a contented sigh. The storm clouds from yesterday had completely vanished during the night, leaving behind a bright blue sky with only wisps of white clouds hugging the horizon of the sparkling Atlantic. The hot shower and a full night's sleep in a proper bed had done wonders to her frame of mind. Which was why much of the fear that had so tightly encased her over the past few days had slowly started to fade.

But not completely.

Reid had visited her in her dreams. He'd taunted her as she struggled to swim to shore. Large waves had slammed into her as she'd fought the swirling dark waters in order to stay alive.

She couldn't forget he was still out there. Not yet.

“Could you imagine yourself here forty-eight hours ago?” Grant asked.

“No.” She forced her mind away from the lingering hold of her nightmares. “It feels like paradise. Especially after all that's happened.”

She'd thought she was going to die. And while she knew it wasn't over yet, in a couple hours Colton would deliver them to a safe house and they'd hopefully have the answers they were looking for.

And even more importantly, she would finally be safe.

She took another bit of her omelet. “Not only is the setting perfect, but I don't believe I've ever eaten a meal that tasted as good as this one.”

Grant shot her a smile. “You said that last night at dinner.”

“Well, it's true.” She laughed and took a sip of her juice. “It's been days since I sat down and ate a decent meal without worrying if it was going to be my last.”

The large terrace off the hotel lobby was filled with tables where they sat overlooking the gardens with their stunning pink and orange flowers and a swimming pool. Beyond the pool lay a stretch of white sand and then the sea, which had finally calmed.

Perfect meal.

Perfect view.

She stole a look at Grant. And perfect company.

“You're sure Colton's coming?” she asked. Now was not the time to reassess her feelings toward Grant.

“Yes.”

“And Reid has no way to connect the two of you?”

“None.” Grant reached out and clasped her hand. “Which is why this is all going to be over soon. I promise.”

Antonio stepped out of the lobby and headed toward them across the veranda. The moment he caught her gaze she knew something was wrong.

“Antonio?” Maddie felt the panic returning. “What's wrong?”

“We need to settle our bill and get out of here.”

“What's wrong?” Maddie dropped her fork onto her plate.

“There's a television in the hotel lobby,” Antonio said. “Our faces have been plastered all over the national news, thanks to yesterday's boat incident.”

“What?” Grant stood up. “How?”

“Alistair,” Maddie said. A sick feeling flooded through her. “He was taking photos all afternoon.”

“And your face is the one they're running the most,” Antonio said. “Doctor treats patients as ferry sinks.”

“Where is he now?” Grant asked.

“He returned on the other boat last night,” Antonio said, “so sometime between his arrival and now, the story was picked up by the local news channel.”

“That means if Reid didn't know where we were, he does now.” Grant set a couple bills on the table and signaled to their waiter to let him know they were leaving. “You're right. We need to go.”

Maddie looked to Grant, wondering if there was going to be anywhere that she was going to feel safe. “Where?”

“They'll probably search the local hotels first,” Antonio said, “Which won't take long. When is your pilot friend supposed to be here?”

Grant glanced at his watch. “About an hour and a half. He wanted to avoid flying in the dark.”

“Then we need to be at the airstrip waiting for him,” Antonio said.

“What if they're watching the airstrip?” Maddie asked.

“We'll have to be careful, but I think it's a chance we have to take. We need to get off this island. Where's Ana?”

“She went to play with the manager's daughter,” Maddie said, standing up.

“Maddie, go grab your and Ana's things,” Grant said. “Antonio, if you'll find us a taxi, I'll get Ana.”

Movement caught her eye along the shoreline. Maddie froze, but it was nothing more than a pair of flamingos feeding on shrimp. Still, she hadn't missed the fear in Antonio's eyes. She'd been foolish to imagine somehow that they wouldn't be able to find them here. That they'd outsmarted Reid and whoever was working with him.

Because despite her bad dreams, she'd allowed herself to believe there was going to be a happy ending to all of this. Reid would go to prison. Ana would find her grandmother. Grant would get her home by Christmas and the two of them... She pushed back the thought. She couldn't be certain about anything now.

“Maddie?”

She looked up at Grant as Antonio left for the lobby. “If Reid finds us—”

“He's not going to find us.”

“You don't know that. Just like before, you can't promise me we're going to get out of this alive.”

He grabbed her shoulders gently. “Colton is coming to pick us up. He's got a safe place arranged for us to go to as soon as we land on the mainland. And then we're going to figure out who to go to with the information Sam gave you.”

She looked up at him, her eyes wide with question. “What if this corruption runs deeper than simply Reid? We don't know if he's the only one involved in this or if there are others. Sam could have been looking for that information as well.”

“I don't have all the answers, Maddie.”

“I know. I just feel so...helpless to fix this.”

“We both do.” He pressed his lips across her forehead, lingering for a few seconds. “Go get your stuff. I'll meet you at your room with Ana.”

Inside the room there was little to pack. The few things she'd washed in the sink the night before were already dry. She shoved them into her backpack, took one last look at the empty room and hurried out the door. Grant was arriving with Ana, who was wearing the indigo dress they'd bought her yesterday from the local market. Maddie gave Ana a reassuring smile and nodded at Grant. They could do this. Reid was just one man. There was no way he could get to them this fast. All they had to do was walk through the lobby, out the front door and into the taxi waiting for them.

They headed through the hotel. Past the reception and the TV playing in the background next to a cluster of chairs. Maddie took in a slow breath. Last night before falling asleep, she'd pulled out the Bible her mother had sent her and read about when Elisha and his servant were being chased by the enemy and their city surrounded by horses and chariots. Elisha had told his servant not to be afraid, because God's army was on their side.

There are more on our side than on theirs.

Two uniformed officers walked into the lobby.

One of them stepped forward, his hands behind his back. “Maddie Gilbert and Grant Reese?”

Maddie felt her stomach cinch. Heart pound.

Don't be afraid. There are more on our side than on theirs...

Grant stepped in front of Maddie and Ana. “Can I help you?”

“My name is Eduardo Sambe. I'm with the local police. And while I'm sorry to interrupt your holiday, I need you to come with me.”

“Is there a problem?” Grant asked. “We just checked out and were planning on leaving.”

“This is a private matter, and I'd prefer not to discuss this here in the middle of the hotel lobby.”

“Like I said, we have a car waiting for us. Perhaps another time.”

Grant started to step around them, but the man held up his hand.

“Apparently you don't understand. This isn't an invitation to a garden party. This is a police matter. We have a problem.”

“What kind of problem?”

“Evidence that you and your friends are involved in trafficking drugs in our country, for starters.”

“Trafficking drugs?” The room spun around her. Surely she hadn't heard him correctly. “You can't be serious. What kind of evidence do you have?”

“I am not at liberty to discuss those things. Authorities from the mainland will be arriving on the island shortly. You may discuss any concerns you have with them.”

Grant held up his hand in protest. “I'm sorry, but this is a mistake. Maddie Gilbert's story has been all over the international news. She was abducted from your capital and taken to a rebel camp on a nearby island to treat a cholera epidemic. My friend and I came to take her home. She's not involved in trafficking drugs. On the contrary, she's spent the last nine months working in your hospitals.”

“I already know who you are, but your guilt or innocence is not for me to decide. I am simply following orders and my orders are to bring you in.”

Maddie looked outside where a third officer had stopped Antonio. There had to be someone they could call. Someone who wasn't connected with Reid and who could put a stop to this.

“We need to make a call to our embassy,” Maddie said.

“That has already been arranged. A delegate from your embassy in Dakar is on his way here right now. In the meantime, I've been given strict orders to take all of you into custody.”

Grant glanced at Maddie before turning back to the officer. “What's the name of the official who's on his way?”

“He's with the US State Department. His name is Reid Johnson.”

FIFTEEN

M
addie paced the floor of small office in the back of the local police station that held nothing more than a couple chairs, a desk and an out-of-date calendar on the wall. It was one thing to face being arrested in a foreign country for a crime you'd committed. It was another thing altogether to realize you were facing an arrest because you were being set up. She knew enough to realize that once you left the United States, the laws and penalties of your new host country applied to you. Meaning you left behind any support system, emergency and medical services. The only good thing that had happened today was that they'd allowed Ana to stay at the hotel with the manager and her daughter, which meant she should be safe. For now.

Her gaze rested on a water stain on the wall. What were they supposed to do when the person setting them up was supposed to be the person on their side?

“You're going to wear a hole in the tiles.” Grant stopped in front of her and squeezed her hands. “Maddie, look at me. We'll figure a way out of this, just like we have the past few days.”

“That officer accused me—us—of trafficking drugs. This isn't some out-of-towner getting a speeding ticket. We could end up in prison, Grant.”

“No,” Grant said. “That's not going to happen. He has no proof.”

“And you think that's going to stop him?” She sounded hysterical. She could hear it in her own voice. But she didn't care. “You've seen what he's willing to do. Anything it takes to ensure he stays in the clear.”

“True, but I also think Reid is terrified he's about to get caught and is planning to cut his losses,” Grant added.

“And we're in the way,” Antonio said.

Grant pulled her close and started praying out loud. For courage, for wisdom and for deliverance. Maddie wished Grant would never let go. She wanted to feel safe again.

When he was done with his prayer, he tilted up her chin so she had to look at him. “Listen to me, Maddie. Reid doesn't have anything on any of us.
And
he has no proof you know anything, either.”

“Does that even matter at this point?”

While Reid might not have real proof, evidence could be planted. Grant and Antonio used as leverage...

“What do you think he's going to do?” she asked.

“He'll probably try to scare you. He wants information. He wants to know what Sam said to you, and who gave Sam that information. Don't admit anything.” He brushed back her hair behind her shoulders. “And give me the flash drive.”

She wrapped her fingers around the locket. “You don't think it's safe here?”

“Reid's smart. You can't let him find it on your person.”

“But we can't lose it. It's the only proof we have.”

“Don't worry. I'll find a safe place for it.”

Five minutes later, Eduardo came for her, insisting she come alone. Maddie followed him down a narrow hall and, as ordered, stepped into another dingy room that held nothing more than a huge wooden desk, a couple chairs, a file cabinet...and Reid Johnson standing in the center of the room.

For a brief moment reality flooded through her. Reid had really found them. And now what made her chest constrict was the knowledge that he planned to do everything in his power to ensure no one found out his secret. Even if that meant using her as an expendable pawn in his game.

Don't be afraid...

She started praying, wishing she could get rid of the sick feeling niggling in her gut. Wishing she could wake up from the nightmare that had become far too real.

Maddie took in a deep breath. Reid was dressed in khaki pants and a white button-down shirt. Late forties, a few gray hairs along his temple...he was the kind of man who would step into a political dinner with a suit and tie and Colgate smile. And was clearly the kind of man who knew how to play just as dirty. And he was accusing
her
of being involved in drug trafficking?

“Dr. Gilbert. We finally meet in person.” Reid Johnson smiled at her as if they were meeting for drinks, not an interrogation at some forgotten third-world police station. “Have a seat, won't you?”

Maddie hesitated but then sat in the empty wooden chair, legs crossed. Arms crossed. “I'd like some answers as to what is going on. The local police are accusing me of being involved in drug trafficking.”

He leaned against the edge of the desk. “Are you?”

“Involved in drug trafficking? Are you crazy? Of course not.”

“Then I'm sorry you got the wrong impression. No one is accusing you of anything.”

He was playing her. She might not be able to see it in his eyes, but she knew this was a game to him.

“Then why are you here?” she asked.

“When an American citizen is abducted abroad, the world watches. When I saw your photo on the news, I thought it prudent to fly here myself and debrief you personally. So please know that I'm here to help.”

She dropped her hands into her lap, wanting to believe him. Maybe Sam had made a mistake. Maybe his intel had been off. Surely Reid's position in the government was too high-profile for him to take the kind of risks Sam had accused him of.

“From what I understand,” Reid continued, “you were kidnapped and taken to one of the local islands to try to stop a cholera outbreak.”

“Yes.”

“And that a former marine, along with another man from here, managed to help you escape.”

She nodded.

“You're lucky. Columbian and Mexican cartels work closely with local criminal gangs. The men who took you are dangerous. I'm sure your family will be relieved to know you're okay.”

Maddie didn't respond, uncertain if he was being sincere, or if his words were laced with a subtle threat. Surely he couldn't touch her family.

“Before I arrange for transportation for you and your friends back to the mainland,” he continued, “there is another problem that has been brought to my attention involving a journalist by the name of Sam Parker. I understand you treated him the night he was shot.”

Sam Parker.

Maddie clenched her fists. Of course Sam was why Reid was here. Not some heroic attempts to debrief and rescue her. Reid knew about Sam. Knew Sam had talked to her. She'd been right all along. Reid was simply playing games.

“I didn't know Sam. He was simply brought in with a gunshot wound, and I treated him. Unfortunately, I couldn't save him. He died in my care from massive internal bleeding.”

Reid picked up a pencil off the desk and started tapping it beside him. “Was he ever lucid long enough to hold a conversation?”

“He was in and out of consciousness the entire time.”

“I need to know what Sam Parker told you before he died.” He kept tapping. Slowly. Precise. Rhythmic. “The quicker I can get the answers I'm looking for, the quicker we can all go home. So please, start from the beginning and tell me about your contact with him. Anything he might have said to you.”

Maddie held his gaze. This was Reid's game. Authoritative yet charming. In control. But she wasn't going to play along. And he wasn't going to win.

“Sam was shot outside his hotel just over a week ago,” she began.

“The Hotel Decembre.”

Maddie nodded. “A witness to the shooting brought him in. I was his primary physician and treated him for a gunshot wound to the chest. He died in my care five hours later.”

“I understand you'd been working up north in one of the more rural hospitals. In one of the woman's maternity wards, which is more your specialty.”

“I was. But we routinely shift hospitals depending on the need. I was spending two weeks in Bissau, doing some extra teaching rounds.”

“Back to that night. Did Sam say anything to you that night?”

“He was in a lot of pain. I was working to save his life. So like I said, there wasn't exactly a lot of time for conversation.”

“But he did talk to you, didn't he?”

“Why all the questions about Mr. Parker?”

“Before he died, he was being investigated for his involvement in this country's drug trafficking.”

Maddie fought to keep her voice level. Calm. “I heard he was a journalist.”

“He was. On paper, anyway. Do you know how much money is involved in trafficking? It's a pretty lucrative business.”

“I wouldn't know.”

“Are you sure, Doctor?”

“Of course I'm sure.”

“Because when I investigated Mr. Parker's involvement in the drug trade, your name came up as well.”

Maddie swallowed hard. The fear was back again. But that was what he wanted. “Your source is wrong.”

He smiled. “My source says that you frequently offered individuals jobs as drug mules in exchange for family members to receive the treatment they needed. What is a family supposed to do when a child needs a shunt put in...or a burn victim needs treatment...or a preemie needs special care?”

Maddie stood up, her fear quickly morphing into anger. “You've got to be kidding me.”

“Sit down, please.” Any trace of a smile was gone. “At least fifty tons of cocaine go through this area every year. That is around two billion dollars shipped by drug mules on commercial flights.”

“You can't seriously think I'm involved.”

“They are always looking for easy targets. Women who are not only inexperienced but financially vulnerable, who need money to support their families and who will agree to act as mules. You have access to families in need of medical care—”

“I'm a doctor here on humanitarian mission, working in the local hospitals. I would never withhold treatment to coerce someone to work as a mule.”

Maddie stopped and sat back down. Fighting wasn't going to work. It was all a lie and he knew it. Grant had been right. He wanted to scare her.

“Granted, you don't fit the typical stereotype. But you're also the kind of person no one would suspect.”

“Like I said, your source is wrong.” Maddie rubbed the back of her neck with her fingertips, wondering what kind of nightmare she'd just stepped into. She knew on one level that what Reid said was accurate. She'd read about what was going on. There were people who made the risky trip to Europe for the money it brought them. A dangerous albeit tempting way out of poverty. They either swallowed cocaine packets or hid them in their luggage, all for a few hundred dollars paid out with a successful handover.

“Let's stop playing games, shall we?” He was tapping again. “I know Sam talked to you. I want whatever information he gave you, along with his source.”

“The man was dying, which is why I'm pretty sure he wasn't thinking about his job.” Maddie kept her voice steady. “He never gave me any information.”

Reid snapped the pencil in two. “Maybe I'm not communicating this to you well enough. Do you know the punishment for trafficking drugs?”

“You're threatening me?”

“It's just a simple question.”

“I have no idea.”

“In Europe the average is five to twenty years. There are also some countries that allow for the death penalty for drug importation. It depends on what you're carrying, or if you're a courier or have a leading role.”

“Then why would I take such a foolish risk?” she asked.

“Don't sound so noble. Money can buy anything.”

“Including your loyalty and integrity? Not everyone. Not me.”

“Everyone has a price, Doctor.” He dropped the broken pencil onto the desk. “You're saying you've never been tempted.”

“Tempted? Yes. To betray everything I believe in for a handful of drug money? Never.”

He grabbed her backpack, unzipped it and dumped the contents across the table.

“What are you doing? These are my medical supplies and—”

“Where is it?”

“What?”

“Sam had a flash drive. I need that flash drive.”

Maddie could feel her heart pounding in her throat.

I don't know what to do, God... This man will do anything to cover his tracks...

“I've already told you. I was Sam's doctor. That was all. You can look in that bag, and I promise you won't find anything other than medical supplies.”

He rummaged through the contents, then dumped out a bottle of pills and threw the container across the room. “And I told you to stop playing games. Tell me where Sam got his information.”

“I don't know.”

“Really? Because I spoke to a man early this morning. His name's Alistair Hunter. Does that ring a bell?” Reid didn't wait for her to respond. “He knew nothing about your abduction story, but he was thrilled that his photos had helped locate you. And he told me something else. He said you borrowed his computer because you needed to read a flash drive.”

Maddie felt her heart plummet. There was no use pretending.

“Maybe Sam didn't tell you the source of his information, but I know he gave you that flash drive, and that you know what's on it. Which makes you a loose end. So here's what's going to happen. You and your friends need to—how do I say it—disappear.”

“There are others out there looking for us. You can't just make us disappear.”

“That's where you're wrong. You see, there is no law here. Not the way you're used to things working, anyway. Which means you can disappear, and I can blame it on an unfortunate accident. It happens all the time, like the ferry yesterday. This time your plane will go down in the Atlantic, and unfortunately for you, everyone on board will be killed.”

“You can't do that.”

“Why not?” He took a step toward her and paused. “That's a beautiful locket you're wearing. Was it a gift?”

Maddie swallowed hard and managed to keep his gaze. “Yes, actually. It was.”

He yanked it off her neck and popped the locket open. “No photos?”

“No. No photos.” Maddie held her breath.