Chapter Forty-eight
The ambulance came in record time, but it was too late for Manos. Rambo’s powerful hoof had killed him instantly. Doug was another matter. Terribly wounded, but alive, the ambulance attendants were able to treat him as well as Barak, who still lived though was in bad shape. By the time Sam had called for backup at the ranch and everything that could be done was in place, he’d also contacted Maureen, who would be arriving on the next flight.
In the meantime, Sophia, who’d always kept the goal in mind of finding the information Bruner had specifically asked for, searched the desk in Manos’s office. She looked for any information on hostages still in route. She went through the papers strewn on top of his desk and then she flipped though the ones he’d piled in drawers.
Nothing!
Frustrated, knowing she had little time before the locals tied down the scene, she went to the closet where he had shelves full of files and looked into each one trying to find any information.
Again… nothing.
Blasted hell! She wanted the name of that ship and the container number Bruner asked her to find. The one holding the trafficked young people due in any day. If they could intercept the landing and release the new batch of hostages, she’d be able to let go of the horrible visual she’d been living with ever since he’d told her about the container.
She dropped into Manos’s chair, and her troubled gaze drifted to the photograph of his house with the kids in front that sat on the corner of his desk. That’s when she noticed the folded calendar he had next to the frame. Could it be that simple?
Hands shaking, she scooped the item up and saw he’d circled dates and even scrawled messages in the boxes under certain ones that were important. And there it was. He’d marked the next day and the time with the name of the shipping company and there was also a number. Quickly, she took a photo with her phone and sent it to Bruner with a note for him to check into it. With her fingers crossed, she followed Sam’s voice calling from the other room.
Barney had arrived. They quickly organized the children, intending the twins to go with Barney and stay with his family where they would be cared for until their mother arrived.
But Alexandro was another matter altogether. He wanted to remain at the ranch, in his father’s home, and when Barney invited him to get into his vehicle with the others, he put up a huge battle and stomped away, his grief terrible to see.
Sophia went to comfort the boy and decided not to beat around the bush. It needed to be talked out. “Your father’s death was purely an accident, Alex. We couldn’t settle Rambo; you saw how he behaved yesterday.”
“But how did he get loose? Why wasn’t he in the pen? My father wouldn’t have let him run free.”
“He didn’t. I did. The horse was going crazy being penned in the stall. I wanted to let him go so he wouldn’t damage himself.” She didn’t add the truth that her intentions had been to create a distraction. “I didn’t know he would attack and unintentionally kill your father. It was an accident.”
Alexandro must have heard the sincerity in her voice which made him accept the truth. “It was an accident.” He turned to her and revealed the anguish he felt inside. “Last night, my father was angry with me.”
“He was frightened that you could have been injured, and he was right. Rambo might have hurt you too. All I heard was a father’s fear for his son’s safety. A father who loved that son, was proud of him and wanted toprotect him. Hebragged about you during dinner, about how smart you were and such a good rider. Alex, Manos loved you dearly.”
In truth, it had been Sophia who had brought up the children during their meal. The bragging father had termed his remarks in such a way as boasting about his teaching skills, making their accomplishments his rather than the children’s. In her eyes, it made him appear even less of a good father, but she hadn’t pointed it out. Just encouraged him to keep talking.
Alexandro continued, “He was going to keep me with him. He told me.”
“Of course, he wanted to keep you. You made him proud.”
“But now, I can’t stay. I must go back to my mother. She didn’t want him to take me away. They fought. I heard them. But he insisted.”
“We’ll contact her for you. And we’ll make sure that you get home safely. Go with Barney and the others for now.”
“Will I see you again?”
Sophia hugged the hesitant boy to her and nodded, “Of course. I’ll be there soon.”
Once Barney waved goodbye, Sophia met up with Sam who’d finished dealing with the ambulance and the coroner. “What’s happening next, Sam? Did they arrest the Police Commander and the Mayor so they couldn’t warn the others at the house?”
“Yes, thanks to Yanis. He organized the council to approve of an interim person in charge. They’ve restrained both under house arrest for now. But it’s decided we must move in to save the others. Those assholes will be wondering about Doug, and we can’t let them find out what went down here with their boss.” Sam looked into her eyes, his unsure and wary. “I want to be there.”
“Of course.” She had full intentions of coming along and worried that Sam might act like a worried boyfriend rather than a colleague in the field. She should have known better.
“Are you coming?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
On the way, driving like a racecar driver, Sam seemed preoccupied.
“What’s wrong?” Sophia couldn’t stand all the words floating through the air unspoken.