No One to Trust - Iris Johansen [12]
“You’re hundreds of miles from Chavez’s territory here.”
“It didn’t stop Elena from worrying. The boy is her whole life. She wouldn’t take the chance.”
“Why didn’t she leave the country before this?”
“She couldn’t risk earning money at the only profession she had been trained to do, and everything else paid a pittance. She had no money, no papers, and she would have had no way to protect Barry from his father if he’d discovered where he was. She was saving every peso she could get her hands on to get them away from here when Chavez found out about the boy. She had no choice but to move fast when that happened.”
“If she’d broken with her guerrilla group, how did she manage to research Forbes?”
“She’d been hearing about him for years. He’s something of a legend. I had maintained contacts with the group and made some discreet inquiries.”
Galen looked down into the coffee in his cup. “You think he’s Chavez’s son?”
“I know he is. I’m aware of all the circumstances surrounding the boy’s birth.” He smiled. “You’re very suspicious. You don’t believe her.”
“I believe he’s her son. Anyone could see how much she loves the kid. But she could be trying for a free ride and a nice cushion in the U.S. for the boy. Life is rough down here.” His gaze shifted to Dominic’s face. “Or it could still be a trap. Though the scenario is getting fairly complicated. If you’re bogus, then you’re very good.”
Dominic laughed. “I do believe you’re reaching, Galen. Wouldn’t it be a bit hokey to bring a priest into the mix? Besides, anyone can see I’d be terrible at subterfuge. I’m not clever enough.”
“You’re clever enough to be a teacher,” Galen said.
“That’s straightforward and doesn’t involve deception. I promise you won’t catch me setting a candle burning on the windowsill to tell Chavez you’re here.”
Galen smiled. “A candle in the window? You are out of the loop. Maybe you really are legitimate.”
Dominic’s eyes twinkled. “Or maybe I just said that to make you think I am. More coffee?”
“No.” Galen stood up. “I believe I’d better check up on our Elena. She’s been gone too long. Where’s your bathroom?”
Dominic raised his brows. “I assure you that she hasn’t slipped out the back door.”
“But she might have passed out and hit her head. She lost some blood with that wound.”
“Wound?” Dominic’s smile faded. “She didn’t tell me she was hurt.”
“I stitched it up. She’s okay. Where’s the bathroom?”
“Beside Barry’s room. I’ll show—”
“Stay here. I’ll take care of it.” Galen was already halfway down the hall.
She didn’t answer the first knock and he didn’t wait for a second before opening the door.
She was sitting on the commode wearing nothing but jeans, staring down at the bra in her hands. She glared balefully at him. “Get out of here.”
“In a minute.” He took the bra from her and slipped the straps over her arms. “I thought you might be having a problem.”
She went rigid. “I don’t need your help. I can do this.”
“But you might break my stitches.” He fastened the hooks in the back. “I hate my efforts to be wasted.” He took the blue oxford shirt draped over the towel rack, put it on her, and started to button it. “Why didn’t you call Dominic to help you? A little too intimate?”
“Don’t be an ass. He delivered Barry. I didn’t want to worry him. I suppose you told him I was hurt?”
“Guilty.” He fastened the last button. “He’s a nice guy. I hope you’re not leading him for a fall.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. I wouldn’t hurt him.”
“Intentionally. Is he coming with us?”
“Yes. I suppose you object to that too.”
“I didn’t say that.”
She glanced away from him. “You talk as if Forbes has made up his mind. Is he going to take us?”
“He hasn’t said. He probably will. He’s a good guy, an upright, decent family man, and you’ve hit him right on target. Isn’t that why you chose him?”
“I chose him because I hoped I could trust him. You don’t