Lethal Deception by Lynette Eason Page A

Rafael’s sister, Juanita Morales, is also on the police station wall. As a missing person. She disappeared over thirty years ago. They keep her picture there next to Rafael’s in hopes that if someone sees her, it will lead them to Rafael. Although, many people say that she was Rafael’s first victim. That he kidnapped her and sold her and has been in business ever since.”
    Cassidy groaned and dropped her head in her hands. God, let what we’re doing be making a difference. Please get us home safe.
    Francesca threw open the door to the cafeteria, and the sound of laughter and children’s voices greeted them. Approximately seventy children sat around wooden picnic tables finishing up their midday meal. Cassidy ignored the rumble of her stomach as she made her way over to the only towheaded child in the room. Alexis was adorable, dressed in a little red-and-white sleeveless jumper with red tights and white tennis shoes. Cheese, rice and beans covered her rosy-red cheeks.
    Cassidy approached slowly and bent down next to her, hoping that all of her hard work in getting to know Alexis the previous month hadn’t been wasted.
    “Hello, Alexis.”
    The child stopped eating and blue eyes looked up to frown into Cassidy’s. Alexis tilted her head as she studied Cassidy, then she grinned wide and laughed, “My Cass-ty. ”
    Cassidy let out a sigh of relief and leaned over to place a kiss on the head covered with wispy blond curls. “My Lexi.”
    “We’ve got to go. They’re here.”
    Gabe’s tight whisper in her ear brought her joy crashing down. She quickly stood and picked up the child, whispering reassurances in her ear. Alexis didn’t protest.
    Anna appeared next to Gabe. “Come on, you three, no time for goodbyes. There’s a jeep around back in the garage. I don’t know how great it runs, but it should help you put some distance between you and them.”
    Cassidy looked up at Gabe. “Now we can head west.”
     
    Gabe cranked the vehicle and felt responsibility sit heavily on his shoulders. How was he going to get them out of here and safely home? He punched the gas and the jeep lunged from its hiding place in the ramshackle garage. Gabe’s knuckles turned white from his grip on the wheel and Cassidy struggled to hold on to the squirming child and keep the seat belt around both of them.
    “Hang on!” Gabe shouted.
    “Behind us!” she yelled.
    Gabe spared a quick glance in the rearview mirror. Rafael sat on a seat with his head sticking out above the roll bar, balancing a rifle against his shoulder. Gabe spun the wheel to the right and swerved around a fallen tree. The jeep followed.
    Gunshots sounded and Gabe ducked and hollered, “Put Alexis on the floor and cover her with your body. Keep your head down and hold on tight!”
    Cassidy fumbled to obey. Gently but firmly she put the child on the floorboard, then bent over her to keep her own head down and Alexis covered. Cassidy winced as Alexis screamed her fury. Gabe continued to do his best to keep them on the makeshift road, one of the government’s many unfinished projects, and out of range of the bullets. His only hope was to outdistance them. There was no way he could get his gun out, drive and shoot all at the same time.
    “Go faster!” Wind whipped Cassidy’s hair around her pallid face. A bullet cracked the window and Gabe jerked the wheel to the left, then back to the right. Another shot sounded and whizzed past his ear. “I’m going as fast as I can without blowing a tire on this road. Now, pray!”
    “I am. Give me the gun,” she hollered back.
    “No way.” Gabe whipped the wheel to the left and missed a hole the size of a crater, but hit a large tree stump. The jeep went airborne for a few brief seconds, then smashed back to the ground with a bone-jarring thud. Cassidy let out a squeal and Alexis yelled even louder. But at least the jeep kept going.
    “Gabriel Sinclair, give me the gun!” Cassidy demanded over the whipping wind and