could ever meet. For some time now, we’ve been working together, plotting to deport Santiago. But after what happened, we have to be even more careful.” Kevin paused to take a drink of his club soda. The melted ice made it taste more like plain water. Without speaking, Alexandra waited for him to continue. She saw their server, smiled, and shook her head to indicate they were fine.
Kevin continued, “By now, I’m certain you realize Santiago has far-reaching connections in Mexico, and how high up they go, we don’t know. What we do know is that we cannot continue to risk lives by stumbling around in the dark.”
“Doesn’t his visa have to be renewed or something every six months?”
“You would think so, wouldn’t you? Then again, Santiago does have a way of bending the rules. If Mexico doesn’t kick him out, I guess he’s welcome to stay.”
“What if he left Mexico on his own?”
Kevin’s eyes instantly brightened. “If Santiago left Mexico, we would have him. Plain and simple, case closed.”
“Do you think I might be able to help get him to cross the border?”
“Yes, I do. But don’t ask me how, because I have no idea. First, we have to get you ready. With all the recordings we have of Daniela, we need to make you walk, talk, and act just like her.”
“How close would I be getting?”
He heard the fear in her voice. “Truthfully, Alexandra, I don’t know.”
“I see,” she said quietly.
Kevin looked into her concerned eyes. Like Daniela’s, a dark chocolate ring encircled the lighter chocolate color of each iris. Slowly, he reached forward and gently wrapped his thick hand around her delicate wrist. “Alexandra, please don’t worry. If you decide to help us, we’ll take this one step at a time. We will work with you, we will guide you, and we won’t ask you to do anything until you’re absolutely ready.”
Alexandra’s lips parted, but she remained silent. Kevin felt as if he could see the gears revolving within her mind. “I really would like to pray about it,” she said softly.
The line of Kevin’s mouth curved upward. “That is definitely a phrase I never hear in my line of work.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t get me wrong, Alexandra. I find it refreshing.” Kevin lifted his phone from the cocktail table. “I need to make a call anyway. That way I can give you some time.”
“I didn’t mean right here, right now,” Alexandra explained. “I would like to take at least the night.”
“I don’t mean to push you, but it’s vital I have your answer before we part ways. Will you at least give it a try?”
***
Alexandra
Alexandra nodded and kept nodding even after he left. She first pressed her eyelids together tightly and then opened her eyes widely to look out toward the water. After taking several deep breaths, she purposefully focused on the expanse of the ocean and considered the enormity of God’s creation. A slight smile formed when she noticed the lone pelican floating effortlessly in front of the picturesque window. Then, before even a silent prayer formulated in her mind, Alexandra heard a still, small voice speak directly to her soul. While waiting for Kevin to return, she continued to watch the pelican rock back and forth with the rhythm of the swells. She was surprised to feel the same sense of peace.
“Alexandra, I’m so sorry to rush your decision,” Kevin said before taking his seat.
She smiled warmly at him. “No need to apologize. I completely understand.” The clock struck five, almost like a signal, and she spoke quietly, “I don’t know why, and believe me, I am extremely nervous, but I feel God is prompting me to say yes. So my answer is yes. Yes, I will help.”
Kevin heaved a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Alexandra. Thank you very much. Know that I will be with you every step of the way.”
“Now what?” she pressed. “Where do we even begin?”
Kevin’s shoulders immediately relaxed. “We
Kevin continued, “By now, I’m certain you realize Santiago has far-reaching connections in Mexico, and how high up they go, we don’t know. What we do know is that we cannot continue to risk lives by stumbling around in the dark.”
“Doesn’t his visa have to be renewed or something every six months?”
“You would think so, wouldn’t you? Then again, Santiago does have a way of bending the rules. If Mexico doesn’t kick him out, I guess he’s welcome to stay.”
“What if he left Mexico on his own?”
Kevin’s eyes instantly brightened. “If Santiago left Mexico, we would have him. Plain and simple, case closed.”
“Do you think I might be able to help get him to cross the border?”
“Yes, I do. But don’t ask me how, because I have no idea. First, we have to get you ready. With all the recordings we have of Daniela, we need to make you walk, talk, and act just like her.”
“How close would I be getting?”
He heard the fear in her voice. “Truthfully, Alexandra, I don’t know.”
“I see,” she said quietly.
Kevin looked into her concerned eyes. Like Daniela’s, a dark chocolate ring encircled the lighter chocolate color of each iris. Slowly, he reached forward and gently wrapped his thick hand around her delicate wrist. “Alexandra, please don’t worry. If you decide to help us, we’ll take this one step at a time. We will work with you, we will guide you, and we won’t ask you to do anything until you’re absolutely ready.”
Alexandra’s lips parted, but she remained silent. Kevin felt as if he could see the gears revolving within her mind. “I really would like to pray about it,” she said softly.
The line of Kevin’s mouth curved upward. “That is definitely a phrase I never hear in my line of work.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t get me wrong, Alexandra. I find it refreshing.” Kevin lifted his phone from the cocktail table. “I need to make a call anyway. That way I can give you some time.”
“I didn’t mean right here, right now,” Alexandra explained. “I would like to take at least the night.”
“I don’t mean to push you, but it’s vital I have your answer before we part ways. Will you at least give it a try?”
***
Alexandra
Alexandra nodded and kept nodding even after he left. She first pressed her eyelids together tightly and then opened her eyes widely to look out toward the water. After taking several deep breaths, she purposefully focused on the expanse of the ocean and considered the enormity of God’s creation. A slight smile formed when she noticed the lone pelican floating effortlessly in front of the picturesque window. Then, before even a silent prayer formulated in her mind, Alexandra heard a still, small voice speak directly to her soul. While waiting for Kevin to return, she continued to watch the pelican rock back and forth with the rhythm of the swells. She was surprised to feel the same sense of peace.
“Alexandra, I’m so sorry to rush your decision,” Kevin said before taking his seat.
She smiled warmly at him. “No need to apologize. I completely understand.” The clock struck five, almost like a signal, and she spoke quietly, “I don’t know why, and believe me, I am extremely nervous, but I feel God is prompting me to say yes. So my answer is yes. Yes, I will help.”
Kevin heaved a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Alexandra. Thank you very much. Know that I will be with you every step of the way.”
“Now what?” she pressed. “Where do we even begin?”
Kevin’s shoulders immediately relaxed. “We
Similar Books
