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FAMILY REUNION

Chapter Ten

After far too long at the police station in Mexico City, Katheryn and Carlos were finally on their way back to the hotel. There they planned to call Theresa and let her know that they would not be coming back for the night. It was getting late, and the couple needed their rest. Also, it seemed that Carlos' call had paid off. Walker was back in town after having his weekend vacation with Alex interrupted. But he was glad to help and said he would phone his good friend Jesse as soon as possible. If all went according to plan, Jesse would be in contact with them first thing tomorrow morning to initiate the plan.

"I'm so tired," Katheryn managed to speak through a yawn as they waited for the elevator to lift them to their floor. She glanced at her watch. "It's only six o'clock though. I have some snacks in my room. I'll just nibble on them and then go to sleep. What about you?"

Carlos shrugged as the doors slid open. "I guess I'll do the same." He waited politely for Kath to exit before following. Suddenly it occurred to him that they might be in more danger than he had at first anticipated. "Kath," he stopped her short in the hall with a hand on her arm. He hesitated. "Maybe we should stay in one room tonight."

Katheryn thought about his proposal for a moment. "You might be right." But then she cracked a smile. "This isn't just an excuse for you to spend more time alone with me is it?"

Carlos' mouth curved up into a mischievous grin, his eyebrows rising with emphasis that he couldn't hide. But he forced the expression away. "No. I promise you it has nothing to do with that."

"Okay," Kath surrendered and began walking again. "If you say so." But Katheryn knew better. She did realize Carlos was only looking after her. And he was right. They really didn't know what they were getting themselves into here. They assumed the said criminals wouldn't track them down. It was highly unlikely. But since neither of them knew just who all was involved, it was best if they had each other's back for the time being.

"So," Carlos interrupted her thoughts. "Your room or mine?"

"I have snacks."

"Then it's settled then."

"But isn't there a better view of the street from your room?"

"How do you know that? You haven't been in my room."

"Just answer the question."

"Yes," Carlos confessed. "You're right. There's a good view." He stalled. "But you have snacks."

Katheryn let a snort slip away through her laughter as they turned down the hall that led to her room. "Maybe we can stay part of the night in my room and the rest in yours."

"Okay. That's fair I guess."

"But I could just bring my snacks to your room."

Carlos shrugged. "That works too."

Katheryn wanted to kiss him for being so naïve and cute but she held herself in check, reaching to unlock her hotel room and turn on the light. A gasp slipped away as her eyes adjusted in utter shock to see her room in shambles. The lamp was overturned, the bulb shattered into a hundred pieces. The bed covers were disheveled and her suitcase sprawled open as if someone had been desperately searching for something.

A cry locked up tightly in her throat as Kath looked at Carlos. "Who did this?"

"I don't know," Carlos wrapped an arm snuggly around his girl. "But you're definitely staying with me tonight."

Trent paced to the phone in his father's old study and then away again for the tenth time in half an hour as Tandy watched from the mahogany stairs of the Malloy home. She held a doll on her lap, the specimen clearly learning ballet from her master with each twirl of her delicate finger as the little girl in charge watched her older brother secretly from a distance.

Finally, Tandy set her doll down very gingerly on the steps and stood, ambling over to the opening of the study in time to see Trent stroll out without even seeing her there. He was headed for the kitchen through the dining room. And Tandy was on his heels.

"Trent!" she scurried to keep up with him. "Trent!"

Trent finally stopped at the cupboard and got a glass to fill with some water before he turned breathlessly to his little sister. "Yes, Tandy?"

"What's the matter?" she asked, concern in her childish eyes.

"Nothing," Trent forced a smile. "Somebody just promised to call me and hasn't yet."

"You're worried aren't you?"

Trent shook his head. "No, I'm sure there's a good reason they haven't called."

"Why who hasn't called?" Tommy bounded into the room, a cheeriness in his countenance that Trent was by no means prepared for.

"Trent was expecting somebody to call," Tandy explained proudly.

"Oh? Who?" Tommy asked but then raised a hand. "I know. Molly. Right?" He grinned, quite satisfied with himself.

Trent took a sip of water and simply left the room in an aggravated silence. Tommy and Tandy followed close behind to see if Trent would give them any confirmation that Tommy was right. But he never did. He went back into the study and slid the doors shut behind him before Tommy and Tandy reached them.

"Trent! Come on! We're sorry for teasing you!" Tommy pleaded. But no answer came. "Trent?! I'm sure she'll call back soon. Don't worry." He finally heard some movement inside but didn't hear his brother's voice. "Tandy and I'll be upstairs. We're sorry, Trent," he echoed. Waiting another minute longer, Tommy gave up and led Tandy away from the door and to the stairs.

Tandy noticed her doll, and perking up took it quickly and ran back to the study to set it down on the floor. "Trent? I left my doll here for you to keep you company." With that she ran back up the stairs to catch up with Tommy, glancing once over her shoulder to see if the doors would open. But they didn't.

In the study, Trent sat on the couch leaning over with his head in his hands for what felt longer than ten seconds before he reached for the nearby phone again. But he couldn't bring himself to dial her number. Surely he was overreacting. She would call when she could. She probably just got caught up in a little traffic headed home. Or better yet Katheryn probably called her and they were still chatting away about whatever was going on with her and Carlos in Mexico. Trent was tempted to forget it all and head upstairs to sleep. But he couldn't. He finally gave in and dialed her number. It went straight to their answering machine. This meant she was not on the phone and was nowhere near her phone. He then called Bobbie, Josie, and Amy to ask if they had heard from Molly. Nothing.

It had not happened often. But sometimes Trent had a gut feeling he just couldn't shake. Walker was all too familiar with this phenomenon and helped put his mind at ease about it. It was a gift and not something to take lightly. With that said, Trent headed upstairs and set a gentle knock on Tommy's door.

Tommy opened the door eagerly. "Yeah? What's up?"

"Um, I called Molly and Kath's apartment. No one picked up. I'm thinking about going over there and making sure she's okay."

Tommy pushed aside the vain thought that he was right after all. He wasn't going to gloat. After all, Trent was worried sick about Molly. "You want help?"

"No. You stay here with Tandy and Tyler since mom is at the church helping Roscoe and Adam tonight."

"Okay. Look out for yourself."

"I will," Trent threw over his shoulder with a haphazard grin.

"Trent!" Tandy yelled as she slipped by Tommy and met Trent at the top of the stairs. "Take dolly with you! She'll keep you safe."

Trent smiled and stooped down to give his sister a hug. "Thanks. I'm sure I won't need her though. Nothing bad is going to happen."

"Will you take her anyways? Just in case."

"Okay. I will." He kissed her on the forehead and proceeded downstairs, pausing to pick up dolly on the way.

It felt slightly odd riding through Dallas with a doll in the passenger seat of his prized Corvette. But it was worth it to see how much Tandy cared about him. He also resolved to give the little gem to Molly in Tandy's stead to make his sister feel that much more appreciated. But as he turned into the parking lot of Molly and Kath's apartment building, he quickly located the window of their apartment and noticed it was dark. His heart sank. Had she ignored him and simply gone to bed? In some odd way he hoped that was the case and not what he feared the most. Yet he readied himself mentally just in case. The thought that he had let something happen to her filled him with enough courage to face whatever lay ahead.

Once everything was said and done, it wouldn't have mattered to Carlos if it had been Kath's room that had been ransacked or his. The thought that anyone was after them for any reason sent a chill up his spine that he couldn't quite shake. As he stood at the window of his hotel room taking turns watching the sunrise and then Katheryn asleep in his bed, he suddenly felt homesick and wondered if Katheryn was feeling the same way. She was so peaceful now, he noted, observing the way she had the covers all bundled in her hands beneath her chin. Her hair was a bit frizzled out of the braid she had made the night before. But it didn't matter. She was still beautiful…more beautiful than the orange hues that had begun to blanket the street below them.

Taking one last look at Kath, he crossed over to the bed to wake her. He didn't want to but knew they had a long day ahead of them. Walker's friend Jesse would be calling on them sometime before noon. They best be prepared for whatever could happen even before that.

"Hey, there," Carlos whispered as Kath stirred. He wanted to reach out and brush back a lock of her hair but held himself in check. "How did you sleep?"

Katheryn stretched hard and yawned herself awake. "Oh, I slept well. Funny thing. I think your bed is softer than mine was."

Carlos cocked his head back. "Really? I figured it looked like the same bed."

"Then maybe it was the company," Kath winked and scooted out from under the covers to plant her feet on the floor. She rubbed her face in her hands and yawned some more, rubbing a crick out of her neck before she motioned that she would be in the bathroom getting ready.

Carlos had to smile. He knew very well Kath was not a morning person. But she seemed to love the new life of the morning. He had the feeling that if the morning atmosphere could take place sometime after lunch then she'd be ecstatic.

Carlos could still hear the shower going in the adjacent bathroom when the phone rang by his bed. He grabbed the device as quickly as he could get to it. "Hello?"

"This is Jesse Rodriguez," the voice on the other end began. "I believe Ranger Cordell Walker spoke to you about me."

"Yes," Carlos beamed. "Yes, he did. Thank you for calling. We aren't really sure who to trust right now. But I'd trust Walker with my life."

"I would too. He said you are not alone. Is this correct?"

"Yes, my girlfriend Katheryn Beaumont and I are together."

The voice hesitated. "Those drug dealers are no business for a young woman. She should be protected."

"It's okay. Although I completely agree with you she'll tell you she wants to be a part. She's a licensed private investigator and has been trained in karate by Walker's best student and my best friend. You won't find a stronger woman around."

"That's good. I just arrived in Mexico City this morning. I was pulled off a case to handle your problem personally. But I don't want to discuss the details over the phone. I'd like to meet in person in about an hour if you two can manage that."

"Yes," Carlos replied eagerly. "We can do that."

By the time Carlos had confirmed a meeting place, Katheryn had finished her shower, ambling out from the bathroom in a pair of jeans and a paisley red and black blouse. Her hair was still soaking wet and tousled about her shoulders as she ran a towel through it.

"Was that him?" Katheryn questioned to which Carlos nodded and proceeded to explain their plans. Without hesitation she grabbed a hair tie and secured her wet hair in a ponytail and motioned to Carlos that she was ready. Makeup would have to wait, she mentioned fleetingly, tucking a compact and lip balm in her pocket just in case.

KNOCK KNOCK! TAP! TAP!

"Hey! Mister! You all right in there?!"

Trent could feel a sharp throb in his neck as he slowly let his eyes flutter open to find out where that noise was coming from. Instantly, a chill made him shiver and come awake. But he suddenly wasn't warm. He turned to see a lady in her forties with hair disheveled and at least one tooth missing glaring at him through his Corvette's closed and locked window. He noticed her tattered clothes and less than admirable hygiene right away as he opened the door and stepped outside into the morning.

"Yes? Can I help you?" he managed through the grogginess.

"Well, geez, son! I was wondering that about you!" the homeless woman noted with a smile and touch of sarcasm. "I find you here all night in your fancy car just sleeping the night away. Figure you got turned out by a girl or something when I first came by last night. Then I come by this morning and you're still passed out. Thought you might be dead."

Trent couldn't help but smile. "I'm sorry if I worried you. But I'm okay."

"So was I right?" She was still very perky. "Was it a girl?"

Trent hesitated to nod. "Yes. In a way."

"Ha!" she clapped. "I knew it!"

Chuckling, Trent reached for a photo of Molly he had in his shirt pocket and showed it to the lady. "Have you seen her, ma'am?"

"Ma'am," she snorted. "Ain't been called that since I was a teacher many years ago. Just call me Suzy. Everyone else does."

"Sure thing, Suzy," Trent smiled still waiting for an answer about Molly's picture.

"Let's see," Suzy squinted over the photo. "Yep. I saw her, sonny. In fact, she came out of that same apartment you came out of last night not half an hour ago."

"Where did she go?" Trent asked desperately. "Well, son, I hate to break it to you. But she was with another man. A good-looking man too. Not that you're not handsome. You're rather nice. But he was definitely a treat if you know what I mean. A bit old for her though now that I think about it."

Trent surprised himself by grabbing hold of the woman's shoulders. "Please! Tell me where they went."

Suzy was shocked. She fell silent as she noted the anger in Trent's eyes and took a step back. "I—I don't know really. They headed down that back alley behind that dumpster there. That's all I know. I didn't think nothing about it."

Trent let go and rubbed a hand across his face. "I'm sorry, Suzy. I truly am. But it's not what you think. That young woman could be hurt."

"Or just with another fella."

"No," Trent defended sharply. "She's not that kind of girl."

"If you say so."

"I do. And I would appreciate it greatly if you'd agree to come with to the police station."

"Whatever for?!"

"A police sketch of the man you saw. It may help us find Molly."

"Molly," Suzy smiled. "So that's the pretty girl's name."

"So?" Trent urged. "Will you do it?"

Suzy hesitated for a moment, drifting in and out of her thoughts before she finally agreed and let Trent help her into his car. Trent realized this woman might be his only hope of finding Molly alive. He only prayed she was a bit more trustworthy than she seemed.