Page 35 of Mouse Trapped

There’s a knock, I call out “Enter”, and in steps Rock with Becca. The two seem to have made up whatever their difference was, and now are never far from each other. My eyes fall on their joined hands, jealous, knowing I’d give a lot to be able to hold onto Mariana’s.

I raise my chin at my brother, but my eyes focus on his woman. “Just the person I wanted to see.” I’ve been doing some digging while finding out all I could about her ex-husband. What I found was an interesting anomaly. I give them the details; Rock takes them to Drummer.

When my phone rings, I’m back to worrying about my own problems again.

“Tse. They’re moving Mariana.”

Moving her?My mind leaps to the worst. “Deporting her?”

“No, not yet,” Carissa assures me hurriedly. “Moving her to another facility. This one’s in California.”

“What the hell for?” I ask, while thinking how difficult that’s going to make it to visit her. “Can I see her before she goes?”

“You won’t be able to see her; these things move fast. It could simply be the immigration judge has too heavy a workload in Florence. Might be able to get her higher up the list somewhere else.” Carissa sounds resigned. I don’t know what to think. Again, I realise how out of my comfort zone I am.

“Do you know where, exactly?”

“Not yet. Soon as I know I’ll tell you.”

“Can you see her?”

There’s a sigh. “Look, Tse. There’s no point until we know when her hearing is. I’ve got all the information I need. I’m aware how much this is costing you. I don’t want to run up a high bill if we don’t have to. This could take months; I know some people have waited years before having their day in court.”

She’s right. The money I have is fast dwindling. I don’t want to run out.

“As her lawyer, they’ll tell me, eventually. I know it’s hard, but be patient, Tse. There’s only one way to play this game, and that’s their way.”

That’s the bit I don’t like. Satan’s Devils buck the system; we don’t go along with it. I’m tied up in knots as there’s nothing I can do. I can’t remember ever feeling this helpless. Nothing I research brings me comfort, innocent people get deported every day. I’ve even read cases where bona fide American citizens have been caught up in the system and sent to a country they’ve no connection to, then have to fight for the right to return. What chance has Mariana got? Angrily picking up my joint I light it again, inhaling deeply, blowing out the fragrant smoke into the room. Right now my mind’s like the air surrounding me. I haven’t the foggiest idea what to do.

Deciding to let Carissa work on the legal side, I start researching in another direction, deeper than I’ve done before, working late into the night, trying once again to get background on Mariana’s father. I set up searches and wait for the results, delving into systems I shouldn’t have access to. It’s surprisingly hard to find any information at all.

The next morning, I’m back at it again when I’m interrupted.A bomb on the compound?

I spring into action, helping where I can best. First, I need to check the security tapes to find if anyone got access to thecompound, then when Slick finds a bomb in a car at the auto-shop, I’m looking into the fucker who brought it in.

We know how the explosive was brought onto the compound. But what we can’t do is stop the bomb going off. Now I’ve another brother fighting for his life in the hospital. I haven’t time to give another thought to what might happen when Mariana returns to Colombia. Retribution for whatever fate awaits my brother trumps concerns about Mariana for now. My first task is to discover who planted the bomb.

I do. He’s made it easy for me, it just involves tracing a VIN. Bo Brayden. Stupid asshole, bought the car that he planted the bomb in. We get him easily enough, and dispatch him with as much pain as trying to kill one of our own warrants.

Crisis somewhat dealt with, except that Slick hasn’t woken up, the next morning I’m free to research Mariana’s father all over again, when my phone rings.

“Drew.” I’m pleased to hear from him. “How’s it going?”

“Good. Woo hoo!”

Woo hoo?“Where are you, Drew?” I ask, suspicions running through my head.

“In a jeep, crossing the Rez. Bit bumpy.” Well, that explains the excited shout. With everything going on, the boy deserves to have a diversion. My lips curve as I ask, “You havin’ fun?”

“Yeah. Yesterday your uncle took me hunting. Taught me to use a bow and arrow. Arealbow and arrow.”

Now I’m grinning, knowing exactly which uncle he means. Normally he uses a gun, but he’s an archery ace. “Who you with now, and where are you going?”

“What? I lost you there for a moment.”

“What are you doing today?” I repeat.

“Learning to ride.”

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