Page 52 of Vanishing Legacy

“I don’t know, Cash,” Bailey said softly. “Maybe she had no choice but to leave Penny but now she wants her back.”

“Why would she want to come back now after all these years?” Cash asked—of himself, it seemed, more than anyone else. “I can’t even wrap my head around this. I can’t believe that Sonia is still alive. I can’t imagine leaving Penny behind like that, especially with her autism.”

Alana could see the pain and confusion in Cash’s eyes. He was hunched over, elbows on his knees. “I know this is a lot to take in, but maybe she did it for Penny. To keep her safe from the cartel.” She wrapped an arm around Cash’s shoulders. “Maybe Sonia didn’t run off with anyone. She could be in hiding. Afraid of what the cartel will do if they find out she’s alive.”

“Or the FBI is wrong and she really died during the hurricane,” he said.

“It’s just a theory,” Bailey reminded them. “We don’t have any proof that Sonia is alive.”

Alana had to put an end to the suppositions. Nothing mattered until they had facts. “If that’s really Sonia’s car, then we should have answers tomorrow when the divers pull it up.”

Cash nodded. “Until then, I guess if there’s even a chance that Sonia is alive and involved in all of this, I can’t afford to ignore it.”

Alana glanced at Bailey. “What can we do?”

“The FBI is asking Savannah PD to back off Trejo for now, which means I need you to keep Cash and Penny safe while I get my meeting. It’s our only chance to bring down the entire organization and end this. Can you do that? Can you protect them?”

The weight of Bailey’s request settled on Alana’s shoulders. This wasn’t just about protecting one little girl anymore. This was about taking down a criminal enterprise. One with tentacles reaching into every corner of the country. “Of course. My agency and I will do whatever it takes to keep them safe.”

Cash stood and blew out a breath. “I don’t like this. I don’t like any of it.”

“Neither do I, Cash.” Bailey’s voice was gentle. “But this is our only lead right now.”

“And what if Sonia is alive? What if she’s involved in this? What does that mean for Penny?”

Bailey patted Cash’s cheek. “I’m working on it, big brother. Trejo is the key to everything, and we can’t let him get arrested before my meeting.” She grabbed her jacket off the desk. “I’ve got to go. I’ve got a meeting in an hour.”

Cash held Bailey in a tight hug. “Be careful out there. Don’t get yourself killed trying to save the world.”

“I’ll do my best, big brother.” When Cash released her, Bailey hugged Alana. “Take care of my family. We’ll see each other again soon, I hope.”

“Me too,” Alana said.

After Bailey left, Cash leaned back on the desk and shook his head. “After everything we’ve been through, now we’re facing the wrath of the entire Madrina cartel.”

Alana crossed the room and stood close. His hands slipped around her waist. “Glad you hired the Elite Guardians, aren’t you?”

He gave her a lopsided grin that caused her heart to stutter. “For more reasons than one. But unfortunately, I’ve gotta deal with the possibility that my ex-wife is still alive and coming for our daughter.”

FOURTEEN

THURSDAY, 4:06 P.M.

The one-two punch of Monday still had Alana a bit off her game. Actually, it was more like a triple whammy that’d left her mind spinning with a torrent of questions about the case as she waited with Rocco in the doctor’s tiny exam room.

What was Bailey doing at the moment? Had Trejo given her any valuable information? Were they any closer to finding out the truth about Sonia? Whatever was happening, at least there hadn’t been any more attempts to kidnap Penny, but that was due to the fact they were lying low.

“Mom, are you okay?” Rocco’s voice interrupted her thought spiral.

“Yeah, sorry.” She smiled at her son and ruffled his hair. “Just a bit distracted.”

“Can I ask you something about your job?” The white sanitary paper crinkled under his legs.

“Sure, hon.” She braced herself. Rocco never wanted to talk about her work. She’d assumed it was out of sight, out of mind for him.

“Is it wrong if I like going to work with you?”

“Going to work…oh, you mean because you like hanging out with Penny?”

---