Page 84 of Jack of Hearts
“Where are you?”
“On the way to Angelina Parker’s house.” Nate and Court both knew it was Impress the Mother Day.
“Jose Alonzo escaped from jail.”
“How the hell did that happen?” He unlocked his door and tossed the flowers onto the passenger seat.
“He pretended to be having a heart attack, and when the night guard went into the cell —alone, I might add—Alonzo kicked him in the balls and managed to get his gun away. He forced the guard to hand over his uniform and then tied him up with strips he’d made from his pillow.”
“So he walked right out?”
“Yep. Wearing the guard’s clothes and packing his gun. They’re a similar height and weight, and he averted his face from the cameras. It was an hour before anyone discovered the switch. I just got the call a minute ago.”
“He’ll go for his sister.”
“That’s what I’m thinking. Where are the ladies right now?”
Alex glanced at his watch. “They should be at Angelina’s. I’m five minutes away.” He started the engine. “SWAT on the way?” He knew Nate would have called in the FBI’s team, not the police department’s.
“The call just went out, so they should be there in thirty minutes or so. Court and I are leaving now.”
“See you there.”
“Dammit, Alex, don’t go in until we get there.”
Alex disconnected. He could only go so fast on the narrow residential streets, but he pulled up in front of Angelina’s house in just under three minutes. The blinds were closed, which he didn’t like. Maybe Angelina preferred her house dark, but most people liked sunshine brightening their rooms.
There was no place in his clothes he could put his gun that wouldn’t be obvious, so he left it in his boot. Fortunately, he’d worn a long-sleeved shirt. He opened the middle console and took out the knife in an arm holster. Unbuttoning his sleeve, he strapped the knife onto his lower arm, and then rebuttoned the cuff. It would be fifteen minutes before his brothers could get here. He wasn’t leaving Madison and her mother alone in that house with Alonzo. The man would be desperate, and who knew what he’d do?
Alex grabbed the flowers as he exited the car. Alonzo didn’t know he was FBI and would have no reason to think Alex was there for any purpose other than to see his girlfriend. He rang the doorbell and waited a full minute before ringing it again. Maybe they weren’t home yet. He pushed the button one last time. When all stayed quiet, he stepped back, catching the sight of a window blind dropping back into place.
Shit. They were in there. He rang the bell again, and finally the door cracked open. Angelina peered out. “I’m sorry, Alex, Madison’s sick and can’t see you today.”
He held up the flowers. “Then it’s a good thing I brought these to cheer her up.” While he talked, he edged his foot in the opening so she couldn’t close the door on him. “I’ll just give her these and then be on my way.” He pushed passed her, made an eye scan of the foyer, and, not seeing anyone else, turned to Angelina. “Where’s my girl?”
“In bed, asleep. You need to leave, Alex.”
There was desperation in her eyes, and he wondered if it was for herself and Madison, or for her brother. Hopefully, the former. “I’ll just put these in water for you. Your kitchen this way?” He headed for the first door he saw.
It led into a family room, which opened up to the kitchen, where Madison sat at a breakfast table, her hands clasped together so tightly as they rested on the table that her knuckles were white.
“Hey, babe. Your mom said you’re sick.” He walked straight to her. “I brought you flowers.” He put his mouth to the side of her head as if to kiss her. “Where is he?” he whispered before stepping back. Her eyes shifted to what he guessed was the pantry. “How about I put these flowers in water for you?”
“I’ll do that,” Angelina said, coming toward him. He wished she had sense enough to run out of the house when given the opportunity, leaving him with only Madison to save.
The door to the pantry was at Madison’s left side, and Alex made an educated guess that her uncle had a gun pointed right at her head. Delaying until his brothers and SWAT showed up wasn’t going to be possible with Angelina trying to get him out of the house. Alonzo would get suspicious if Alex stuck around, so he needed to act.
“You should go, Alex,” Madison said. “I don’t want you catching what I have.”
“I don’t want to get sick either, so as soon as we get these flowers in water, I’ll take off.”
With her eyes, Madison pleaded with Alex to leave. If he got shot again, she would never forgive herself. How her uncle had escaped, she didn’t know, but he was dressed in a police uniform and had a gun, which he’d said would be pointed at her until they got rid of whoever was at the door.
Of course, it had been Alex, and of course, he’d barreled his way in, apparently already knowing that Jose was here. Her uncle was watching everything through the slats of the pantry door. She didn’t doubt he would shoot her or Alex if he felt threatened.
She’d had such a wonderful morning with her mother. They had gone to their favorite restaurant for crepes and coffee, and from there they’d gone to morning mass. Madison knew she didn’t attend church as much as she should, but when she did go, the ritual of the service always comforted her. After church, they’d gone to the cemetery, spending time at her father’s gravesite.
She loved listening to her mother talk to him, especially today when Angelina had told him that although she loved him and missed him, she was starting to live again. Madison knew her dad would approve.
