Trust Fall by Alex Ander

Author:Alex Ander
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Alex Ander
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Friends

9:09 p.m.

potomac, maryland

His father-in-law on his right—the man a half step behind and clutching two suitcases—Ashford held Cassandra in one arm, as he set his duffel bag on the porch and pushed a button next to the front door.

Cassandra rubbed her eyes with both hands. “Why—” she yawned, “are we here, Ash?”

“We’re here to see a friend of mine.”

“Why?”

“Because.”

“Because why?”

Ashford chortled to himself. Did I ask this many questions when I was six? “Think of it as a...a...as a...”

“Like the time we camped out in the living room.”

Pivoting his upper body, Ashford glimpsed the man behind him before looking at the little girl. “Yeah...like camping out in the living room.” A second passed. “Do you remember Raychel?”

Cassandra yawned again, “I’m tired,” and laid her head on Ashford’s shoulder.

He cupped the back of her head. “Close your eyes, Cass. You’ll be in bed in no time.”

The porch light turned on, and the door half opened. A five-eight woman wearing a Dallas Cowboys’ t-shirt, navy blue shorts, and white ankle socks stood in the archway. Her dark brown hair fell well below her shoulders and matched her brown eyes and year-round tanned skin; all blessings from her mixed-heritage parents, one Mexican and one Caucasian.

“Ash.” The woman ogled her late-night visitors. “What’s...why are...”

“Sorry for the intrusion, Cruz.” Ashford took a step, put his free hand on FBI Special Agent Raychel DelaCruz’s waist, and pecked her cheek. “I was hoping you’d let us crash here for the night.”

Her mouth agape, Cruz gave the threesome another look, “Um...sure...I guess.” A tick later, she backed up, “What am I saying?” and opened the door the rest of the way. “Yes, yes, of course you can. Come in. Come in.”

Ashford and Mahoney entered and set their bags on the floor.

Cruz shut the door and took Cassandra from her former FBI partner. “How about I take Cassie upstairs and put her to bed? She looks beat.”

Ashford nodded. “That would be great. Thanks.”

She headed for the staircase.

“Uh...Cruz?”

She turned around.

“I’ll explain all this when you get back.”

“I know. No worries.” She glimpsed the door. “Where’s Jessica?” Cruz and Devlin had crossed paths a year ago while working separate cases. Those cases had ended up converging on a gang leader trafficking women from other countries. During the last year, the two women had stayed in contact with each other.

“She’s not here.”

Cruz frowned. “Is everything okay between you two?”

Ashford flashed a fading smile. “Yes. We’re good. Like I said...I’ll explain everything.”

After studying him for a moment, she nodded, “Okay,” and carried Cassandra up the stairs, throwing a backward glance his way when she hit the halfway point.

“I heard the doorbell, Cruz.”

All eyes turned toward the loud voice coming from the upstairs walkway.

“Who was at the door?”

Dressed in gray sweatpants and a black t-shirt—both articles of clothing sporting Detroit Lions’ logos—a five-eleven man with short, light brown hair wiped a towel over his face and looked up from the cell phone he was carrying. White wires ran from his ears to the device.

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