Dark Moon Crossing Read Online Free PDF Page B

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assistance of the authorities in that area you don’t stand a chance in hell of
ever finding them.”
    She glared at me. “Are you saying I should forget about them?‌”
    “Of course not. We just need to think of a way to approach this that
won’t get you deported.” My gaze strayed to my watch and I flinched in
surprise. Good heavens! Tally and the gang were expecting me at Angelina’s.
How was I going to explain being over an hour late?‌ At that second, my cell
phone bleated a ‘low battery’ warning and handed me the excuse I needed to
explain why I hadn’t called.
    Lupe must have noticed my discomfort because she rose from
her chair and said apologetically, “Thanks for listening. I know there’s
nothing you can do, but just talking about it has helped.”
    It may have helped Lupe, but I doubted I’d be
sleeping tonight. “Look, I don’t want you running around down there asking
questions and drawing attention to yourself. Maybe an immigration lawyer could
tell us what your status is. Let me give it some thought,” I said, picking up
my purse. “Maybe I could make a few calls….” Lupe’s sharp intake of breath
arrested my words. "What?‌”
    Realization gleamed in her smoky eyes. “You’re right,” she said
softly. “I can’t ask the authorities for help…but you can.”
    Speechless, I stared at her for a few seconds. “Me?‌ How?‌”
    “Don’t you see?‌ You’re a reporter! No one is going to think it’s
strange if you are asking the questions.”
    She was absolutely right. No one would think it the least bit odd.
But, as her proposal sunk in, equal parts of consternation and excitement
churned inside me. My reporter’s intuition whispered, ‘Go for it! This might
be a great story,’ while my rational side warned, ‘Reality check, what about
you and Tally?‌’ I shook my head sadly. “Lupe, I can’t. As tempting as it
sounds….”
    “Please,” she choked, collapsing to her knees in front of me. “Come
with me, even if it’s just for a few days. I don’t have anyone else to turn
to.” She buried her head in her hands, sobbing hysterically. “Please help me
find out what happened to them!”
    Pity squeezed my heart. What should I do?‌ How could I just ignore her
anguished plea?‌ I patted her shoulder while thinking that there must be a way
to assist her without jeopardizing my trip with Tally. I did some quick
calculations. We weren’t planning to leave until Tuesday anyway, so…what if I
took the next few days to do a little detective work and got back in time to
leave on schedule?‌ What would be the harm in that?‌ “When were you planning to
leave?‌”
    “Tomorrow morning.”
    “Okay, how does this sound?‌ I’ll go with you and see what I can find
out, but only if you promise to do me a favor in return.”
    Her bloodshot eyes mirrored uncertainty. “What?‌”
    “We’ll take separate cars and you’ll come back to work on Monday
morning, then Tugg won’t be left hanging. I’ll have three full days to snoop
around and still get back in time to leave with Tally on Tuesday. That way,
everybody should be happy. And if I don’t come up with anything substantial, I
give you my word I’ll take the last few days of my vacation when I get back
from California and we’ll make an additional trip. It’s that or nothing.”
    The seconds ticked by as she considered my proposition and finally
nodded her acquiescence. “Okay.”
    I breathed a sigh of relief. Sort of. The plan sounded plausible, but
getting it past Tally presented the next major obstacle, considering that my
obvious subterfuge tonight put me at a distinct disadvantage when it came to
presenting my side of the argument that was sure to arise. Lupe and I talked
for several more minutes and then she accompanied me outside. “I’ll never be
able to thank you enough,” she said with a tremulous smile. “I’m sorry to
cause all this trouble.”
    “No need to apologize.”
    “I feel