Chapter Two
Once back in her car, Ava checked her cell phone and found a text message from Alex assuring her hed find another ride home. She slipped the key in the ignition, but then sat still for a few moments, her fingers clenching and unclenching on the steering wheel.
It was ridiculous to let Samuelson rattle her. She was accustomed to the strong-arm tactics feds used to get what they wanted, but surely his was an empty threat. Her occupation was a daily testament to her patriotism. She didnt have to fly to another country to prove it. Just as she didnt have to constantly strive to negate her radical upbringing. How many times had her ex-husband reminded her of that?
Apparently, not often enough.
Perhaps shed misinterpreted his words. Ava had the thought, tried to believe it. The assignment the man had described didnt seem all that vital to national security. So hed left something out, hardly surprising when dealing with feds.
Which made it impossible to decide whether hed been bluffing about making trouble for her.
She headed out of the lot and turned on the busy Belleview Boulevard. They lived on the outskirts of the city, a fact her son had grown to hate as his social relationships had become the center of his life. But at the time she and Danny had bought the property, it was quite a bit cheaper to live farther out. That was before trendy developments had started popping up all over in what had previously been a spacious, peaceful area.
Things changed. Ava slowed as she came up on a blue-haired woman who could barely see over the top of the steering wheel. Her neighborhood wasnt the only evidence of that. Less than five years after theyd bought the house, she and Danny had separated. Theyd been divorced for nearly three years.
Turning at her corner, she immediately recognized the blue Toyota parked at the curb in front of her house. Her stomach plummeted. It had been a long, stressful day. She and her ex-husband had an amiable relationship, but she wasnt in the mood to deal with him tonight. All she wanted was a hot meal and a cold beer. Maybe sitting down with Alex to catch the Lakers game on ESPN.
All of which would have to wait until Danny was gone.
Pulling to a stop under the carport, she got out of the vehicle, leaving her gear locked in the trunk. Normally shed put her rifle in the gun safe, but that would mean carrying it into the house and Danny had never hidden his disapproval about her participation on Alpha Squad. It had been one of the things that had driven them apart.
Pushing open the front door, she saw her ex-husband and Alex sitting on the couch talking animatedly. If their sudden silence at her appearance wasnt a tip-off that they were up to something, their guilty expressions would have been.
Ava closed the door behind her and raised a quizzical brow. So, what are you two hatching?
Nothing. Her son was a horrible liar. His eyes, as dark as her own, were alight with excitement. His entire body practically quivered with it. Dad called right after your text, and when I told him I needed a ride he said hed pick me up.
Uh-huh. She grabbed him playfully as she walked by the couch, dropping a kiss on his brown mop of hair before he could dodge away. Did you also tell him were going shopping tomorrow and you have to get all your homework done tonight?
Oh man. Alex slumped against the couch. Cant you just go and bring some stuff home for me to look at?
She cocked her head, pretended to consider it. You mean bring home different sizes and fashions for you to try on and then take back whatever you dont want? Sort of like your own personal shopper?
Yeah.
Nope. Ava dropped in a chair and fixed Alex with a steady look. Go on and do your English while I talk to your dad. Ill order something for supper.
His excitement visibly dimmed, Alex got up and slouched out of the room, muttering, Okay, but the next kid I see at the mall that calls you a MILF, Im gonna punch him in the face.
Violence is never the answer, Alex, Danny said reprovingly.
But Ava was less focused on her ex-husbands words than she was on her sons. What is that? MILF? Hes complained about that before. She swung her puzzled gaze to Dannys, but her ex looked just as mystified as she was. Shed have to remember to ask one of the other cops. Danny wasnt exactly up on teenage vernacular.
Thanks for bringing him home.
Her ex-husband took off his rimless glasses and cleaned the lenses on his shirt, his fine white-blond hair falling in his eyes. I wanted to come by and talk to you tonight anyway. It worked out.
Must be big. She waited for him to put his glasses back on, blink at her owlishly. I havent seen Alex that excited since the baseball coach moved him up to play JV last year.
Well. Danny gave her that boyish smile that once would have softened something inside her. It is big. But how big depends on you.
For the second time in an hour Ava found herself wishing for a beer. Danny. Its been a long day. Just spill it, okay?
He fingered his white collar, a nervous habit he had. I just told him about a mission trip I have planned. I booked some flights to Tanzania for this summer for myself and a few other church members. Were going to help build some schools. Train teachers. Ill be gone the entire summer.
Thats longer than usual. She reached for the lever to kick up the footrest on her recliner and smothered a purr of satisfaction when the chair responded. Your church must have really done some major fund-raising for this trip.
His gaze skirted hers. The church remains committed to our missionary work. But with the upcoming renovations to the building plannedwell, money is tight. I funded it myself.
You Ava gaped at him. You dont have any money. The child support he sent her was modest. His salary as assistant pastor in a small church was less than what she made, and cops werent exactly featured on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Where would you get Her stomach plummeted. Oh, Danny. Tell me you didnt.
He folded his hands on his knees and leaned forward, his choirboy face earnest. These people are among the poorest in the world, Ava. They live in mud huts. Some of the children walk ten miles a day to school. Try to put things in perspective. If some personal sacrifice means we can help hundreds of less fortunate
The last thing she needed right now was another lecture on sacrifice. She came upright and out of the chair in one smooth motion, her fists balled at her sides. The sacrifice is hardly personal when its your son paying the price. Did you tell Alex you financed this trip by selling the bonds you were saving for his college costs?
His chin squared. Hed never once raised his voice in all the years shed known him, but she recognized that expression. It meant he wouldnt budge from his position. You still have your savings for him, right? And he doesnt have to go to MIT. Theres a perfectly adequate college right here in Metro City.
Ava closed her eyes, gritting her teeth against the hot words that trembled on her tongue. Hes talked of nothing else for three years. He got a two thousand on the SAT as a freshman, Danny. Hes not going to the local college. Her sons proficiency in academics, especially in math and science, had been noticed early in elementary school. Shed been saving what she could for his future since then. They both had. At least until now.