Moon Over Water

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They answered, and he turned back to Lorraine. “They’re holding him at the police station. They won’t tell me why.”

“Oh, no.” She covered her mouth with her hand. “Something’s wrong. We’ve got to help him.”

Thomas had been in Mexico long enough to know how difficult situations with the police could get. If for no other reason than Raine’s endorsement of her new friend, he felt obliged to do what he could to help the guy.

“They want you to go to the station with them,” Thomas explained next.

“Me?” Raine looked at him uncertainly.

“I’ll be with you.”

“Then I’ll go,” she said. “I’m sure this is just a misunderstanding and everything will be cleared up in no time.”

Thomas wished he could believe that. But one thing he knew: he would do everything within his power to protect his daughter.

The minute Lorraine entered the small building, Jason leaped to his feet, relief at seeing her evident on his face. “Lorraine!” he cried as if she were the answer to his prayers.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

Jason glanced at the two officers standing near the door; they gazed back at him impassively.

With three policemen and Jason, plus Lorraine and Thomas, the station was cramped. For the first time Lorraine realized that only one of the men who’d come to the house had accompanied them here. She hadn’t a clue where the second man had gone. Not that it particularly concerned her.

“This is my wife,” Jason announced in English.

Lorraine barely managed to swallow her denial.

Her father glared at her, eyes narrowed. Both policemen immediately glanced at the ring finger on her left hand.

“Is this true?” the older man asked. He was tall and distinguished-looking with a crop of thick white hair.

Everyone present seemed to await confirmation. Jason’s gaze begged her to go along with him. She forced a smile and nodded.

The room erupted into shouts and denials from the officer who’d escorted Lorraine and her father to the station. She didn’t know what anyone was saying, but it didn’t take long for her father to become involved in the heated conversation.

“What’s all this about?” Lorraine demanded of Jason under her breath.

“I don’t know,” he said, looking as confused as she felt. “But from what I can make out, they think I’ve got some Mayan artifact, which is ridiculous.” He appeared frightened, baffled and apologetic. “I didn’t mean to drag you into this,” he confessed in a low voice, “but I didn’t know what else to do.”

“Why’d you say I was your wife?”

“I had to tell them something so I could convince them to contact you. I told them you were visiting your father, so you hadn’t registered at the hotel yet.” He paused, lowering his eyes. “They wouldn’t let me place a call or have an attorney present. I didn’t know what to do or what the hell’s going on. I helped you and I was hoping you could help me.”

“Don’t worry,” she told him, although she hated lying. She supposed there were times it was necessary; now seemed to be one such occasion.

The argument continued between the police and Lorraine’s father.