Found at Sea - By Anne Marie Duquette Page 0,88
Jordan still wants me.
Where could he be?
San Diego Juvenile Facility, Female Section
Parking lot
JORDAN UNLOCKED the back of Aurora’s truck, then moved aside as Gerald removed Tanya’s backpack. Tanya sat in the cab, her gaze on the rearview mirror as she slowly removed her earrings, took the silver unicorn charm and chain from around her neck, then unfastened her wristwatch.
“Don’t forget the anklet,” Gerald reminded her, walking back to the passenger side and the open door.
“Oh, yeah.” Tanya’s lips pursed ruefully. “You’d think I’d be used to the jail routine by now. And I just got used to wearing my stuff again.” Tanya bent over to slip off the anklet. She left the whole pile of jewelry in the truck’s unused ashtray. “Maybe Rory can borrow them. Or Mom, if she wants to change her look.”
Jordan watched Tanya closely. Her cynicism didn’t seem bone-deep. Her expression matched the sad outside of Juvenile Hall.
“What about the navel ring?” her father asked.
“That hole closed up in Mexico. I’ll have to redo it when I get out.”
“Then...you’re ready, honey?”
“Not really.”
“The sooner you check in, the sooner you get out,” Gerald said.
“It’s only for nine months,” Jordan reminded her. Tanya had been extremely lucky, considering everything she’d done. Drug use, international smuggling, breaking out of jail and becoming an international fugitive... “Minus the time you’ve already served in Mexico.”
“Getting pregnant is only for nine months, too, but I don’t want to do that, either, Dad.”
“I should hope not. At least, not until you’re married and at least ten years older. Wait for the right man.”
“No chance of meeting him in this prison.”
“Juvenile Hall. Remember, there’s always time off for good behavior and good grades. You can make this a positive experience, sweetheart. But only if you want to.”
For once, Tanya had no witty comeback. Jordan watched father and daughter hug.
“You want me to come with you?” Jordan asked Gerald.
“Thanks, but no. I don’t know how long this will take,” Gerald said.
“I can wait out here,” Jordan offered.
“Take the truck and go. I’ll get a cab to the hospital. I’ll probably need some downtime after this,” Gerald said, his voice gruff. “Then I should probably head north to the company. Someone’s got to do payroll and set things straight with Rory’s finances. I’ll pick up a car there.”
Jordan reached for his pocket. “You need money?”
“No, I’m okay.”
The men shook hands. Father and daughter started toward the main entrance. “Good luck, Tanya,” Jordan called out.
Tanya turned and waved in acknowledgment. Jordan started to climb into the truck when Tanya suddenly broke away from her father to run back and fling herself into Jordan’s arms. Her hug wasn’t accompanied by words, but the fierceness of her embrace spoke of her gratitude.
“Take care of yourself,” Jordan whispered. Her hair, so like her aunt’s, rustled against his shirt as she pulled away. “You’ve got courage, Tanya. Direct it wisely, and the world could be yours.”
Tanya’s eyes sparkled with some of her old defiance. “Take good care of Rory for me, okay? And you’d better not marry her until I get out. I want to be a bridesmaid. Come on, Dad. Let’s go.”
Jordan watched them walk away. The parents were finally free, the guilty party brought to justice of her own accord. Jordan and the authorities had been impressed, but not as much as Tanya’s family.
Maybe she’ll make something of herself after all, Jordan thought. I hope so.
He waited until the two had entered the imposing gray structure before getting back into Aurora’s truck. He had one more stop before he could return to her side.
Juvenile Facility, Female Section
Two hours later
TANYA REFUSED TO cry when the guard escorted her father from the public check-in area. She refused to react during the mandatory strip search by the two female guards. She filled out her paperwork in silence and cooperated without being either snide or overly civil. That attitude continued through her fingerprinting, physical, dental check and review of her school records. As she was assigned three uniforms, toothbrush, hairbrush, bar of soap and finally a cell with two other girls, one of the female guards finally commented.
“You a model citizen, or you planning on causing trouble later when you get your bearings?”
“I’m planning on doing whatever it takes to get home...ma’am,” she belatedly added.
The guard seemed skeptical. “This from the gal who smuggled drugs and then broke herself out of a Mexican prison?”
Tanya’s two roommates exchanged a quick look.
“Yes, ma’am. I want good grades and I want—” At the guard’s frown, Tanya