Truth or Lies? by A. Gomez (book club recommendations txt) 📗

they kissed, hugged and she poured him a glass of wine. My mother got busy in the kitchen, removing the brisket from the oven and taking all the sides she prepared earlier out of the fridge. While the brisket rested, she started heating up the sides and placed two birthday cakes on two different cake platters. Oops, I forgot to tell her Josh wasn’t joining us.

Charlie sat next to Davis and started to nibble on the food. “Belín, your mom said you came in from Kosovo? Where to next?”

“Yes, I was there investigating the sex trafficking. That country is number two in the world for sex trafficking. I discovered a great many things on how they operate and how they are able to lure young girls, even from countries as great as yours. Almost everyone, that is not an American, thinks that all Americans are rich and this couldn’t possibly happen in this country. However, as Ben knows,” she was stroking his arm, “it can happen here and does. My investigation has led me to Dallas. I am only here because Chicago was the only flight I could get…and I needed to leave very quickly. My boss in Madrid wants me back this week and won’t pay for me to continue on to Texas. He will no longer help me financially. He has said I have enough information for my story. I don’t agree. He told me if I pay for my own ticket to Dallas then he will consider letting me finish my investigation. He does not know how resourceful I am.” She winked at us.

“Dallas!” Charlie’s voice was loud. “What luck! Dad comes back tomorrow to pick up Mom; you can just catch a ride with them. There’s plenty of room on the company jet for one more.”

“Of course, whatever you need, Belín. You can tell me more later but right now, I would like to know why Isabel Grace is looking like she’s high and what happened to Agent Joshua Rockwall.” My mother wasn’t asking: she was demanding. I was feeling a little too relaxed but I didn’t feel high. My mother and brother looked at me and then at Davis, Belín looked down at the table and just sipped her wine. I shrugged and Charlie eyeballed me, leaned in closer and asked, “Are you really high? And if you are, can you share?” I puckered my face at him and pushed him away.

“I am not high! I would never do that, Mom! I’m on pain medication and antibiotics. David prescribed them for me today because of a small incident that happened at the hospital this morning. Josh is not going to join us this evening or ever because he was shot.” Everyone gasped, my mother laid her hands on her chest and Belín covered her mouth in horror. “He’s fine, he’s alive and will make a full recovery. Agent Benjamin Davis will be taking his place.”

“Oh, that poor boy. Do his parents know?” My mother was horrified.

“I’m sure Josh called them once he was able to talk.” I was assuming.

“Well, don’t you know, Isabel Grace? Didn’t you go see him?” she asked.

“No, I didn’t,” and I gave her a stop talking about it and we’ll talk about it later look.

“Oh,” was her only answer. “Well, then, we’re glad you’re here, Ben. I’m Catalina, Isabel Grace’s mom, but you can call me Cate and I think you’ve already met Charles Andrew, her brother. We’re celebrating Isabel’s birthday, so I hope you like the food and cake. I’d offer you wine but I’m assuming that’s a no for you?”

“Yes, Dr. Langley, that’s right. But I will have some root beer if you have it.”

“Of course. Isabel Grace, come help me, honey.” She headed for the pantry. I followed her in and she shut the door behind me. “So, why are you on pain medication and antibiotics, Isabel Grace Langley? You left that explanation out,” she adamantly demanded.

“I can tell you now or I can tell you later when we’re alone. If you choose now then you have to promise me you will not get hysterical. We’re about to enjoy a lovely birthday dinner and I don’t want Ben to see how dysfunctional we can be.”

“Oh, honey, we’re not dysfunctional, we’re real people,” she retorted, smiling lovingly at me.

I took a deep breath and said, “I was shot in the arm. I’m okay, my arm is fine, David patched me up and made sure everything was fine with me and my arm.” My mother had her hand over her mouth, shocked at what I had just told her. Her eyes were welling up with tears and spilling over. She was trying to cry quietly. “Mama, I’m okay. Look at me, I’m fine. I’m here with you and Charles Andrew and Belín. Don’t cry.” I hugged her and she held me tight, rocking me side to side.”

“Honey, I’m trying to not cry or be upset but those bastards shot at my baby with the intention to kill.”

“But they missed. Josh did his job, mom. Look at me, I’m here and I’m fine.” I thought it best not to tell her that I shot one of the men or that I needed several bags of blood and fluids.

“Yes, you’re right.” She let go of me and was drying her tears with the napkins. “Honey, that poor boy…I need to go thank him. I should have gotten him a better watch than what you told me to get for his birthday present. He put his life on the line for you.”

Damn. I forgot all about the gift I asked my mother to buy. It wasn’t a good time to talk about Josh. “Let’s discuss all that later, Mama. Ben is probably wondering what happened to his root beer.” My mother composed herself and we headed back to the table with several root beers