Free No One to Trust by Iris Johansen

and—”
    “Hold it.” She held up her hand. “You found all of those in the first thirty minutes you were here?”
    “Dominic gave me a remote.” He held up the device proudly. “It’s magic.” He ran back across the room to sit cross-legged before the set. “You just press this button and you can find anything.”
    “Oh, dear.” She smiled at Dominic. “You’ve created a monster. He’ll never pick up a book again.”
    “It’s only the novelty. When was the first time you saw a television set, Elena?”
    “When I was nine. My father went to Bogotá to raise money for arms and we stayed for six months. It was interesting. There were so many things I’d never done. I’d never been to the movies or seen a circus or been to the zoo.” She frowned, troubled. “And I’ve cheated Barry out of doing any of those things.”
    “He’ll catch up.”
    “I should have found a way to leave before this.”
    “He’s smart and happy and he’s learned to use his imagination. Not many kids are that blessed in this technological age. So stop thinking you’re a bad mother. You did what you had to do to keep him safe.”
    “You’re supposed to work to give your children a better life than you’ve had yourself. I haven’t done such a good job so far.” She straightened her shoulders. “But that’s going to change. I’ve got a chance now.” She turned toward the door. “I’m going down to the kitchen to see what I can find to cook for supper. Do you think we can pry him away?”
    “We’ll do it. Want me to help with the meal?”
    “No, I want one of us to be with Barry at all times from now on.”
    “You don’t trust Forbes.”
    “I trust him. He just hasn’t had the same experience as I’ve had. I’ve seen how Chavez can corrupt and change people. People you’d never expect to betray you.” She could feel the bitterness surge through her. Don’t think about it. It’s in the past. All she could do was learn from the experience. “Barry will sleep in my room and we’ll take turns being with him during the day. Okay?”
    Dominic nodded. “As long as he doesn’t make me watch those obnoxious Teletubby creatures. Otherwise, you’re on your own.”
    She was smiling as she left the room and started down the tile staircase. Teletubby? What on earth was a Teletubby?

    Eight miles.
    Chavez could feel the burn as he ran down the path and then started up the steep hill toward the huge house the villagers called a palace. This was the best part of the run, the hardest, the most challenging. It was during these last yards that he knew the pleasure of triumph, the realization that he’d conquered every trace of weakness.
    He could see Gomez waiting at the end of the driveway. He didn’t stop, forcing Gomez to fall into step with him.
    “It was definitely Forbes. A solo mission. No one in the agency knew anything about it until the woman was in the United States.”
    “Where in the United States?”
    “I haven’t been able to find out yet.” Gomez was already getting short of breath. “Somewhere on the West Coast.”
    “If you’ve found out that much, then you can get me the rest. He wasn’t alone. What did you learn about the helicopter?”
    “It was rented by a mercenary, Ian Carmichael.”
    “And who hired him? Forbes?”
    “Not likely. He’s expensive.”
    “Then bring him in and find out.”
    “He seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth.”
    “Locate him. I want to know who else was involved.” He had reached the outbuilding that contained his gym, and he stopped and allowed himself a deep breath. “It’s been a week, Gomez. You haven’t been efficient.” He smiled. “And I think you’re getting soft. Look at you huffing and puffing. Why don’t you join me on the mats this morning?”
    Gomez’s eyes widened and he took a step back. “I have to get back to Bogotá. I’ve a lead on someone in the DEA’s West Coast office who might know something.”
    “Then by