Altercation Read Online Free Page A

Sara’s brothers, she had only met them a few weeks earlier.
    “Let’s see here.” Magrew opened the package and tossed several envelopes on the table. “And a note from Agent Reynolds’s daughter.” She tossed a three-by-five note card on top of the envelopes.
    “I knew Megan had a crush on me.” Ricky picked it up.
    “It’s to the girls, you idiot.” Neal snatched it from his brother and handed it to Jaci.
    Jaci pocketed Megan’s note and flipped through the envelopes until she found the one from her mother. Tears filled her eyes as she read the elegant script that sprawled across the paper. “ Mamá ,” she whispered. She held the letter in her hands. She didn’t want to read it now, in front of everyone.
    “Can we write them back?” Amanda asked.
    Banks shook his head. “No, unfortunately. We’re keeping it a secret that you’ve been found. No mail can be sent because it might be intercepted. If news leaks, we’ll have to move you to a location with tighter security.”
    Jaci wanted to read her letter on her bed, without any interruptions, savoring every word. “I’m going downstairs.”
    “Hang on,” Banks said. “We want to give you kids a tour of the place. There’s a dojo and a fitness room downstairs.”
    “I’m sure I can find it,” Jaci replied. The envelope practically burned in her hand. “I just want to be alone.” She waved the envelope.
    No one argued further, so she hurried away. She entered the shared bedroom downstairs and sank back on the bed, exhaling. She’d always enjoyed her alone time, though she was used to getting it on the track field as mile after mile disappeared beneath her sneakers. She pulled out the letter, fingers trembling with anxiety.
    It was short, only a few paragraphs. The flowing Spanish cursive read haltingly, like her mother wasn’t sure what to say or how to say it.
    Jaci understood why. Her father had vanished, according to her mother. Simply disappeared. No phone calls, no letters, nothing. The police had been searching the house for clues, as they believed him culpable of misconduct. Tears pricked Jaci’s eyes, and the words blurred.
    She had suspected a problem, of course. Especially after she overheard their kidnapper calling him the Carnicero , or the Butcher. How could he have lied to his family this whole time?
    And Seth, her older brother, wasn’t doing very well. He was short-tempered and moody. His grades were falling and he was in danger of losing his scholarship.
    A knock sounded on the door. How long had she been crying? She kept her head down, ignoring it.
    She must not have closed the door all the way, because it slid open.
    “Hey, Jace.” Ricky stood in the doorway, his light brown hair falling in his face. “Pretty impressive fitness room. Want to see it?”
    Jaci turned around, fumbling for a pillowcase, trying to wipe her eyes. “I’ll be right there.”
    She heard him cross the room, felt the bed sink when he sat down.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Problems at home.”
    “Like what? Everyone okay? Your brothers?”
    She shook her head, still speaking to the pillowcase. “No. Everyone’s not okay.”
    Ricky touched her forearm. “What’s happened?”
    Jaci peeked out at him, noting the tension and concern on his face. “It’s not that bad. I’m worried about my brother.” She couldn’t tell him her suspicions about her father.
    “Is he in trouble?”
    “Yes,” Jaci whispered. Ricky knew about trouble. He had been on probation for starting a fire in school and stealing a car when she met him. “But not that kind of trouble. You wouldn’t understand.”
    “I might.”
    “It’s trouble with his grades.”
    He gave a short laugh. “Okay. I might not.”
    She picked up her letter and shoved it under the pillow. “My mom said he’s not doing well in school. He’s quit going to church. He doesn’t seem interested in anything.”
    “Jaci, his little sister was kidnapped. He has a lot on his mind.”
    And his