When immigration attorney and her friend take custody of an eleven-year-old boy–orphaned when his parents are killed during illegal entry–they become embroiled in a life-threatening, drug and contraband, cartel operation.
Excerpt
Houston, Texas Wednesday, November 15, 2007
Megan Andrade glanced at her watch”ten minutes early, just as she had been most mornings. Neatly arranged on her desk were the same deportation documents that she had not had time to finish reviewing the day before. She had no sooner faced her computer to start her work than her friend, Jaime Cordova, from Detention and Removal, tapped on her office door.
“Hi, Megan,” he said. “Looks like you’re getting an early start.”
“Don’t tell me you’re bringing more for me to do,” she said without looking up.
“No uh, no,” he replied. “It’s not that. I need a favor.”
“Sure, what’s going on?”
“I have an illegal from Mexico in my office an eleven year-old boy. He was brought in by a Border Patrol agent”picked up by a constable at a wreck scene and turned over to the agent. I’m having trouble communicating with him.”
“Why is that?” she asked. “You don’t need me; you speak Spanish as well or better than I do.”
“I think he understands most of what I’m saying,” he said. “I don’t think it’s language. The boy has no physical injuries just scared, almost in a shock-like state. The chief thought you might be able to get him to talk.”
“How about family”any other family members in the wreck?”
“He’s the only survivor a horrible accident. I have sketchy reports: his mother and father were killed, the coyote was killed instantly also.”
“How sad the little boy is all alone.”
“Yeah, and we can’t get any information from him,” he said. “Do you have a few minutes to try?”
“You knew how I would answer that before you asked.”
Jaime laughed. “Guess I have been around you long enough to know. The chief said you would.”
“Let me finish this one report, and I’m with you won’t take long.”
“I’ll wait.”
“How’s Jeff?” asked Jaime, as they headed toward his office.
“Working too hard,” she answered. “His law firm is considering making him a full partner. Right now he’s trying to be as productive as possible. Today he’s trying a case out of town, won’t be home until almost midnight.”
“I’m sure he’ll make partner,” said Jaime. “You two make a good pair. I see you starting early every morning and staying late at night. Ever regret working for ICE?”
“It’s tiring work and it’s depressing at times, but I like it. How do you hold up to it seeing these destitute people flooding in here, only to have to be deported?”
“It is depressing. These people need so much help. Seeing this boy, thinking what he faces now without parents this is about the worst I’ve seen in a long time.”
“What’s his name?” asked Megan, as they approached Jaime’s office.
“Ignacio Narvaez,” replied Jaime. “It has taken all morning just to get his name. Take your time with him. We might have rushed him too much earlier” you’ll see what I mean. I’ll wait outside.” In the far corner of the large conference room, Ignacio sat on the floor with his legs pulled against his chest. His head rested on his knees as he stared vacantly toward the outside window. He didn’t move when Megan and Jaime entered.
“Ignacio,” said Jaime. “This is Megan. She’s here to help you. She’s going to ask you some questions.”
Ignacio looked at Megan briefly, his face devoid of any expression of recognition, and then turned back toward the window. Megan froze in her tracks; her raised eyebrows and dropped chin reflected her expression of astonishment. She stared at Ignacio for a few moments, shook her head, and edged back toward the door without speaking. Jaime came to her side.
“Megan are you all right? What’s wrong?”
“I I don’t know he, he resembles.”
“I’m sorry we can wait.”
“No, no I can do it.” She turned back toward Ignacio, appearing more composed. “I apologize, Jaime. I’m all right.”
“Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’m fine, Give me some time with Ignacio.”
“I’ll be next door if you need me.”
Copyright 2008 Charles Clark. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.
Post a Comment