Beneath the Stetson(36)

Before Bailey could pose a question, Gabriella leaned forward, her anger clear, though it was not perhaps directed at Bailey. “My father is to blame for this horrible situation. He sent Alex here as a spy. No wonder my brother was kidnapped.”

Bailey turned to Rodrigo. “Is this true?”

The intimidating del Toro had ice in his gaze. She imagined that a man like him resented being cross-examined by a woman.

He leaned back in his chair, simulating calm, though his posture was rigid. “I assume that what I tell you is in confidence?”

She shook her head. “Not at all. If what you divulge to me is relevant to my investigation, I have to share salient points with other members of law enforcement. But you should realize...the more I know of the truth, the more quickly we can solve this case.”

The scowl on his cold but handsome face darkened. “I sent my son to Royal to gather information about Windsor Energy. My company, Del Toro Oil, is interested in a corporate takeover.”

For several long beats, silence reigned in the room. A quick glance at Gil told Bailey that he was as shocked as she was.

Gabriella’s dark eyes shone with tears. Her voice quivered. “It was the most wicked idea. Madre de Dios, Father. Alex could have been killed.”

Bailey fixed her attention on Gabriella’s father, speaking sternly. She felt sympathy for the sobbing woman, but she also knew this was a chance she couldn’t afford to miss. “Start from the beginning, Mr. del Toro. When was the last time you talked to your son?”

“From the accounts I have read in your newspapers, a couple of days before he disappeared. At the time, I did not know anything was wrong. We had agreed to be in contact only infrequently, because I wanted to keep a low profile.”

“What did you talk about that day? Was it privileged information?”

His jaw tightened. “No. We argued. He told me that he had una novia, that he had proposed marriage to her.”

“And you didn’t approve?”

Del Toro pounded a fist on the metal table, once. But with enough force to make his daughter jump. “I am one of the richest men in Mexico, Ms. Collins. Alejandro is my only son. He is destined to marry someone of his class and background. Not the daughter of a man whose business I plan to grind into the dust.”

“Charming,” Bailey muttered. “So the woman of whom you speak is Cara Windsor?”

“Yes. She bewitched my son somehow. Alejandro has always honored and obeyed his father. Suddenly, he was shouting at me. Insisting that he could no longer carry out my plan, because he had to prove to this Cara person that his love for her was real. We have telenovelas in my country, Ms. Collins, somewhat akin to your soap operas. I have seen the overly romantic drivel that passes for true love. But the real world is not so easily manipulated. I expect loyalty and obedience from my son.”

“How did your conversation end?” Bailey was chilled by the man’s hauteur.

“He hung up on me. I did not know until almost a week later that he had disappeared.”

“Why didn’t you come forward immediately?”

“My son is resourceful. And I did not want to tip my hand. I assumed that he would show up eventually.”

“And when he didn’t?”

“I was packed and ready to hop on a plane when the news service indicated that Alex had been found.”

“But without his memory.”

“True. These things, however, are usually temporary. I had great hope that he would recall his purpose in coming to Texas and would carry on with the job at hand.”

“And when it became clear that his amnesia was not going to clear up overnight?”

His jaw tightened. “I realized I had no choice but to come here and identify my son.”

“When you walked into the room, did he show any signs of recognizing either one of you?”

Gabriella spoke up. She had been standing with her back to them, gazing out the window. She turned now, her cheeks streaked with moisture. “Alex knows nothing.” Her voice was thick. “My beloved brother knows nothing.”

The tears started again. Bailey’s heart went out to the young woman. Though Bailey had no siblings of her own, she could only imagine what it must be like to have a loved one regard you as a stranger.

She tapped her pen on the pad, her brain whirling with questions. “Do you plan to stay here in Royal for any length of time?”

“I will not leave until my Alex is fully recovered.” Gabriella’s words were adamant. Her father appeared less sure.

“We will see what happens,” he said.

“You may be very unpopular,” Bailey pointed out. “Alex made many friends in his time here, but no one likes a mole.”