"You're the only chance they have at getting their money," Nate said. "As long as they think you can get them the money, you're safe. You have to go to the police before they realize you can't help them."

Leslie pulled her hand out of Marisa's. "No way!"

Marisa blew out an exasperated breath. Her sister was still stubborn as a jackass. Daddy had always said that, and now that Marisa had seen enough jackasses in Mexico to last a lifetime, she had to agree.

"Please, Marisa." Leslie leaned across the table and took her hand again. Marisa could feel her sister shaking. "Please help me."

Marisa squeezed. "If not for Ana, I would risk anything to protect you. Truly. But I can't take her out of the country. She's not legally my daughter." Marisa considered the situation. "Why don't you stay here with us?"

Leslie yanked her hand back. "Right. And do what?"

"I don't know. I could get you a job at the orphanage, or somewhere in Chilpancingo." Marisa loved this idea—to have her sister close by! "You could live with me until—"

"I'm not moving to Mexico. Are you nuts? What about my business?"

Marisa sat back. "I'm sorry. I'm just—"

"Why can't you leave Ana at that orphanage you keep talking about?"

"I'm not going to leave her. What kind of a mother—?"

"You're not even her mother yet. And we're not talking about leaving her forever. Just until we figure this out."

"It's been eight years, Leslie. After all this time, what do you think I can tell you that you don't already know? That Nate and the authorities don't already know?"

Tears filled Leslie's eyes. "I don't know. It's just my life, but hey, don't worry about it. Your daughter's more important than your sister."

"I never said that, just—"

"Forget it." Leslie pushed her chair back and stormed around the corner toward the restrooms.

Marisa sat back and sighed. "What am I supposed to do?"

Nate's eyes softened. "It's an impossible choice."

"If I thought I could help, I would. I'd try, anyway. But I have no idea who stole the money. Never did. Doesn't she think that if I knew, I would have told the FBI? I mean, I'm here because everyone thinks I took it."

"I know. Your sister knows, too. She's just scared."

Ana had stepped back onto the ground and was leaning over the edge of the fountain, her fingers dipping inside. She was probably trying to figure out how to get to the pennies below. Marisa looked back at Nate, who'd shifted his gaze to watch Ana, too.

There was nothing else Marisa could do. They needed to return to Chilpancingo tomorrow and catch a ride home with the guys from her village. At least she and Ana would be safe. If Leslie didn't want to join her, that was her choice.