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  “What if she makes the call when you guys are on the move?”

  “I see what you mean. After you check into the motel, find a spot to keep an eye on the pay phone while we’re relocating. You should be able to see it from the post office or the tavern across the street. We don’t need to be super stealthy up here, so it shouldn’t take us that long to reposition. We’ll give you a laser when we reach our new shooting position.”

  “Sounds good. When I get to my truck, I’ll check my cell, but I’ve never gotten a signal in this valley.”

  “We don’t have a signal up here either.”

  “It might be possible to get a connection at the top of the mountain.”

  “I know you’re worried about your wife. I promise we’ll try to get a signal later. Sit tight until Harv gets there. He’ll grab your rifle and all the ammo. We shouldn’t leave any of the cash in your truck. If there’s anything else you want Harv to take with him, have it ready to go.”

  “There’s nothing. My wife makes me keep the truck immaculate . . . Shit.”

  “Estefan?”

  “It’s just . . . my wife, she hates clutter. She’s always getting after me about it.”

  “She’ll be okay. Harv’s on his way down.”

  Proud of herself, Antonia stopped at the work bus and lit a cigarette. If she’d had any doubt, it was now dispelled. The techniques Franco had taught her worked perfectly. The excitement she’d felt sneaking up on Tobias’s son had been intoxicating. She’d never felt so powerful. Her mom got high on opium, her father on alcohol, but Antonia had discovered a much more addictive drug—adrenaline.

  The day after Tobias was murdered, Franco had asked her to watch for anyone new showing up in town, especially anyone asking questions. During their call earlier this evening, he’d reminded her to stay alert. Well, Pastor Tobias’s son definitely qualified as someone asking questions. He wasn’t new to town. She’d seen him before, but he’d never been dressed like a soldier. She wanted to call Franco right away and give him the news, but she didn’t know where Delgado was. She didn’t want him to see her use the pay phone—that would look suspicious. The call to Franco would have to wait for the right moment.

  Something else required the right moment as well. When the time was right, she planned to ask Franco for a job. Surely El Jefe’s organization could use a tactically trained female in its ranks, and she was the perfect candidate. She already had the confidence of El Jefe’s right-hand man. If she played this right, her ticket out of Santavilla was certain. She wanted a convertible, a house on the hill, and a closetful of clothes to show off her figure. She hated dressing in hand-me-downs. Nothing would stop her from getting a better life, certainly not Tobias’s son. The guy had been laughable, especially that fatherly crap about being concerned with her safety. She’d nearly given him a hug, but that would’ve seemed forced. She’d gained his trust well enough without a phony show of affection.

  Antonia was many things, but naive wasn’t one of them. She knew Franco was using her, but he didn’t know she was using him too. When they’d first started seeing each other, he’d been reluctant to teach her anything. Over the course of several months, she’d gradually worn his defenses down through crafty manipulation. When he was aroused, she’d tease him and promise a little something extra in exchange for tactical training. It had been all too easy. Everything he’d taught her, from surveillance to bomb making to personal combat skills, was all neatly tucked away for future use. Maybe she’d even replace him someday. She felt confident she could apply her feminine wiles on El Jefe as easily as she had on Franco.

  First things first. She needed to find Estefan Delgado before calling Franco. He wouldn’t like getting a call this late, but he’d be grateful once he heard the news.

  She finished her cigarette, slipped inside her house, and looked at the ugly clock on the wall. It was just after 12:30 AM.

  What a dump. She resented everything about this place. The beat-up furniture, stained curtains, and bare concrete made her feel cheap and dirty. Even though they had some nice stuff, a shanty was still a shanty. Her father spent all his money on booze and opium. She felt bad about her mom’s condition, but there was nothing she could do for her. If she didn’t leave this place soon, she’d end up just like her, or worse.

  She’d wait a few more minutes before going outside to scout the area.

  Estefan reached his truck and conducted a quick survey of its tires. He didn’t trust the girl and wanted to be sure she hadn’t flattened any of them.

  “I’m at my truck,” he said.

  “Go ahead and pack up everything and be ready to go.”

  “You got it.”

  “We’ll keep eyes on Mateo’s house and let you know if we see Antonia head for the pay phone.”

  Estefan removed his face paint and briefly used the dome light to see if he’d missed any areas.

  Harv arrived a few minutes later and grabbed all their gear. He let Harv know he kept some of the money for the motel. Fifteen seconds later, Harv disappeared into the foliage. Now it became a waiting game. Estefan didn’t doubt Antonia would contact Raven—the question became when? He sat in his truck, staring straight ahead. He almost felt sorry for the girl, but she was old enough to make informed decisions. If she ended up in an unmarked grave because her priorities were screwed up, so be it. Sadly, the world wouldn’t miss her.

  His earpiece came to life with Nathan’s voice. “Stand by, Estefan. Antonia just stepped outside.”

  CHAPTER 22

  “She’s lighting a cigarette and looking around. I’ll let you know if she makes a move for the pay phone. Harv, did you copy?”

  “Affirm.”

  “Where are you?”

  “Two mikes.”

  “Go ahead and double-time it. I’m confident we’re alone up here.”

  His radio clicked.

  “Antonia appears on edge. She keeps looking from side to side and turning around. She knows you’re out here, Estefan. She just doesn’t know where.”

  “She’ll know soon enough.”

  “I’m counting on it.”

  Nathan froze when he heard Harv’s approach. To be sure it was Harv, he issued a warbling whistle and received the same whistle in return, lower in pitch. Had Harv’s return whistle not been lower in pitch, Nathan would’ve gone into high alert.

  Nathan said, “Stand by, Estefan. Harv’s back. We’ll get his eyes back on the lumber mill.”

  “I’m on it,” Harv said, breathing heavily.

  Nathan removed his finger from the transmit button and kept his scope on Mateo’s house as he spoke. “Maybe we should interrupt Antonia’s call. If we time it right, Estefan could drive into town right after she gets on the phone. She’ll duck for cover, and she’ll think she’s eluded Estefan. It would be unsettling to Raven to have her call suddenly end like that. Put yourself in Raven’s shoes. You just learned Viper’s in town, snooping around and asking questions. What would you do?”

  “I’d get up there as soon as I could, find a good SP overlooking the town, and drop the guy from a safe distance.”

  “Exactly,” Nathan said. “But here’s the kicker. Raven doesn’t know we’re with Estefan. He thinks Estefan’s alone. If we can get eyes on Raven, even for an instant, we can drop him.”

  “That’s a big if,” Harv said.

  “Here we go.” Nathan pressed the transmit button. “Estefan, Antonia’s on the move. Start your roll into town. You’re about a mile from the general store, so it will take about three or four minutes. Turn on your high beams. I’m hoping she’ll see them in the distance and alert Raven that someone’s coming—presumably you. Turn off your lights just shy of the church. We want Antonia to think you’re trying to sneak in there. Your engine noise works in our favor. You copy all that, Estefan?”

  “Affirm. On my way.”


  Echoing in the distance, Estefan’s truck rumbled to life. Despite all the trees and undergrowth lining the mountainsides, sound traveled amazingly well through this valley.

  “Harv, keep eyes on the lumber mill.”

  “Will do. Besides the meltdown on the road, Estefan’s done well.”

  “He’s worried about his wife, so I doubt he’s totally focused down there.”

  “You’re probably right, but he’s a vet. I’m okay with Estefan.” Nathan pressed the transmit button. “Estefan, she’s heading straight for the phone. Pick up your speed a little.”

  His radio clicked.

  Harv said, “If Raven has men at the lumber mill like Antonia said, he’ll call over there after he hangs up with her. Things could get dicey for Estefan.”

  “I have an idea. I’ll go over it in a minute.”

  Franco was watching the entrance to the hospital when his prepaid cell rang. Only Antonia had this number. “You’re calling awfully late.”

  “It’s important.” She sounded breathless, quite unlike her usual phone manner.

  “What’s so important that it can’t wait until tomorrow?”

  “Tobias’s son is here. He came to our house and talked to my father.”

  “When?”

  “Maybe half an hour ago.”

  “What did they say?”

  “I didn’t hear them. They walked out to the river. I wanted to follow them, but my dad told me to stay in the house.”

  He started his car and grabbed a notepad and pen from the glove compartment. “Okay, slow down. How do you know it’s Tobias’s son?”

  “After my dad came back from the river, he told me Tobias’s son was going up to his father’s house. I followed him, but I think he knew I was there. He was waiting for me near the dam, but I snuck up on him. He didn’t see me.” She paused. “You aren’t mad, are you?”

  “What happened next?”

  “We talked for a while. He asked all kinds of questions, but I didn’t tell him anything. He wanted to know how his father died. I told him Mrs. Perez was there and held his hand when he died.”

  “How touching.”

  “He wants to kill you.”

  “I hope you told him to take a number and get in line.”

  “He seemed really serious. He was dressed like a soldier, had a gun, face paint, and everything.”

  Franco needed a current description. All he’d seen in Viper’s house was an old photograph. He was still waiting for his police insider to deliver a current photocopy of Viper’s driver’s license. “I need a good description of how he looks. Tell me as much detail as you can. Don’t leave anything out. Actually, forget that—I’ll ask you questions.”

  “You sound mad.”

  “I’m not mad. Now I want you to relax and take a couple of deep breaths. It’s important you stay calm. When people are upset or nervous, they can’t focus, and I need you really focused. I want you to close your eyes and think back to when you first saw him. You said he was dressed like a soldier. Let’s start there. Was he in digital camouflage, like the ones I wear?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did he have a backpack?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did he have a rifle, like the one I taught you how to shoot?”

  “No. He just had a handgun like yours. It was in a thigh holster.”

  “It wasn’t at his waist?”

  “No.”

  “Right- or left-handed.”

  “Right.”

  Franco asked a few more questions and ended up with a good picture of his old kilo friend. “This next question is really important. Did you ever see anyone else or suspect anyone else was with him?”

  “No, he said he preferred to work alone.”

  “How did that come up in conversation?”

  “I’m not sure. I think he said it after I asked if he wanted to kill you. Wait, I’m remembering now. I told him it would be hard to kill you by himself. I was trying to find out if he was alone. That’s when he said it.”

  “That he preferred to work alone?”

  “Yes.”

  “Smart thinking, Antonia. I’ll make an operative out of you yet.”

  “Thanks, I was kinda nervous, but he couldn’t tell. He told me to stay away from you—that you were dangerous and not to be trusted. I let him think I cared about his advice. He wanted to know when you’d be here next. I told him you’d be flying here tomorrow.”

  “You’re incredible. More good thinking.”

  “Aren’t you worried he’ll . . . you know . . . try to kill you?”

  “I’m not worried—”

  “Someone’s coming! I see headlights. I think it’s him.”

  “Find out where he goes, and call me back as soon as you can.”

  “I will.”

  “Get going before he sees you. You did well, Antonia. I won’t forget this.”

  Cantrell heard a gentle knock on her door before Stafford entered. “We’ve got an official statement from Caracas,” he said. “It’s not for public consumption yet, but the limousine was taking the minister of basic industry and mining to the airport. Guess where he was flying?”

  Cantrell squinted in thought. “The Central American summit in Managua.”

  “You got it. But the situation’s just become a lot more serious. Several hours after the bombing in Caracas, an attempt was made to kill the Colombian minister of mines and industry. The government kept it quiet, but one of our people in Bogotá got word. The minister survived, but he’s in the hospital.”

  “Let me guess, he was also on his way to the Managua summit. How did it happen?”

  “Several gunmen ambushed his vehicle right after it left the security gate of his residential community. His bodyguard killed the gunmen but died from multiple gunshot wounds. The Colombian minister was shot twice. He’s in critical condition, but he’s expected to live. No one’s claimed responsibility. Both the ministers were going to be key players at the summit. There’s been no official statement from Nicaragua, but so far, the summit hasn’t been cancelled.”

  “There’s no way any of this is a coincidence. Keep trying to contact McBride and Fontana. We’re getting them the hell out of there. No arguments—they’re leaving. Whatever’s going on there, the last thing we want is any kind of connection to us.”

  “I’ll get right on it.”

  “See if you can get the DNI on the phone. I’m going to give him a complete update on McBride’s situation. I’m uncomfortable withholding it at this point. What’s your take on it?”

  “It sounds like someone’s trying to sabotage the summit.”

  “My thoughts exactly. I want to know who, and why.”

  CHAPTER 23

  “Estefan, I think she sees your headlights. Go ahead and kill them a little early.”

  “Copy. How’s my speed?”

  “You’re looking good. She’s on the move. Keep going.”

  Estefan slowed a little. He didn’t want to wreck his suspension. The low half-moon gave him enough light to see the overall width and direction of the road but not its neglected surface. Considering the size of this town, he thought the road ought to be in better shape. He supposed getting FOMAV out here to make a few passes with a road grader was like expecting to find a short line at the unemployment office.

  Rolling into the center of town, he saw no sign of the girl. On the same side of the street as the Perezes’ store and Mateo’s house, the motel stood about one hundred yards farther north. Estefan had stayed there a few times over the years. You didn’t have to pay extra for clean sheets, but every room was multiple occupancy: one human and lots of cockroaches. It was a simple rectangular building with a hip roof. All the doors faced the street. Small windows on its rear wall allowed air to flow through. The owner would be grateful f
or his business, even if it meant getting up at 0100.

  “Where’s the girl?” Estefan asked.

  “She left the pay phone in a hurry and went across the street to the tavern. I lost sight of her behind the building.”

  “She should be able to see my truck by now, even with the lights off.”

  “She can hear it coming for sure. Park behind the motel to keep the ruse going. Don’t forget to remove your face paint before you check in.”

  “I already did. There’s nothing I can do about my combat uniform; walking into the place in my underwear isn’t a good option.”

  “I don’t know. You might get a package discount.”

  “Very funny. I’m the one in the shit down here.”

  “You never had a chance to look around the church. When we saw the girl, our plans changed. You took her out to the river.”

  “You want me to check it out before I head over to the lumber mill?”

  “Hold off, I’ve got another idea. Let’s see what Antonia does after she watches you check into the motel.”

  Driving past the tavern, Estefan felt the girl’s surveillance, but he avoided looking in her direction. He pulled into the gravel lot behind the motel and parked next to some rusty cars that looked like they hadn’t moved in years. After locking his truck, he walked around the corner to the office, making sure to look over his shoulder a few times. If Antonia were lurking at the tavern, she’d hidden herself well. He pressed the doorbell and heard a muffled chime. Half a minute later, he faked pressing it again and leaned in toward the door, pretending to listen. He was actually stealing a glance toward the tavern, but its north wall created deep shadows, and he saw no sign of the girl. As he turned his head, he caught the odor of a cigarette in the light wind coming from the southwest. She was definitely over there somewhere.