Abducted:Reconnaissance Team (Texas Rangers: Special Ops) (17 page)

Ben arrived at the same safe house where he and Liz had met with Braxton and Masters the night before. He recognized Medina’s Dodge Ram truck parked in the driveway. Ben parked behind the captain, then went to the door and knocked. A moment later, Braxton let him inside.

Medina and Masters occupied opposite chairs at the kitchen table. “Sit down.” Medina motioned Ben to the chair opposite him.

Ben obeyed, and Braxton sat in the last vacant chair.

“First,” Medina said, “as an FYI, we’re set up for what Sanchez will believe is the first shipment of kidnapped women across the border.”

“What’s the chance this will lead us to Sanchez?” Ben asked.

Medina shrugged. “Not great. Mostly, we’ll get a look at the local operation. We’ll follow the truck through its locator. Then the Juarez Chief of Police will
get lucky
and find the women when they reach their destination.”

“You think Sanchez won’t take it out on that little girl when his shipment gets confiscated??” Masters said.

“Loyola plans to make it clear that he was on the lookout for human shipments,” Medina said.

Masters snorted. “All you’re doing is pissing him off.”

“Then he’ll make a mistake,” Medina said, and turned his attention to Ben. “The El Paso Police Department sent word to Juarez D.A. Bryan Gomez that you and Ms. Monahan have agreed to cooperate with the warrants for your arrests. We’ve leaked news that Ms. Monahan has dyed and cut her hair. That gives Sanchez’s men the idea that she looks different than any pictures they have.”

Ben nodded. “They’ll actually be looking for differences.”

“If we’re lucky,” Medina said. “We’ll give them one hole in our dragnet where they can best take a shot at you, then a second, less obvious hole. We’ll have both places staked out. When Sanchez’s guy takes his shot, we’ll stick to him and hope he lands in Sanchez’s lap.” 

“What about the Remmeys’ granddaughter?”

“You may have just gotten her killed—or worse,” Masters said.

Ben ignored the agent and said to the captain, “I’m wondering if a direct trade isn’t a better idea.” 

Masters straightened. “You’re not in charge of this operation. The only reason you’re here is because we can’t find another agent pretty enough to play your part.” 

Ben shifted his gaze onto Masters. “Push it, Masters, and this pretty boy will make the run-in we had last night look like a tea party.” 

Masters’ eyes narrowed. “Don’t you threaten—” 

“That’s enough, Will,” Braxton cut in, along with Medina’s “Hunter, you’re out of line.”  Medina took a breath. “We considered an exchange,” the captain said, “but we don’t think Sanchez will show up personally. We all want to save the Remmeys’ granddaughter, along with every other man and woman he’s kidnapped, including the ones he’ll kidnap tomorrow and the next day if we don’t get him. Not to mention, as long as Sanchez runs free, Ms. Monahan won’t have a real life.” 

“There’s no guarantee Sanchez gets close enough to his hit man to give us any idea where he is,” Ben said.

“That’s why we have a backup plan,” the captain said. “If Sanchez’s guy doesn’t lead us to him, then we leak the news that you’re not dead.”

Ben thought for a minute. “You mean, put me in a hospital and let someone come for me there.” 

“Yep.” 

“Isn’t that too convenient?” Ben asked. “He’s got to figure it’s a trap.” 

“Maybe,” the chief agreed, “but Sanchez wants you pretty bad. Maybe even bad enough to take chances. Loyola is in on the deal. As chief of police he can have his men nearby to keep things looking real.”

Ben nodded. “I’ll be ready to go late tomorrow morning.” 

“Tomorrow morning?” Masters said. “Medina, you agreed that Hunter would leave with us now, and we place Ms. Monahan into protective custody.” 

“What?” Ben jerked his gaze onto the captain. “Sir, you know—”  

“We can’t risk a leak,” Masters said.

“You’re not getting anywhere near her,” Ben snarled.

“You boys demanded those terms,” Medina said. “We never agreed. Hunter will be here tomorrow morning at ten a.m..” The captain rose and everyone followed suit.

“You don’t have the last say in this, Medina,” Masters said.

“Don’t need it,” he said. “Give the Director a call.” 

“The Director doesn’t have the last say.” 

“Then I imagine he’ll refer you to the governor. You want to go over his head, be my guest. He went to college with the Secretary of State. I imagine that’ll go high enough to suit you. I suggest you make sure the agent you have to play Ms. Monahan’s part is here tomorrow morning at ten sharp. The Juarez Chief has wanted Sanchez a lot longer than we have, and he’s on very good terms with us, so he’ll be real happy to move forward with this operation with or without federal participation.” He didn’t wait for a reply, but motioned Ben to follow and they left.

They reached Medina’s truck and Ben said, “I don’t trust him. For all we know, he’ll feed Sanchez information.” 

“If that’s the case, then it’s already too late,” Medina said. “But I’m betting he’s just the disgruntled employee he appears to be. He won’t be part of the Mexican operation.” 

Ben barked a laugh. “That explains his antagonism.” 

An uncharacteristic smile tugged at the corner of Medina’s mouth. “He doesn’t know yet.” 

“Captain, I’ll pay a month’s salary if you let me tell him.” 

* * *

An hour later, Ben parked his truck in the downtown garage where he kept a beat-up Corolla, and watched the mirror for anyone who might have followed him into the garage. All remained quiet. He got out, walked down half a dozen spots to the Corolla, and got in.

So far, he’d been luckier than a man had a right to be. No one he knew had leaked his identity. That couldn’t last—especially if he poked around in the wrong hole. But he needed information. Barely two days had passed since he and Liz escaped from Mexico, and he hadn’t had an opportunity to put his ear to the ground. Today was his only chance before everything went to hell—and, one way or another, hell was where they were headed.

Ben cruised by the little bar his snitch Anthony Rath frequented and spotted Rath’s  car parked in the usual spot beneath a street lamp. Seedy bars, pawn shops and local delis lined the street. Ben parked a block down in front of a convenience store and waited. Half an hour later, Tony emerged from the bar. Ben left his car and came up behind Tony just as he reached for the car door handle.

“Let’s take a walk, Tony,” Ben said.

Tony spun, eyes wide. “Man, I can’t be seen with you, Hunter.” 

“Then we’d better get going.” Ben grasped his arm and started walking.

Tony glanced toward the bar, but complied. They reached the end of the block, turned the corner, and Tony whirled on him. “Look, Hunter, I’ve always done what you wanted, but there’s nothing I can do for you this time.”  

“You saw the video,” Ben said.

“All of Texas, and probably New Mexico, saw the video. Hell, probably even Arizona.” 

“And?” Ben urged.

Tony peered both ways along the street, then said in a stage whisper, “There’s a hundred thousand dollar bounty on your head.”

“You weren’t tempted to turn me in for that kind of money?”  

Tony grimaced. “Jackie is as badass as I ever want to know. Being in business with a man like Carlos Sanchez means I die before collecting the hundred large.” 

“How about your boss? Is he looking for me?” 

Tony snorted. “Jackie doesn’t confide in me. But he doesn’t know you, so I doubt you’re on his radar.” 

“Whose radar am I on? How is Sanchez getting the word out?” 

“I heard about the bounty from some guy I never met before. He came into Jackie’s place yesterday morning.” 

“Is he connected with Sanchez, one of his boys looking for information?” Ben asked.

“I can’t be sure, but I say he’s just another scumbag looking to score big.”

Ben held Tony’s gaze. “Have you heard anything about Sanchez kidnapping a young girl, someone he didn’t ship off to be sold like the others? He’s got her stashed somewhere.”

Tony shook his head. “I ain’t heard nothing like that.” 

“Any idea where Sanchez is?” 

“You got me confused with Victor,” Tony said. “You want that kind of information, talk to him. He’ll sell his own mother for the right price.” 

“He’d sell me,” Ben said.

A car turned the corner. Tony hunched low in his jacket, turned his back to the street and spit.

The car passed and Ben said, “Do you know any of Sanchez’s men?”  

He hesitated.

Ben grabbed his shirt. “Don’t hold back on me, Tony.” 

Tony nodded and Ben released him. “There’s a guy, lives on west side near the border, goes by the name of Pauly. I seen him around a couple times. He’s another messenger boy, like me.” 

“The west side is big.” Ben cocked his head. “You got something more specific?” 

“There’s a little bar, a stink hole...
El Toro
. I picked up some information for Jackie there, about a month ago. The guy was there.” 

“What kind of information does he carry?” 

“I don’t know. We’re not connected.” Tony wiped sweat from one temple. “Word is, he’s got some connections with local law.” 

“Law?” Ben blurted. “As in cops?” 

“As in Border Patrol.” 

Ben mashed his lips together. “What’s the guy look like?”  

“Five ten. Wears a little pony tail.” 

“Is the bar the only place you’ve seen him?” 

“He’s got a place on the west side near the border. He might run with Victor’s crowd. Those assholes are mean.” 

Victor worked for Bobby Wilkes, a bookie known to break legs if payment arrived five minutes late, and Victor relished breaking those legs. Human trafficking was a move up the ladder.

“Why didn’t you tell me about this a month ago?” Ben asked.

Tony shrugged. “If I chased you down for every scrap of information that came my way, you’d have to put me on the payroll, and I already got a job.” 

Ben poked Tony with a forefinger. “Anything you hear that concerns law enforcement, I want a call.” 

“Now you want me calling you,” Tony muttered.

“You don’t like it, get a job as a bag boy at the local Albertsons.”

Tony poked his lip out like a disgruntled kid. “We done?” 

“Unless there’s something else you forgot to tell me.” 

“You might watch out for that lady friend of yours.” 

Ben tensed. “I plan to.”  

“Sanchez has a hundred thousand dollar bounty on her head, too. He wants her alive,” Tony said. “He’s got plans for her.” 

Ben grit his teeth. “I have plans for
him
.”

The digital clock on Liz’s computer clicked over to five p.m.. She rolled her shoulders and stared at the wall. Concentrating on work was impossible. All she could think about was why Ben hadn’t returned. She rubbed her neck, looked back at the monitor, and managed to slog through four more emails before the study door opened and he entered. Liz shoved to her feet before checking an impulse to throw herself into his arms. She waited, frozen, as he stared at her from the doorway.

“Ah, Liz,” he said. “You really were worried I wouldn’t come back today.” 

She kept her voice level, “I had some concerns.”

He stared for another long moment and she had the distinct impression he was debating whether or not to take her into his arms.

“How did your day go?” she asked.

He flashed a smile. “Productive.

Her heart jumped as much because of his smile as the possibility he might have news that he didn’t have to return to Mexico. “Care to elaborate?” 

“Sanchez may have someone in Border Patrol in his pocket.” 

She drew a sharp breath. “This is bad.” Her heart thumped. “There’s no other way, is there?”    

He crossed the room and, before she could stop him, pulled her into a hug. “No, there isn’t.” 

She nodded against his chest, afraid to speak.

He pulled back and looked down at her. “I plan to come back. I have something to live for.” 

“Oh no,” she tried to pull free, but he held her firm. “You have plenty to live for—and that doesn’t include me.” 

“Honey, you’re at the top of the list.” 

She shook her head, “Ben, I told you—” 

“Don’t argue with a man who’s about to go into battle.” 

That stopped her short. She placed a hand on his stubbled cheek. “You have to live so that you can rescue the Remmeys’ granddaughter.” 

His expression sobered—for an instant—then he flashed that heart-stopping smile. “I’m the one who’s got a lot on his plate this time, huh?” 

She laughed and his second hug melted her clear to her toes. Then they both stepped out of the embrace—her on shaky legs.

“Did you make any headway on your work?” he asked.

Liz glanced at the monitor, then shook her head. “I was too distracted.” 

He hesitated, then said, “Are you still dead set against staying here another night?”

She’d asked herself that a hundred times today. Truth was, she was afraid to be alone with Ben in a hotel room. So far, she’d managed to control the need to touch him. Next time, she would likely shame herself by begging him to make love to her.

“It’s one night. At this point, I suppose it’s safer than going to a hotel. The senator offered to let us stay at his place again if we needed.” 

“Really?” Ben said. “You didn’t mention this before.” 

She shrugged. “Honestly, I wasn’t sure what was going to happen today.” 

He nodded, and she suspected he hadn’t been all too sure himself.

“We’ll have a nice quiet dinner, then head out early tomorrow morning. Is five in the morning too early for us to leave?” 

Liz laughed. “Not at all. I’m usually up by 5:30.” 

“You hungry?” he asked.

She was surprise to realize she was, and said so.

“I passed Dad on the way in and he said supper was pretty much ready. I hope you like barbeque.” 

“I love barbeque.” 

He laughed, then grasped her hand before she realized his intent. Butterflies skittered across the insides of her stomach. God help her, she hadn’t felt like this since Jack. Ben led her to the dining room where a feast fit for a king lay spread across the table. Baby back ribs, barbequed brisket, corn bread, green beans, potatoes and salad. If she filled up, she would probably fall asleep five minutes after dinner. Thankfully, the men of the house, including R.W., provided good dinner company.

Liz began to relax—despite Ben’s hungry looks that said he’d like to eat her for desert. She wondered that he didn’t have women knocking his door down, then realized he did—bright, ambitious, lovely women like Sheila Antonio who were many years younger than her.

The thought reminded her that he didn’t really understand the ramifications of their age differences. She understood, but that didn’t stop her from remembering how his tan chest went on for miles, and how the muscle of that chest pressed against her breasts. But she wasn’t the first woman to find him irresistible and she wouldn’t be the last.

“Liz.” 

R.W.’s voice brought her back. “You all right, darlin’?”

She realized the men at the table were all staring at her.

“You looked like you were somewhere else,” Ben said.  

Liz flushed. “I have a lot on my mind.”

His gaze sharpened, then amusement sparkled his eyes. He knew she’d been thinking of him.

“You’re a woman with a lot on her plate,” he said. “Maybe after dinner you’d like to take a stroll with me.”

“I would not,” she blurted, then felt a deeper, hotter heat that indicated her cheeks were flaming.

“I see,” he said with such obvious relish that she wanted to throttle him.

“Don’t pester the lady,” R.W. said. “She’s too good for you.” 

“That won’t stop me,” Ben said.

“Are you two set for your trip tomorrow?” Ben’s father asked. “You need any help?” 

Ben shook his head. “We’ve got it covered. We’ll be leaving at five in the morning.” 

Brandon nodded, but the crease across his brow told Liz he was worried.

“You sure you wouldn’t rather stay here, Ms. Monahan?” he asked.

She smiled. “I appreciate the offer, but I will feel better knowing there are as few people as possible involved.” 

He nodded. “I understand. But if you change your mind, we’ll be here.” 

“Thank you.” Liz lifted her wine glass to her lips, then froze when the doorbell rang.

R.W. and Hal shoved to their feet.

“Easy,” Ben said. “Sanchez won’t ring the bell. R.W., see who it is. I’ll have a look out back.” 

They left the room and, moments later, a woman’s voice sounded in the hallway outside the dining room. “You look like you’re ready to fight a bear, R.W. Don’t worry, we’ll let you finish your supper.” 

Brandon rose.  “That’s Linda, my sister.”

A woman and teenage girl entered the room with R.W. trailing. “Sorry to barge in on you, Brandon,” Linda said, “but I just found out the pipe that burst two weeks ago caused a mold problem in the downstairs walls. We had to get out. Allie can’t go back until they get it cleaned out. Her allergies—” The woman’s gaze caught on Liz and she stopped. “I didn’t realize you had company.” 

Ben entered the room. “
I
have company.

Linda glanced at him, then looked back at Liz. “You’re the woman on the news who ran the border at Juarez.” She looked back at Ben. “And you’re Adam Billings. For God’s sake, Ben, what kind of assignment are you on this time?” 

* * *

“Just doing my job,” Ben answered.

His aunt cast a recriminating glance at Brandon. “And you let him do this?” 

Brandon sat down. “If you figure out a way to stop him, let me know.” 

Linda turned to Liz. “You’re Liz Monahan, Creative Director for Nina Bruno Designs. Is that your real name?” 

Ben started to tell his aunt that was none of her damn business, but Liz said, “I’m part of an ongoing investigation that Ben is involved in.” 

Linda’s gaze cut to Ben. “Ongoing investigation?” 

“Ms. Monahan is a witness.” 

“A witness to what?” 

“Attempted murder,” Ben said. “Hers.” 

For the first in his life, Ben saw his aunt speechless.

“No joke?” she said.

“No joke,” he replied.

“Maybe Allie and I should get a hotel room.” 

“No need,” Liz said. “Ben and I have plans to spend the night elsewhere.” 

“There’s no need for anyone to leave,” R.W. said.

“Liz is right,” Ben said. “It’s better Linda and Allie stay here.” 

Linda shook her head. “I don’t want to push you two out.” 

“You’re not,” Liz said. “I insisted that I didn’t want to stay at the ranch. This is a good reason for Ben to comply.” 

Linda looked at Ben. “Is that right?” 

“It is. You and Allie should stay. She looks pretty washed out.” 

“She is,” Linda said. “We didn’t realize there was mold in the walls. You know how allergic she is.” 

Ben nodded. “Any headaches, honey?” he asked Allie.

“Only a little bit,” she said.

“You hungry?” he asked.

She shrugged and Ben pulled her into a hug. “Fifteen-year-olds are always hungry.” He gave her a squeeze then he released her.

“Sit down and eat,” his father said. “Hal, scrounge up plates for Linda and Allie.” 

“Cora will skin me alive if I step into her kitchen,” Hal said.

“Then ask her nicely to bring plates and silverware for two more.” 

Hal rose as everyone seated themselves at the table. “If I don’t come back, you’ll know she stuffed me in the oven.” 

He returned a moment later, following the housekeeper into the dining room.

“Cora,” Linda called, “are these boys treating you all right?” 

The housekeeper set a plate and silverware in front of Allie. “Not too bad.” She set a plate and silverware in front of Linda. “R.W. says you have mold in your house. Allie, are you doing okay?” 

She nodded. “Just a little headache.”

“The mold is in the study only,” Linda said. “But once I found out it was there, we got out.  Sorry I didn’t call, Brandon. I figured you wouldn’t care one way or the other.” 

He shook his head. “I don’t mind. Cora, can you make sure two more bedrooms are ready?” 

“Already sent George to take care of it,” she said. “Do you need anything, Allie?” 

She shook her head, but Ben was glad to see she’d taken a healthy helping of ribs and cornbread. The girl was too thin.

Cora left and Ben caught a gleam in his aunt’s eye an instant before she said, “So what’s all this about you running the border, Ben?” 

He didn’t miss Liz’s amusement as he finished off his wine. Staying for dinner had been a mistake. He set the empty glass down.

“Business, Linda, like I said.” 

“It’s not something you want to talk about with Allie here,” R.W. said, and for once Ben was thankful for R.W.’s brutal frankness. “It involves Carlos Sanchez,” he added.

Linda snapped her gaze onto Ben. “I’m not liking this.” 

Ben wasn’t either, and he suddenly realized what a big mistake he’d made. He had no reason to think Sanchez had a lead on his identity, but, at any time, Sanchez could learn the truth. What if he had goons on the way to the ranch? He cringed from the idea of Linda receiving a video like the one the Remmeys’ had gotten, only the girl in the bed was Allie. Fear seized his insides.

“Maybe a hotel might be a good idea,” he said.

Liz had gone white and he realized his tone had given away his thoughts.

Linda broke the silence. “Should we go now?” 

“Finish dinner,” Ben said. “Liz and I are about to leave.” And tomorrow he was going to find Carlos Sanchez.

* * *

When Ben decided it was a risk for his young cousin to stay at the ranch, the evening’s illusion of safety shattered. None of them were going to be safe until Carlos Sanchez was dead. Even worse, Liz noted a new determination in Ben that told her he knew the same thing—and planned to do something about it.

Once Linda and Allie left, Ben joined Liz in the den.

“I’ve got a motel in mind for us,” he said.

“You mean like the hotel where Captain Medina registered me under an alias?” 

“Big hotels mean lots of employees, which means bigger risk. The place I have in mind is respectable and small.”

“How about some place where there’s no chance they’ll find us?” 

“You’re thinking the Senator’s house,” he said.

Liz nodded. “He returned to Washington today. The only people there are the permanent staff.”  

Ben agreed and, an hour later, they were shown to the same rooms they’d occupied the night before. Liz was relieved to have Ben in the next room, and at the same time wished with all her might that she had the willpower to sleep in his arms without asking him to make love to her. But she didn’t, which was why, after laying awake for an hour imagining him killed by a bullet, knife or speeding car, she finally resigned herself to the truth: she couldn’t let him go without touching him, without having him inside her.

She would accept nothing less than his promise to come back in one piece, and he had to accept that tonight was about two people needing each other for the moment. Nothing more.

Liz stripped off her bra and panties and slipped into the robe she’d been given. She went to the door and peeked into the hallway. Deserted.