Silent Pursuit (15 page)

He had a feeling it was information on the guys chasing them but had no idea what kind or on whom. Gina pulled several books from the bookcase and started flipping through them, setting each one aside when she finished.

His phone rang. An unlisted number. Tensing, he flipped open the cell. “Masterson here.”

“Hey, Ian, it's been a long time.”

It took a moment for the voice to register. “Well, well, if it isn't Bandit McGuire. How'd you get this number?”

Gina stopped what she was doing and looked up at him. He waved her back to work and wandered into the kitchen. He wasn't sure he wanted her to hear his end of the conversation yet. She frowned at him but went back to work.

Bandit and Mario had been tight friends up until Bandit had seemed to disappear from the face of the earth. “Jase gave it to me. I heard you were looking into Mario's activities right before he died.”

“Yeah, I am.” Who'd told Bandit that? Why hadn't anyone mentioned talking to the man? Was he still deep undercover? Instead of voicing those questions, he asked, “Why? You
know something?” He was keeping in touch with someone if he knew they were asking about Mario. With Jase? Mac? Ian didn't like the suspicions rearing their heads.

“Maybe. Jase saw Mario with some girl and snapped a few pictures of them together at some diner.”

“Right. Mac told me about the pictures.”

“Huh. Well, Jase found out who the girl was and passed that information on to me.”

Anticipation curled through him, but he kept his demeanor calm. “Who was she?”

“Celestina Rodriguez.”

A slug in his gut wouldn't have produced more shock. “The daughter of…”

“Esteban Rodriguez. Yep.”

“What was he doing with the daughter of the biggest gunrunner in South America? Was he crazy?”

“Looks like it.”

“Were they…romantically involved?” It made him sick to have to ask. Ian thought about Gina, innocent, unsuspecting, trusting.

“It sure looked like it, but if he was undercover, you never know what's real and what's not.”

“Why did Jase take those pictures?”

Bandit blew out a sigh at this. “He thought Mario was cheating on Gina and took the pictures just to…aw you know, Jase, he was being a jerk.”

“Huh. A jerk or was he just looking out for a good woman?”

The silence on the other end of the phone spoke volumes. Then Bandit cleared his throat and said, “Anyway, Mario was furious. Said he'd only seen her that once and threatened to kill Jase if he ever showed those pictures to anyone—especially Gina.”

“Yeah, I know. Jase told me that, but he didn't know who the girl was.”

“I know you and Jase were good friends once upon a time, but watch your back with him. He's trouble.”

Sorrow gripped Ian. Had he trusted the wrong person? Could Jase have been responsible for Mario's death? Revenge for a threat? It seemed too far-fetched, but he'd heard of worse.

“What about Robbie Stillman? Have you heard anything from him in a while?”

“No, but I know he and Jase are pretty tight. They worked a mission together about a month ago.”

“Jase and Robbie? Really?” Why hadn't Jase said anything about that? Doubts assaulted him from all sides. Who did he trust?

“Anything else?” Ian desperately wanted to pull out his laptop and do some research on the Rodriguez family but wasn't sure if it was safe. Whoever had tracked his movements from Nicholas's house might have hacked into the machine, allowing that person to know whenever Ian booted it back up. And if that person had that information, Ian and Gina's whereabouts could be compromised.

“That's it. You want me come give you some backup, man? From what Mac says, these dudes that are after you are dangerous. Why don't you tell me where you are and let me come out there and help?”

“Aren't you working something undercover? Where've you been all this time?”

“Yeah, I'm still undercover, but I can help out.” He didn't offer any more information than that.

Who did he trust?
God, who do I trust?

“Naw, I've got it under control. But I've got your number if I decide I need some help. Thanks, Bandit.”

“Come on, Ian, you don't have to be the lone wolf here. No sense in going solo when you got help right here.”

Ian paused. It would be nice to have backup he could count on and yet…the whole story Bandit had just shared with him just wasn't ringing true. Something was off. “I'll call you if I need you.”

He hung up. What held him back from accepting Bandit's offer of help? Suspicions tugged at him once more. That phone call was just a little too convenient.

And if what Bandit said was true, what had Mario been doing with a gunrunner's daughter?

“Who was that?”

He spun to face Gina, who stood in the doorway to the kitchen, chewing her bottom lip. “A friend of mine who heard we were looking into what Mario was up to right before he died.”

“And how did he know that?”

“From the guys in the unit Mac talked to, I'm sure.”

Skepticism crossed her pretty face. “And you trust what he has to say?”

Ian hesitated. “I don't…mistrust it…. I just want to verify it.”

“Right.”

He glanced away, the urge to pull her into his arms and bury his face in her hair nearly overwhelming. He wanted to protect her, tell her everything was all right. Promise he'd get her out of this alive.

Instead, he swallowed hard and said, “I'm going to work on that. You keep searching, deal?”

Her eyes softened. “Deal, Ian. Thank you.”

“Do you still think I betrayed the unit, Gina?”

The question popped from him before he could stop it.
Startled, she tilted her head and eyed him. “No. I don't guess I do. You must have had a good reason to do what you did. Mario sent me running to you for help, so that says a lot.”

“Maybe I'll be able to share my reasons for leaving with you one day.” Soon, he hoped. But first he had to make sure she was safe. And would live to be a ripe old age, not cut down before she had a chance to experience love, marriage, children…. He blinked and cut those thoughts off.

“I'd like that.” She put her hands on his shoulders, stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. A blowtorch would have burned less.

Then she turned and left the room.

His phone rang and he snatched it up. Another number he didn't recognize. “Hello.”

“Mr. Masterson?”

“Yes. Who's this?”

“Jesse Carswell. You asked me to call you back if I saw that man who said he was a Realtor.”

“Right, right. And you've seen him?”

“Yup. He and another man just walked right past me and into the Rocking Porch Diner. They're flashing some badges and pictures and asking about you two.”

“G
ina!”

She jumped at Ian's yell, dropping the vase she'd just turned upside down. Fortunately, it hit the cushion of the recliner and bounced. She caught it, settled it back in place and dashed toward the kitchen. Ian rounded the corner just as she did. He skidded to a halt, grabbed her upper arms and said, “Mr. Carswell called and said the guys were back in town. He recognized the car one of them was driving. Somehow I've got to figure out how to nab them and keep them from coming this way.”

“But you can't confront them alone!”

“I'm not. I'm calling for backup.”

“Who are you going to call? Who can you trust?”

“I've already put a call in to the sheriff and told him those guys are trouble. Joseph and Catelyn were almost here but are going straight to the diner instead.” He cupped her cheek, studied her face a moment, then said, “I'm not going anywhere. There's no way I'm leaving you alone.”

“No, you need to go.”

“The sheriff's on the way. He's supposed to call as soon as he can.”

“But…what if Joseph needs help?” The thought of her
brother and Catelyn facing down those men frightened her. Not that she didn't have confidence in Joseph's skills when it came to taking care of himself, but…

He cut his eyes toward her. “You trying to get rid of me?”

“No, I just can't stand to think of those men in town, around innocent people. People I may have put in danger because I came here.” Tears filled her eyes and she blinked them away. “It's my fault. Maybe I should have just tried to disappear instead of trying to find whatever it is Mario hid.”

“No. Now, you know as well as I do that would have been even more dangerous. If they're Rangers gone bad, they would have tracked you down. You played it smart and called me—so let me handle…”

His phone rang once more, cutting him off. “Joseph, did you find them?”

Gina resumed her search with a frantic panic. She had to find it. Whatever
it
was.

She moved into the bedroom and tore it apart. The house was so big. Four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Plus the basement and the barn. There was no time to search every spot.

Mario would have known this. Would have known she might be in a hurry and need to find whatever he hid. She closed her eyes and concentrated, picturing the letter he'd left her. She'd read it so many times she had it memorized. But nothing about it jumped out at her. Of course, the statement about “keep her close to your heart” hadn't made an impression the first one hundred times through either.

She headed for the office. She hadn't searched there because she figured it would be too obvious. Surely, he wouldn't hide something in his office. Then again…

Ian came up behind her. “They're not there.”

“What happened?”

“They were already gone when Joseph and Catelyn arrived. They're searching for them right now.”

“Do you think the guys after us are on their way here?” She felt tears of pure anger well up. Anger at Mario, anger at herself for her inability to figure out where he might have hid something, anger at the men chasing them. Just…anger.

“I don't know.” Jaw tight, he reached back to rub the back of his neck. “All right, I'm not leaving you and there's nothing we can do about what's going on in town. The best thing we can do is search this place and find what we need to get these guys off our tail—and in jail. I'm going to search the barn. That'll cut some time off for you.”

“Okay.” She swiped the tears with her palms, and he reached out to brush a cheek with a knuckle. He looked as though he wanted to say something else.

Instead he said, “Keep your ears open. If you hear anything weird, get out of sight and punch in number one on your phone. I programmed it. Number one, then send and I'll know you need me, all right?”

She nodded. “All right.”

“Then let's get busy.”

Gina watched him leave, said a quick prayer, then got to work. Nothing in the desk drawers. Nothing in the filing cabinets.

She slammed one shut and wanted to scream. “Nothing. Where do I look, Mario? Help me out here, will you?” She ran her hands down her jeans. “I'm appealing to the wrong person, aren't I, God? I'm sorry. I just don't know where…” She stopped, looked at the picture on the wall and stepped closer. Wait a minute. The safe. It seemed that Mario had mentioned a safe once upon a time.

Behind a picture on the wall. But surely that was too obvious. There was no way he would have hidden anything there—would he? She pulled the picture away from the wall and stared at the combination dial in front of her. Without a doubt, she knew if Mario had put something for her in the safe, then the combination would be something she could figure out. Starting with her birth date, she worked her way through every number combination she could think of.

And stepped back with a groan. What would he use? Even his sister's birthday didn't work. Nor the day she died. Not even his grandmother's birthday.

With her head against her knees, she thought. Pictured every date, every number she could come up with. Lifting her head, she stared at the desk. At Mina's wedding picture sitting so innocently in its silver oval frame.

As though in slow motion, Gina reached for the dial once again and spun it to clear it out, then entered what should have been her wedding day.

The safe opened.

Gina reached in and pulled out stacks of papers, a picture album. Patrice's birth certificate—and death certificate. A stack of cash.

And a DVD player.

With a DVD taped to the bottom.

She had a feeling this is what she'd been looking for.

With shaky fingers, she reached for the cell phone to call Ian.

She turned the machine on and the home screen came up telling her to insert the disc.

Sucking in a deep breath, she followed the instructions, then pressed Play. Mario's face filled the screen and the breath left her in a painful whoosh.

“Hi, Gina,” he said, “I guess you're still alive if you're watching this.”

“Right. I'm still alive, Mario. No thanks to you,” she muttered.

“I'm really sorry about the crazy chase I've led you on. And if you just stumbled on this by accident, don't worry about the chase I mentioned.”

“What is it?” Ian asked as he stepped into the room.

She pressed the pause button and turned the computer so he could see it. “I found this DVD Mario made.” She looked around. “In fact, he made it right here in this room. Have they found them yet?”

“No, not yet. They're still searching. I half-heartedly offered to come help, but Joseph threatened me with my life if I left you. I didn't argue.”

“Here, watch.” She pressed Play again as Ian scooted closer.

Mario spoke. “I guess I'm dead now. Let me just tell you that you can stop worrying about my eternal resting place. All of this has really brought home the fact that I need God. Everything you and my grandmother ever preached to me has sunk in. So, I'm good there.”

Gina couldn't stop the tears of relief that flooded her eyes. Her heart ached with joy.
Thank you, Lord.
Ian's warm fingers curled around hers and squeezed.

“Anyway, listen, I guess you've figured out by now that I've got some pretty nasty people after me. Basically, it comes down to this—I messed up, big time.”

“Who's after me, Mario?” Gina whispered to the screen.

“Our last two missions were in Colombia—where Patrice died.” He swallowed hard and scrubbed his chin. “You'd asked me over and over what was wrong after I came home from that first one, but I just couldn't…share.” His throat
bobbed again and he looked straight at her. “I'm sorry for that. The authorities know it's the Rodriguez family behind her death. They just can't prove it. She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Five more minutes…” Tears welled in his eyes and Gina swiped her own.

“I started investigating her death and one day I saw Bandit McGuire. He signaled that he was undercover but wanted to talk. He'd catch up to me later.”

Ian got up and checked the window, so Gina paused the video for a moment. “What's wrong?”

“I don't know. I feel like Joseph should have called me by now. They should have found those guys…or something.”

“Why don't you call him?”

He gripped the phone so tight his knuckles turned white. Then he relaxed, walked back to her and said, “No, I'll give them a little longer. Let's finish seeing what Mario had to say.”

Gina started the disc again. “That night, someone tried to kill me in my hotel room. Fortunately, I was the better fighter. I…uh…killed him and escaped to a bar up the street, where I called Mac. The television was playing. Time passed. Then suddenly there was a news flash saying Thomas Rodriguez had been found dead in a hotel room. Two days later, while everyone was at the funeral, I broke into the house.”

 

Gina blinked. He'd broken into Esteban Rodriguez's home? “What were you thinking, Mario?”

How had he done it?

But he had skills ordinary men didn't have. And he'd managed something no ordinary person could have pulled off.

He spoke from the screen. “All I managed to find was a microchip stashed in a drawer. So, I snitched it, hoping
something was on it, replaced everything the way it had been and left the way I came in.”

He sucked in a deep breath and leaned forward. “This was the family responsible for paying the guerrillas who killed Patrice, and I'm going to get them, Gina. One way or another.”

“You went after Patrice's killer. Oh, Mario, you should have told me.” Gina shifted, narrowing her eyes at the screen.

“I knew the only way I was going to buy some time was to have some leverage.”

Ian rubbed his face. “I have a bad feeling about what he's going to say next.”

Mario stood, paced out of sight of the camera, then came back, sat down and cleared his throat. “I…uh…found Rodriguez's daughter, talked her into having coffee with me. I had this plan to…um…kidnap her and hold her until I could figure out what to do. Also for leverage when these guys came after me.”

Ian groaned.

Gina closed her eyes and sucked in a breath.

“But it didn't work out. Jase—” Mario let out a disgusted humorless laugh “—the idiot, showed up. He…uh…took some pictures. Confronted me in front of Celestina Rodriguez and accused me of cheating on you. I said some things I shouldn't have and…” He rubbed his hands together, then scrubbed a hand through his hair. “Anyway, about that time, I noticed Bandit standing under the awning of a building trying to get my attention. He obviously didn't want Jase to know he was there, so I sent Jase on his way and met Bandit. An informant had come through and he needed someone to help him out, be a part of the team he already had there. I said sure.

“Only it's a setup. We get to the warehouse and Bandit
pulls a gun on me—tells me to give him the microchip.” Now Mario looked embarrassed. He glanced away from the camera, then gave a rueful shake of his head. “I missed a camera.” Then he shrugged. “I was in a hurry—what can I say? Bandit played the video for me, and it's clearly me stealing the chip from the office.”

Gina groaned. “Why didn't you ask for help? And why was Thomas the one to go after you? Don't they have hired guns for that?”

She hadn't directed her question to Ian, but he answered anyway. “He was working with Bandit.”

“What?”

“For some reason Bandit didn't want anyone to know he was still alive—or where he was living. On a chance encounter, Mario sees him. Bandit knows Mario will tell someone, so he has to get rid of him.”

She closed her eyes. Had it all been a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Mario continued. “Bandit admitted he's a part of the gunrunners. I knew he wasn't the leader, but he wouldn't give me a name. We fought—I shot him and escaped. Only now I'm wondering who else in the unit might be involved.”

Ian stood and paced to the window. Gina jumped. She'd been so involved in Mario's story she'd tuned out the rest of the world. Probably not a good idea. But Ian hadn't. “What is it?”

“Joseph should have call—” His ringing phone cut him off. He snatched it up. “Joseph, did you find them? I see. Okay, thanks. See you soon.”

He hung up. “I don't know how much time we have left. But we still don't have the microchip and Joseph and Catelyn are still searching for these guys that seem to have disap
peared. The police are helping, but it's such a small setup that they just don't have the manpower they need. They've called in help from some surrounding counties, but honestly, they're no match for these guys.”