The Law and Dan Mesa (3 page)

The chief looks at Emmett and Mesa and sits down and relaxes a bit.

“Okay, captain, that is a good idea. Maybe I did fly off the handle a little. So what is the next move?”

At this point, Ranger Mesa says, “Chief, we need to get Ranson back to Arizona without attracting any attention. I propose to take him out dressed as a policeman. Then I will have him change, and we’ll depart your city. I know a man who will fly us back to Arizona in his private plane—that is, if he is still talking to me. He is my ex-father-in-law, Major Jonathan Horatio Williamson, retired.

“Major Jonathan Horatio Horn Blower Williamson is a World War II and Korean War veteran. He is one of the Tuskegee Airmen and a member of the Ninety-Ninth Pursuit Squadron. He saw limited action in World War II. When the war ended, he went back to college using the GI Bill and joined the army ROTC. After graduation, he went active in time to be sent to Korea as an infantry soldier.

“He received the Silver Star for bravery under fire. The North Koreans surrounded his unit, and he held out for a week without relief and finally fought his way out, losing half of his unit. He called in an air strike on himself rather than surrender but manage to escape before the strike hit. In another incident, Major Williamson single-handedly held off the enemy, killing one hundred fifty North Koreans and allowing his unit to successfully pull back. He later escaped without injury.

“That is my ex-father-in-law. Today he is retired and lives in Baltimore and spends part of the year in Douglas, Arizona. I love him and Nadia dearly, but due to the divorce they aren’t exactly happy with me.”

Chapter Two
 

In Baltimore, Maryland, at the home of Garnett’s father, the doorbell rings, and Major Williamson answers the door.

Upon seeing Dan, he says, “Hello son, how are you? It has been a while since we’ve talked. I see you’ve changed a bit.”

“Yes sir. I guess this job makes one older and sadder. I visited Garnett and Devlin, and they are great. He is growing into a handsome, smart boy. I am so proud of him, and she has done a super job raising him.

“Dad, I need your help badly,” Mesa continues. “I guess you heard about the shoot-out in Richmond. As you are aware, I was involved in it. It was a hit carried out by the mob, and it was meant for Ranson and me. Apparently, someone in Arizona is trying to take me out, and I know who it is. It’s Carlos Meana and his mafia.”

Jonathan motions for Dan follow him in to the house. Major Williamson is of medium height and build but presents a picture of a man who is used to giving orders. The house is a Brown Stone, one that was built in the early nineteen twenties. He motions for Dan to sit down. “You do know that is why Garnett moved back here. She wanted you to leave the rangers and that entire killing business. Didn’t you get enough of it in Vietnam and the Gulf War? I still believe you should have moved here with her. You could have done well here. Okay, what can I do to help you?

“Sir, I can’t fly Ranson back on a commercial flight. There is a traitor in our organization, and they are passing information to the mob. I need to get him back to Tucson without anyone knowing. We have him listed as having been killed, but he is still alive. Can you fly me back to Tucson or at least to Albuquerque? Then I can rent a car and drive the remainder of the way.”

“Dan, it looks as if you have yourself a bit of a problem. Have you contacted your boss in Nogales?”

“Yes sir, but I am not sure where the leak is. It could be in Nogales or Tucson. I plan to call him at home tonight and tell him the whole story.”

Nadia, Jonathan’s wife and Dan’s ex-mother-in-law walks through the front door. When she sees Dan, she smiles. She is a tall slender lady could easily grace the pages of a fashion magazine. She is also a respected doctor.

“Dan, it is good to see you,” she says. “What brings the famous Dan Mesa to Baltimore and in uniform? I saw you on the news a few weeks ago. You were involved in that shoot-out in New Mexico. I am happy that you weren’t hurt. You lead a dangerous life.”

“Yes, ma’am, I do. But sometimes, it is just the way things are. I know you guys aren’t too keen on me, but I need your help. I was telling Dad about my situation.”

“Son, how about going back to Arizona traveling in a motor home?” Jonathan asks. “The way I see it, no one would expect you to be traveling in that manner.”

“You know that is not a bad idea,” Nadia says. “I have too much time on my hands. I’d like to go back to Arizona, and Jonathan, you owe me a vacation. I will need to call the hospital and let them know where I will be for the next couple of weeks. I am officially retired, but I still need to keep them informed of my location.”

Nadia is a thoracic surgeon assigned to Baltimore General and a very intelligent lady, who was once a high school biology teacher. Rumor has it she once saved the life of a student by cutting a hole in his throat to allow him to breathe. After that, she decided to go to medical school and become a doctor. That was about thirty years and several operations ago. Garnett, her daughter, decided that becoming a doctor was okay after that.

Dan Mesa is aware that the proposal has merit and, after due consideration, decides to go with it.

“Dad, these people can be dangerous; I don’t want the two of you exposed to danger. Also, Garnett would kill me if anything happened to you, and Devlin thinks the world of his granddad and grandmother.”

Nadia smiles and comments that she would never do anything to put Jonathan or herself in danger. Then they get busy planning their trip to Nogales.

“How serious are Ranson’s wounds?” Jonathan asks.

“Well, he was shot in the left shoulder and the bullet has been removed. He is conscious and talking. Mom, I know you are a doctor, but is this something you are qualified to handle?”

“Sure. A bullet wound of that nature is fairly simple medicine. You have to be alert to infection, as in any wound. But I’ll carry everything needed to treat him, and that way, we won’t have to stop and purchase anything, which will attract attention.”

They decide to take the less obvious route of I-64 through West Virginia into Saint Louis, then Highway 67 south through Arkansas, I-40 to Flagstaff, and then I-15 to Tucson. Jonathan figures I-15 will be less traveled to Tucson than I-10, which goes straight to Tucson.

Dan calls Captain Johnson at his home to explain the situation.

In Nogales, it is a hot day with no rain in sight—a typical August evening. It seems that, when the mercury rises, tempers also rise.

The city police and the rangers are investigating two murders involving illegal aliens and one kidnapping. The kidnapping involves two of the local tribes, which brings in the rangers and the federals. Captain Johnson is fed up with the FBI. It is his opinion that the FBI doesn’t know their butts from a hole in the ground.”

Captain Johnson’s phone rings, and Mesa is on the line.

“Sir, Sergeant Mesa here,” Mesa says. “I am still in Virginia, and we have a problem. Ranson is not dead. I said that to throw our mole off. He has a slight flesh wound. Sir, I can’t return Ranson by commercial plane or any other public transport; the risks are too great. My ex-father-in-law has agreed to drive us back in his motor home. It would be risky flying back to Tucson. I believe someone is watching me and knows everything I’m doing, and that is why I called you at home and not at work. I propose that I drive him back. What do you think about it?”

Captain Johnson is quiet for a while before saying, “I don’t like it. I don’t like having you on the road alone with a fugitive. If something happens out there, you don’t have anyone to back you up.”

“Sir, I believe I have a solution,” Mesa says. “I have a friend in the FBI in Washington, DC. He will be able to do something. I will call you back.”

Mesa turns to Jonathan and says, “Dad, how about going with me to the FBI building to see a friend? He is an old air force buddy.”

He agrees, so they leave for Washington. Dan Mesa is anxious about seeing his old friend. Scotty Ortiz is an ex-air force chief master sergeant who left the air force and joined the FBI. He is a very secretive sort of fellow who knows where the bones are buried, and he and Dan have been friends for a lot of years.

The Hoover building is located at 935 Pennsylvania Avenue in close proximity to the Capitol Building. Jonathan and Dan arrive at the entrance and ask to speak to Agent Scott Ortiz. Mesa identifies himself as an Arizona ranger.

The phone rings in a spacious office where Ortiz is working.

“Special Agent Ortiz speaking. How can I help?”

“Scotty, Dan Mesa here. How the heck are you?”

Scotty jumps up from his chair, excited, and yells, “Dan Mesa, where the heck are you?”

“I am downstairs with the guard, and I need you to come down and get us. Can you do that or send someone down for us?”

Scotty is beaming.

“I will send someone down for you right now,” he says. He hangs up and turns to his assistant. “Annette, will you please go down to the guard station and escort Ranger Dan Mesa and his guest upstairs?” He is an old friend.

“Is he a Texas ranger?” Annette asks.

“No, wrong state. He is an Arizona ranger and darned proud of it. I haven’t seen him since I left the air force. He was a captain in the military police. When he retired, he became a ranger. I’ve kept up with him over the years, and he is something as a ranger. Do you remember that incident in Albuquerque last month? Well, that ranger was Dan Mesa, my dearest friend? Now, please hurry down and escort them up.”

Annette arrives at the guard station and sees two men. One is dressed in a sports jacket and tie, but the other one stands out. He is dressed in jeans, a green western shirt with a brown western tie, brown boots, and a gray western hat. There is a star on his chest. He is a small man as far as size goes but a big man in his demeanor.

“Ranger Mesa, I presume,” she says.

“Yes, I am Dan Mesa, and this is my father-in-law, Jonathan Williamson.”

“Agent Ortiz sent me down to escort you to his office, so please follow me.”

When they arrive on the fifth floor, all eyes are on the cowboy. Annette escorts them to Scotty’s office. Annette sits down and is delighted to watch two old friend greet each other.

“Daniel Mesa, how the hell are you, old buddy? It has been a few years since we have seen each other.”

“Scotty, it is good to see you,” Dan says. “I try to keep up with you, but man, you are constantly moving and changing residences. Once you were in San Antonio, then Kansas City, and the next thing I know, you are in DC with the big boys. Oh, let me introduce you to my father-in-law, Jonathan Horatio Williamson.”

Scotty beams and says, “Sir, I have heard about you all my life. My father was in the Korean War and always talked about ‘Jonathan Horatio Williamson’ and your exploits at Kunsan and Pusan. He says you saved the day.”

“Please express my thanks to your father,” Jonathan says, smiling. “All of us were heroes that day.”

Scotty turns to Dan.

“Now, what brings you from Arizona to DC?” he asks. “I kept up with you too. Man, that was some performance in Albuquerque a few weeks ago. You know something? I’d hate to piss you off. You could be a force to reckon with.”

“Scotty, I need your help. I was sent to escort a prisoner who is a witness in a murder trial back to Tucson. The bad guys found out about it and have already tried to kill him and me. There is a traitor somewhere in the rangers in Tucson, and they know my every move. If I fly in, they will be waiting for me, so I have decided to drive back. Dad has agreed to drive us back in his RV, and I need you to ride shotgun with me. I know what you can do with those hands and feet of yours. I have seen you in action, and you were the European champion. I don’t want to put Dad and Nadia at risk, so will you help?”

“Dan, I need a break from this crazy town,” Scotty says, “so you have yourself a shotgun rider. Now, tell me what I am getting myself into.”

Mesa explains the details to Scotty while Jonathan listens.

Finally, Jonathan says, “Dan, what have you gotten yourself into? This sounds like mafia-type stuff. The rangers are definitely keeping you busy these days. You just finished that situation with Jackson down in New Mexico. When do you get a break?”

“Well, Dad, according to the captain I have had my break with this trip. He told me this was just a simple trip without any problems. He will owe me big-time for this. Scotty, those would be assassins came from the Cherry Hill area of Baltimore City. I’d like to go to that area and find out exactly who those guys really are. Can we do that?”

Scotty ponders for a moment before saying, “Dan, Cherry Hill is a dangerous area; you never know what will happen there. We could wind up fighting our way out. Are you sure you want to do that?”

“Scotty, I have been fighting since I was a kid. When do we start?”

Jonathan looks at Dan and Scotty and comments, “You two are crazy. Take me home before you two start on your adventure. I am too old to be taking part in that type of activity. I hope you fellows will be extremely careful.”

Mesa and Ortiz take Jonathan back to Baltimore and proceed to Cherry Hill. They arrive at 17452 Emory Lane, the home of Maria Sandoval, the mother of Raymondo Sandoval. They sit and observe for thirty minutes, and no one arrives or departs.

Ortiz slowly gets out of the car, and Mesa follows.

“Dan, let me do the talking. Sometimes federal cops can get more done.”

Ortiz knocks on the door and waits as a very beautiful, middle-aged lady answers the door.

“Good day, señora. I am Agent Scott Ortiz of the FBI, and I am looking for the mother of Raymondo Sandoval.”

“That will be my sister Maria,” she says. “I am Jodia Sandoval. I will get Maria. If you are the FBI, then who are you?” she asks, pointing at Mesa.

Mesa realizes she is talking to him.

“I am Sergeant Daniel Mesa of the Arizona rangers,” he says.

The lady departs and returns with Maria Sandoval. Ortiz smiles and introduces himself.