He exited the freeway onto Tramway and circled around until he hit Central, then headed west a block or so when he came upon the Motel 6. He pulled in the lot at the same time as two FBI cars, coming fast from the other direction. Willis and Carmen occupied one sedan while Cory and Eric rode in the other. They pulled into the only two handicapped spaces, Kyle a few cars down. He got out at the same time they did.
“What’s the matter?” he said, looking to Carmen while avoiding direct eye contact with Willis.
“Dwight cut a deal,” Carmen informed him.
Willis walked ahead of everyone else, then looked back. “Carmen, you and the others wait out here. I’ll be right back.” He disappeared behind a door with a sign clearly marked MANAGER.
“A deal?” Kyle said, bewildered. “What kind of deal?”
“You’ll see,” she said.
Willis emerged from the office almost immediately, an older gentleman following behind, a ring of keys jingling from his belt. It appeared Willis had interrupted the man from watching a football game, his eyes squinting against the light, his UNM Lobos T-shirt covered with what appeared to be beer and grease stains. He stumbled behind Willis who was heading to one of the rooms in a determined, brisk pace.
Kyle walked along with Carmen, following them at a distance. “What’s going on? Tell me.”
Carmen kept walking, glancing at him only once. Kyle heard a siren coming fast from West Central. He turned in time to see a rescue unit pull into the parking lot, Agent Cory Churchman guiding them to the room where Willis was headed. Carmen picked up her pace ahead of Kyle. He ran to catch up with her to where Willis and the manager had stopped. The manager selected one of the keys from the ring and inserted it into the lock.
Kyle looked back again as an ambulance turned into the lot as well, parking alongside the rescue unit where two guys had already gotten out of the front cab, quickly grabbing equipment off the truck. He returned his attention to the door. Willis and Eric had their guns drawn, Willis with his hand on the door knob. Kyle wasn’t sure what was going on, but it struck him funny seeing Willis hold a gun. Kyle had thought yesterday that Willis probably fancied himself as a 007 type, a special agent with a British accent, but now, seeing him holding the gun pointed into the air, made it more plausible.
Willis turned the knob, threw the door open and darted in with Eric bringing up the rear. Carmen stood outside with the manager, away from the window, just in case. Kyle was farther outside, out of the way, wondering what was going on. It could have been there were others involved and Dwight had given them up. Perhaps Willis had called the ambulance in anticipation of shooting someone.
Carmen walked in and Kyle inched his way closer, looking into the hotel room. The living room came into view first. It was clean and well kept. He moved closer until he was at the threshold. Carmen appeared in the doorway and reached her hand out. Kyle took it and she led him inside, into the bedroom. Sitting in a large metal chair, handcuffed to the armrest with a gag tied tight around his mouth, was Charlie. Willis was behind him attempting to undo the tight knot on the back of the gag. Charlie looked up at Kyle, a tear rolling down his cheek as a smile emerged from behind the makeshift muzzle.
Kyle let go of Carmen’s hand and lunged toward Charlie, flipped out his pocket knife and cut the gag loose. Willis looked up and ceased his efforts at untying the knot in a more dignified manner. Charlie managed a deep breath, coughing a couple of times as Willis turned his attention to the handcuffs. Kyle knelt beside his friend, a big smile across his face.
“Charlie, oh my gosh…are you okay?”
He nodded, coughed again, his eyes fluttering, then focused on Kyle. “I’ve never been so happy to see anyone in my life,” he managed before coughing a few more times. “How is it you are here?”
“Long story,” Kyle said, looking down at Charlie’s chest, dried blood stains on his shirt. “Are you shot?”
Charlie offered a weak nod. “They had someone come in and fix it as much as he could, which is...” Charlie stopped talking for a second, catching his breath and trying to focus on Kyle’s face, the FBI agents gathered around, watching and listening. “...which is what probably kept me alive. And Beth...the kids...”
Willis had the handcuffs off.
“They think you’re dead,” Kyle told him as gently as he could manage. “As a matter of fact, we all did, but your family is safe.”
“How long has it been?” he asked, panning his vision around the room as the others watched. He had both hands free, rubbing his wrists.
“About three days total,” Kyle said.
“You got my e-mail?” Charlie choked out.
Kyle nodded. “I got it and used it. I’ll tell you everything later.”
“I want to see my family,” Charlie said, looking up to Willis.
“We need to take it from here,” a voice called from behind Carmen. It was a paramedic from the rescue unit, her hands full of equipment.
Willis nodded and Carmen quickly moved as the paramedics rushed in and knelt beside Charlie. Kyle also stepped aside.
“I’m okay,” Charlie said, but from the sound of his voice Kyle didn’t believe he was that well off.
“Yeah, you’re just perfect,” the lady paramedic chided, reaching over and cutting Charlie’s shirt open.
Charlie looked up at Kyle. “Get my family. Bring them to me.”
“I will,” Kyle said. “Where to?”
“Presbyterian downtown,” another voice said from behind him. He looked and saw a gurney coming for Charlie, a man pulling the front and a young woman pushing from the back as the wheels wobbled across the worn carpet.
Kyle started out when Carmen yelled wait, turning to Willis. “I’m going with him.”
Willis nodded his approval.
Kyle and Carmen ran for the Camaro and climbed in, Kyle wasting no time starting the engine and getting back on Central Avenue. It was a good ten minutes to Charlie’s house, but he expected to do better. He headed east on Central and got back on Tramway, driving north. They were on the far south side of Albuquerque, Tramway running along the upper edge of the city for about ten miles, then turned where the tram began, where Robert had picked them up yesterday, and curved to the west until it intersected with Interstate 25.
“What kind of deal did they cut with Dwight?” Kyle asked.
“I didn’t get the details, but he no longer has murder charges pending.”
“What about Rudy Kain?”
“Santiago killed Rudy, remember? Dwight asked about the money, wanting to make it part of some plea deal.”
“So, he doesn’t have the money then?” Kyle asked.
“Nope. And remember that guy who tried to stop us on the trail?”
“Yeah.”
“Dwight said Santiago killed him too. He threw the bodies off the mountain.”
“Oh my gosh,” Kyle said.
“Willis has ordered search and rescue to recover the bodies. We’re also sending agents up the mountain to look for the money, but with the additional snow, it’s going to be difficult.”
“Assuming no one picked it up,” Kyle said.
Carmen looked over at him, silent for a moment, then said, “you didn’t?”
Kyle let out a little laugh. Her expression seemed stern and accusing, as if she expected him to have planned it all along. “No, I didn’t.”
She kept her gaze on him.
“Honest,” he repeated, taking his eyes off the road to cast her a quick glance, “I didn’t.”
She resumed looking ahead, visibly relieved to learn he hadn’t taken the money. “They’ll find it, if no one else has already.”
They drove for a few moments in silence, then Kyle quietly said, “Thank you.”
“For what?”
He took a deep breath, looking straight ahead. “For everything. For trusting me as much as you did and going along with…you know, everything. For Charlie.”
She smiled at him. “You’re wel
come.” She reached and took his hand in hers as they rode on in silence.
____________
They arrived at Beth’s parents within eight minutes, the best time he could remember without getting a speeding ticket.
He turned to Carmen. “Let me tell them, okay?”
She smiled and gave a nod. “I’ll stay here, but they all won’t fit in this car.”
“Would you rather have the motorcycle?” he said as he got out, closing the door before she could fire back a smart remark.
He walked to the front door in anticipation, rehearsing what he would say, how he would tell her the good news. He stood for a while practicing his words, then pushed the bell, hearing it on the inside.
The inner hardwood door opened with a dull, grating squeak. “Kyle?” Doris, Beth's mother, said. “Come in, come in.” Doris reached over and opened the screen door as Kyle entered, a grin on her face. “You caught those SOBs that killed poor Charlie.”
Beth came running up the hall and wrapped her arms around his neck, a smile on her face as well. “I saw the news,” she choked out. “I saw what you did.”
Kyle gently pushed her away. “It’s better than that,” he said, his gaze shifting from Doris to Beth. “Charlie’s alive.”
Her eyes grew wide and hopeful, her balance shaky. “What?”
“He’s alive,” Kyle repeated happily. “He’s on his way to the hospital, but he’s okay. He wants to see you and the kids, so get ready.”
She stood frozen, along with Doris, both looking at Kyle like he had a little too much to drink, not believing what he said.
“It’s true,” he repeated. “Apparently, he was shot, but not killed. They kidnapped him, waiting for the time when they could use it to their advantage.”
Beth broke down in tears as Doris pulled her head to her shoulder, patting her gently on the back. Kyle looked up and saw Suzie and Johnny walking sleepily up the hall, both rubbing their eyes.
“Uncle Kyle?” Suzie said.
Kyle wanted to run over and tell them, but held back, leaving the honor for their mother.
“I’ll get Bill,” Doris said, and ran down the hall into the bedroom.
Beth knelt in front of her children. “Daddy’s alive, sweeties. He’s going to be okay.”
“Where is he?” shouted Johnny, looking around.
“Yeah, where is he?” Suzie yelled.
“We’re going to go see him.”
They both screamed, yelled and skipped all the way down the hall into their bedrooms. Beth stood and turned to Kyle. “Thank you.”
“It wasn’t just me,” Kyle said, “I have an FBI agent in the car who helped.”
Bill came rushing down the hall in all the excitement, hitching up his pants and tightening his belt. Everyone scrambled to get ready as Bill went to the garage and pulled the van out. Kyle told him what hospital and returned to the Camaro with Carmen. Within five minutes their van was packed up and they were backing out, following Kyle as he led the way. Carmen seemed to pick up on the mood and felt elated as well, throwing smiles at Kyle while he drove. Halfway there she reached over and grabbed his hand again, this time holding tight, their fingers intertwined.
They reached the hospital and the kids bolted out of the van, Beth and Doris jumping after them and grabbing their collars. The entire family almost floated into the hospital as Carmen and Kyle lingered behind, hand in hand. He wondered what the FBI agents would think if they saw, but if it didn’t bother Carmen, it wouldn’t bother him.
An agent had been waiting in the lobby and led the entire family to the elevators and up to the fourth floor, informing them Charlie was in stable condition and expected to be released within a few days, after x-rays and a battery of tests were completed. The agent could not walk fast enough for the family as he weaved between patients, orderlies, nurses and equipment taking up space in the halls, finally stopping at a large door where a police officer stood.
The kids let go of their mother’s hands and dashed into the room. Kyle didn’t see them, but heard the cries and laughter, even Charlie’s, as they were reunited. Beth followed behind, dropping her purse to the floor for Doris to pick up. The entire family was gathered around Charlie’s bed, two FBI agents standing off to the side holding tablets of paper. It was apparent to Kyle they had already started asking him questions, for all the good it would do. Dwight was already off the hook.
Kyle leaned against the doorframe as Carmen put her arm around his waist, leaning on him, then looked up into his eyes. “You did a good thing, Randall.”
“So did you, Jernigan…so did you.”
He moved closer and kissed her, the laughter of the Duncan family music in his ears.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
It was just after 4 p.m. when Willis walked into Eric’s office, taking a seat in front of Dwight.
“It’s about time for us to leave.”
Dwight sat in a small wood chair, handcuffed, having spent most of the day answering questions Agent Eric Lucero kept firing off, most of which were redundant. He had been in the same position before, years ago, when he was an agent in good standing, sitting across from a suspect or felon, trying his best to trip them up. He kept his cool and answered each question methodically, leaving out certain details when it was convenient and beneficial. They already knew he didn’t have the money. He learned the girl with Kyle was not his girlfriend at all but an FBI agent, which explained a few things. He hadn’t suspected she was an agent on top of the mountain, but wished he had. Things would have turned out differently.
“Are these really necessary?” he said, holding his cuffed wrists up toward Willis.
“I guess not at this point,” Willis said, and nodded to Eric who got up from his chair and removed the handcuffs.
“Thanks,” Dwight said, rubbing his sore wrists.
“Eric and Cory will escort you to the airport,” Willis explained. “A plane with agents already on board will be waiting. You’ll be taken to Columbus for a regimented debriefing. I’m sure you’re familiar with the procedure.”
Dwight nodded.
“Once you have completed your task, you will leave the country. I don’t really care where you go, just never return here. If you set foot back in the United States, we’ll know.”
“Fine,” Dwight said, as if it didn’t matter to him one way or the other. He would be glad to put the U.S. behind him, along with the FBI. “Can I have my stuff back now?”
Willis nodded to Eric again and he got up, left the room, and returned with a white, plastic bowl. Inside it had keys, coins, some folded papers and a wallet, loosely mixed in with a few odds and ends. Eric handed it to Dwight, who laid it in his lap.
“Will you excuse us for a moment, Eric?” Willis asked.
Eric gave them both a curious look, a confused expression on his face, then shrugged and left the room, closing the door behind him.
“When you arrive in Columbus, you will be greeted by an agent named Tanner. He is going to provide a script to you. Read it. Memorize it. A day or so later, you will be handed over to more agents. They are going to ask you questions, and you will provide the answers as they are written in the script. Any deviation and the deal’s off. If you betray us, the deal’s off, no immunity. Am I making myself perfectly clear?”
“Clear enough,” Dwight said, stuffing his wallet in his back pocket. “How can you guarantee that I will be set free?”
“Because,” said Willis, “it’s already arranged, as part of restoring Charlie Duncan to society, so to speak.”
“You’re still trying to salvage this operation, aren’t you?”
“That’s not your concern now, as long as you do what you’ve agreed to do. So, we have an understanding?”
Dwight nodded, rummaging through the plastic bowl, sorting his coins and placing them in his right pocket.
Willis carefully grabbed Dwight by the arm. “Time to go.”
They both walked out, Dwight silent and distant, thinking
of what to do next. Eric and Cory were standing by the door, waiting. Willis delivered Dwight and the three walked outside and got in the car, Eric taking the wheel and Cory scooting next to Dwight in the back seat. Dwight had overheard Willis telling them to forego the handcuffs, because Dwight was a team player now. They left the downtown area, headed east until they got to the interstate and turned south, toward the airport. Dwight had been to the airport many times, his office still close by, undisclosed. The FBI didn’t have a clue as to its whereabouts, one of the few things he had kept to himself. The only problem was that the airport was close and there was no isolated stretch of road, plus it was nearing the rush hour and people would be everywhere.
He thought for a second as they neared Gibson Boulevard. If he waited until they reached the airport, other FBI agents would be present and his chances of a clean getaway would be close to nothing. Between the interstate and the airport were a few business and residential areas, but the majority of the area were fields of desert grass. He would be seen almost instantly if he tried to make a run for it. Any way he contemplated, the outlook seemed hopeless.
As they passed Gibson toward Sun Port Boulevard, he had the feeling there was little to lose. He wasn’t about to help the FBI only to be set free without any money. There was still a chance the three large banks, the ones with the undiscovered code, could still pay off. But that was a month away and he would need a large store of cash to complete the operation. If he could get away and take care of Kyle, it would solve two problems at once – he could get the money back and get Kyle out of the way so the piece of code that was known only to him and Santiago would not be unearthed.
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