Carducci studied his hand. “Well, waiting around sucks.”
Josh sat across from Carducci. “Tony, what we’re about to do, man, could cause an international problem greater than you can imagine. Think about it. A bunch of renegade Americans in Costa Rica gunning down a major member of a Colombian cartel. The repercussions are gonna be felt in our government as well as Costa Rica, Colombia, and any number of our allies.”
“I just can’t believe a little shithole country like Colombia has so much power.”
“Money is power, Tones,” Sal said, “and with eighty percent of the coke market, they got plenty of it.”
“Amen,” Connie said. Clicking open her mailbox, her heart leaped into her throat. The email simply said, ET phone home, Delta’s alive! RVPD. Jumping to her feet, Connie let out a yell that scared everyone in the room. Grabbing the phone, Connie could hear the modem fuzz in the earpiece until she clicked computer to disconnect. “Delta called the precinct! She’s alive!”
“What?” Megan came to her feet and joined Connie, as did the others. Everyone gathered around the phone as Connie waited for the other end to ring.
“RVPD, how may I direct your call?”
“Frances, this is Connie Rivera, I…”
“Oh my god, hold on! Hold on!”
Connie looked at the group and shrugged. “They’re all very excited. My god, she’s alive! I knew it!”
“Con? This is Kim. Delta called!”
“I got your email. What happened? How do you know?”
Without warning, Connie’s hands started shaking, and tears filled her eyes. She thought she might break down, but the anxious faces waiting for her deserved better. Moving the phone away from her mouth, Connie let tears fall as she reached out for Megan’s hand.
“She’s alive, Megan.”
Megan’s face went pale and she blinked rapidly, as if trying to understand what Connie had just said. “She’s alive?”
“I knew it!” Sal said, giving Josh a high five.
“Where is she?” Megan whispered.
Connie returned the phone to her mouth. “Where is she?”
“Well, that’s the thing. We don’t know.”
“You don’t know? What do you mean you don’t know?” Connie shrugged at the others huddled around her.
“She said for me to tell you she was alive, and then she paused, she said the strangest thing. Let’s see, I wrote it down because it was so weird.”
There was a rustling of papers and then Kim was back on. “Here it is. She said that she believed your story about your uncle, and then she disconnected.”
Connie frowned. “That’s it?”
“I’m afraid so.”
Connie looked at Megan, her face filled with hope. Connie didn’t know if she had the heart to tell Megan that the worst of her fears could come true. “And that was all she said?”
“That was it. I made sure to write it all down, and one of the guys suggested emailing you. We all know what a computer geek you are.”
“Thanks.”
“You don’t sound as thrilled as I thought you would.”
“Delta may be alive, but she’s far from being out of danger. Thanks a lot, Kim. If you hear anything else, you can reach me on this line.”
“Sure thing. Oh, and Connie.”
“Yeah?”
“You’re both sorely missed around here.”
“Thanks.” Hanging up, Connie inhaled deeply and addressed the group longing for an explanation. “The good news is that Delta is alive. The bad news is I don’t know for how much longer.”
Megan swallowed so hard, everyone heard her. “Where is she, Con?”
Connie took Megan’s hands in hers. “If my guess is right, Delta’s been captured by General Zahn.”
General Zahn was gone about an hour before the door to Delta’s makeshift jail cell swung open and his large frame filled the doorway. He was a particularly scary-looking man, with the eyes of a hunter and a cruel mouth. He was fit and trim for a man who wore a general’s uniform, and Delta wondered if he were truly military.
“While you were out doing your survey, did you see any natives?”
Delta’s heart seized as she thought about her necklace. Looking down, she saw it had fallen inside her shirt. “Natives?”
“Yes, you know, Indians.”
Delta shook her head. “We came upon no one until I stumbled in here. Thank god I found help. I don’t think I wo—”
“It appears my men were killed by a poison of some sort. It would not be wise for me to allow you to go out into the jungle while those natives are on the warpath. It would not be safe for you.”
“I have to stay here?”
Zahn nodded. “A few days, maybe less.”
“In this room?”
“Sí.”
“That’s ridiculous! Now, if you’ll just let me go back to—”
Zahn blocked the door. “I am afraid you do not understand. I am in command here, and it is my responsibility to ensure the safety of everyone. That includes you, doctor.”
“But I’m no threat to anyone.”
“My men and I are testing military equipment of a highly sensitive nature. No one else is allowed to see it.”
“I won’t look, then. Can’t I just go back to my camp? You can have one of your men escort me.”
Zahn shook his head. “I cannot spare any of my men at this moment. For the time being, you are safest here.”
Delta nodded, not wishing to push him too far. How odd that they were both lying to each other. At least she knew she had a few more days. Maybe her message had reached Connie and help were on their way. Maybe… god, her life seemed made up of a patchwork of maybes.
“I understand. But could I please have some water? It’s very hot in here.”
Zahn ordered his man to fetch a glass of water, which he did. In a plastic cup. “Now, I have work to do.” With that, the door closed again.
Pacing the two steps it took to cross the room, Delta considered her limited options. She could try to take the first guard out, get his weapon and… and then what? Shoot her way out of a camp full of soldiers? Nope. She would have to give Connie and Megan a chance to get here. This time, Delta would have to wait for someone else to jump in feet first. This time, Delta’s life was in someone else’s hands. Looking down at the plain silver band she wore on her left hand, Delta sighed.
“Come on, baby. Come through for me. Please come through for me.”
“We’ll come through for her,” Carducci said as they finished packing their provisions. “She’s expecting that, and she deserves it. I don’t give a shit how dark it is.”
Sal nodded. “What’s Con been working on? She hasn’t left that computer since she got off the phone.”
Carducci shrugged. “Beats me. I’ve found out that when Connie is glued to that screen, it’s best to leave her alone.”
Taylor watched Megan lay a semi-automatic gun on the top of her backpack. “You guys are really lucky.”
Sal walked over and followed Taylor’s line of vision. “Lucky?”
Nodding, Taylor sighed. “You have such a great support system. I mean, you guys really are family.”
Sal nodded. “They’re really good people. It’s easy to be drawn to the four of them.”
Taylor smiled warmly at Megan, a woman Taylor hadn’t expected to like but did nonetheless. “She’s alive, Meg. You need to focus on that.”
When Megan looked up at them, her face was hard and dark. “I’ve always known she was alive. I just can’t handle the thought of that bastard getting his hands on my Delta.”
“She’s a fighter,” Sal said.
“That’s exactly what worries me.” Megan’s words were measured and cold. “If he tries to do to her what he did to me, he’ll have to kill her first.”
Sal walked over and took her hand. “Delta always comes out on top. You have to keep believing in her the way she kept believing in you.”
Megan nodded. “I’m trying. All I can feel right now is bloodlust. If he does anything to her, anything at all, his will not be a quick death.”
The front door squealed open and Connie strutted out, beaming with confidence. “Damn, I’m even better than I thought.” She held up the topographical map.
“What’s that?” Carducci asked.
Connie crowed. “I know exactly where the Colombians are.”
Everyone stared and waited. “How?”
“Eddie is a remarkable tool. He and I were able to hop on the Internet and, with a great deal of fancy footwork and computer know-how, we were able to locate Zahn’s modem.”
“What?” Taylor said, shaking her head. “Locate his mother?”
Connie laughed. “Modem. Mo-dem. Megan said he had a computer. The only reason he’d have a computer in the jungle would be if he were using it to transmit data to the cartel. You know, updates, measurements, et cetera.”
“Amazing,” Carducci said.
“Not really,” Connie shrugged. “The greatest weakness of the Internet is that once your modem is online, your privacy is nil. Just about everything within your computer is up for grabs.”
“But aren’t there security systems in place? Surely the cartel wouldn’t allow access to their files.”
Connie grinned. “No one allows me and Eddie to go anywhere. We come and go as we please, because we know what we’re doing. Hacking is an art. Hell, if I were crooked, I’d be as rich as Taylor.”
Gina nodded. “Connie’s even managed to get into NASA. She’s pretty remarkable.”
Megan threw her arms around Connie’s neck. “Yes, you are! God, I don’t know what we’d do without you.”
Josh strode over and offered a big paw to Connie. “Is that what you’ve been doing with that computer?”
Connie nodded. “It was difficult because I had to be online at the same time he was. I programmed Eddie to wave a flag, so to speak, every time a modem was used in the vicinity. Once Zahn logged on, we siphoned his information and came up with his coordinates.”
“That’s incredible,” Taylor said. “I’m impressed.”
“You should be. The surveillance software I have for this sort of thing was developed jointly by the CIA and Japan’s secret service. It kicks ass over the old stuff. In today’s society, knowledge and information mean power. We now have, my friends, the power to move forward. The night, the darkness be damned. We have the coordinates.”
Megan threaded her arms around Connie’s waist and hugged her tightly. “You are a remarkable woman, Connie Rivera.”
“Yeah, well, this remarkable woman is ready to go. Everybody game?”
The game was winding down, and Delta was beginning to feel the pressure of the wait. More than anything, she hated doing nothing. Because of the intense heat in the confined space, she was losing body fluids by the quart. Though it was now night, the trailer had cooled off only slightly.
After pushing the boxes out of the way, Delta pulled the carpet up on one corner to see if there was any way she could slip out through the floor. The trailer perched on two cut trees, the way most motor homes sit on blocks. Maybe she could drop below the floor and shimmy out that way.
Feeling along the floor, Delta found a small piece of metal and tucked it in her sock. As she started further exploration, Delta saw a light flash under the door and the distinct sound of low voices right outside. Then, the door flew open, and there stood General Zahn, his two fiery eyes glaring at her.
“I contacted Stanford University, doctor, and it appears no one has heard of you, of this project, of nada.”
“Well, I’m now—”
A lightning-quick backhand smacked into her cheek, sending her reeling against the wall. “Enough lies! Who are you, and what are you doing here?”
Wiping the blood from her lip, Delta stood erect and locked eyes with him. If it was possible, she hated him more than she hated anyone in her life. “All right,” she said through gritted teeth. “You caught me.”
“I should kill you right now.”
“And miss out on millions of dollars?”
Slap! This time was harder than the first. Delta tripped over one of the boxes and hit her head on the wall as she fell.
“Do not fuck with me, girl.”
Rising back up, feeling her eye begin to swell, Delta pulled out the last bluff she had. “Look, I lied because uniforms make me nervous. I’m an international jewel thief hiding out down here.”
Zahn raised his hand, but Delta did not move. Their eyes locked together. Delta had already determined she would go down glaring at him and not like some sniveling, whining coward. “I’ve stolen over thirty million worth of jewels, which can be yours if you let me live.”
Zahn slowly lowered his hand. He squinted, as if doing so would enable him to find the truth. “Can you prove this, or is this another pathetic attempt to save your life?”
“I can prove it. I’ll give you the number for the district attorney’s office. The DA who handled my case is Alexandria Pendleton. My name is Taylor. Taylor Storm Stevens. Look, I’m wanted by the FBI, Interpol, and some Podunk city pd. I recently made some big scores there, but they couldn’t catch me. Call the DA. She’ll confirm it all. Go ahead. It could be the most lucrative call of your life.”
Zahn glowered. “If this is another lie, you will die a most unpleasant death.” With that, he turned on his heel and whisked past the guard, leaving Delta to ponder the minutes she might have left.
If Alexandria took the clues and confirmed the story, Delta had bought herself more time. Not much more, but enough. If Alex wouldn’t confirm it, Delta had to decide just how she would try to take Zahn out. If he was going to kill her, she’d take him with her.
Five minutes later, he returned, and Delta knew by the look on his face that he had been pleasantly surprised. “It seems as though your words were true.”
“Who did you talk to?”
“Alexandria Pendleton, just as you said. She said your estimated worth could be one hundred million. You said thirty.”
Delta shrugged. “I lost count.”
For a moment, Zahn considered the information. “Fine, then. It will cost you one hundred million to save your life and not a penny less. When we are through here, you will hand over your jewels, and I will let you go.”
“How do I know you won’t kill me?”
The general grinned. “You don’t.”
“So that’s it, then? I just have to wait here while you do whatever the hell it is you’re doing? Can’t you put me to work or something?”
Zahn leaned closer to her and inhaled deeply. “The only work I would feel comfortable giving to you, my dear, would be lying on your back.” Zahn laughed as he turned for the door. The room reeked of his body odor and aftershave.
“No thanks, General, I think I’d rather just stay here.”
Zahn paused at the door, as if considering her fate. “Just be sure you remain quiet.”
Nodding, Delta wiped more blood from her lip. “Oh, and General?”
“Yes?”
“If you ever hit me again, I’ll kill you.”
Zahn frowned, looked hard at Delta and laughed. “What is with you American women?”
“We don’t like bullies, General.”
“Then, I think we understand each other, don’t we?”
“It would appear.”
“It would appear we’re ready,” Connie said. The sun had already set, and the group was more than anxious to get going. Megan noted Connie’s stiff demeanor and sidled up next to her.
“What’s eating you?” Megan asked. “Scared?”
Connie’s eyes slowly filled with tears. “Yes,” she answered quietly. “I’m afraid we won’t get to her in time. I’m afraid we won’t all come out of this alive. I’m afraid. Afraid of what my life might be like after this is over.”
Megan put her arm around Connie and pulled her closer. “It will be filled with joy and the memories of
the crazy period in our lives when we followed Delta down a rabbit hole.”
This brought a smile to Connie’s sun-darkened face. “I hope so, Meg. Life would never be right for me without Storm causing chaos.”
“Then you just make damn sure the two of you come home. No heroics, no grand gestures. Let’s do what we came here to do and get the hell out.”
“Right.”
“I think we’re all set,” Megan said softly.
“Troops ready?” Connie asked, looking over at a group of people, her friends, who had guns and knives hanging from their belts. They were as prepared as they could hope to be under the circumstances, and Connie knew in her heart that these individuals were willing to die in order to save Delta Stevens. It was all she could do to keep from crying again.
“Ready and raring, Chief.”
The nickname Delta often used for Connie came from Carducci’s mouth before he could stop it, and Megan and Connie just stared at him.
“Um… sorry,” he said, bowing his head.
Connie grinned at him. “Don’t be. The Chief, I am, and the Chief I will always be.” Walking over to Bianca, Connie saluted her. “I don’t know how to thank you, Bianca, for the kindness you’ve shown me and my friends.”
Bianca smiled softly. “This rainforest is my home, Connie. You and your friends have come to help it in one way or another. First, Megan tried to save our beautiful macaws. Now, there are lives at stake, and who knows, maybe even the country’s life. This is the least I can do for people who care as much as you do. I only wish I could go, but I think it best if I stay home and deal with Manny when he shows up.”
“You think he will?” Carducci asked.
Bianca nodded. “Count on it. Don’t underestimate my brother. If he figures out you have not left the country, he will return to Rivas. When he does, I have a few things to say to him.”
“Well, you be careful, Bianca.”
“You, too. And when you find Delta, please give her a hug from me.”
Connie nodded and she turned to go. It did not surprise her that Delta Stevens had fans all over the world.
As the group began their descent into the darkness of the jungle, Bianca patted Kiki’s head. “Come on, Kiki,” Bianca whispered as she headed back toward her house. “I think they’re going to need some help.”
Storm Surge (Delta Stevens Crime Logs Book 6) Page 12