by P D Miller
“Okay, and Fernandez is the third?”
“Yeah. Davis said last night Fernandez will be arriving in McAllen around three this afternoon. He has reservations at the airport Holiday Inn.”
“Not exactly where a dealer would stay.”
“Yeah. In any case you’ll need to play up to Fernandez too, and plant still another seed.”
“Ah, I get it. With Fernandez you want me to do basically the same thing.”
“Not exactly. With Fernandez I want you to hint maybe Moreno is out to hunt for greener pastures and can’t be trusted. Moreno wasn’t planning to go; this way Fernandez will insist Moreno goes along.”
“And you need pictures of him too?”
“No, Davis says they have some, but be sure you get some of Moreno. He has a mouthpiece close to the Sanchez family who will hear about a sudden change.”
“Sounds like you want to make sure everyone is out to get everyone else.”
“No, I just want to get all of them together.”
“Ben it’s not all. Not the way you’re setting them up against each other.”
Ben shrugged. “Look Wanda, I want all of them caught just like you and everyone else.”
“But you also want something more, don’t you?”
“No, dammit!”
“Okay, okay. Forget I said anything.” Wanda shrugged. “Where will you be?”
“Checking out the coke plants!”
“A special reason?”
“Word is two trucks will be decoys with small amounts. Two will have larger plants but one will be heavy with it.”
“And you want to know which?”
“Yeah. Does it bother you?”
“Nope, not me.” Wanda smiled and pulled over behind a parked Cadillac. “I see your car’s waiting. Okay, we’ll get it done Ben.”
“No problems with it?” He smiled and reached for the door handle. Then he reached over and kissed her cheek.
“No, I think I can handle it.” She smiled.
“Good. Be careful and check with me this evening at the house. All right?”
“Will do.” She grinned as she watched Ben get in the Cadillac. She sped off to her first assignment. Like hell he just wanted to catch the three of them. She could see through Ben like he was a window. One of them was of special interest to him. Would any one of them come out smelling like a rose? Knowing Ben, no way.
Missy was extremely surprised when she awakened at ten and saw Susan sitting on the sofa. More disturbing was a feeling she’d been close to Ben all night, and her senses reminded her of his smell. She was sure he’d been there touching her and holding her. With worried eyes she turned to Susan. “I’ve been kidnapped right? Ben said—”
“Only to keep you safe.” Susan smiled.
“Safe from what?”
“From some people who threatened your brothers—not to hurt them but to get you.” Susan hastily added.
“Where am I then?”
“Ben’s house.”
“His house?”
“This is his bedroom, Melissa.”
“And where did he sleep—is he—did he—”
“Here with us.” Susan smiled.
“Oh my! He did kidnap me!” Melissa’s cheeks colored. His presence wasn’t a dream!
“Only because he wanted to be sure you’re safe.”
“Where’s Ben now?”
“Gone to work, I think.”
“Oh.”
“Look Melissa, if you get dressed I’ll be most happy to take you around and introduce—”
“I don’t have to stay right here?” Melissa glanced up in surprise.
“No, you’re free to wander.”
“I tho—thought he was going to kee—keep—I’m not a prisoner?”
“No, Ben brought you here to keep you away from harm. He won’t let anyone hurt you.” Susan shifted, stood with a bright smile and walked over to a bureau. “Ben told me to tell you there are some clothes which should fit you in the closet and here.” She smiled at Missy. “Tell you what, while you get dressed I’ll go tell Mrs. Diaz you’re coming for breakfast. Then if you want I’ll walk around the grounds and house with you.”
“You will?”
“Sure take your time.” Susan smiled again. “No one’s going to hurt you here.”
Half an hour later Missy slowly walked down the winding staircase and crossed the foyer into a large living room.
“Golly this place is huge!” She glanced up at the ceiling.
“It sure is.” Susan smiled. “Melissa, this is my husband John. He’s a doctor too.
“Your husband?”
“Sure is. Oh, Mrs. Diaz, glad you’re here. Melissa and I were wondering if we could have breakfast.”
“Yes, coming up.” Mrs. Diaz carefully looked Melissa over. “My, my, the dress I bought for you sure looks better than I thought it would.”
“You bought the clothes for me?”
“Yep, Ben sent me yesterday. Said you were about size three, but I think a one might even fit you.”
“Oh, they’re fine.”
“Well he didn’t think he’d have time to pack a suitcase for you.” Mrs. Diaz chuckled. “I can see now why he’s so worried. How in the world do you put up with nine brothers?”
Missy grinned and turned crimson. “They’re very protective.”
“Yes, Ben told me.” Mrs. Diaz turned and headed for the kitchen. “Breakfast will be ready in a minute.”
After a light breakfast, Missy followed Susan and John around the grounds and the house. Missy didn’t believe her eyes. She’d never seen a house so huge and could only shake her head and grin. When they came in at one, Mrs. Diaz served them a fantastic lunch. During the afternoon, Susan and she played Monopoly until Melissa couldn’t hold her eyes open. She leaned back, stretched and asked if she could go up to Ben’s room and lie down.
Trying to figure out what happened only confused her. Here she’d been kidnapped and was in a huge house belonging to Ben. Two doctors were right there in the house with her? Maybe they really were just visiting like they said. A smile crossed her face when she thought of Ben sleeping with her the night before. Yes, she’d awakened and seen him sleeping with her early this morning. Once she’d realized he was asleep, she relaxed and let his wonderful body be molded against hers. And his massive hands had held her so possessively. He smelled delicious and clean too. Oh, it was wonderful to be close to him.
Ben came in after four and was surprised to find Susan and John alone in the living room.
“Missy wanted to rest. I think she’s feeling mental exhaustion over everything.”
“But she’s doing okay?”
“So far.”
“Did you get a chance to talk to her?”
“No, while we were walking this morning, I tried to bring it up, but she chose to ignore me. You have to understand Ben, it’s just sinking in she’s been kidnapped again. And she doesn’t want to remember what happened the last time.”
“I know.” Ben rubbed his forehead. “But am I wrong to think it needs to be forced out into the open?”
“No, she needs to face it. She’ll never be able to have a complete life until she does.”
“Or be a wife.” Ben groaned, poured a drink and rubbed the back of his neck. “This louse hung around the house and had already asked for her hand.” Ben felt a surge of jealousy and anger. “Every time I remember how he stared at Missy—” Ben took a swallow of his drink.
“Are you saying it wasn’t necessary to kidnap her?”
“Oh, if the man I want doesn’t take the bait, it was totally necessary, but it was just about the worst thing I could do.” Ben put his glass down. “I think I’ll go up and check Missy.”
What the hell was wrong with him? Susan shook her head and smiled at John. “That Ben, nobody can figure him out.”
Ben tapped lightly on the bedroom door, remembered Missy couldn’t hear and opened it. He walked slowly over to the bed and stood
there for a few moments watching her sleep. Deep feelings of desire for her washed through him. He reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. Had he gone too far? Davis told him her brothers were going crazy trying to find her because their mother was so upset. Ben turned and left the bedroom. Moments later he was in his study and on the phone. Everything had to go right tomorrow. If something went wrong—he put his face in his hands.
“Dinner, Ben.” Susan poked her head in the library.
“Thanks.” He stood slowly, smiled and followed her to the dining room. John and Missy were already seated and waiting. Ben smiled broadly. “Well Melissa, how did your day go?”
“Wonderful. Susan showed me around your beautiful house, and we talked a lot. Have you heard from my brothers?”
“Yep, everything’s going fine.”
Missy blinked. “Fine?”
Ben laughed. “I said fine. They’re mad as hell and ready to kill me, but everything’s going to be all right.”
Missy’s eyes flashed with understanding and her cheeks turned pink. Dinner was great. Just as Missy excitedly ran upstairs to get the cards so the four of them could play, Ben was called to the library phone. He was deep in painful thought staring into a glass of scotch when Wanda came in. He looked up curious about her silly grin.
“Did you get the pictures?”
“Yep. Right here.” Wanda handed him a brown envelope. Ben opened it, glanced at the pictures of Fernandez and Tijerina, dropped them on the desk and looked at the one of Moreno for a long time. Wanda saw the muscles ripple in his cheeks and his chest swell with hatred. His eyes showed instant anger. Ben was definitely interested in this man.
“You got something personal with him, Ben?”
Ben glanced up, tried to hide his feelings and dropped the picture. “I just want to get him, just like the others.”
“Not because of Gonzalo’s sister?”
“No.” Ben dropped his glass on the table. “How did your meetings go?’
“I’m not sure. You were right, they’re worried as hell. You didn’t tell me how you’re planning to know if it worked.”
“I’ll know tomorrow when everything comes down.”
“Kind of risky isn’t it? Setting yourself up with all three of them?”
“I’ll have some help.” Ben walked over to the window. “Look Wanda you might as well go on home for now. I’ll leave some instructions for something I want done tomorrow, and you’ll need to wear something respectable this time.”
“Sure boss, no problem.”
“Even if it’s going back to the Sanchez house?” Ben laughed and walked her to the door.
“You wouldn’t.”
“Oh yes I would. See you tomorrow after everything’s over.” He laughed again, much harder this time.
Wanda grinned, stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. “Good luck tomorrow boss.” The phone rang and Ben, turned away. As Wanda walked toward the front door, she smiled and waved at Susan and John.
Missy was on the stairs and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the cheapest looking woman she’d ever seen kiss Ben. Oh my, and she’d wanted Ben to love her? Gonzalo had tried to tell her Ben liked that kind of woman. How could Ben want a cheap girl like her? Missy’s body went awash with jealousy and anger. Forcing back tears, she pinned on a smile and went downstairs as soon as Ben closed himself in the library.
“Hi.” Missy smiled stiffly and sat on the sofa. Her knuckles grew white, she held the cards so tightly.
“Did, you bring the cards” Susan noticed Missy’s forced smile.
“Yes, where’s Ben?” Missy continued to smile and force back tears.
“He had a call.”
“Oh.” Missy’s smile faded.
“Something wrong?” Susan cocked an eyebrow.
“N—no.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “I—I—didn’t know Ben had a girlfriend—the girl who was just—”
“Wanda?” Susan smiled. “She’s just working with Ben. Wanda’s not—”
“Who cares anyway!” Missy jumped up and ran upstairs. “He can have all the girlfriends he wants. It’s a free country.”
Susan smiled at John, shook her head, rose and headed for the library.
“Sanchez said he won’t do it? Davis, he must—” Ben paced as he talked on the phone. “Okay, okay we’re on if you’re ready. I’ll call Sanchez and set it up. Yeah, he’s going to want to hunt for his sister.” Ben dropped the receiver after talking to his contact, picked it up again and dialed a number. He took a deep breath, expelled it slowly and braced himself. “Gonzalo.” Ben sucked in his breath. “Kill me later man, right now you’re going to listen. You’re going to spend tomorrow hunting for Missy.”
Susan opened the library door.
“I know. You’ve got five ready; someone was there. Do as I say though. Put your hired help on tomorrow morning’s runs. They’ll be there. The men you hired are agents. Give your brothers a day off to hunt for Missy and send the four you hired out.”
Standing in the doorway of the library, Susan couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“Yeah, I know. Send your brothers out but you stay in the office. One of the drivers will come back complaining he had trouble with a truck, and he’ll come back for the fifth. Be too damned worried about Missy to go after the truck. I’ve already got a driver lined up for it.” Ben walked across the room. “You’ll do it because I have Missy.” He laughed loudly. “This one’s for my pen pal you bastard. We’ll kill each other later.”
He saw Susan and waved for her to come in.
“When you hang up, tell your mother I said I’m going to marry Missy.” Susan sat in a chair with her eyes wide open. “Tell your father too, if you think he can stand it.” Ben grinned and paced. “I’m an Italian remember and don’t know your damn customs.” Ben smiled. “Dammit Gonzalo, I’ve had it with your customs!” Ben angrily slammed his hand on the desk. “Do you have any other problems with my wanting your sister—something personal about me?” Ben shook his head. “Wanda? She’s an agent; it was all an act.” Ben groaned. “Yes, an act, part of the job. She was told to act as she did.” Ben groaned again and listened. “I’m taking care of it. Damn, Gonzalo, when I was under her car and saw her little toes I wanted to kiss them.” Ben grinned sheepishly at Susan. “She hit me like a ton of bricks. Yes, this past three weeks I’ve been working on the case. And it was all an act—even the girl—” Ben changed ears.
“No, you and I still have a score to settle. But since I couldn’t buy into the family business, the fight was a good excuse to go another direction. I had to kidnap her to eliminate their threat. Didn’t want to do it this way, but I wanted to be sure she’s safe and out of the way.” Ben sat down.
“Didn’t they get the note I left? Yeah, well I’ll send someone around in the morning to talk to her and explain. You going to do as I told you about the trucks in the morning? All right. No, don’t tell your brothers, just your mom and dad. I need the cover. Matter of fact, it makes things better if you don’t. And I need for Eduardo to know you’re really worried about Missy. Beating the hell out of him didn’t do any good; he just floated right back to your house to pick up more information. Make damn sure he hears you’re all out to find Missy and get me, okay?
“No, Eduardo’s just a mouthpiece. We can fix it so he’ll get sent up too, but he really doesn’t know how involved he is.” Ben frowned. “You thought what happened to her would make a difference right? Tell your mother and father I plan to marry her, and tell them she’ll want it too.” Ben dropped the receiver and smirked at Susan.
Susan grinned and shook her head. “Her ten little toes?”
“Yeah dammit!” Ben tried to look furious, but a grin took over. “I didn’t even know who the hell she was then.”
“Well, I think you have another wee little problem.” Susan smiled and Ben glanced up. “Missy saw Wanda lovingly kiss you goodbye and ran crying upstairs.”
He started, for the door. “
Damn!”
“I told her you just worked with her, but she didn’t seem to believe me.”
Ben stopped in the doorway. “Would you if you saw some woman dressed like Wanda kissing John?”
“Truth? I sure as hell wouldn’t.”
Ben groaned. “Thanks a lot for the encouragement!”
Susan laughed as she watched Ben take the stairs two at a time. It was wonderful to see him this way. She turned toward the living room and John. “Honey, you’ll never believe what I just heard that crazy guy tell her brother.”
When Gonzalo dropped the phone, he felt like he’d been run over by a steam roller. His wild, carousing, Russian roulette playing friend had informed him he was going to marry his sister? Told him to tell her parents? Mexicans never did such a thing! And he said he’d wait for Missy to feel right about it? Charger would wait? No way! When Gonzalo went to the kitchen and saw his worried parents, he groaned loudly. “I—I’ve got something to tell you but I don’t want you to get excited—”
Twenty minutes later Mrs. Sanchez was crying her eyes out while Mr. Sanchez stomped around the living room screaming like a banshee about how he was going to kill Ben.
Gonzalo’s mother was acting; his father wasn’t. Before long, six sleepy brothers were all yelling at each other ready to kill while Gonzalo held his face in his hands totally exhausted. Ricardo sat beside him with a frown. He couldn’t figure out why his father was turning blue in the face with anger. Eduardo stood in the doorway with a smile on his face. Now he had a way to win Missy. All he had to do was stick around until Ben was nearly dead. Then he’d step in fresh and ready to kill. If he did Ben in, he’d wind up a hero. All he needed was a little time.
Chapter Seven
Ben entered the darkened bedroom slowly. Missy was lying on her stomach crosswise on the bed, and he couldn’t see her face. As he dropped carefully on the bed, he reached for her hand and started talking. “Susan said you misunderstood about Wanda. She works with me.”
Missy jerked her hand away. “I don’t care about any cheap hussy hanging all over you.”