by JD Davis
Gabby shifted in her chair and said quietly, “Yes, like young girls.”
“Yes, occasionally, like young girls. I was a businessman, and rich, powerful Americans were willing to pay a great deal of money. I am more ashamed of this than anything else I did. I told God the cancer was a small price to pay for what I had done to all those families. It is not enough, but for all who can be identified, Noella will see that they receive restitution. My wife will make it her life’s work to atone for mine.”
Father Gonzalez looked at Gabby and then over at Joe, who was listening intently by the window.
“Juan knows the money is not a replacement for their daughters, and, unlike what many who call themselves shepherds teach, money can never pay for sins. However, it is something, and it was his idea.”
Again, Juan talked of the drug industry.
“When your state governments began to pass legislation to legalize marijuana for medical purposes, I knew it would only be a matter of time before powerful Americans began to fight over control of this new market. It will be years before the demands can be met by small, local growers. In the meantime, there will be billions of dollars made. Those who control the government contracts and meet the eminence needs of medical and the legal recreational users will become very rich. And, as always, it will be done by people who know people, especially in Washington DC.”
“And you mentioned that you had the name of such a man. Perhaps one who would commit terrible atrocities to gain such power?”
Piper heard the footsteps of someone coming up the stairs and glanced around the corner. The security guard with the attitude was carrying a large tray of five glasses and a large pitcher of something. Piper quickly walked down to the doorway where everyone was gathered. “Are we expecting refreshments?”
“Yes; finally,” said Señor Espinoza. “I am getting weary and some of Rosa’s lemonade will be just what we all need.”
Piper returned to see the man struggling as he topped the stairs and asked if he could be of assistance. The man did not answer but looked nervous, and only shook his head. When the man turned into the doorway, Señor Espinoza looked a little surprised.
“Rodrigo, what happened to Rosa?”
Rodrigo appeared to trip and almost threw the tray, which went flying in the direction of the couch. Before Joe could retrieve his weapon, Rodrigo had pulled a Beretta submachine gun that was hidden under the tray. The first burst of fire went through the middle of Juan Espinoza’s face. The second was directed toward the large bay window, which exploded in shards of glass. Rodrigo sprayed one last burst in the direction of Joe, then ran and jumped, in a crouched position, through the window. However, the man was dead before he hit the ground. Everything happened in less than five seconds, but in the last second of those five, Joe had turned and hit Rodrigo in the back of the head with a double tap from his Glock 19. Suddenly, Gabby—who had instinctively pulled Father Gonzalez to the floor and covered his body with hers—began giving orders.
“Piper, downstairs! I’m right behind you. Joe, the shooter?”
“Shooter’s down. Go, I got your six.”
Piper dove around the corner to the landing at the top of the stairs. Machine gun fire erupted from the bottom, spraying the wall just above his head.
“Move!” yelled Gabby and fired around the corner as Piper jumped and rolled down the hallway. There was another burst of fire from below, then two quick taps, the sound of glass breaking, and then quiet.
“Clear!” Joe yelled from below. He had jumped from the upstairs window, landed on Rodrigo’s dead body, and ran to the front of the house where he neutralized the second shooter. It was a mess, and to make things worse, there were sirens—a lot of sirens.
Gabby, with adrenaline still coursing through her body, was still giving orders.
“Joe, you get the priest! Piper and I will secure the bottom floor.” Gabby held her Sig P-226 in ready position and took a quick look around. Rosa had been struck on the head, duct-taped and stuck in the pantry, but she was alive. Gabby yelled clear as did Piper, then she grabbed her phone and dialed a stored number.
When the police entered the building, their AR-15s were locked, loaded, and pointed at the Americans. Joe, Gabby, and Father Dominic were sitting on the stairs and Piper was looking after Rosa at the kitchen table. Their guns were laid in front of them and their IDs were in their hands, held over their heads. The American agents were there without permission, which wasn’t unusual, but getting caught in a gunfight with dead bodies lying around was.
Things were extremely tense until a colonel with the Policía Federal arrived. Fortunately, he knew Father Dominic, but unfortunately, he did not know the gringos with the guns. There were a lot of questions, a great deal of explaining, and then there were more questions and some yelling. Finally, Father Dominic pulled the colonel aside and made a suggestion.
“It appears, Colonel Munoz, that under your command the police force has apprehended the famous drug lord, Señor Juan Delmar Espinoza. Unfortunately, Señor Espinoza and two of his bodyguards were killed during the intense firefight. And while it was a joint effort with the US government, the Americans played little role in the operation.”
The colonel tilted his head and smiled at the monsignor. “Father Dominic, you are a sly coyote. However, perhaps you are right: I would probably get a promotion.”
“Yes, my son, and perhaps your name and picture will appear in El Informador.”
“It is tempting, Father, but it would be most difficult to pull off, even for me. Americans with guns, on Mexican soil—this is a serious matter.”
“Yes, Colonel, but you and I both know the Americans will be happy to pay a handsome fine and have this matter resolved privately. I think when you present your idea to the commandante it might go well with you, my friend. Besides, these Americanos saved my life; surely Mexico will be grateful, no?”
To no one’s great surprise, a picture of Colonel Luiz Munoz appeared in all the Guadalajara newspapers and, of course, there were several TV appearances. After their guns were confiscated and a sizeable fine was paid, the colonel personally escorted the three back to their plane.
“It is a most supremo aircraft, amigos, and it was only because of my insistence that you are able to keep it.”
Gabby looked at the colonel and smiled. “Of course we are very grateful, Colonel. Let us join the other well-wishers in congratulating you on your daring apprehension of such a dangerous criminal. And, perhaps if you discover the name of a gringo who is so powerful as to convince loyal men to kill their jefe, you will let us know.”
“Of course I have no knowledge of such things, my friends, but in Mexico just like in America, if you have enough dinero, having a dying man killed is not so difficult.”
The colonel handed Gabby a small piece of luggage. “A going-away gift for you; after all, I did get a promotion. Adios, amigos.”
CHAPTER 23
THE ESCAPE
As Piper was taxiing out to the runway, Gabby unzipped the bag as she and Joe looked inside. They pulled out their pistols and laughed.
“He kept the bullets,” said Gabby. “Oh, well, no one to shoot, eh, Joe?”
“Not yet, Gabby, but I plan to reload—you?”
The last item in the bag was a book, The Aquinas Prayer Book: The Prayers and Hymns of St. Thomas Aquinas.
Gabby smiled and yelled out to Piper, “Well, Agent Chad Longmire! I think everyone in Mexico knows your name now—what do you think the Agency will do with you?”
Piper lifted the M600 off the ground so smoothly and quietly they hardly knew they were airborne.
“Yeah, good question, Gabby. I’m not a great saver, so I’ve been thinking about that. I figure I could always get a job smuggling pot across the border. It looks to pay better than Uncle Sam.”
“Piper, you’re a pretty boy and I don’t think you’d fare well in a Mexican prison.”
“Hear that, Mr. Edgar, she thinks I’m pretty. Yo
u better watch out, amigo, or I’ll steal your wife.”
They enjoyed a good laugh, knowing there wouldn’t be much to celebrate in the days ahead.
Langley instructed Piper to immediately secure the facility at Cozumel. The boat and bush plane were already on their way to another facility in Nicaragua. They were specifically told which computers and communication equipment to grab, and then fly the M600 back to American soil before the Mexicans changed their minds. It was almost five hours of flight time to the hangar, and while Joe and Gabby grabbed computers, Piper disconnected radios and sensitive communication equipment. They shredded papers and Piper grabbed a few clothes, his old flight jacket, and took all the pictures off the walls. He also phoned a friend who promised to forward his vinyl record collection and take good care of his black cockatiel named Barry. Gabby ran to the restaurant and ordered a dozen tacos to go and three large orders of fries while Piper and Joe refueled the plane. They threw a case of bottled water, several more guns, and some ammo, in the cargo hold and taxied out. Langley had already filed their flight plan and, catching a good tailwind, they soon landed in Florida. They were exhausted and received permission to refuel and spend the night at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville.
A Naval reserve pilot who was working as the OD secured them in three empty rooms next to the officer’s club.
“Does anyone else need a beer?” asked Piper.
“Yeah, good idea,” said Gabby. “It’s certainly been a memorable day and I know we’re all tired, but we should definitely decompress, don’t you think, Joe?”
“Probably a good idea. I’d like to know what to expect at the inquisition, if you don’t mind, Gabby.”
Piper bought the two Coronas and a coffee for Joe to the table. Everyone took a deep breath and sat for several minutes in silence. Gabby spoke first.
“First of all, I’ve gone over it in my head a dozen times and I absolutely cannot take issue with anything we did. Piper, you asked the right question and there was no way of knowing what Rodrigo was doing.”
“I should have,” said Joe. “I caught a real bad vibe from the guy. I should have known when he walked in, but I hesitated.”
“Look, Joe, we all need to be on the same page and that’s not what I saw.”
“Nor I,” responded Piper. “If anything I should have tackled him when he pulled the gun, but look, Joe, the whole thing happened in a few seconds. They had it planned. Rodrigo was going out the window and his pal would keep us pinned down. I say we’re damned lucky to be alive.”
“Yeah, it did happen fast, but I won’t make that mistake again.”
“It was all instinct and reaction. I don’t even remember grabbing Father Dominic and throwing him to the floor. When I looked up, I saw Joe spin and pop off two rounds, then, when I looked at the monsignor, he was staring at the barrel of my SIG and praying.”
“Did anybody get a chance to thank him?” asked Piper. “I’m almost positive he spun the entire story for Colonel Munoz. I watched them for a long time and the padre was doing most of the talking.”
“That’s right,” said Joe. “Right after that conversation is when the colonel pulled us all together and told us if we wanted to stay out of prison to keep our mouths shut and let him do the talking.”
“Can you imagine a Mexican prison?” asked Gabby. “Two days in that holding cell and I was sure I was going to be eaten by rats.”
“I think we all owe Father Gonzalez a debt of gratitude. I plan to write him and tell him how grateful we all are, unless anyone has an objection.”
“You mean, like a letter?” asked Piper. “Do people still do that sort of thing?”
“Yeah, crazy, huh, but I actually do it quite a bit. I enjoy it and you’d be surprised how many people have never seen a handwritten letter. Besides, I think Father Dominic is a cool guy, and I believe he would appreciate it.”
When Joe looked up, both Piper and Gabby were grinning at him.
“What?”
“Joe Chandler, you are a piece of work and I’m fortunate to know you.”
“Ditto,” said Piper.
“So,” said Gabby, “that brings us to Señor Espinoza. What a change in fortunes! He was minutes away from giving us what we had come for, and then he gets his face shot off.”
“Someone sure as hell didn’t want him talking to us,” said Piper. “You gotta figure those boys had been loyal to Espinoza for years.”
“They knew he was only weeks from the grave, and so were their jobs.”
“The way I see it,” said Gabby, “that name cost the señor his life, but they sure as hell didn’t figure on us. I just can’t believe we were so close.”
“I think it could have been worse,” said Joe.
“Besides us getting killed,” said Piper. “How could it have been worse?”
“Well, first of all, I was thinking about Señor Espinoza. How he’d escaped all the violence and resolved himself to dying of cancer. Then how he actually got a chance to, you know, sort of put his life in order and find some peace with his family and God.”
Gabby and Piper stared at Joe.
“Sorry, guys, I didn’t mean to get philosophical.”
“No, that’s actually right,” said Gabby. “I was thinking of the same thing on the plane ride to Cozumel. He actually did get a second chance, and I think he took it.”
“Yeah, maybe,” said Piper. “But he still got his head blown off.”
“Yes,” said Joe. “He definitely lived by the sword and died by the sword, but still I think he got a chance to change his eternal destination. And when someone like Señor Espinoza finds grace, I don’t know—it always makes me think how life can surprise you. However, what I was really getting at is that Señor Espinoza actually told us quite a bit.”
“For instance?” asked Piper.
“Yeah,” said Gabby. “For instance? All I can dwell on is the name we didn’t get.”
“All right, let’s see. We learned that the cartels are worried about legalized pot, and … we know that we’re looking for an American. He mentioned someone who knows people, someone with influence in Washington DC, and he mentioned government contracts and making billions of dollars.”
“That’s a scary thought,” said Gabby. “The idea that someone in our own nation’s capital ordered the murder of seventeen little girls and just tried to kill the three of us.”
“I agree,” said Joe. “Espinoza was pretty clear we were dealing with people who had connections in Washington.”
“Or worse,” said Piper. “Maybe they are Washington. I’ve never trusted any of those power-hungry bottom-feeders.”
“All right, boys: the director wants us at the office by 11:00 AM. We still have some flying to do and I still have a report to write. One thing you both can count on is that I will have your backs. Let’s get some sleep and meet for coffee at 4:00 AM.”
“4:00 AM!” said Piper. “Ah, man, I’m definitely going to miss the relajado la vida de México.”
CHAPTER 24
LUCILE
The M600 rolled onto the tarmac at Andrews Air Force Base at 8:20 AM, then taxied to a designated hangar where a suit and three USAF airmen were waiting. They secured the doors and unloaded the sensitive cargo into a waiting government van.
“Not sure where all that’s headed,” said Piper to the man in the suit, “but I’ve got some personal effects in there I’ve been toting around for years. I sure hope to see them again.”
“No worries,” said the suit. “You’ll have your gear by tomorrow. I’ll see to it personally. Grab your luggage and put it in the Suburban, I have orders to get you all cleaned up for a meeting at 1300 hours.”
Joe caught the military time and, looking at the build of the man, figured he was probably ex-Special Forces.
“Listen, amigo,” said Piper. “Any chance we could pull through a Starbucks? It’s been awhile.”
“Starbucks!” said the suit as he started the Suburban.
&n
bsp; “Brother, you haven’t had coffee until you’ve had a double shot café macchiato from Lucile’s. Like me,” said the suit, “Lucile is black, beautiful, and from Portland, Oregon. The sister can do things with an espresso machine and milk steamer that will rock your world. My name’s Oscar,” he said, flashing a big smile while sticking out his hand.
Piper grabbed it and turned to the backseat where Joe and Gabby were listening.
“I have a new best friend and his name is Oscar. Oscar, I’m Piper and you and I are going to get along just fine. Drive on, bro, and pray Lucile doesn’t get a look at me or she’ll never look your way again.”
Oscar put on his shades, tilted his head back, and started singing.
“Lucile, you won’t do your sister’s will…
Oh, Lucile, you won’t do your sister’s will…
You ran off and married, but I love you still.”
Not missing a single beat, Piper laid back his head and belted out:
“Lucile, please come back where you belong,
Lucile, please come back where you belong,
I’ve been good to you, baby, please don’t leave me alone.”
Gabby looked at Joe and rolled her eyes. “Oh, my God, it’s the Blues Brothers. We’re in the car with Jake and Elwood.”
Oscar and Piper did a fist pump with a finger burst and sang the entire track of “Lucile” together.
After coffee and meeting the lovely Miss Lucile, they made a quick stop at Gabby’s home in Falls Church, Virginia, where everyone freshened up and changed clothes.
As they all walked back to rejoin Oscar, who had waited out front, Piper whistled low and slow.