Chapter One

by Judith Rochelle

  Dean handed Quinn a photo. “Let me introduce you to Mrs. Eve Gallagher. Wealthy respected San Antonio matron. Otherwise known as Eva Osuna Fleming Gallagher Holt. Sister to Esai and Miguel. Widow of Roger Holt. Mother of Peter Fleming. And, according to the last of the codes we cracked, the real head of the cartel.”

  If Quinn had been panicked before, he was terrified now. For Kate.

  Dean opened a folder he was holding. “The Osunas came out of Mexico forty years ago dirt poor. Eva snagged herself a couple of rich husbands, who died not too long after their weddings. Of unidentified causes, according to the death certificates. She used her inheritances to set up the cartel.” Briefly he gave him the rundown on how John and Roger Holt got caught in the trap.

  “That’s all wonderful information, but can someone tell me why we’re just sitting here?” Quinn demanded, his patience long gone. He wanted to scream. To hit somebody. Anybody. Anything but having these conversations while Kate could be...No. God, don’t even think it. “You know Nolan’s taken her to the condo. We need to get going while she’s still...all right.”

  Nick cleared his throat. “She’s still alive, Quinn. Nolan called me just before you and Jake got here to let me know and tell me what they wanted.”

  “What?” Quinn thought he was hearing things. “The man has balls.” He pulled the tattered shreds of his control together and tried to pay attention to what Nick was saying.

  “Big ones,” Nick agreed. “And I’ll never be able to tell you how sorry I am about him. We have an excellent system in place to prevent just this kind of thing. I guess we’ll have to look and see where the holes are.”

  Quinn gritted his teeth. “What. Did. He. Want?”

  “They know we’ve got the flash drive, so their goose is cooked. Their only chance is to get away clean and start somewhere else.”

  “And?” Quinn made a motion with his hand to speed it up.

  “They’ll trade Kate for written safe passage out of here into Mexico. A clean getaway. No cops. No arrests.”

  “So they can set up in another country,” Noah Delaney put in, a bitter look on his face.

  “Fuck.” Quinn wasn’t sure his legs would keep holding him upright. There was one empty folding chair and he dropped into it. “What did you tell him?”

  “I told him I’d have to get with the U.S. Attorney to get his approval on something like this.”

  “Did you get proof she’s alive?” Quinn demanded.

  “Yes. He put Kate on the phone to give us their demands. Your girl has more guts than most women I’ve ever met. We all know the ordeal she’s been through, and still not even fully recovered. But she kept her cool. Just read the message they’d written out for her.”

  “When are you supposed to hear from him again?”

  This is so much bullshit. I need to find out that address and get my ass over there.

  Nick looked at his watch. “One hour from when he called, which makes it any time now. I told them it would take me time to get hold of Lane.”

  Quinn jumped up. “That gives us plenty of time to get there. If you guys want to sit around and gossip, have at it. Just tell me where the damn place is. I’m going to get Kate out.”

  “Hold on, will you?” Lane glared at him. “That’s our plan, too, but can we at least get a few details together first?”

  At that moment, Nick’s phone rang and they all looked at each other. Nick pressed the Talk button.

  “Yeah?” He listened a moment. “We got the okay on it. It’ll take about thirty minutes for them to type it up and get the AG’s signature on it. Then we’ll fax it to you. What? No, asshole. No one’s going to do anything to endanger that woman’s life. You just better get the hell out of town before we change our minds.” He disconnected the call and looked at Lane. “Okay. We’ve got half an hour. Is that enough?”

  Lane nodded. “More than.”

  “Unless they kill her first,” Quinn pointed out with barely leashed anger.

  “They won’t do that,” Lane told him. “They need a live body to do this. They know if they kill her first, all bets are off.” As he finished speaking the bell on his fax machine rang. He reached over and ripped out the paper as it fed into the tray. “This is what I was waiting for. A warrant for the condo and all its contents signed by Judge Harley. A man not on their payroll, by the way. It’s our ticket in.”

  He stood up, rolled down his shirt sleeves, and pulled on his jacket. “All right, boys, time to get the party started. Jake, you ride with Dean and me. Clay and Noah have their own vehicles.”

  “I’m coming, too,” Quinn said, heading for the door.

  “And me,” Nick added. “It was my fuckup.”

  Lane hesitated only a moment, knowing they’d follow him anyway. He scribbled something on a slip of paper and handed it to Nick. “All right. Here’s where we’re going. Just remember who’s calling the shots. And Quinn? That goes double for you. You wait for my call on everything. Got it?”

  Quinn nodded, but he had his own thoughts on the matter.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “All right.” Lane Barton sat in the shotgun seat next to Jake, radio mike in his hand. “Everyone know the game plan?”

  “We’re set,” Noah Delaney’s voice came back. “Neutralize the guard at the gate, ditto in the lobby, and take the elevator straight up.”

  “Okay,” Lane said into his mic. “Let’s do it.” He picked up a hand held radio. “Quinn, you there? You and Nick stay behind until we call for you.” There was no answering response. “Quinn? Nick? Goddamn it.” He threw the radio against the dashboard. “He’s hot-dogging again. Let’s just hope he doesn’t get anyone killed. All right. We can’t wait. Everyone ready?”

  In all three cars, the air was filled with the sounds of clips being slapped into place and slides being racked as bullets were chambered.

  “Ready,” came back from everyone.

  The three vehicles rolled up to the gatehouse. It took only seconds for the guard to be rendered unconscious, tied up, and tossed in the back of one of the SUVs. Then they moved forward to the building. When they entered the lobby, the guard was already on the floor, bound and gagged.

  “They’ve already been here,” Clay observed.

  “Let’s just hope they haven’t screwed everything up.” Lane picked up the elevator key card that had been left on the desk for them.

  ****

  Impatient with procedure, Nick and Quinn had pulled around to the back of the complex, parked their SUV and quietly gone over the wall. With a stealth born of long years in the business and a connection that required little talking, they crept silently toward the targeted building.

  The guard on duty in the lobby half rose from his desk when they entered. “Who are—”

  But that was as far as he got. Quinn gave the man’s neck a pinch in the right place and he folded. Nick pulled out the flex cuffs he’d stuffed in his pocket and trussed the man up.

  “Elevator card?” Quinn asked.

  “Right here.” Nick held it up.

  They opened the elevator doors, then flipped the card onto the desk for Lane and the others. Noiselessly, the car rose to the top floor.

  The elevator doors to the Gallagher condo hissed open, and Quinn stepped out into the lavishly decorated foyer, Nick behind him. Both men had their guns drawn.

  The living room was straight ahead, and for the moment they were completely exposed. The sound of voices drifted out to him, but fortunately no one was looking their way. In seconds they were behind two tall cactus plants that provided some cover while they scoped things out.

  The voices were louder now. A woman. A man. More than one man.

  Quinn signaled to Nick with his hand.

  You take the left side. I’ll take the right. But wait until I know where Kate is.

  Nick nodded.

  Quinn had to be able to see where everyone was, gauge their best chances. Cautiously he slid forward to a giant schefflera plan
t and peered through its leafy branches.

  “I’m not feeling well.” Kate’s voice.

  “Don’t worry.” A man’s voice. Not Hispanic, so probably Peter. “Before long we’ll be happy to put you out of your pain.”

  “But you said...”

  “Peter, will you please shut up.” That had to be Eva. Angry. No, enraged.

  “How do you plan to do this?” Peter, sounding petulant. “What makes you think they won’t just show up at the door with plenty of fire power?”

  Yes, how do you plan to do that, you bitch? Quinn wondered.

  “I know people like him. They won’t want to risk Kathryn’s life. The publicity fallout from something like that would be disastrous.” Her voice was tinged with disgust. “As soon as that letter comes through on the fax machine, we’re leaving. I’ve already called Luis to have the helicopter waiting.”

  “What about packing?” Miguel asked. “Are we just supposed to leave everything?”

  Eva lifted the briefcase Peter had given to her earlier. “Everything we need is in here. We have more than enough money to buy whatever we need, including houses. Traveling light is less complicated.”

  Able now to see everyone, Quinn memorized where each person was and stepped forward. “I think we may just change this situation a little.”

  “Quinn!” Kate started forward, but Peter grabbed her arm and jerked her back.

  Quinn saw her face whiten and contort with pain, and almost killed the man right then.

  “How the hell did you get in here?” Peter’s rage was unmistakable.

  “Easy, if you know how. It would help if everyone sat on the couch.” When no one moved, he fired his gun at Eva’s feet and snapped, “Now.”

  Eva looked at him, her eyes shooting daggers. Everyone moved slowly, aware of Quinn’s eyes pinning them.

  “You’re outnumbered, Quinn.” Nolan Hanks rose from where he was sitting, a gun in his hand.

  “You know, you are one lousy son of a bitch.” Nick moved forward now, also pointing a gun. “Surprised to see me, asshole?”

  “Nah, I figured when I saw your friend here you had to be somewhere nearby. Give it up,” Nolan told him. “Back out, let us out of here as soon as that fax rings, and we’ll let the girl live.”

  “Trusting you was my worst mistake,” Nick spat, “but I won’t make it again. No way am I just walking out of here.”

  Nolan raised his gun and his finger tightened on the trigger. “Bad idea,” Nick said, and shot him three times, once in the arm and once in each leg. Nolan collapsed on the floor, moaning and writhing. “Anyone else? Okay, then. Kate, come over here.”

  Nick stepped over to Nolan and kicked his gun backwards, keeping his own gun trained on the others while he picked it up.

  Quinn was still covering the room.

  Peter tightened his grip on Kate’s arm. “Kate is it? Well, no matter what name she calls herself. She’s not going anywhere.”

  “Kate.” Quinn’s voice was like a knife edge. “Walk away from him and come over here.” His eyes swept over her for a brief instant.

  “Don’t let her go, Peter.” Eva pulled her hand from the pocket of her skirt, her fingers wrapped around a small pistol.

  Kate wrenched around, and shoved her knee into Peter’s groin, freeing herself. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she picked up a small but heavy statue from a display table and, heaved it at Eva’s arm. The statue hit its mark and the woman dropped her weapon, screaming.

  “She broke my wrist,” Eva screeched. “The bitch broke my wrist. Someone shoot her.”

  Esai was bent over, pant leg pulled up, reaching for a tiny Beretta in his ankle holster.

  “Down!” Quinn shouted and Kate dropped to the floor.

  Quinn fired at Esai, hitting his gun hand. He wasn’t quite quick enough for Miguel, however, who fired low at Kate.

  She felt something sting her side, then a burning sensation flooded through her. She knew she was hit, and a searing pain told her she might also have torn something inside. She breathed through her mouth, willing the agony to pass.

  Quinn swore at Miguel and shot twice, shattering his arm.

  Kate looked up to see Peter pointing a gun directly at Quinn.

  “That’s it,” he shouted, his finger tightening on the trigger. “You’re done.”

  “Kill him, Peter,” Eva screamed, cradling her broken wrist. “Shoot him now.”

  Kate, down on the floor and fighting not to pass out, forced herself to roll slightly. Sweat broke out all over her body, and she was sure she was going to vomit any minute. Somehow, through sheer effort of will and overwhelming fear for Quinn, she pulled her gun from her waistband. Her hands were slick with sweat and blood and she had time for only one brief thought.

  Please God, let me remember how to do this.

  Then she fired upwards at Peter, and kept firing, hitting him as his own gun went off. She barely noticed the bursts of red that bloomed in the center of his chest, right where her bullets had hit so many times at the shooting range.

  The shots had all came so close together they might have been one, reverberating in the room, bouncing off the tall ceiling. Boom! Boom boom boom! Boom!

  Kate heard Eva scream again, Miguel swear, glass break, and the thud of a body hitting the floor. Dizziness was overtaking her.

  “Quinn?” She didn’t know if she shouted it or whispered.

  New voices. Running feet. And finally a vaguely familiar voice, heavy with authority.

  “This is the FBI. Don’t anyone move or I will shoot you. And believe me, I mean every word I say.”

  Kate felt as if she was falling, but that was impossible. She was already on the floor, wasn’t she? Someone was trying to pry the gun loose from her hands, but she put all her strength into holding on.

  “Kate? Stay with me, Kate. It’s Quinn. You can let go of the gun.”

  “Quinn?” She forced open her heavy eyelids to see him leaning over her.

  “It’s me, darlin’. Let go now. It’s all right.”

  “Your shoulder.” She saw the blood on his shirt.

  “I’m fine. Hang on. The paramedics are on their way.”

  A babble of voices in the background. Eva’s, strident and imperious. Esai or Miguel, she didn’t know which one, swearing in Spanish. Voices she didn’t recognize. Someone giving orders. The pain was so unbearable this time she didn’t think there was enough Tylenol to take the edge off.

  Hands touching her, soft and gentle, but making her wince and cry out all the same.

  “Dean.” Quinn’s voice, angry and impatient. “Where the hell’s the damn ambulance? She’s bleeding heavily. Tell them to get here now.”

  “Was she shot again?” A voice filled with concern and worry. Whose?

  “Yes, but I’m afraid to move her.” Quinn’s voice was shaky, blood seeping from the wound in his shoulder. “All I can do right now is try to stop the bleeding.”

  “Quinn?” She could barely get the word out.

  “Right here, darlin’.” His face loomed over hers. “Kate, I am so sorry. I...” He stopped and she wondered if she was fading away but then he went on. “This is my fault. All my fault. I love you, Kate, and I let you down.”

  She tried to focus on his face as movement swirled around them. “Am I dying?”

  “Not a chance.” He took one of her cold hands in his large warm ones, pouring the heat of his body into hers. “You told me you were a fighter. I’m counting on that.”

  Eva’s voice again, now demanding that she be allowed to call her attorney. The Osuna brothers, still cursing angrily in Spanish. The sounds of token struggles. More strange voices, giving orders, making phone calls.

  “Get them all out of here and take them down to the federal building.”

  A strange voice, one she didn’t recognize.

  “Kate?” Jake Garza. Where had Quinn gone? “Kate, the ambulance is here. They need to check you over before they can give you something for t
he pain. All right?”

  “Okay.” Her lips could barely form the word. Her eyelids felt as if they’d been dipped in concrete, but as strange hands did things to her body, she tried to find Quinn. All she saw was unfamiliar legs, and Jake crouching on the other side of the EMTs, his face pinched with concern.

  “We’re ready to roll,” one of them said. “The wound in her arm busted open and she’s been hit again in the side, almost the same place as the last time. People need to stop using her for a pin cushion.”

  “I’ll ride with her,” Jake said.

  “Quinn?” she croaked.

  “He’s here. They’re fixing his shoulder.” And then Jake moved away so the paramedics could fit her with the oxygen and hook her up to the portable EKG machine. As they lifted her she heard him swear. “Damn it, Quinn, let them patch you up. No, you can’t...”

  She forced one eye open and saw the fuzzy figure beside her. Jake, again.

  “Quinn?”

  “Being taken care of. You’ll see him at the hospital.”

  “Hurt?”

  “He’ll be fine. I promise.”

  A hand grasped hers on the ride to the hospital. And then she faded, the shot they gave her dropping her into blessed oblivion.

  ****

  The scene at the hospital was chaotic and noisy. The emergency room staff, already running thin on a busy night, was not happy to have a crowd of grim-faced men taking up even more of their space and barking orders.

  Quinn was a maniac, adrenaline masking the pain as he fought with Jake.

  “I want to see her.”

  “Let them get the bullet out of your damn shoulder,” Jake said for maybe the thousandth time. “I got them to agree to give you a local and do it here in the trauma center. So don’t be a big baby and holler while they work on you.”

  Quinn gritted his teeth. “Go...find out...”

  “I’m going, I’m going.”

  Jake drew a deep breath, calming himself, and went to find where they’d taken Kate.

  She was easy to spot. Hers was the only treatment room with armed guards at the door, courtesy of Lane Barton. All the cartel leaders were under lock and key, but remembering what happened to Quinn’s family four years ago, no one was taking any chances.