Abrasion scowled at her. “You kicked me in the balls the last time I saw you, and they still hurt.”
Alexa gave him a shove. “Just drive where we tell you to go.”
Tanner called to her. “Keep him with you when you drive your van back here.”
“Right, and when we return we’ll figure out our next move.”
“Yes,” Tanner said, and he smiled at her. He’d been doing that a lot lately it seemed.
Alexa smiled back at him as she sent him a wink, then she and Amy went to retrieve their vehicles.
5
Making Plans
After Amy and Alexa returned with the vehicles, they found that Spenser had thrown two frozen pizzas in the oven. Scar and the other Tin Horsemen were seated on stools in front of the kitchen island, awaiting the meal.
Tanner saw Alexa frown at the Horsemen, and he told Abrasion to join his friends on the stools.
“Maybe we should tie them up,” Alexa said.
“Spenser doesn’t think it’s necessary and neither do I,” Tanner said. “But if any of them do something stupid, they’ll wish they hadn’t.”
“We just want to help,” Scar said.
“You can help by telling us what you know,” Spenser said. “How did you come to be here?”
Scar told them about finding the original Hexalcorp Strike Team dead at the house in Oklahoma City, and the details of Martinez’ call.
Alexa laughed. “He hoped to pass you four off as an elite team of mercenaries? The man must be desperate.”
“He is,” Tanner said. “If he told Alvarado that his men failed, he’d probably be killed. I’m going to call my contact at the Burke Corporation. He might know something about this man Martinez, and he’ll also give me the latest satellite images of Alvarado’s compound.”
“Do that,” Spenser said. “The more info we have, the better.”
When the pizza was ready, Amy reached up into a cupboard for glasses. She had grabbed two of them, and when she reached back to get more, she saw that Abrasion had moved over to help her. As he handed her more glasses, she asked him his name.
“I’m Abrasion.”
“That can’t be your real name.”
Abrasion shook his head. “Nope, my real name is Lionel.”
“Thank you for helping me, Lionel,” Amy said, and Abrasion blushed.
As everyone sat around eating pizza and drinking soda, Spenser and Tanner asked the boys more questions, as they tried to come up with a plan that would throw suspicion off Spenser while satisfying Martinez and Alvarado.
Tanner needed time to heal and there were preparations to make before they made their assault on Alvarado’s compound. After listening to the conversation, Alexa said she had an idea.
“Let’s hear it,” Spenser said.
“I’ll contact Damián Sandoval and ask for help. He has much to gain from Alvarado’s downfall.”
“What sort of help?” Tanner said.
“His cartel extends into Texas, as does Alvarado’s cartel. It would be a simple thing for him to make Alvarado’s people believe you were in the state and causing havoc.”
“You mean have his people kill Alvarado’s people and claim that I did it? That sounds like a big favor,” Tanner said.
“Maybe,” Alexa said. “But I think he’ll do it. I also think he’ll support us once we get inside Mexico.”
“That would be invaluable,” Spenser said. “How will you make contact?”
“They gave me a laptop with a Skype connection. I’ll be contacting Sandoval’s man, Dante.”
“After I make this call to my contact at Burke, I’ll need to buy a new phone,” Tanner said. “I shouldn’t risk using the one I have much longer.”
“I keep a few throwaway phones for use in my work,” Spenser said. “I’ll give you one of those.”
Amy stood and began grabbing the empty paper plates and glasses, over at the kitchen island, Abrasion did the same, then he stood next to Amy as she leaned back against the sink.
“I have a call to make too, Spenser,” Amy said. “You know, the things we’ll need for your plan.”
“How long will it take to get that stuff here?” Spenser asked.
“I’ll have them ship it overnight, but I’ll need time to get it just right.”
“Get what right?” Scar said.
“Don’t worry about it,” Alexa said, as she still didn’t trust Scar and the others.
While Spenser kept watch over the Tin Horsemen, Tanner, Alexa, and Amy each went off to make calls and talk to their contacts.
After sending off a message to Dan Matthews of the Burke Corporation, Tanner was surprised to receive an email back only a minute later. The email contained a phone number and a request to call as soon as possible. Tanner had expected Matthews to call him on the phone they had previously used, but knew the man was a stickler for security, so he used one of Spenser’s throwaway phones.
Tanner called Matthews immediately, and heard the man answer after only one ring.
“Tanner?”
“It’s me, Matthews, what’s so urgent?”
“Hold on, Mr. Burke wants to speak to you.”
When Conrad Burke came on the line, Tanner recognized the man’s voice from the times they had seen each other in Guambi.
“It’s me, Burke, what’s up?”
“I need a favor from you, Tanner.”
“I’m listening.”
“It concerns Robert Martinez of Hexalcorp. Your email stated that he was inside Alonso Alvarado’s compound. Are you certain of that?”
“I can’t be certain, but that’s the information I have.”
Tanner heard a sigh come through the phone line; it was followed by Burke speaking. “I need to keep Martinez alive, the damn fool.”
“I take it you know him?”
“Unfortunately, he was once married to my wife’s sister and they share a child, which I suppose makes him family.”
“All right, I won’t kill him unless I have to, but I can’t speak for what Alvarado might do to him.”
“How did you come to learn that Robert was inside the compound?”
Tanner told Burke about the Hexalcorp Strike Team and Martinez’s attempt to use the Tin Horsemen as their replacements, to deceive Alvarado.
“Robert is an idiot. When those men fail to get results Alvarado will be furious with him.”
“Maybe not, we have a plan forming that will make it seem as if they’re making progress. It may buy Martinez more time.”
“Fine, but Tanner, what’s your ultimate plan? Alvarado is being guarded by an army of men, too many for even you to kill all of them.”
“For one thing, I won’t be alone, there are three of us.”
“Three?” Burke said, in a voice that was filled with disbelief. “Tanner, if you had three hundred helping you it might not be enough. My analysts have studied the satellite photos we’ve taken of the compound and Alvarado has beefed up his security tremendously. My people tell me that there’s absolutely no way for you to enter that compound, and that any attempt would leave you dead.”
“I guess we’ll see, Burke.”
“You have nothing to lose by the attempt; I can see that, given that Alvarado won’t rest until you’re dead.”
“That’s right.”
“I guess there’s nothing else to say except to wish you luck, and if by some miracle you do kill Alvarado, my job offer still stands.”
“Good, as long as you remember that I’ll remain an independent.”
“I understand, and good luck.”
Burke ended the call, and, after checking, Tanner saw that he had a new email. When he opened it, he found a set of detailed satellite maps that displayed the Alvarado compound.
He was impressed. Working for Burke could have advantages when it came to intel, and when planning a hit, accurate information about a target could make all the difference between success or failure. Tanner pushed Burke from his mind and thou
ght about Alonso Alvarado, a man he wanted to kill more than any other.
“I’m coming, Alvarado,” he whispered, and then he went off to find Alexa.
6
Atrocity
Alexa had moved onto the porch with her laptop to contact Damián Sandoval’s man, Dante Cardoso.
When the connection went through, she saw Dante’s mustached face smiling back at her. Dante knew her as Anna Sanchez. He looked genuinely pleased to hear from her.
“Anna, it’s good to see you, and I hope this means you have news.”
“I do. I’ve found Tanner and the two of us will be coming back to Mexico in a few days.”
“Why the delay?”
“Tanner has injuries that need to heal first, but once we reach Mexico, we’ll be headed straight for Alvarado’s compound.”
Dante laughed. “If you do that you’ll be slaughtered before you reach the gates. Alvarado has tightened security and hired more guards. In fact, you now have to pass through two separate gates to enter the place.”
Alexa cocked her head. “How could you know all that? Does Sandoval have another spy inside?”
All traces of humor left Dante’s face. When he spoke again, there was the sound of sadness in his voice.
“Do you remember Joaquin?”
“The young guard you let live? Yes, of course I remember him.”
“He got word to me. I must have slipped once and told him about a bar in Mexico City that I liked to drink in. He left a message for me there, and I met him outside the compound while he was out on a patrol. After you breached the compound, Alvarado expanded the perimeter guard. Now there are men on patrol nearly a mile out.”
“So, Joaquin switched sides?” Alexa asked. “Did he say why?”
On the laptop screen, Dante nodded his head slowly. “It was the whores. The ones that were brought in the night you breached the compound. In order to maintain the belief that the compound was impenetrable… Alvarado ordered them all killed, to silence them.”
Alexa blinked rapidly, as her stomach roiled. “He… he killed those women… because of me?”
“No!” Dante shouted. “Alvarado killed those women because he is a monster. And while he managed to keep news of the breach from spreading, he also turned the local people against him. Those women were whores, yes, but they were also sisters, daughters, and some were even young mothers.”
Alexa covered her mouth with her hands, while fearing she might be sick.
“Poor Joaquin,” Dante said. “He was one of the men sent out to dig the graves. He was forced to watch the slaughter as well. He has no more love for Alvarado after witnessing that, and he’s been giving us news from inside the compound.”
Alexa took several deep breaths, wiped away tears, and asked another question.
“How does Joaquin make contact? Do you still meet him in the desert?”
“No, there are too many men with scoped rifles checking the desert now, but Joaquin found a cell phone in the room that was Carlos Ayala’s; he uses it to make contact.”
“What has he told you?”
“There is an American helping Alvarado, a man named—”
“—Martinez,” Alexa said, and watched as Dante arched an eyebrow in surprise.
“How do you know about Martinez?”
“Tanner and I have our own spies, and we also have a new ally. This ally is the same man who crippled Alvarado years ago.”
“Ah, you are full of surprises, Anna, and I will tell Sandoval what you have told me. I think he may be willing to lend assistance.”
“That’s good, because we need a favor.”
“And what would that be?” Dante said.
Alexa told him about their plan to make Alvarado believe that she and Tanner were in Texas.
“I think Sandoval will go for it. In any event, there’s a man in the West End area of Dallas that we need to eliminate.”
“Thank you,” Alexa said. “And the sooner the better.”
“Anna?”
“Yes?”
“You’re not to blame for what Alvarado did to those whores, you know that, right?”
“All I know is that there are more deaths that I owe Alvarado for, and the day is coming when I’ll make him pay.”
Alexa ended the call and turned off her laptop. Afterwards, she stood at the top of the porch steps and watched the Bighorn Mountains grow shadows and become less distinct as night grew closer.
When her mind turned again to the women that Alvarado had killed to keep her breach of his compound a secret, a wave of guilt came over her. It was followed by disgust, was given imagination, and she could almost feel the fear of those women as they knew they were about to die. She made it to a tree near the side of the house before her stomach betrayed her, and she vomited.
Alvarado was a monster in human form. If it cost Alexa her very life, she knew she would give it gladly to kill the man.
She grabbed a breath mint from the cup holder in her van, straightened her clothes, and went back inside the house to talk to Tanner.
7
Cheat Sheet
Alvarado agreed with Martinez’ plan to place more emphasis on finding out who Alexa really was. Once they knew her identity, they could then use her loved ones against her, and hopefully persuade her to betray Tanner.
Martinez was with Alvarado inside the man’s office as he discussed the search with Alvarado and Alvarado’s wife, Malena. Malena studied the drawing of Alexa and made an observation to Martinez.
“If this drawing is accurate, she’s not very old,” Malena said. “We should have someone check the schools and colleges. Maybe a teacher will recognize her. You can say you’re looking for her because of an inheritance.”
Martinez smiled in agreement. “Yes, that’s a good idea, and we’ll concentrate on Mexico City.”
“And what are you doing about finding Tanner?” Alvarado said. “I thought that damn strike team of yours would have tracked him down by now.”
“If you’ll recall, I sent them to search for the other man you’re after. I should be hearing back from them soon on that.”
Alvarado made a face of disgust. “I hate that man even more than I hate Tanner, but I’ve nearly given up on finding the son of a bitch.”
Martinez smiled, and his even white teeth broadcast sincerity. “At Hexalcorp we never give up, and we will never stop until you’re satisfied.”
Malena balled up the drawing of Alexa and tossed it at Martinez. It smacked him in the face and made him flinch. When Martinez looked over at her, he saw the fury in her eyes.
“We don’t want sound-bites or slogans, Mr. Martinez—we want results. Maybe my husband is willing to give you more time, but my patience has ended. Find the woman who killed my brother or find Tanner, but if you make another false promise in my presence you’ll regret it.”
Malena left the room without saying another word. When Martinez looked over at Alvarado, he saw that he was staring at him.
“Maybe you should call your strike team and tell them the situation here. It looks like your time is about up.”
Martinez took out his phone and said a silent prayer that Scar would have good news for him.
Scar jumped when the phone in his pocket rang, because he knew it was Martinez calling him for an update.
Tanner and Spenser had coached him on what to say and had even written several things down on a cheat sheet for Scar to refer to.
Scar looked nervously about the room as everyone stared back at him. When he answered the call, he placed it on the speakerphone setting so that the others could hear.
“Um, Bennett here,” Scar said, while pitching his voice lower. He was pretending to be Steve Bennett, just in case Alvarado was also on speakerphone.
“This is Martinez, Bennett, along with the client. What’s your status?”
Martinez use of the word, status, confused Scar, and Tanner reached over and pointed to one of the things written on the cheat sheet.
<
br /> “Oh, we checked out that house in Cody, Wyoming. It was empty. There must have been a fire recently, because the place was gutted.”
“What about the man that was living there?”
“We found people that knew him, and they all said that he matched the sketch.”
“Excellent, and do you know where to find him now?”
“Yeah, we finally found him today, but uh, this guy, he looks like the sketch, yeah, but he’s only about five feet tall.”
“He’s short?”
“Yeah, short and fat, and we asked around and people say that he doesn’t have a brother.”
The sound of Martinez cursing came over the speakerphone, and Tanner pointed to another line of words on the cheat sheet.
“We have new information on Tanner. A friend of mine says that he saw him in Texas. We’re on our way there now.”
Before Martinez could answer, a different voice could be heard, it was the voice of Alonso Alvarado. The voice was soft, but gruff, and spoke English with a strong Mexican accent.
“This is the client speaking. What part of Texas was Tanner spotted in?” Alvarado asked.
Tanner looked at Alexa and saw her flinch, even as her face darkened with anger, then he pointed at the sheet again, to give Scar his cue.
“Dallas,” Scar said. “My buddy spotted him in the West End area.”
This time it was Alvarado’s turn to curse, and after doing so, he relayed news to Martinez, and his words carried over the phone.
“I received a call right before our meeting. The man who runs my distribution into Texas was shot to death in his West End apartment. I believed it was Sandoval’s doing, but it must have been Tanner.”
Martinez asked Scar a question. “Bennett, this friend of yours, did he see the woman, was she with Tanner?”
Scar searched the sheet and found nothing there that could help. When he looked up at Tanner, he saw him nod yes, and then hold up three fingers and point at Spenser.
The Tanner Series - Books 1-11: Tanner - The hit man with a heart Page 139