Deadly Journey

by Declan Conner

‘Listen, Rob, when I was captive, I saw a television report about a gangland massacre near the border. Do you remember – Carlos Lopez and Greg Hines, the ones who gave us loads of crap a while back? Did you get involved in the investigation? Only I think they kidnapped me.’

  ‘Carlos and Greg, doesn’t ring a bell. Wait, yeah, I remember those scumbags, but no, I didn’t get involved. So that’s who was involved. Homicide will have dealt with that case. I don’t figure they’ll be anxious to solve it in a hurry. Anyway, go on. Start at the beginning. I have a meeting later this morning.’

  I relayed the events of the past few days, giving Rob a condensed version, still mindful of what my attorney had said in case any of it got back to the FBI. As much as Rob was my friend, we’d both lied enough times to get confessions from suspects to support a prosecution.

  ‘So, you’ve been set up in fine style.’

  ‘Afraid so.’

  ‘The guys who kidnapped you, did they talk among themselves? You know, give you any clue I could follow up on as to who put the contract on your head?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘What about Perez? If he bought the hit out, did he give even the tiniest clue as to who it could be?’

  ‘Nothing, but if I had his laptop and if it contains the information I think it does, it could have a payment listed and name my kidnappers. Hell, it may even have an email saying who put the hit on me. Then again, it could be a blank hard drive.’

  ‘Yeah, it’s a pity you don’t have it. So where do you think this Leandra will be?’

  ‘I don’t have a clue. When are you due back home, Rob? I mean, are you going to have the time to try and find me some witnesses?’

  ‘Time’s not a problem. I have meetings arranged all week down here with my counterparts. Any investigation doesn’t have to end with me going home, but then you know that.’

  ‘Oh, yeah, the new job.’

  Rob shrugged his shoulders and tapped his nose with his finger. ‘You never know what intelligence we can come up with to support what happened now that I’m in this job. Still, I don’t get why you didn’t just tell the FBI all this.’

  ‘You know the score with forensics versus uncorroborated testimony. Then there’s the animosity between Walters and me, and he’s running the show.’

  ‘Hmm. Yeah, It does look pretty damning. Open and shut if it was our case. You don’t suppose Walters could have anything to do with all this? Word has it that he was involved in black ops during his army days.’

  ‘Not much of a motivation to want me dead with Walters losing out on promotion.’

  ‘Well, he did make threats to see you in the gutter. Listen, I have a meeting soon. I’ll write down my new cell phone number in case of emergency. I’ll get back to see you before I go back to El Paso to report on my progress.’

  We both stood and he embraced me. Then Rob walked to the door and gave it a knock. As the door opened, I caught sight of one of the heavily tattooed MS-13 faction shuffling along past the doorway and glancing my way.

  Rob collided with Angelina as she appeared. Rob stepped outside. The guard left the door open.

  ‘Who was that?’ she asked.

  ‘My friend and partner from the DEA, Rob.’

  ‘I do hope you have not made a statement.’

  ‘No, just talking. Only said enough to have him look for witnesses. I’ve held some things back.’

  ‘Good, don’t trust anyone. We need to keep things close to our chest for now, especially from the FBI and their Agent Walters.’

  ‘Oh, him. He visited me the other day, but I said nothing to him after he charged me. Have you spoken to him?’

  ‘No, but we met in front of the judge. I was sure we’d get you bail and the investigation widened until he turned up with a statement about what you’re alleged to have done north of the border.’

  ‘Should we be talking with the door open?’

  ‘Oh, sorry, I’m waiting for my assistant. She’s in the rest room. I’m afraid your case is going to take a lot more work than I can handle on my own. Otego told me he is waiting for forensics coming back from the scene you mentioned at the barn. They managed to get a fingerprint off a knife stuck in a corpse and they’ve sent off clothing and blood samples from the corpses for DNA tests.’

  I sunk my head into my hands. ‘You know it’ll be my fingerprint on the knife and their blood on the clothing I was wearing when they arrested me.’

  ‘Yes, I gathered that from what you told me. But, hey, let’s not worry. It’s going to be our priority to fight the extradition. The possible sentence is going to be far more severe in the U.S. Having said that, we may just have the answers to strike a deal. We could have some leverage to sidestep the charges, or at least have the term reduced – north and south of the border. It’s just going to take time.’

  I removed my hands and lifted my head. ‘What are you saying?’

  ‘Nothing just yet. I’ll tell you when my assistant arrives and we can close the door.’

  I could only hope her idea of leverage wasn’t something as stupid as thinking I was guilty and trading the whereabouts of the goods from the heist and where Perez had been holed up, although I did have information about the fake exploration vessel.

  Outside in the corridor, I saw a guy wearing a crumpled suit. He handed my guard a couple of letters. The guard sauntered into the room, passed me the letters, and gave me a pen to sign for their receipt.

  ‘You’ve been served,’ said a guy in the suit, popping his head around the door.

  ‘Served?’

  I looked at the envelopes. Both had El Paso court addresses. Nervously, I fumbled at opening the first letter. My fingers trembled so much I could open the seal.

  ‘Here, let me.’

  I handed Angelica the letters. I watched her open first one letter followed by a sigh and then the other. Her brow furrowed and her nose twitched.

  ‘Go on then, what are they?’

  ‘Something you could do without right now.’

  Chapter 52

  Devastating News

  Angelica eased the letters across the table.

  ‘I can’t help you with these. You’ll need to get advice from an American lawyer.’

  I picked up and read the first document, headed “Temporary Restraining Order” and detailing that I was not to have contact with Mary, Claire, or Craig either directly or indirectly for a period of ten days. Glancing at the second document, all I could focus on was the words “divorce proceedings” when I lost all composure. I covered my face with my hands.

  ‘No, no. Freaking no. This can’t be happening.’

  I clawed at my forehead and then tugged at my hair.

  ‘Sorry. I know it comes at a bad time.’

  ‘Bad time? Why is she doing this? I’m stuck in a Mexican prison for Christ’s sake. Why so quickly?’

  I slipped my head through my shackled wrists and repeatedly head-butted the table. I guessed Walters knew about this when he visited me and that’s what he meant, saying I was toast as far as Mary and my kids were concerned.When I lifted my head, Angelica’s face flushed. I wasn’t sure if her reaction was out of sympathy or out of embarrassment at seeing a grown man with tears pouring down his cheeks.

  ‘You have to get me out of here.’

  ‘Listen, I’ll try my best to have you released, but you need to be strong. It won’t happen overnight and there’s no guarantee. Look at the situation from your wife’s point of view. You were on the FBI’s Most Wanted list in America for murder and now you’ve been charged with murder of a family – including children. She’s protecting your children. Think about that.’

  ‘But I’m innocent. She doesn’t even know my side.’

  ‘Yes, but look at all the damning evidence and the media frenzy they’ll be facing. Mary and the children will be struggling to come to terms with all they are presented with as facts.’

  Angelica handed me a tissue. The sound of clip-clopping heels echoed in the corridor
. My chest tightened and sweat dripped from my brow. The assistant arriving couldn’t come quickly enough, I thought; then suddenly the steps ceased. All I could hope was that whatever trickery Angelica had planned, it would get me off the hook, so I could fight the restraining order and divorce. I at least wanted to talk to my kids over the phone.

  ‘Kurt, I’m going to leave you for five minutes. Try to calm yourself while I have a word with my assistant.’

  Angelica stood and slipped out of the room, closing the door behind her. Now that I was alone with my thoughts, the court papers brought the death and ingratitude saying to mind. Now I faced the possibility of a death sentence, and I also faced the ingratitude of the woman I loved. That one person, on whom I thought I could depend, had put a final poisonous concoction in my heart to take away any reason I had left to live. There was no reason to look forward to anything in my life anymore, only death and ingratitude for a lifetime loyalty. I just wished I could meet the person who coined the phrase to look him or her in the eyes and to say – you’re right.

  Calmness descended at the inevitability of the situation and then anger. All I wanted was to get even. But to get even with who? Perez was dead and so were the punks who had probably kidnapped me, together with Squat. Angelica was right. Under the circumstances, Mary was protecting our kids. I shook my head in silent resignation, then the door opened and closed.

  ‘Kurt.’

  I looked up. My jaw dropped open in disbelief. I pushed my chair back and stood.

  ‘You? How—’

  ‘Shush, call me Christina. It’s a long story.’

  Chapter 53

  Sight for Sore Eyes

  As soon as Leandra had entered through the door, the familiar fragrance of her perfume and her beaming smile enveloped the room. She looked smart in her suit, with a knee-length skirt and a black jacket over a pinstripe blouse, carrying a black crocodile-skin briefcase and with her hair tied in a bun. If anything, she looked more like an attorney than Angelica did. She opened her arms, stepped over to me, and took hold of me in an embrace that I wanted to return, but I couldn’t, restricted by the cuffs.

  ‘Oh, Kurt, Kurt, I’m so sorry. Angelica told me all about the divorce.’

  My head rested on her shoulder. Words eluded me, responding with first a whimper and then unbridled sobs. She released her hold and placed her hands on my shoulders. Head bowed, I sucked in a lungful of air, the breath faltering as I exhaled.

  ‘Kurt, I know it’s going to be hard, but you have to focus. Come on, sit down.’ It was as if I didn’t know which way was up and she guided me onto the chair. Leandra took a handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed my eyes. ‘That’s better.’

  Her eyes followed mine, together with her broad smile, which I couldn’t shake off however I tried to avert my gaze, at least not without attempting a faint smile in return to slake the plea in her eyes.

  ‘See, it’s not all doom and gloom. You have friends to get you through all this.’

  She handed me her handkerchief and walked around the desk. Leandra took hold of the chair, dragged it in front of me, and then sat. Our knees touched and she took hold of my hands in hers.

  ‘Talking... about... friends, did you see my buddy Rob on your way in?’

  ‘What was he wearing?’

  ‘Black... pants and a brown leather jacket.’

  ‘So that was him? Yes, I saw him. He opened the door for me at reception. His eyes followed my ass all the way through reception. It freaked me out.’

  ‘No harm in appreciating the female butt. At least I know he’s not gay.’

  ‘Would it make him any less of a friend if he was?’

  ‘Well, no. Just saying, seeing as how he never has a girlfriend. Anyway, he’s going to try and help, but—’

  Leandra interrupted my train of thought. ‘You know something? I should have slapped you instead of greeting you with a hug. Do you know that?’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘For leaving me back there at the house and not returning. Have you any idea what that did to me?’

  ‘Sorry, but at least you’re free. Don’t think I didn’t feel guilty. Look where leaving you got me.’

  ‘Yeah, well, you should feel guilty, instead of feeling sorry for yourself.’

  I couldn’t be sure of the logic, considering what I was facing, but her banter snapped me out of my mood. ‘So, how come the Christina name and how did you get to be Angelica’s assistant?’

  ‘Never mind me. Tell me everything about what it’s like in here first.’

  Leandra listened intently, but there was no smile from her as I recounted all the events of the past few days. She sat back and threw her head upward.

  ‘Oh, my God. That’s worse than at the villa. We’ve got to get you out of here.’ She shook her head. ‘I never thought to bring you any food. I’ll bring some fruit tomorrow and some shaving cream with a safety razor. You look dreadful.’

  ‘Thanks, but my appearance isn’t exactly a priority. So, tell me what happened after I left the house.’

  Her brow creased, I assumed at the recollection.

  ‘I slept at first and when I awoke it was dark. My ankle had swollen, so I could only hobble. After a few hours, I sort of guessed you wouldn’t return and I called you all the demons under the sun. I cried a lot for my mom, but I knew I had to do something myself, so I pressed the button on that gadget you left with me. Then I slept until daybreak.’

  ‘What about the computer and the bags?’

  ‘Don’t worry, I have them stashed away.’

  ‘So how did you get away from the house?’

  ‘Pedro turned up mid-morning and it’s been a helter-skelter ride ever since.’

  ‘Pedro? I don’t get it, why he would want to keep you safe?’

  ‘Me neither, until he explained. Father hired him to infiltrate the cartel, to watch over me and at best to rescue me. I have to say, though, he’s not pleased with me staying to help you, instead of returning home. I’m just blessed he has contacts in high places – and some low, shady places. I’m still jet-lagged, we’ve done so much travelling.’

  ‘Where to?’

  ‘We booked into a hotel at first. Then I visited the embassy to collect my documents, and flew on to Panama. I was in Panama when I read about your arrest and flew straight back to Mexico. We found out who your attorney was and where they were holding you. Pedro arranged for some false Mexican documents and here I am.’

  ‘What were you doing in Panama? Where are you staying?’

  ‘Slow down. I’ve rented an apartment near here. Let’s just say I was putting my tutor’s business teaching to good use in Panama and leave it at that.’

  ‘Does Angelica know who you really are?’

  ‘Yes.’

  There was a tap on the door and it opened. Our guard entered with three coffees in plastic cups on a tray and set them down on the table. Angelica followed, with another guard carrying a chair.

  ‘I thought we could all use a coffee,’ Angelica said.

  I took a sip and savoured the aroma. ‘Oh my, Angelica by name and an angel by nature. You don’t know how welcome this is.’

  ‘No, but I can imagine.’

  The guards left the room. Angelica sat as the door closed.

  ‘Good, now you and – ahem – Christina are acquainted, we can get down to business. But you should know that it is vitally important we keep her identity in all this a secret.’

  ‘How do we do that if she’s going to make a witness statement?’

  ‘That won’t be required. Besides, it would just be words. What she holds is worth more than a million words. Then there’s always the chance that in the face of overwhelming forensic evidence to the contrary of any statement, they could charge her as an accomplice.’

  ‘Now you’ve got me baffled.’

  ‘The computer, numbskull,’ Leandra said. ‘It has everything on the hard drive we need to work a deal. Names, dates, amounts, equipment, sites, routes,
bank accounts, everything.’

  ‘That will include your father.’

  Leandra coughed, tapping her lips with a clenched fist. ‘No. Funnily enough, it doesn’t.’ She winked and crossed her legs.

  ‘So how do we go about using what the computer contains?’

  ‘Christina is going to transcribe the information, splitting it into two parts – information that’s of interest to the authorities here and another for the American authorities. To start the negotiations, we’ll present the information without the names and full details. For example, we’ll list that there are fourteen known tunnels under the border, but without their locations. We can also say, for example, there are one hundred and twenty-two customs and baggage handlers on the cartel’s payroll in America and two hundred and thirty-one in Mexico. Then we can split the government officials north and south of the border, with a separate list of elected officials.’

  ‘What! In the United States?’

  ‘You’ll be surprised. It could bring down the governments both sides of the border, or at least cause one hell of a lot of damage,’ Angelica said.

  ‘And it’s all in there?’

  ‘Honestly, it’s all there,’ Leandra said.

  ‘I’ve just had a thought. Can’t Pedro make a statement?’

  Angelica said. ‘We tried that, but he can’t, or won’t. He said it would compromise his activities, whatever that meant. I don’t even think Pedro is his real name. Maybe he’s wanted somewhere by the police. He did say he’d contacted the DEA anonymously and told them you’d escaped.’

  ‘Did he now. Where is he?’

  ‘Pedro’s probably outside waiting for me. He’s following my every step,’ Leandra said.

  There was a tap on the door and it opened.

  ‘Time’s up,’ said Angelica. ‘Christina can visit you every day as my assistant, so you don’t have to wait for public visiting days. Oh, and I’ve told the guards you need to phone your American attorney before you go back to the cell.’

  ‘I don’t have change for the pay phone.’

  ‘I have. Just make sure you stay around to pay me back,’ said Leandra. ‘No heroics and don’t do anything stupid.’