Duty Bound (1995)

by Leonard B Scott

  Ted nodded. "Yeah, that sounds good."

  "Then I'll take you back to the hotel and we'll stand on the balcony and look at the fireworks and the Tahiti canoes on the lake and we'll slowly undress each other, and then we'll ..."

  Ted kept his eyes on the road and kept nodding, but he was no longer listening. He was thinking about Carlos Mendez.

  Chapter 16.

  9:10 A. M., Monday, Miami airport.

  Eli slowed his steps and motioned ahead to the waiting area for Delta's Gate 19. "Her plane should be here any minute."

  Ashley rolled her eyes after taking a sip of coffee from a plastic cup. "I bet you can hardly wait, Tanner."

  Eli gave Ed Faraday a consoling look. "I told you Sutton was a joy to work with in the mornings."

  The detective nodded. "You were sure right about her not being a morning person--she's been actin' bitchy since we left Atlanta this morning."

  Ashley glared at the two men through her unbandaged eye. "You want to see me really bitchy, just keep it up, you two."

  Eli motioned to the waiting area. "I think it's time I broke the news to Miss Lopez. Both of you follow me."

  Eli strode into the waiting area and approached an attractive woman seated in the smoking section. "Excuse me.

  You're waiting for Miss Stacy Starr, aren't you?"

  The dark-haired woman lowered the magazine she was reading. "Who are you?"

  Eli took out his ID. "Special Agent Tanner, FBI, ma'am.

  You are Miss Rita Lopez from Channel 2, correct?"

  Rita's eyes narrowed. "What is this?"

  "This is a request, Miss Lopez. I need to talk to Miss Starr. It has to do with an investigation we are running. I will be picking up Miss Starr when she arrives and you can follow us to the hotel. You have her checked in at the Coral Gables Hyatt, right?"

  "Big Brother is watching, is that it?" Rita said, snuffing out her cigarette. "How did you know we had Stacy checked into the Hyatt?"

  "Your station manager told us, Miss Lopez. We know you are going to be working with Miss Starr in a cooperative effort on the story."

  "What if I refuse your 'request'?"

  "I was being nice; it's not really a request. It's going to happen just like this: When Miss Starr arrives, me, my associates here, and you will escort her to the baggage area.

  Once she's got her things, she goes with us. You can follow us in your van to the hotel."

  "That's it? There's nothing I can do about it?"

  "That's it, Miss Lopez."

  Rita motioned to the plate-glass window where, outside, a DC-9 was approaching the gate. "She's not going to like this."

  Minutes later Stacy stood in front of Eli. She slowly shifted her gaze to Faraday then Ashley and shook her head.

  "I don't believe this is happening."

  Eli wrinkled his brow. "Believe it, Stacy. We'll talk in the car and I'll explain everything."

  Stacy turned to Rita with a frown. "It's all right. I'll ride with them. I think they're holding all the cards right now."

  Stacy sat in the backseat with Eli beside her as the rental car came to a stop in front of the Coral Gables Hyatt Regency. Stacy's eyes were locked on Eli. "You've certainly done a good job of scaring me, but it would help if you could be more specific. Do you have a suspect or don't you?"

  "I can't tell you that, Stacy. The SAC's instructions were to tell you what we were up against in the hope you would back off of your investigation. It doesn't matter who the suspect is; these players are all the same when it comes to their privacy. They don't like people asking questions about them, especially the media."

  "Are these men so powerful that they can't be touched?"

  Eli thought that maybe his past twenty-minute update was having an effect. "Some of them are, Stacy. One of them I know for sure is very smart. He's mostly legit now, and the way he's organized, with others doing all the actual dirty work, we can't get to him."

  "Unless one of his people talks," Stacy said. "If somebody inside his organization talks, then you'd have him, right?"

  Eli frowned. "That's not likely. There's probably no more than a half dozen inside people who actually talk to him.

  And they're all very loyal and tied to him by blood. In ninety, when I worked the case, I found out pretty quick that over half of his employees had never actually even seen him. Think of him as the CEO of Ford Motors--he makes the major decisions but others actually make the cars. One division makes Thunderbirds; another makes Escorts. In his case, one division handles all his legit business and another is the dirty division that launders his money. The dirty division is made up of subdivisions spread out throughout the southeastern United States. The Yona Group could have been just one of many of his subdivisions. You have to understand, Stacy, this guy in particular isn't like the players in the movies who wear flashy clothes and go out dancing and partying every night. He's all business and controls his operation with an iron fist. When we picked up his people, they never said a word to us. . . . They knew if they said anything they'd be dead, and so would their relatives. That's how this guy worked. He went after the families as a lesson to others. You asked if the players were that powerful-- remember, one of them had Senator Goodnight and his family murdered, and we're not even close in trying to prove it."

  "Isn't it frustrating for you, Eli?"

  "It's more than frustrating; it's maddening. These guys have big money, and money can buy you anything, including people inside the Miami Police Department and most likely even in our government agencies. It's the only explanation for why some of them know so much about how we operate or when we're getting close. Look, Stacy, that's strictly off the record, as is everything else I've told you about these people. Now I think you understand why we want you to. Back off the story--it's too dangerous."

  Stacy shook her head. "I can't do that. I have a duty; the people have a right to know."

  Seated in the front passenger seat, Faraday turned in his seat. "Jesus, Miss Starr, Tanner just told ya why ya gotta drop it. These guys kill people. If you start asking questions, none of them are goin' to think twice about having you knocked off."

  Stacy's face was set in determination. "Our system of justice has failed us, Detective. I heard what Eli said. He said, in effect, the Justice Department doesn't have the necessary tools to bring the one responsible for the senator's death to justice. Doesn't that bother you? It does me. What is wrong with our system, that it allows such men to stay in business?

  Don't you think the people have a right to know their system has failed?"

  Seated behind the wheel, Ashley spoke, trying to contain her anger. "Is it worth risking the lives of Miss Lopez, the news crew, and possibly us? Is getting your story out worth that much?"

  Stacy returned Ashley's glare. "The truth is worth the risk, Agent Sutton. The system has failed us all. Perhaps when the truth is known, people will demand changes to our laws." Stacy shifted her gaze to Eli as she reached for the car door. "Tell Donny, no deal. I'm doing the story, but I won't use anything you just told me. I'll get what I need on my own."

  Eli took hold of Stacy's arm. "If you do this, the three of us are going to be with you every step of the way. Our job is to protect you."

  "What if I refuse your protection?"

  "You're too smart to do that, Stacy. We're the reason you're refusing to back off your crusade. You figure if we're protecting you, the players won't try anything. Maybe you're right. Then again, maybe you're wrong. You're betting your life and the lives of others on your chance to tell the world what you think the truth is.'

  Stacy held his gaze a long moment before lifting her chin.

  "Let go of me, Eli. I have work to do."

  Eli kept his grip. "Fine, but there's rules to play by. First, you'll never be alone. One of us will be with you at all times. Second, you'll tell us your schedule to give us time to have backup wherever you go. Third, no secrets. We hear everything you hear, and that goes for telephone conversatio
ns. Fourth, you will heed my advice and do whatever I say is necessary to ensure your protection. That means you don't question me or balk when I tell you to do something; you just do it. That's how this is going to be played. You understand?"

  Stacy nodded once. "I agree to your rules, but I have a job to do. The first interview is in an hour. People won't talk to me if you three are standing over me. At least dress like you're members of the crew. Don't flash your IDs and guns around and don't be obvious."

  "We agree to that," Eli said, "as long as we don't perceive there's a threat to you. From this moment on you'll introduce me and Ed as your personal bodyguards. Agent Sutton is your hairdresser. That's our cover. You got it?"

  "Yes, I have it."

  Eli kept a somber expression. "Ed, escort Miss Starr inside. Agent Sutton and I will join you in just a minute and explain the deal to Miss Lopez."

  Stacy got out of the car but leaned back inside and touched his arm. "I'm sorry, Eli, but I have a duty, too. I hope you understand."

  Eli took the cell phone from his blazer pocket. "Yeah, Stacy, I'm afraid I do." He sat up and said, "Park this thing, Sutton, while I call the SAC and tell him the bad news."

  . * *

  Eli still sat in the backseat of the rental car after completing his call to the SAC. Ashley began to open her door but Eli raised his hand. "Hold it a minute."

  She turned with a one-eyed questioning stare. "What's going on?"

  Suddenly the back passenger door opened and a tall, well built man slid into the seat beside Eli.

  Eli raised an eyebrow. "Well?"

  The man shook his head. "You first. She going to drop it?"

  "Nope, she says the people have a right to know. What did you find out?"

  "You were followed, all right. We spotted two pairs. One pair is parked across the street in the gray minivan. The other pair parked in the lot and is inside in the lobby keeping an eye on Miss Starr. We've got them covered and I've got a tech team monitoring the cell phone bands if they use a cell phone to report in."

  Eli motioned to Ashley. "Howie, this is my partner, Agent Ashley Sutton. She and Detective Ed Faraday of the GBI are the ones I told you about."

  The agent nodded to Ashley. "I'm Agent Howard Parker, your stand-in partner for Tanner. He's said good things about you."

  Ashley's unbandaged eye bored a hole into Eli. "What's going on, Tanner?"

  "Sutton, it's what it looks like. Howie tailed us from the airport to see if we were followed. We were, just like we thought we would be."

  "Who are they?" Ashley asked, looking at Parker.

  "We don't know who they're working for, but it's local contract surveillance boys, not hitters, which is good news.

  I've got a squad parceled out watching both pairs, and they'll report all their movements."

  "You get the stuff I requested?" Eli asked.

  Parker smiled. "I'm way ahead of you. You'll find the equipment in your room. And like you requested, your room is next to Miss Starr's."

  Ashley relaxed her stare. "Sounds like you two have been busy. I'm impressed."

  Eli opened his door. "Come on, Sutton, it's time to go to work. We'll let Howie keep an eye on our backs."

  Ashley quickly got out of the car and caught up to Eli, who was already heading for the hotel entrance. "Tanner, why didn't you tell me about Agent Parker?"

  "Didn't have time. I had to get you and Ed up to speed on what the DEA knew before Stacy arrived."

  "What's this about your room being next to Miss News?

  You planning on visiting your lady friend after dark?"

  Eli smiled as he kept walking. "Well, Sutton, if I do pay her a visit, you'll be the first to know. You're staying in the room with her."

  "What?"

  "You heard what I told her--one of us will be with her every second. While you're staying with her, maybe she'll pass her beauty secrets on to you."

  "Keep it up, Tanner. I know you're enjoying this. Keep the surprises coming--you're really trying hard but you're not getting to me."

  "Just doing my job, Sutton. I didn't volunteer to watch her."

  "Tanner?"

  "Yeah?"

  "What did you mean that she might show me her beauty secrets? I look nice most of the time, don't I?"

  "Drop it, Sutton."

  "What is it? My hair? More makeup?"

  "Drop it."

  "Clothes?"

  Less than three miles from the Hyatt, Ted stood on the balcony of a fourth-floor apartment just off Dixie Highway.

  If he stood in the right spot, he could see between two high-rise hotels and actually see Biscayne Bay and, out much farther, Key Biscayne. Sitting beside him, Baby nuzzled Ted's hand with his nose. Ted broke his gaze from the distant key and patted the dog's head. "She's sleepin', huh? Sorry, but I can't take ya for a walk, either. I gotta get some sleep, too."

  Glenn walked out onto the balcony. "I'm getting worried about you, Ted. You were talkin' to that mutt, weren't you?"

  "He's no mutt. He's got better breeding than all of us put together. Ya couldn't sleep?"

  "I will, just had to wind down after that long-ass drive. So that's it, huh? Key Biscayne out there?"

  "Yep, that's where he is. According to the maps Gee gave us, his place is straight across the bay on this side of the key.

  He's probably sittin' on his tiled patio havin' breakfast and lookin' across the bay at all us poor folks."

  "We've got eleven mil of his money, Ted. We're not so poor."

  "It's poor when he's sittin' on over half a billion. The rest of the guys sleepin'?"

  "Yeah. Ted, we have to talk about Bonita."

  "I was wonderin' when you'd get around to it."

  "What are we goin' to do with her, Ted? When it's over she's still going to be hunted by Mendez's people. They won't rest till they find her, and when they do, they'll make her talk."

  Ted faced his friend. "Glenn, I've decided that when it's over, she and I will take off together and hide out someplace down in Mexico. Sorry, but I guess we won't be startin' that business together after all."

  "You're going to stay with her?"

  "Yeah, I am. I made up my mind when we drove down here together--don't worry, if they do come after her, they'll have to go through me first."

  "Ted, there is no if about it. They will keep looking for her. You'll both be running for the rest of your lives."

  "At least we'll be together. It's fate."

  "Fate?"

  "Yeah, fate. We're supposed to be together. Look, Glenn, I've made up my mind on this. I'm goin' to stay with her and protect her. She needs me. And don't start in on that mistletoe thing . . . she's not like that."

  Unable to take Ted's stare, Glenn lowered his eyes.

  "You're right, Ted; she's not like that. I see she really cares for you." He slowly raised his eyes. "She going to stay here while we do the op?"

  "She's goin' with us, Glenn. She'll stay on the boat and keep an eye out for trouble. It'll make it safer for us. We won't have to surface to take a look around for reinforcements. We can stay under and go straight to the target."

  "You're putting her life in danger doing that."

  "It's already in danger, Glenn. She wants in--plus it's better all around. Once it's done, we won't need to come back here--we'll head up the coast to Boca Raton."

  Exhaling, Glenn looked once again toward the bay. "I'm going to miss you, Ted."

  Ted put his arm around his friend's shoulder. "We gotta a lot to do before we part ways, Glenn. Better get some sleep.

  Later this afternoon I want you and the guys to go buy the boat and the rest of the gear we'll need. Tonight we'll make a recon to firm up our plans. I wanna make sure the hull of that yacht hasn't been reinforced in some way."

  "I can't believe it, Teddy, the day has finally come.

  Tomorrow night we get that son of a bitch."

  Ted joined him in looking out toward the bay. "Tomorrow night it finally ends."

&
nbsp; Across Biscayne Bay, seated on his patio in a silk robe and sipping orange juice, Carlos Mendez glanced up from the latest issue of the Horticulture Journal.

  Raul approached with a smile. "Colonel, arrangements have been made for you to meet Miss Starr, but there is a complication. She is being protected by the FBI."

  Carlos set down his glass. "How many?"

  "Three that will accompany her and two others that will follow at some distance. It's not a problem. Our good friend who is helping us says she can ensure only one agent is with Miss Starr when Vargas makes the move--it's all arranged.