A Helluva Holiday

by Jerrie Alexander

  The sweatshirt Tank wore offered no protection from the cold, so Marcus pulled a coat from the closet and tossed it too him.

  “Really?”

  “Wear the damn thing. Freezes my ass just to look at you.”

  Tank laughed and shrugged on the coat. “Better?”

  “Yeah.”

  Marcus let Diablo wander. They walked to the barn, checked on the horses, and waited until the dog reached the same spot as before. He tilted his head to the side and a low growl rolled from deep in his chest.

  Tank opened his mouth but Marcus waved him off. They stayed about ten feet back and let Diablo explore. His nose was down almost touching the dirt floor. Again, he tracked right to the back door. Tank opened it and stepped back. The dog never hesitated. Out into the cold he went on the hunt. But for what? The logical answer was that somebody Diablo didn’t know been in and out of the barn using this route.

  Halfway across the pasture, Marcus called his dog to his side. “Good boy.” Diablo turned his head to the side again. “What are you hearing?” The answer hit Marcus so hard he laughed out loud.

  “What’s funny,” Tank asked.

  “Let’s go inside.” He ran to the house with Tank and Diablo right beside him.

  Nate jumped to his feet at the slam of the door, and Kevin cried from the other room. The one person, who took it all in stride, Kay, shook her head and went to the bedroom to tend to her son.

  “I hope you have something important.” Nate sunk back own in the chair.

  “Diablo heard something underground.”

  “Don’t tell me he senses an earthquake coming.”

  “No. He kept stopping and titling his head to the side like something was going on under his feet. I think I figured it out. We’re right that we were missing something. Vega is bringing drugs from Mexico to that barn out there. Underground. He’s building a new tunnel.”

  “Son of a bitch.” Nate breathed out a loud sigh. “That’s why the bastard doesn’t want one of the other ranches. He’s spent a ton of money expecting the sale to go through. Nobody, that we know of, has built a tunnel that runs underground this far.”

  “The DEA closed down a tunnel coming out of El Paso just a few months ago,” Marcus said.

  “And it was probably his.” Tank pulled off the coat and handed it to Marcus.

  “Absolutely,” Nate agreed. “He buys the ranch, throws up a few cattle pens, and then brings the drugs up into the barn. Perfect. They’re sheltered and out of sight.”

  “And I’m betting Reed finds hidden compartments are being built into those customized trucks and trailers Vega is buying. Trucks pulling in and out of the driveway would be a commonplace sight.”

  The sound of multiple engines interrupted their conversation. Tank pulled back the kitchen curtain. “Clay and Carol just parked behind Dalton. We still haven’t found the slug.”

  “That’s okay,” Nate said to Tank. “Dalton knows just who to turn this over to. We never get between a drug dealer and the government unless they ask us to help out. It will take one of those poor souls working in that tunnel or reconfiguring those grain haulers to spill his guts. Then the DEA will move up the ladder to Vega himself.”

  Dalton held the door open while Clay and Carol entered. Marcus noticed that they were holding hands and both sported the look of two people in love.

  Nate stood. “We’ve kind of taken over your home. Join us and tell us how Sue Ellen is doing and then we’ll update you.”

  “She’s fine,” Carol said. “They are keeping her overnight but we’ll bring her home tomorrow. My challenge will be keeping her down.”

  “We have other news too.” Clay glanced at Carol. At her nod he announced, “We’re getting married.”

  Kay came into the room just in time to hear the news. She hugged them both. Everyone took their turns saying congratulations.

  Nate cleared his throat and everyone returned to their seats. “Thanks to Diablo, we think, heavy on the word think, that we know what’s going on. Marcus, he’s your dog. You tell them.”

  Marcus repeated his theory and explained that Reed would have information to them by morning.

  Dalton smiled, which was a rare sight. He’d been a loner before joining the company and still hadn’t opened up about his personal life. If he even had one. “If we gather enough proof, the DEA will launch an investigation. You may find a hole in your barn floor, but the results of discovering an unfinished tunnel could be far reaching.”

  Marcus liked how the room felt full of life as they all gathered around the table and discussed what could happen. He certainly hoped a tunnel was what had set Diablo’s nerves on edge. Kay went after Kevin. It amazed Marcus to watch Nate take the child, set him on his hip, and then continued to control the situation. He didn’t look weak. Not at all. He was still in command. Maybe Chris was right and it was time they started a family.

  Carol invited Kay to help in the kitchen; soon they were talking about Christmas memories.

  Marcus and Diablo got up. “We’re going to the motor home. I’ll stay on top of our emails. Who knows when one of our sources will share intel?”

  “I’ll join you shortly,” Dalton said.

  Marcus opened the door and Diablo ran into the yard, stopped, and looked up at the sky as huge snowflakes fell. A gust of wind blew and the dog did his best to catch them.

  “Tank,” Marcus said. “Remember how you said it’s too cold to snow?”

  Tank got up and started toward the door. “Don’t tell me.”

  “Somebody forgot to tell Mother Nature.” Marcus zipped his coat and joined his dog.

  Chapter 9

  Nate had trouble sleeping again. His mind just wouldn’t shut down. It was going to be hard for him to walk away and leave a case still open. But Dalton had spoken with a friend in the DEA office only to learn they were very interested, and everything rode on Reed Ballatori and pictures from his covert mission. Nate didn’t like sending one of his men in alone but understood that Reed was an expert and liked to work by himself. If he produced proof that the grain haulers were being modified in a way that would facilitate smuggling, Dalton’s contact agreed to come assess the situation.

  Clay had insisted that whoever came to the ranch must dress casually and Nate had wholeheartedly agreed. Whoever shot Sue Ellen and murdered the two people in town could still be watching the place. People showing up wearing jackets with DEA in big bold letters on the back wouldn’t be smart.

  Nate dressed quietly so Kay and Kevin could sleep, went to the kitchen, and then started the coffee pot. Noise outside drew his attention, so he pulled back the curtain. Tank had stayed in the motor home with Marcus last night and they were both walking to the barn.

  Nate grabbed his coat, eased out the door, and followed their footsteps in the snow. The white powder came up to his ankles, which had to be a record for this part of Texas. The highways were about to become dangerous if it melted and then froze. Getting home would be a challenge, especially in the motor home.

  He stepped inside the barn to the sound of country music. Tank was feeding the horses and Marcus was breaking the top layer of ice off the water buckets.

  “Good morning,” Tank smiled. He walked to a cell propped up on a bale of hay and turned off the music.

  “You two are quite a pair. Marcus you surprise me. Tank was raised on a ranch but finding you out here shocked me.”

  “Did I hear my name?” Marcus looked around like he was confused. “My eardrums have been blown out, and I can’t hear you.”

  “Very funny.” Tank laughed then stuffed his phone in his pocket. “I was trying to cheer Marcus up. He’s not in a good mood this morning.”

  “I couldn’t fall sleep until Reed reported in. We were right about the modifications on the grain haulers. Let’s finish here and I’ll show you the pictures.”

  “How can I help?”

  Tiny pointed at a bale of hay. “Put two beats, sorry, sections in each horse’s nett
ing.”

  “I know what a beat of hay is,” Nate grumbled.

  “Sorry, boss.”

  “And don’t call me boss.”

  “Damn.” Tank threw both hands in the air. “I’m beginning to believe neither of you are morning people.”

  “Ya think?” Marcus laughed.

  They finished feeding the animals in the barn. Tank tossed a couple of bales of hay on the four-wheeler to take to the rest of the horses in the back pasture.

  “I’ll do this so you two can go have a cup of coffee, or maybe two.” Tank chuckled as he hopped behind the wheel.

  Marcus whistled and Diablo came running. Covered in snow, he shook sending the white flakes flying. “Good dog,” Marcus said.

  They wasted no time getting inside the motor home. The dog hopped up in the driver’s seat and watched Tank.

  “I forwarded these to Dalton last night and printed them for us. Take a look while I heat up this coffee.”

  Nate sat in the one easy chair and studied the pictures. The feed haulers and the trailers had Vega Industries painted on them, but the haulers had an extra special touch. “Smart son of a bitch. The ingenuity wasted on breaking the laws always amazes me. The design is brilliant. A false bottom on the underside that closes and looks like a seam.”

  “Pretty slick. I got a confirmation of receipt from Dalton at four this morning. So he was awake waiting for these too.”

  “I’d take Reed into combat with me anytime. He’s a good asset.”

  “Yeah,” Marcus agreed. “Reed and Tank fit in with the team right away.” Marcus handed Nate a mug of coffee.

  “I spoke with Chris last night. It’s snowing in Dallas too. She’s worried we won’t make it home for Christmas.”

  “Let’s see what Dalton has to say. The DEA won’t invite us in, they’ll invite us out.”

  “Between the grain haulers and the tunnel they’ll have the proof they need. Carol and her sister will be safe.”

  “Think they’ll catch the shooter?”

  “Hard to say.” Nate’s cell buzzed. He read the text aloud. “Dalton says his contact is on the way. We need to get Clay out here and make sure that he’s on board with us handing the case off to the DEA.” Nate quickly dialed Clay’s number and brought him up to date.

  “He’s on the way?” Marcus asked.

  “Yes. He said to tell you Diablo is a rock star.” Nate stood. “Let’s go tell the Kay and Carol.”

  They were joined by Tank on the way to the house. “Where’s Diablo?”

  “In the motor home,” Marcus answered.

  “It’s not fair to leave him out there.” Tank stopped a kicked the snow off his boots before going inside.

  “You’re right.” Marcus ran back after his dog. “He doesn’t know we’re going home either.”

  ****

  Clay backed up a horse trailer to the front entrance to the barn, moving in far enough so that no one watching could see what was inside. Agent Preston Hardy jumped out of the passenger side door and helped Sue Ellen out of the back seat of the pickup. The two men escorted her to the house, said hello, and then walked back to the barn. Hardy’s western boots, jeans, and heavy suede coat hid the fact he’d been sent to discuss the situation with the Lost and Found crew.

  Marcus and Diablo casually walked out to join them. Clay made introductions.

  “So this is the dog with the nose?” Agent Hardy reached for Diablo but pulled his hand back when the dog’s ears flattened.

  “It’s okay,” Marcus said, and Diablo relaxed. “He’s not going to bite unless I tell him. Just hold out the back of your hand and let him get your scent.

  They chatted briefly about the freak winter, but Clay could tell that Agent Hardy was ready to get down to business. “Can you show Agent Hardy—?”

  “Just Preston.”

  Marcus smiled. “Sure thing.” He scratched behind the dog's ears and waved his hand forward.

  Apparently, that released Diablo to wander on his own because for a few minutes, he checked out the horses, sniffing his way around. He walked almost to the far stall that currently housed Rosie and her filly and then stopped. His nose dropped and his hackles rose while he walked a straight line to the back exit doors.

  “He hears what we can’t,” Marcus said. “Come,” he spoke to the dog.

  “I would call this luck except that’s a smart dog. The pictures were enough for a search warrant. This morning when the doors opened at the custom shop, my squad leader and a few associates along with a SWAT team started an extensive search. We’ll prove Vega ordered the false bottoms installed. That’s enough to pick him up.”

  “If you can find him,” Clay said.

  “We know where he is,” Agent Hardy said. “Before I get out of here, I need the owner’s permission to open a hole into the tunnel. Somebody down there will turn states evidence.”

  Dalton drove up just as the small group started to the house. He got out, stopped and shaded his eyes against the glaring white of the snow. “Preston Hardy? What are you doing out in the daylight?”

  The two men shook hands and then hugged. Clay almost laughed. He could see the wheels in Nate’s head turning. He was already sizing up the agent for a new recruit.

  “I got tired of pretending to be an asshole.” Agent Hardy grinned.

  “Pretending?” Dalton smiled. “I’m glad you’re on this case. I was a little uneasy about going home but now I’m okay.” He glanced at Clay. “It’s a good thing Sue Ellen is moving away, and Carol is marrying you because the ladies love this guy.”

  “He’s already met Sue Ellen. I picked her up before I met up with Preston.”

  Marcus had had enough of the cold. “Let’s take this inside. If you’re here to tell us to back off, we’d like some details.”

  Preston waved his arm toward the house. “Lead on.”

  Inside, Clay leaned against the counter with Carol next to him and listened to Agent Hardy. The pictures the Lost and Found team had set a ball rolling that seemed to be picking up speed. The assurance that the government would repair any damage done by digging down to the tunnel helped Carol and Sue Ellen both relax.

  “We still don’t know who shot Sue Ellen. The sheriff hasn’t found one scrap of evidence to help.”

  “That will be one of our priorities. We learned from an undercover agent that Vega hired a new man. We don’t have his name but he’s from Colombia.”

  Marcus reached down and stroked Diablo’s head. “We have a partner in Bogota. If you get a name for us, we’ll track him down.”

  The coil inside Clay’s chest relaxed a little. “As long as the bastard stays on your radar, I’m good.”

  “We won’t forget him,” Nate said, exchanging an odd glance with Marcus. “Then at daylight tomorrow morning, we’ll start home.”

  “The roads are horrible,” Clay said. “It will be slow going.”

  “My wife wants us home for Christmas. She and Kay have a reunion planned.”

  Kay shifted Kevin on her lap. “We have two days to get there. Two of our men and their wives won’t be with us, but we’ll drink a toast to them.”

  Clay squeezed Carol’s hand. “You’re all invited to the wedding.”

  Tank stood and shook Clay’s hand. “When’s the big day?”

  Carol looked at Sue Ellen. “Spring break, when my Maid of Honor has a few days off work.”

  Chapter 10

  Nate stepped out of the shower, stretched his arms over his head, and then dried off. Damn, he was happy to be in his own home. He slipped on a pair of jeans, a shirt, and tennis shoes before trotting down the stairs to his office area. He stood in silence and stared out the window at the foot of snow covering the parking lot.

  The trip north on the frozen interstate had taken hours longer it would have normally, but they’d stopped and helped a few travelers who’d been in too big of a hurry and had paid the price.

  Most of Wolfe’s Pack were safely tucked away somewhere on the compo
und. Marcus and Chris had been given the spare bedroom while Dalton, Tank and Reed where in the barracks, as they called them. Six other members had been dispatched to their home, leaving just the small core group intact.

  He went back up the stairs to their living quarters. The smells of Christmas grew stronger with every step. Pies of every flavor had been lined up on the breakfast counter. Ham and sweet potatoes had been bought and prepared along with various other dishes.

  The tree was laden with decorations and the floor covered with gifts. Kay had placed and lit candles throughout the house making the entire place smell like evergreen trees. All this fuss would have been too much for him, but it made Kay happy. And as far as Nate was concerned, nothing else mattered.

  Voices from behind him drew his attention as Dalton, Reed and Tank pushed, shoved, and laughed their way to the top. It was good to see them so relaxed.

  “We’re starving,” Tank said.

  “Then you’re just in time,” Kay called from the kitchen. “Chris and I have a surprise.”

  Nate glanced around the room and saw nothing surprising. Chris had poured some sort of red punch into glasses that she and Kay passed out.

  “To the dining room please.” Kay ushered them into the next room.

  Propped up on the table in amongst all the food and dishes were two iPads. Nate’s jaw dropped when he saw the faces.

  “Merry Christmas from Bogota,” shouted Ty and Ana. Their faces filled the first one. Both held up a glass of the same red stuff Chris had handed out.

  “Merry Christmas from Murdock,” shouted Jake and Holly. Again, they toasted with a glass of red punch.

  “I’ll be damned. It’s the first time Nate Wolfe has been struck dumb,” Marcus said.

  “Did you know?” Nate asked Marcus.

  “I didn’t have a clue.”

  Kay slipped her arm around Nate. “Merry Christmas. It’s the closest thing we could get to being together for a reunion.”

  He pulled his wife into his arms. “Thank you. It’s good to see all these smiling faces.”

  Dalton lifted his glass. “To one helluva holiday.”