by Dan Sears
“Yes, sir, I do. He was a handsome fellow in a cowboy sort of way.”
“He has been my friend for almost thirty years. Today, he was almost killed in an explosion arranged by someone here in Washington, DC, or Baltimore. I have to go and visit his son and ex-wife and tell them what has happened. This I don’t like doing. Send an e-mail to the director and let him know I can be reached on my cellular phone or at Jonathan Horatio Williams’s in Baltimore as four zero nine five five five three eight two seven.”
The drive to Baltimore is uneventful, and he arrives in an hour. Jonathan opens the door and seems surprised to see Scotty.
“Scotty, what brings you to Baltimore?” he asks.
“Sir, I have some bad news. There was an explosion in Nogales, and Dan was injured badly. Someone placed explosives under his truck. Dan wasn’t in the truck at the time, but he was approaching it when it exploded. He received internal injuries, and they don’t know how severe they are. He has a concussion and is in a coma. I have and agent who was keeping watch over Dan and he told me what happened. I also spoke with his Captain.”
“Scotty, come into the den. Would you like a drink? I think I need one now.”
At that moment, Nadia and Garnett walk in. Immediately, they seem aware that something is wrong.
Garnett speaks say; “What has happened to Dan? Don’t tell me he is dead?”
Jonathan moves to her side, saying, “Honey, he has been injured, but he is still alive. According to Scotty, someone placed a bomb under his truck, but he wasn’t in it. He was walking toward it when the bomb exploded. He has internal injuries, a concussion, and he is in a coma.”
Garnett rushes out of the room followed by Scotty.
“Jonathan, I have always dreaded this day. He is as close as we will ever get to having a son. He’s like my own child. I pray that God will keep him safe.”
“Honey, he will be okay. Dan is a tough fellow; he will make it through this. He made it through Vietnam and the Persian Gulf, and he will come through this too. We will say a prayer together for him. I don’t believe this is sitting well with Garnett. This very thing is one of the reasons she left him. All of her fears have come to be a reality.”
In the backyard, Scotty is trying to comfort Garnett.
“Garnett, he isn’t dead. He is only wounded, and I know he will recover. Dan Mesa is too damned mean to give up and die. He has Devlin to live for, and he loves you still.”
“I have always been afraid something like this would happen, and now it has come to pass. He could have a job doing anything he wants to do, but no, he had to be a bloody Arizona ranger, and now he could die. What do I tell Devlin? How do I explain what has happened? Devlin looks on him as his hero. That boy would die if some happened to his father.”
“Hey, he is going to be okay. Just wait and see. I have to leave and return to Washington and take care of some things, but I will be in touch.”
“Scotty, do the rangers know who did this to Dan?”
“They have a good idea, but I know exactly who did it, and I will take care of them in a most appropriate way, using the law.”
“Scotty, I have known you as long as I have known Dan. Don’t you do anything that will get you into trouble. Dan wouldn’t want that, and neither would I.”
“I promise you that whoever did it will pay, and that is all I promise. I love you, kid. I will talk to you soon. Oh, he is in the Tucson Medical Center, and you can call anytime to check on him.”
After Agent Ortiz gets into his car and leaves, Garnett stands there not wanting to cry. Yet somewhere deep inside, she knows she still has feelings for that stupid bullheaded man. Suddenly overcome with emotion, she breaks down crying. At that moment, Devlin arrives from school. Nadia and Garnett try to explain to Devlin what has happened to his father.
“Devlin, Dad was injured in an accident. Someone blew up his truck, and he was injured. He is in the hospital in Arizona and may have to stay there for a while. I want you to say a special prayer for Daddy every day until he is well. God listens to our prayers, especially those of young children.”
As they walk into the house the child looks at his mom and grandmother, and tears begin to flow down his cheek. Nadia and Garnett are also crying. Devlin turns to his grandfather.
“Granddad, we need to go and see Dad. He needs us, and I need him.”
Later that night, a child’s prayer is sent up to heaven with the hope that God will answer his prayer. Other prayers are also sent toward heaven.
Meanwhile, back in Washington, DC, a dark-clad figure enters a palatial home. No alarms go off, and no dog barks. A closer look reveals that the dog is dead and the wires to the alarm system have been cut. The dark figure moves stealthily from room to room as if searching for something or someone. He moves on the ball of each foot like a ballet dancer. He approaches the master bedroom, pauses, and enters, moving quietly, and pounces on his victim. The figure plunges a dagger into the heart of the man lying in the bed. The man stiffens, kicks his feet violently, and dies. The dark-clad figure leaves in the same manner he arrived without anyone noticing.
Chapter Seven
The butler discovers Vermenti Pellegrinni’s body early the next morning, and the police are summoned to the residence. Detective Sergeant Francine Miller arrives to conduct the investigation. Sergeant Miller is a seasoned policewoman with ten years of military service as a criminal investigator and five years in the Washington, DC, police department as an investigator. She is a crack shot and skilled in the martial arts.
“Okay, fellas what do we have here?” she asks.
Sergeant John Pierce of the DC police says, “Detective, it appears that someone killed the family pet, a German shepherd, and disconnected the alarm system. I can tell you one thing for sure—whoever this person was, he or she is a professional. We have dusted and found no fingerprints, no footprints, nothing! I believe this was a mob hit. This was done too perfectly. Most likely Mr. Pellegrinni pissed off the wrong people or, as the expression goes, “He left the door open, and the wrong dog came home.”
Sergeant Miller walks the perimeter looking for signs. Suddenly, she stops and looks at an impression on the grass.
“John, come and look at this,” she says. “It is a footprint, but the imprint is so light, as if he was floating. I have seen this before, but it was in South Korea. This individual is skilled in the martial arts, and I’d say he was an import from someplace overseas. I agree it was a mob hit; whoever is paying the bill paid a tidy sum for this person. I’d bet a hundred-dollar-bill this person is no longer in this country.”
The coroner takes the body away. That day, the Washington Post headlines read “Noted Mob Boss Vermenti Pellegrinni Murdered in His Bed.” The article goes on to say, “The police believe it was a professional job possibly carried out by other mob bosses.”
The black-clad figure removes his clothing, burns it, and takes a bath. He removes all traces of the fire from his fireplace. He fixes his breakfast and makes a toast to his friend.
Dr. Garnett William-Mesa reads about the execution of Pellegrinni and immediately knows who the killer is. She says a prayer and goes off to work. She has a strange feeling that the hand of destiny has taken control and wonders where it will end. From work, she calls the Tucson Medical Center.
“Hello, I am Dr. Garnett Williamson-Mesa, and I am calling to inquire about the condition of Sergeant Daniel Mesa of the Arizona rangers. I am his ex-wife. I know you can’t release information without the approval of Captain Johnson, so please call him for approval. I will hold while you do so.”
“Dr. William-Mesa, I am Nurse Garza,” the woman on the line says, “and Captain Johnson said you’d probably call. I have to ask some questions to ensure you are who you say you are. The first question is what was Ranger Mesa’s last job in the air force when he was on active du
ty?”
“His last job was that of base commander at Ankara Air Station Turkey.”
“That is correct. The next question is what is your son’s name?”
Surprised, she answers, “His name is Devlin Jonathan Williamson-Mesa.”
“Your answers are correct. Now what can I do for you?”
Garnett’s voice cracks a little as she speaks, “I want to know Dan’s condition and what his chances of survival are.”
“Dr. Williamson-Mesa, the ranger’s condition is serious, but once he is out of the coma, we will know more. He has been in a coma for thirty-six hours. There is some swelling of the brain due to bruising caused by a blow to the head. He has a concussion, but being in a coma allows the brain to heal itself. Tell Devlin that, if there is any way possible, we will save his father.”
With a trembling voice, Garnett thanks Nurse Garza and hangs up the phone.
Dr. Burke is passing by as Nurse Garza hangs up the phone.
“Dr. Burke,” she says, “that was the ranger’s ex-wife on the phone. They may be divorced, but that woman loves that man dearly. I am a good judge of people. I don’t know what their problems were, but she still loves him. Her voice was breaking the entire time she was on the line. He is a lucky man. Let’s try to save that man. According to his wife he has a little boy who thinks his father is a hero.”
“Nurse, I am on my way to check on him now. Walk with me for a bit,” the doctor says.
They enter Mesa’s room. His breathing is easy, and his color is good. Dr. Burke opens Dan’s eye and shines a light into it.
“I am not dead yet,” Mesa whispers, “although, I feel like I have been ridden hard and put up wet.”
Dr. Burke jumps back and smiles, saying, “Welcome back, ranger. It is good to know that you are still with us. Nurse, let’s check his blood pressure and reflexes.”
His blood pressure readings are approaching normal, although his right leg shows no reflex at all.
“Ranger, we have a problem with your right leg. It shows no reflex at all. Now don’t panic; it could be due to the trauma to your head. Your brain is bruised badly, and your heart was torn. We repaired the injury, but you are not out of the woods yet.”
Almost immediately, Dan begins to shake, and his eyes roll back in his head. A code blue is signaled, and a team instantly assembles. Dr. Burke explains that the shaking and rolling eyes were due to the blunt trauma to his brain, and that there is a possibility of him being unconscious for a while.
When Captain Johnson checks in, he is told that Mesa’s condition is still serious and is told of his momentary conscious state.
In San Antonio, Carlos learns of Pellegrinni’s death during the evening news at Carlos’s brother’s house.
“Good evening,” the news anchor says, “I am Donald Ramos, and this is the CBS Evening News. We begin the news with the death of the notorious crime boss Vermenti Pellegrinni. His butler found his body earlier today. The authorities say his death was an execution. It is the opinion of the police that his death was a professional hit. We will go to John Ackers on the scene in Washington, DC.”
“Good evening, Donald. We are on the scene at Mr. Pellegrinni’s home in Washington, DC. It is apparent that the killer knew what he was doing. The family pet was killed and the alarm system disconnected. He was killed with a dagger to the heart in such a way that it led the authorities to believe it was the work of Oriental assassins. Apparently, Pellegrinni was moving into the territories of some of the other bosses and was taken out because of that. The police are looking for an assassin from the Orient and are working with Interpol to find out if they are aware of any person fitting such a description. Back to you, Donald.”
“Thanks, John, and now on to the rest of the news. The president is still considering going to war in the Middle East . . . .”
Carlos turns the TV off and is shaken. Antonio’s face is drawn and he is afraid.
“Boss, who killed Señor Pellegrinni? Was he moving into another boss’ territory as the news said?”
“Antonio, someone killed Vermenti, but it wasn’t because of that. If Mesa wasn’t in the hospital, I’d say he did it, but he couldn’t have. Someone is onto us and our connection with Pellegrinni. We’d better lay low.”
Back in Nogales, Captain Johnson is on the phone with Colonel Grant.
“Sam, how is Sergeant Mesa doing? Has he regained consciousness?” the colonel asks. “I found myself actually saying a prayer for him. I am not much of a religious man, but this time I figured it was out of my hands and someone much more powerful than me is in control. I am angry, and I want to kill someone, but whom?”
Sam replies, “Sir, Sergeant Mesa did regain consciousness for a few minutes, but something happened, and he went into spasms and convulsions. By the time the doctor got him settled, he had gone back into a coma. According to his doctor, Doctor Burke, it was an expected reaction and it is good, because as long as he is unconscious, the brain heals better. I want to go see him, but I just don’t know what to say or do for him. I also want to kill those responsible, and they are Carlos Meana and Antonio Blackbear. They have gone undercover, and right now, we don’t know exactly where they are. We do know they are in San Antonio, but where?”
“Captain, have we missed something in this case? I want you and your people to pull out everything you have on Carlos and Antonio. Examine all information—I don’t care how trivial it may seem. Talk to everyone who may have had an association with them. Talk to the FBI and the drug enforcement people. Oh yes, also talk to immigrations and the border patrol. They have been watching Carlos and his people for years. Let me know what you find out. I’ll talk with you soon.”
Captain Johnson hangs up the phone and ponders want to do next. He decides to calls in all the rangers to hold a big meeting. The Arizona state police are alerted and the local Detachment sends Captain Francesco Benadetti. Major McMasters of the Yuma ranger detachment sends Lieutenant Alana Osborne.
The meeting is held in Nogales with Captain Johnson in charge. The media has been notified and several prominent news correspondence are present. The meeting is called to order.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the reason I called this meeting is because Colonel Grant wants an all-out search for anyone who may have had dealings with Carlos Meana and Antonio Blackbear. They have gone undercover, and we haven’t been able to find them. We know they were in San Antonio, but where we don’t know. We want to coordinate with the border patrol, immigrations and naturalizations and the Drug Enforcement Agency. Carlos was dealing in drugs and in Illegal aliens. We are happy to have Captain Benadetti of the state police and Lieutenant Osborne of the Yuma ranger detachment working with us. I personally thank you for coming on board. We can really use your help. Are there questions?”
In one voice, everyone asks about Sergeant Mesa’s condition. Lieutenant Osborne is quiet, but then she asks, “Captain, have the doctors said whether Dan—I mean the sergeant—will pull through this?”
“I spoke to Doctor Burke, Dan’s doctor, and he told me he just didn’t know. Dan’s heart had to be sewn due to a tear in it, and then there is the internal bleeding and his brain is swollen. He did regain consciousness for a few minutes. Then he went into spasms and back into a coma. I notified his brother, Sergeant David Mesa of the Ruston, Louisiana, police department, as well as his ex-wife, Doctor Garnett Williamson-Mesa of Baltimore. At this point in time, that is all I can tell you. If you know of some good prayers, I ask you to say them for Sergeant Mesa with the hope he recovers and comes back to us. I want you to check with your informants, and don’t let anything slip by you no matter how unimportant it may seem. Let’s get rolling. Keep me informed of what you find. Lieutenant Osborne, can I see you for a minute?”
The group departs, and Lieutenant Osborne remains.
“Alana, how are you holding
up under the strain? How are you personally?”
She smiles a pained smile and says, “Captain, I’m okay physically, but mentally, I feel like this is my fault somehow. The last time I spoke to him, it was not very pleasant, and I am not sure how he felt about me when he left. Then Sonia’s death and now this! He has been through a lot over the years and never complained; he just kept on doing his job. I just don’t know what to do.” The lieutenant turns her back to the captain to prevent him from seeing the tears in her eyes. Captain Johnson waits quietly until she regains her composure. Slowly, she turns around and continues, “I just don’t know what to do. I want to go see him, but what do I say.”
“Lieutenant, go see him. Maybe if you just talk to him, the sound of your voice may help bring him back.”
In the medical center in Tucson, a vigil is in process. Sitting in the waiting room are Janie Olivetti, Dan’s goddaughter Sierra Montoya and her mother, and a fellow unknown to anyone. He is of Hispanic origin and is wearing a white suit, expensive tan shoes, and a black silk shirt. Osborne is watching his every move. She alerts the guard on duty at Sergeant Mesa’s door, who calls for backup asking for a plain-clothes person.
A Sergeant from the Tucson Police department arrives and walks over to Lieutenant Osborne and says, “Hello, Alana, how’s our boy doing?”
Lieutenant Osborne recognizes what is happening and plays along, “He is the same—no change. Look, I could use some coffee. Let’s go to the cafeteria.” She winks at Sergeant Burke, and they make it look as if they are leaving, but they only go around the corner.
“I am Sergeant Burke, and I must apologize for my actions, but I figured that, by appearing to be a friend, no one would catch on. I saw a gentleman in a white suit. Would that be the person in question?”
“Yes, sergeant, it is, and I believe he is a hit man sent here to finish the job on Sergeant Mesa. He has a certain look about him, and I know I’m right!”