by K. J. Dahlen
Trudy looked puzzled this information for a moment. “But this info is almost a decade old. How can that be useful now?”
“Whatever your drug dealer was into it wasn’t just the drugs he was peddling. He was a records keeper for the cartels. These files are only the beginning. They will open up our knowledge of how the cartels work. It will show us who does what and just how deep the corruption in their government is as well as our own. This is why they’ve chased you for the last decade.”
Trudy sat back in her chair and stared at her computer screen. She couldn’t believe she had this the whole time and didn’t know it. She leaned forward and clicked on the next to the last file they hadn’t looked at yet. This one was more banking accounts. She frowned as she skimmed over the list. Glancing over at Stone she commented, “I’ve never seen these accounts before.”
Stone and Dewey leaned closer and studied what was on the screen. Stone frowned and Dewey had no clue what he was looking at.
“Damn girl, you just hit the mother lode!” Stone whispered.
“What mother lode?” she frowned.
“These accounts are in bank storage areas. They hold stuff like a safe deposit box would, but these boxes are a lot bigger. I’ll bet there’s gold in at least some of these boxes.” Stone turned his head and stared at her. “Your drug dealer was most likely a courier. All these accounts are located here in the states. In Mexico, these accounts would have been seized by whatever government was in control at the time. But here in the States, all this would have been protected by the account holder.”
“So, all this money if that’s what is in in the boxes is still waiting for whoever has the key to the box?”
Stone nodded. “This is what they might consider their retirement accounts. They would need it at some point and for the last ten years, it’s been safe and hidden. No one knew where it was.”
Dewey pushed his chair back and got up. He began pacing. “This is all fucked up. This is more than just busting a small piece of the cartel. This could get everyone of us killed, if they knew we had it.”
“I know,” Stone agreed. He turned his head and stared at the screen that showed what was happening outside. Now it all made sense.
“What are you going to do with this information?” Trudy asked quietly.
“Well, we’re not giving it back that’s for damn sure,” Stone replied.
“Are you going to turn it over to Shay?” Dewey asked.
Stone nodded. “He’ll know what to do with it. I wish we could give him the key to unlock the boxes though. That would make this so much easier.”
“Why do you say that?” Trudy asked.
“Because without the key, we have to go through a bunch of shit to get into the boxes,” Stone explained. “We’d have to go through the courts and take our chances. If a judge allows access, we’ve got no problem but if he doesn’t, everything is screwed.”
Boomer got up from where he’d been watching and listening to their conversation. Walking over to where Trudy was sitting, he squatted down beside her. “Is everything all right, baby girl?”
Trudy motioned toward her computer screen. “We found what the cartel has been looking for all these years. We just don’t know what to do with it. It’s enough to get us all killed and even if we turn it over to our authorities, we don’t have the key they need to get into the boxes to get out what’s inside.” She turned to Stone. “Is that about right?”
“That’s about it in a nutshell,” Stone agreed.
Boomer rubbed his chin with the back of his hand. “A key huh?” He stared at the computer screen for a moment. “Is that all you need?” Boomer looked over at Stone. “How valuable is that information?”
“These men are desperate to get it back. How valuable to them do you think it is?”
“I get your point.” Boomer nodded. He reached inside his shirt and pulled out a chain. On the end of the chain was a single key. He snapped the chain and handed Stone the key. “I took that from the drug dealer we beat the hell out of the night he ran the girls off the road. I never knew what it was for, but I kept it all this time. If you know someone to turn that evidence over to, someone who will make it right, I’ll give up the key. But know this, I’m only doing it to protect her.” He pointed at Trudy. “When all this is said and done, she better be safe or I’ll come looking for you.”
“You won’t have far to go,” Dewey announced. “She’ll be right here with me.”
Boomer glared at Dewey for a moment. Then looked over at Trudy. “Is that true baby girl? Are you going to stay here with him now?”
Trudy smiled weakly. “I think so.”
Dewey frowned. “What do you mean you think so?”
Trudy got to her feet and backed away from the table, putting some distance between them. “I can’t and won’t put anyone in danger. If that means I have to leave here, then I will leave here. I love you too much to see you die protecting me.” She paused as she wrung her hands. “Please don’t ask me to do that.” She then turned and walked down the hall to the bedroom.
All three men watched her go.
When the door closed behind her Stone turned to the others. “We need to get this information to Shay. This is something we’ve been looking for to break the back of the cartels for years.”
Boomer ignored Stone for the moment. His eyes were on Dewey. “If anything happens to her I will hunt you down and take my time killing you. Then me and the boys will hunt down every single one of those cartel fuckers and kill them too.”
“Don’t threaten me old man.” Dewey growled. “I’d give my life for that woman.”
Boomer nodded then glanced down the hall at the closed door. “Yeah, you might at that. She’d never let you but I believe you would.” He turned to get Stone’s attention. “My boy just called. They are about an hour out yet. I told them they would have a welcome committee, so they are going to take care of them for us. He said Hawk’s boys were waiting for them at the Texas border and that they are all riding in together.”
“Good.” Stone looked relieved. “I can’t wait to breathe fresh air again.”
“I hear that.” Boomer chuckled.
Chapter Twelve
Later that night, Trudy was sitting alone in the corner when McKenna came to sit with her.
“I had hoped to be out of here by this time,” McKenna complained.
“Yeah me too.” Trudy sighed.
“Stone says Boomer’s boys are almost here. They should be clearing up the problem for us.”
“I hope so,” Trudy whined. “I need some fresh air.”
McKenna smiled. “Yeah, that would be nice.” She brought her hand to her belly and absently began rubbing it.
Trudy watched her for a moment then smiled. “When are you due?”
McKenna blushed. “In about seven months but I haven’t told Stone yet.”
“Why not?”
“I always thought I would get married before I had a baby.” She looked down at her belly. Soon her baby would grow big enough to tell the whole world he or she was coming. “My parents were very much in love when they got married. I want what they had. I think I found it with Stone. I love that old man, but I don’t know if he wants kids at this stage of his life.”
“If you love him, tell him,” Trudy urged.
“I don’t know how,” McKenna whispered.
Trudy chuckled. “Can I then?”
McKenna frowned. She was about to say something when Trudy yelled to Stone. “Hey, old man!”
“Are you talking to me or one of these other old men?” Stone asked with a gritty edge to his voice.
“I’m talking to you.”
“What do you need?” he asked.
“Your woman needs ice cream and pickles.” Trudy laughed out loud. “With lots of chocolate sprinkles.”
Stone frowned and stared at McKenna for a moment. Then he got a funny look on his face and he dropped his gaze to her belly. “Are you shitting me?”
/>
Everyone burst out laughing at the expression on his face.
McKenna blushed deep red and she turned to Trudy. “I could hate you right now.”
“No, you don’t,” Trudy whispered back. Then she scooted over.
Stone was heading toward them at a fast clip. He reached for McKenna and hauled her to her feet. His lips found hers and they kissed under a deluge of laughter and whistles from the men around the room. Stone broke the kiss and looking into her eyes he asked, “Are you really going to have my baby?”
McKenna nodded. “Are you okay with that?”
Stone smiled. “I’m more than okay with that. I love you woman.”
“Oh Stone, I love you too!” McKenna groaned.
Stone swung her into his arms and took her down the hall to their bedroom. When he slammed the door shut, the men were still laughing. Everyone’s mood seemed to brighten with this unexpected news.
Dewey came over to sit with Trudy. “That’s good news.”
“Yup, it is. I think he took it well, don’t you?”
Dewey chuckled. “Yeah, he did. For an old man, he’s not half bad.” He paused then asked, “What about you? Do you want kids some day?”
Trudy nodded. “Yeah, someday. Someday, when no one is chasing me.”
Dewey wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to him. “Would you want to have my child?”
Trudy snuggled into his embrace. “I would love to have your child.”
“Good,” he stated. “Because I want to watch you grow with my baby in your belly.”
“Can we get out of here first?” she asked.
“Yeah, I think that’s a good idea.” Dewey agreed with a grin. “Stone called Shay about your discovery. Shay is very excited and promised to get here as fast as he could to collect it.”
“Oh, shit!” Boomer swore loudly. He’d been watching the outside cameras when he noticed someone was shooting. “Shit’s happening. Better get Stone out here.”
The bedroom door opened and Stone came running down the hall. “I’m here. What’s going on?”
“The boys are back and they’re raising hell with our unwelcome guests,” Boomer told him.
Trudy went to her computer and began typing. Soon all the outside cameras were channeling the same pictures. They all watched in silence as Boomer’s men took out the cartel’s gunmen. All too soon, the three cartel men were lying on the ground.
They watched as Sniper started calling for Boomer.
Boomer turned to Stone. “Do you think it’s safe to go up top now?”
Stone nodded. “Yeah, let’s get out of here.” He walked over to the keypad that would open the tunnel leading to the outside. Everyone was busy packing up their things to leave.
Trudy began packing up her computers and then she went to the bedroom she’d been sharing with Dewey. Throwing everything together, she left the room. Pausing, she look toward the room Ronnie and Amanda were in. Then she turned and made her way back to the main room.
Dewey was waiting for her and when she got there, he led her out of the tunnel. “A couple of the guys are bringing your sister and brother up to the main house. They will be well cared for until we can turn Ronnie over to the cops.”
“And Amanda?” she asked.
“Amanda is free to do whatever the hell she wants,” Dewey grumbled. “Except talk to you.”
“I’m sorry. She was just scared.”
“Don’t you be sorry and don’t apologize for her. She’s a big girl.” He groused. “She had no cause to say what she said. She should have had a little faith in you like we all did.”
“No one has ever believed in me like you guys have,” Trudy admitted. “It felt very good.”
Dewey hugged her close. “It will feel a whole lot better when it’s all over.”
“Yes, it will.”
“Shay should be here tomorrow and shortly after that, this will finally be over,” he promised.
“I hope so, I really hope so.”
The next morning, three military vehicles drove into the compound. Only one man stepped out and came toward Stone and Dewey in the courtyard. It was Shay Montross. Holding out his hand, Stone shook it first then he offered it to Dewey and they shook. Looking back at Stone, Shay grinned. “You boys have been busy I hear.”
Stone grinned. “You could say that.”
“I have no fuckin clue how you pulled it off but boy, you busted one of the biggest cartels in history.”
“I wasn’t aware they were on American soil,” Stone grumbled.
“Yeah, that was a kick in the head wasn’t it?” Shay agreed. He watched Stone for a moment then asked, “You said something about more evidence?”
Stone handed him the flash drive and the key. “Look in the file regarding retirement.’
Shay took the evidence and nodded.
“Do me one thing though,” Stone asked. “Nail those bastards and take everything away from them. Leave them with nothing in their pockets and no way to rebuild their empire.”
Shay grinned. “I heard from a little birdy that someone took over two hundred billion already. Plus, what ATF and FBI got, that’s close to four hundred billion right there. Somebody is rich.”
Stone shook his head. “That’s blood money. No one I know is going to touch it.” Then he thought about something. “I need a favor.”
“What kind of favor?”
“Got a young man that needs a place to recover. He’s going through withdrawal and he needs a safe house for a bit. He’s a pawn in the war against the cartel but he’s also the son of a high brass military man.”
“Ronnie Chassen is here?” Shay looked stunned. The military had been looking for the Chassen kids for days. “Is Amanda here too? Their dad has been worried about them. He asked us to find them and hold them until he can get back from the sandbox.”
“And his other daughter?” Dewey demanded. “What about her?”
Shay took a step back from the other man’s apparent rage. “I wasn’t aware he had another daughter. He only mentioned Ronnie and Amanda.”
Dewey seethed. “That sounds about right. Well, Amanda has a twin sister. Her name is Tremaine but you don’t have to worry about her. I’ll keep her safe.” He turned and stomped back into the clubhouse.
Stone looked at Shay for a moment then shook his head. “Old man Chassen royally fucked up with Tremaine. When he does get back to the states, you be sure and tell him it was Ronnie’s fault. Ronnie was the one with the drug habit and Ronnie was the one in trouble with the cartel. Then do me a favor and smash your fist into his mouth, will you?’
“Is that necessary?” Shay frowned. “You’re talkin’ about a damn general here.”
“He booted his fourteen year old daughter out the door into the streets and hasn’t spoken to her in ten years,” Stone informed him. “Is it necessary? No it isn’t, but he deserves that and so much more.”
“She was only fourteen?” Shay questioned.
“Fourteen,” Stone confirmed. “He smacked her around then threw her down seven steps and locked the door behind her. She had to leave with little more than the clothes on her back.”
Shay felt and shared Stone’s rage against another man. What Chassen did was criminal not to mention just plain wrong. “I’ll look into it and if that’s what happened, I’ll call him on it.”
“Not sure it would do any good at this point.” Stone shook his head. “But you be sure and tell the bastard this was all his son’s doing and not his daughter’s. She was just cleaning up her brothers’ mess.”
They both watched as Ronnie was brought out of the clubhouse on a stretcher and loaded into one of the vehicles. Amanda walked along beside him and before she got in, she looked back at the clubhouse. There was no sign of Trudy and Amanda had tears running down her cheeks when she closed the door.
Stone watched Shay walk toward the car Amanda had gotten into and then all three vehicles turn around and leave. The trail of dust slowl
y faded into nothing long after they were gone. He finally turned and went back inside.
Four days later, Stone got a phone call from Shay. “Your intel was spot on old man. We seized everything in the safety deposit boxes. Man, there was a lot of stuff there. Gold bullion, bonds and so much cash it’s taken them forever to count it all. We busted several high ranking people and they are all under indictment for everything from racketeering to bribery and murder charges. The State department is getting warrants for the Mexicans as well. They will face charges here, instead of Mexico. We broke the back of one of the biggest cartels ever.”
“That sounds good,” Stone replied. “What about Ronnie Chassen? What’s going to happen to him?”
“He’s cooperating fully but the boy is going to do some time. Amanda told us what happened that night and when the old man got home, he had to answer some embarrassing questions. The military didn’t take too kindly to what he did and he’s facing some charges as well. Maybe enough to get him court marshalled.”
Stone snorted. “Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. I met the man once. He’s a real bastard.”
“Yeah, he’s a piece of work all right. Ronnie isn’t speaking to him and neither is Amanda.”
“Well that’s something,” Stone admitted. “Too little, too late though.”
“What about Tremaine? Is she going to be okay?”
Stone had to grin even though Shay couldn’t see it. “Yeah, I think that little girl will be just fine. Hey, there’s more news.”
“Oh, what’s that?”
“I’m gonna be a daddy.”
There was a moment of silence on the phone. “For real?” Shay asked.
“For real.”
“Well, I’ll be damned. Good for you, old man.” Shay chuckled “Good for you.”