The Children of the Wolf

by Karl Tutt

  Chapter Ten

  Pete didn’t recognize the number, but then he rarely did. He didn’t recognize the voice either.

  “I think we have mutual friends,” it said, “and I am holding up two fingers.”

  “Go on,” Pete replied.

  “My daughter is missing. I have been led to believe that she was taken by a man known as Big Mig and that another called Lobo is involved.”

  Pete took a deep breath and turned in his chair, his back to his Don and to Priss. His put his hand to his mouth, pretended to cough, and kept his voice low.

  “I do not know you, amigo, but I do know you have friends. No doubt they value you or they would not get involved in this matter. This Lobo you mentioned. He is a very bad hombre. Not someone you want to know. Big Mig is his first lieutenant, very dangerous. These men are violent and treacherous. You must not take this lightly. They have killed many times, and they will add you to their list without hesitation.”

  “These are things that I know, but they have taken my Maria Elena. I fear for what will happen. I must get her back . . . or at least try. If I don’t, her dead mother will haunt me to my grave and beyond. I am expendable. She is not. You must help me. My friends are your friends and this Lobo is the most despicable of the beasts.”

  The sadness and determination glared in Bart’s voice. Pete clicked his teeth and hesitated, but instinct kicked in. This man, whoever he was, would not be denied, despite the fact that his resolve might well result in his death . . . and maybe an eternity in hell. But perhaps he was already there. Pete thought of his own daughter, just a bit younger than Maria Elena. In the back of his mind a tape played. What would he do if his angel had been taken? If she was disrespected, profaned in some way. He knew instantly. He would search for as long as it took . . . then he would kill. There would be no remorse. Leave it to God . . . or the Devil . . . to sort out. Someone would pay.

  “Then we must meet,” Pete said.

  They agreed on a time and a place. For Bart it could not be too soon.