The Kill Season

by Robin Mahle

  “Right. I’ll try her again later.” He slipped his phone into his pocket.

  Varela made his way inside. “I’m sorry for the delay. I returned as quickly as I could.”

  “And the call logs?” Fisher asked.

  “In the hands of your agents.”

  “Good. So what’s the plan, Inspector?” Fisher added. “As you can see, I’d like to move quickly. We both would. We need to get back to our team.”

  “Have you spoken to your agents who are with Investigator Sosa?” He asked.

  “We tried,” Scarborough said. “Unfortunately, the signal was dropped. I’ll try again soon. Do you have an update from him?”

  “This is a common problem in Rocinha. Mobile phone service is very poor. I, too, have been unable to reach my officer. No need to worry. Sosa knows what he is doing. I have no doubt your people will be in touch as soon as possible.” Varela headed toward his office. “For our part, I have a plan in place.”

  Quinn drove at breakneck speeds until they reached the decaying streets of the favela. The gunfire ceased and Kate felt safe enough to sit up from the backseat. “For God’s sake, what the hell is going on, Quinn? We were almost killed.”

  “I wish I knew. I’ll tell you one thing, though, whatever assurances were given to our team leaders by the gangs who control this shithole just flew out the goddam window.” He turned at the end of the road that led to the exit. “I just want to get the hell out of here. Please tell me you have a signal now?”

  Kate eyed her phone. “Yes!” She dialed Nick again and the line rang. Her heart pounded, not knowing if she was too late to warn him about Varela.

  “There you are.” Nick answered. “I tried to call you back…”

  There was no time for chitchat and Kate interrupted, “Where are you?”

  “Just heading into a meeting with Varela. What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

  “No. Don’t go in with him. Nick, you and Fisher need to leave now.”

  “What?”

  “Just go. Please. Sosa’s dead. I’m with Quinn. We just left Rocinha.”

  Nick was silent on the line for a moment. “Go straight to the hotel. Call Cain.”

  The line went dead and she screamed into her phone. “Nick? Nick?”

  “Are they at the station?” Quinn asked.

  “Yes. He said they were walking into a meeting with Varela. He told us to go to the hotel and contact Agent Cain. Then he hung up.”

  “Christ.”

  “We can’t go to the hotel, Quinn,” Kate pleaded. “Please. You have to go the station. It’s less than a mile from here.”

  “How do we know Varela is the problem?”

  “We don’t for certain, but we have to know our people are safe. I’m not sure any of us is safe anymore.”

  “I won’t argue that point.” Quinn made another turn and continued until they spotted the station. “You have a plan or are we shooting from the hip?”

  “I don’t think Varela is going to gun down two federal agents inside his own station. If he is behind Sosa’s death, he’ll know the minute we walk inside that we figured it out. I’m pretty sure we weren’t supposed to make it out of there alive.” Kate pondered an idea. “There are two entrances. We park at a distance and go on foot to the rear entrance.”

  “They’re armed too, and we’re outnumbered at least 3 to 1.”

  “What choice do we have?” Kate replied.

  He stopped a block away and shifted the patrol car into park. With a glance over his shoulder, he studied Kate. “We’ll have no choice but to take down anyone who tries to stop us. We have no idea who Varela has in his pocket. Then we get our people out. You ready?”

  “I’m ready.” She stepped out onto the side of the road while Quinn joined her.

  The streets were lined with small drainage channels on either side. No sidewalks. They walked next to the buildings fronting the road. The station was only feet away now.

  “I see only a few patrol cars. That bodes well for us.” Quinn stopped and grabbed Kate’s arm. “Whatever happens once we’re inside, just worry about yourself, okay? Don’t play the hero.”

  She wanted to offer a scathing retort, but this wasn’t the time. Quinn had all but certified his cowardice. In the face of danger, this was his reaction; to look out for yourself. “I know what to do.”

  They approached the rear entrance and Quinn pulled on the door handle. “Shit. It’s locked.”

  The plan was flaming out and Kate had to find another solution. “It’s pretty damn quiet around here. I don’t know if Varela planned it that way or not. But our only choice is to go around to the front.”

  They reached the main entrance to the station. It was still eerily quiet and Kate couldn’t shake the idea this was another setup. Although it was already dark, there should have been more activity in the area. It was as if others had been warned to keep their distance.

  “I’ll go in first. Stay close and ready your weapon.” With his sidearm aimed ahead, Quinn pushed through the door.

  The bullpen was vacant. Kate was only steps behind and on spotting the empty room, she experienced minor relief. Maybe they wouldn’t be outnumbered after all. But where were her teammates? She tapped on Quinn’s shoulder and pointed to a closed door. “Varela’s office.”

  He nodded and they continued to the door in stealth. As they approached, Quinn stopped her. “Let me.” He reached for the door handle and turned. “Don’t move!”

  Scarborough and Fisher leaped into action, both reaching for their weapons before recognizing who stood before them. Quinn trained his gun on Varela who sat behind his desk while Kate entered with her weapon drawn and pointing at Varela’s head.

  They weren’t the only ones ready for a battle. Varela had his gun pointed right back at Quinn.

  “Put down your gun, Inspector,” Reid demanded.

  “Reid, what the fuck are you doing?” Fisher said.

  “I told you to go to the hotel.” Scarborough turned his gun on Varela. “I know about Investigator Sosa.”

  “Wait? What? Did I miss something, here?” Fisher asked.

  “Was it the AdA?” Scarborough added. “I have to assume they threatened you or why would you have let them kill one of your own?”

  “You don’t know what you’ve unleashed,” Varela refused to disarm. “I tried. I tried to convince the gangs you would not interfere. They didn’t believe me. And now I’ve lost a good man.”

  “We came here to help you capture a killer. An American killer. You asked for our help,” Scarborough said.

  “That is what I cared about too, until I got the call. They are holding my wife hostage until you leave.”

  “I can’t fucking believe this.” Fisher jumped up from his chair. “You sacrificed your own man for these people?”

  “For my wife, Agent Fisher.” Varela peered at the four who held firm their weapons. “I cannot take out all of you, but I can get at least one. Is that what we want right now?”

  “You can’t be trusted,” Scarborough said. “Did you tell them we were going to the coroner’s office? You had no intentions of allowing us to get out of there alive, did you?”

  “I can fix this, but please help me get my wife to safety. I wanted none of this. Pedro Sosa was a good man. A fine husband and father. I will have to bear the responsibility for his murder.”

  “We drove out of Rocinha in a hail of bullets and you want us to trust you now?” Kate asked. She hadn’t revealed that to Scarborough and she could feel the burn of his stare.

  “We’re here to find a killer. We will find him and if that means taking down any member of the so-called Amigos dos Amigos, then so be it. We have work to do and someone’s going to have to take care of him.” She pointed to Varela.

  “Wait. Just hold on a second,” Scarborough said. “We need him. He’s our only link to the AdA.” He turned his attention to Varela. “I want the American. And you’re going to help us get him.”

  Mason
Wylder stood on his balcony overlooking the ocean as the sun lowered over the western horizon. The fiery sky mingled with the rolling waters to craft a stunning canvas. The day had drawn to a close and there was work to be done. He turned from nature’s portrait and walked inside where his assistant and closest confidant waited for orders.

  “I have news that could end up being a problem for us.” Scott held out a glass of malt scotch poured atop two ice cubes. “You might want this first. An officer was murdered in Rocinha today. The civil police are investigating and there is talk the military police might intervene. Word has it the gangs were responsible.”

  “That could present a problem for us, yes. Has anyone found the rest of them yet?”

  “The only ones discovered were the ones already taken to the coroner. And I’ve handled that situation,” Scott replied.

  “Then how should we handle our current guest? We might be forced to keep her until this blows over.” He sipped on his drink.

  “Mason, things have become extremely complicated. I haven’t been able to confirm this yet, but I’ve heard the FBI is here. Supposedly offering their expertise on the ones found in the hills. This might be the right time to go home.”

  “Wouldn’t that only raise suspicions?”

  “You haven’t done anything that would cause suspicions to be raised in the first place. Not yet,” Scott began. “This is the best position for us to be in right now. We have the upper hand.”

  Mason turned away from Scott and again peered through the glass doors. “Let me go to the club. I’m expected there and if I don’t show, that might make others apprehensive.” He turned back and downed the remainder of his drink. “However, I won’t disagree with you. Tomorrow we will go home.”

  “Thank you. Okay. I’ll make sure the jet is ready.” He turned to leave.

  “Scott?”

  “Yes?”

  “There’s one other thing. I’m going to need you to scrub that reporter.”

  “I’m sorry? What?”

  “You heard me. She saw something she shouldn’t have seen and in light of the current situation, it would be in our best interest to see to it nothing goes to print. And that she doesn’t resurface. I have enough on my plate, so she is yours to handle.”

  “She has a spot on the 10pm news,” Scott pleaded. “They’re going to notice when she doesn’t show up. Look, she doesn’t know anything.”

  “We’re leaving tomorrow anyway. I don’t see the problem here. This is something that needs to be handled. And, forgive me if I’m wrong, but I thought I hired you to handle them.”

  12

  It was Agent Cain’s footsteps and subsequent push through the doors of the meeting room that caused Eva Duncan and Levi Walsh to jolt to attention.

  “We need to pack up and get the hell out of here,” Cain said. “And I mean, like now.”

  “What happened? Is everyone okay?” Walsh asked.

  “You’re not safe here. Not anymore. I’ve set up a safehouse for you and your team. They’re already there. And now you need to be too.”

  “Okay, hold up here. I’m going to need to speak to Scarborough,” Walsh replied.

  “You can, once I get you to the safehouse. Look, I don’t have time to explain. Suffice it to say, you’ve been led down a rabbit hole and I’m here to bail you out.”

  Duncan shut down her laptop and thrust it into her computer bag. “I knew this was too easy. Just answer me this, is everyone okay? Is the team safe?”

  “Yes. For now. I’ll explain when we get into the car.” Cain gathered files and placed them in a stack. “You can believe me now or not. But if not, then you’ll likely find yourself at the mercy of the AdA in the next few hours.”

  Walsh walked toward her. “Keep packing. I’m going to call Scarborough.” He set his sights again to Cain. “You need to let me confirm this with my boss or we aren’t going anywhere with you.”

  “If you insist, but I suggest you do it on a secure line.” Cain handed over his cell phone. “Here. Make the call.”

  Walsh retrieved the phone and dialed Scarborough’s number. The line rang.

  “Cain, you have them?” Scarborough answered.

  “What the hell’s going on, man? It’s Walsh. Where are you?”

  “Christ. You and Duncan need to get out of there. We’ve been compromised. Cain has us set up someplace safe and we’re all here. Except you two. Please, there’s no time to waste.”

  “Fine. But you’re going to need to fess up when we get there.”

  “I will. Just come. Now.” Scarborough ended the call.

  “Happy now?” Cain held out his hand. “Can I have my phone back?”

  Walsh returned the phone. “We’ll go, but what about the stuff in our rooms?”

  “I’ve got people in there now packing up everyone’s things. This has turned into a giant shit show and I’ve had to get my own team involved.”

  Walsh threw his laptop bag over his shoulder. “Duncan, you ready to haul ass out of here?”

  “I’m ready.”

  “Good. Let’s move.” Cain led the way out of the hotel and to his car parked alongside the entrance. “Get in.” He returned to the driver’s side and started the engine,

  Walsh ensured Duncan was inside and set his sights on Cain. “Now you’ve got us. Where are we going and why?”

  “Pedro Sosa’s been murdered. And your colleagues were almost taken down too. Looks like Inspector Varela isn’t the stand-up guy I thought he was.”

  “Reid and Quinn, they’re okay?” Duncan asked.

  “They managed to drive out of Rocinha unscathed.”

  “Jesus. What the hell happened?” Walsh said.

  Cain eyed him. “Rio happened.”

  Kate peered through the window at the long driveway to beyond what she could see now in the dark of night. “Headlights.” She dropped the blinds and turned her attention to the others in the living room. “That’s Cain with Levi and Eva.”

  Scarborough pulled open the blinds briefly as if to confirm Kate’s statement. “Thank God. At least we can get going now. I want to get down there as soon as possible.”

  “If I don’t make contact with them soon, they’re going to wonder what happened.” Varela was seated with his hands bound and Fisher’s gun pointed at his head. “Is it necessary to have a gun on me the entire time? I have agreed to your demands.”

  “You almost got my people killed today,” Fisher said. “So yes, it’s necessary. I don’t trust you. And if Scarborough didn’t believe you were a necessary component to this operation, I would’ve seen to it you were buried alongside those women.”

  “You must feel very powerful, Agent Fisher. Americans.” He chuckled. “You have no idea how the rest of the world operates.”

  A knock on the door sounded, followed by a voice. “It’s Cain. I’m coming in.” He inserted his key in the lock and opened the door. “I’ve got the rest of your folks here. Safe and sound.”

  Fisher marched toward Duncan and wrapped his arms around her. “Thank God you’re safe.”

  “I’m here too.” Walsh opened his arms. “Don’t I get a hug?”

  “I’m glad you’re here too, man.” Fisher returned a manly embrace. “Things have gone south in a hurry and we’re up shit creek right now.”

  “I figured.” Walsh turned to Scarborough. “What’s the plan, boss?”

  But before he could answer, Fisher jumped in, waving his gun at Varela. “This guy here sacrificed his own man today and almost sacrificed two of ours. So now he’s gonna help us out. Scarborough and I are still going to the coroner’s office. We’re going to get those samples from the initial victims found in the hills and then we’re going to the nightclub where word has it, we’ll find American’s there. Maybe our guy.”

  “Wait, you two have already been to that club,” Walsh said. “If any members of the AdA are there, we’re screwed. I’ll be the first to volunteer my services.”

  “No.” Kate moved in.
“I’ll go. No offense, but all you guys scream American federal agents. I can get his attention.”

  “Reid’s right,” Duncan said. “But you aren’t going alone. It’ll be you and me.”

  “You want me to send both of you in there?” Scarborough asked.

  “Is there something wrong with that?” Duncan replied. “We both have field agent experience. We know what we’re doing.”

  “I didn’t say you didn’t know what you’re doing. But here, in a foreign country, all bets are off.” Scarborough turned to Cain. “What are your thoughts?”

  “I gotta agree with the ladies. You aren’t going to catch that bee without some honey. Pardon me, ladies, if I offend, but it’s the truth.”

  “We know. And that’s why it should be us.” Kate looked to Duncan. “We can narrow down our field of eligible suspects while they go to the coroner’s office and get what we need there.”

  “There’s one other thing,” Quinn began. “Reid managed to trip over a severed head on the hillside. Luckily, Sosa had a forensics kit on him before he was gunned down. We were able to use what he had in that kit. I have the samples.” He patted his laptop bag.

  “You found a head? Why are we just now hearing about this?” Fisher asked.

  “Sorry. We were pretty busy running for our lives today and making sure you two weren’t killed in the process,” Quinn replied. “Must’ve slipped our minds.” At this, he winked at Kate.

  His insinuation that they shared some sort of comradery was nauseating, but he had a point. Kate began, “The only thing better would be if I could whip out the head from my laptop bag right now. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to retrieve it amid the gunfire. So, can we get something lined up so Duncan and I can go do our jobs?”

  Cain arrived a few blocks from the nightclub and parked curbside. “You ladies ready?”

  Kate and Eva were in the backseat and Kate began, “We’re ready.”