Leon nodded. “Scouts who were out in the wastes, collecting stuff for you.”
“So my tribute has arrived,” Tiago declared, spreading his arms.
Trenton got out of the car, carrying the case of tequila, and slowly moved past the guards, setting the box directly at the feet of the cartel boss.
Tiago’s eyes lit up at the color of the caps, and pulled a bottle out to examine it. “This,” he said as he tapped on the label, “is some fantastic stuff. Where did you get this?”
“Couple of hours down the road,” Trenton replied stiffly. “Cost us quite a bit, too.”
The cartel boss returned the bottle to the case, and raised a hand, palm out. “Tell me, how much?”
“Three people’s lives, three dirt bikes and a dune buggy, all of which were our main modes of transportation,” Trenton replied flatly.
Tiago chuckled, and turned to rove his eyes over his companions. “These people are willing to sacrifice themselves so I can get drunk,” he declared. “Rodriguez, you have set up a fine source of entertainment for me.”
Rodriguez shifted his weight as the cartel boss continued to laugh over the situation. Trenton clenched his jaw, and Leon nodded gently at him for reassurance.
“Juan Pablo,” Tiago finally said, “first thing tomorrow I want you to deliver half a dozen bikes to them. Grant them access to the gas station on the south end of town. Hell, give them some weapons too. As long as it benefits me, what are a few guns and bullets?”
Juan Pablo nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Tiago turned back to Leon, and stared down his nose. “Let me be very clear,” he said, voice low and menacing, “while I do find this whole situation amusing, the moment you stop being useful to me, I will burn this town to the ground with everyone inside of it. I will make you watch as the people you protect burn alive. Are we clear?”
“Crystal.” Leon stood still as a statue.
Tiago patted him on the cheek. “I’ll expect something from you very soon.” He grinned and walked off, waving his hand above his head to get the guards moving back to the trucks. “Let’s go, I have some tequila to drink!” On his way past Rodriguez, he lowered his voice to a hiss. “You may think you’ve done good here,” he said. “I assure you that you have not. If this town falters, you will burn with them.”
Rodriguez nodded as he waved everyone into the truck, and glanced back at Leon. He touched his left ear, and Leon nodded slightly, affirming that the Detective was still alive. The cartel mole smiled faintly, and then jumped in the SUV.
Reed parked the cherry truck on the side of the road and got out to watch the black cartel vehicles speed off, and Leon approached Trenton.
“What happened to Clara?” he demanded.
“Nothing happened to her,” Trenton replied. “I just didn’t think the cartel needed to know she was alive.”
Leon nodded and followed him back to the truck, where Reed was helping Clara out from under a blanket in the backseat.
“What did I miss?” she asked, hopping down to the ground.
Leon grinned. “Me taunting El Guapo to his face.”
“El Guapo?” Clara raised an eyebrow, and looked back and forth between Trenton and Reed, who held equal confusion on their faces.
“The boss asshole who just left,” Leon said.
Trenton raised a hand. “Tiago Rivas?”
“Who the fuck is El Guapo?” Reed added.
Leon sighed. “Because he reminds me of the bad guy from the Three Amigos,” he explained, shaking his head at his obvious age. “And I may have to show some respect to his face, but I’ll me goddamned if I show any to him or his bitch ass son behind his back.”
Clara chuckled, shaking her head. “Three Amigos, huh? Never saw it.”
“Well, then we’d better add a VHS player to the list of things to scout for, then,” Leon declared, giving her shoulder a squeeze, and they headed back to the command center.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“Holy shit.” Rogers’ eyes were as wide as saucers. “You really told Angel Rivas that you’d make him call you daddy?”
Leon laughed. “It seemed like the logical thing to do at the time.” He shrugged. “Let El Guapo know I’m not backing down.”
The Detective wiped tears of mirth from his eyes. “El Guapo! Like Three Amigos!”
“Finally another person among us who appreciates the classics,” Leon raised his hands, and then shot a triumphant look at the other three.
Trenton rolled his eyes, and turned back to the map with all of the circles on it. “Man, some of these places are gonna be difficult to get to. Those spots way south of the I-10 won’t be too bad, but Fort Stockton and Fort Davis are probably two day trips away.”
“We’re probably going to want to avoid Fort Stockton for as long as we can,” Leon pointed out. “It’s the biggest city between here and Junction. We’re not going to have the manpower or the firepower to deal with that. Hell, we can’t even clear our own backyard yet.”
Rogers crossed his arms. “If they deliver on those weapon promises, we can start on that at least. But that’s only half the problem.” He rubbed his chin. “We really need able-bodied people. Right now these three are the only people who are able to venture out there.”
Leon took a deep breath. “It’s a long shot, but I’ll start putting the call out to those military boys out in New Mexico,” he suggested. “Our schedule chat isn’t for a couple more days, but it couldn’t hurt to try.”
“That’s a good idea, but the priority is finding supplies,” the Detective replied, shaking his head. “So whenever we have satellite coverage, I’d like you to be scouring every inch of ground you can.” He cocked his head, a mischievous glint in his eye. “If you don’t mind, Mister Mayor.”
“Oh good lord.” Clara put a hand to her forehead.
Leon smirked. “Nah, I’m good with Mayor,” he said.
“And on that note, I’m going to go find some food and a bed to sleep in,” she announced, putting up a hand to stop him.
“You did good today, Clara,” Trenton said softly, his voice sincere as he caught her attention. “You saved the town, really.”
She shrugged, avoiding his gaze as if it wasn’t a big deal. “It’s my home now too,” she said nervously. “Just trying to do my part to carry the load.”
“Well, you get some rest, because tomorrow morning we’re back at it,” he replied.
She nodded and gave a little wave before hurrying out of the command center.
“We should be doing the same,” Reed said.
Trenton nodded. “Good call,” he agreed, and gave a salute to the duo in charge. “Don’t stay up too late, amigos.”
After a return wave, the two remaining Fabens citizens turned back to the laptop as it gave a beep.
“Looks like you’re up, Mister Mayor,” Rogers said.
Leon gave him a sly smile. “I’m on it,” he assured him. “You should go get some sleep, Detective. I’ll keep watch.”
Rogers clapped him on the back. “Oh, be honest, you just want free reign of the coffee pot.”
“Only a day in and you already know me so well,” Leon replied with a chuckle.
The Detective stepped towards the door, but then turned back to give his new companion a sincere look. “Thanks for everything you did today. We might not still be here if it wasn’t for you.”
Leon shook his head. “Don’t thank me yet. I get the sense this shit is just getting started.”
END
In Book 4 of Dead America: The Second Week, the action shifts to Cincinnati, where a tragic accident at one of the government stadium shelters forces a group to risk everything to survive.
ends
Dead America The Second Week (Book 3): Dead America: El Paso, Part 2 Page 8
