Brody’s eyes followed her gaze. “In a way. But our job continues in El Paso. Hopefully we’re leaving the villager’s in better condition than when we found then.”
As she packed to leave, she smiled. “We did make new friends.”
“Now they’re stronger. They know what needs to be done to keep their families safe.” Brody looked toward La Hacienda. “And Chavez won’t be coming back.”
“I’m glad we came. It’s been a tough fight, but I think we’ll win this one.” Kate said.
“I know we will. After talking with Frank, letting them take A.J. was the smart thing to do. He’s equipped with a tracking device, so we’ll be able to find him.”
“I’m still can’t figure out what they plan to use him for.”
“Usually when something like this happens, the hostage is used as the fall guy.”
“That makes sense. I hate knowing they’re taking him away. Did you say Tony said they’re flying towards El Paso?”
“Yes, and we’ll be there soon. We won’t be staying at the same hotel with the other Falcon agents, but we’ll be in reserve should they need us. We’ll have to maintain our cover, but there’s no doubt we’ll pay a role somehow.”
Kate chewed her bottom lip. “Always in the thick of the action.”
“I’m going to say good-bye to Manny, Alberto and Salina,” Brody said.
Standing by the well, Kate watched as Brody entered Alberto’s stucco home. She hated to think the day was fast approaching when she and Brody would have no reason to be together.
The padre approached. “Hello, Miss Stone.”
Kate nodded. “Father.”
With his hands folded behind his back, Father Ayaaya said, “May I ask you to come to the church. I’d like to say my good-byes there.”
Smiling, Kate fell in beside the priest and together they walked to the dark interior of the building. Kate liked the older gentleman and admired him for giving up his life to serve the villagers in the area.
Entering the small, unadorned church humbled her. These people had so little, and yet their unwavering faith remained. She followed the padre down the steps to his office, but refused his offered wine.
“So you will be leaving soon?”
Kate took in the sparse room with its crumbling walls, dirt floor, and lack of windows “Sometime today.”
“You must be anxious to get back to your home. Your family.”
“I don’t really have a family, and home is wherever I happen to be.”
“You have a very tough job, Miss Stone. To be a woman working for the CIA. Is it not difficult and dangerous?”
“You could say that, but I’m used to it.”
“I heard you lost four of your men in Iraq.”
Kate wondered how Father Ayaaya came by that information. After all, there were no phones, TV or newspapers in the middle of a desert, much less the contents of a CIA report.
Her left eye twitched. Agents didn’t discuss other operatives’ assignments or Intel. “Two men killed, two were left behind.”
“And you never heard anything from them? That must be a horrible burden to you.”
“It is, but I’m still doing research in hopes the case will stay open.”
“But you haven’t found the men yet.”
“I suspect the men are dead. I’m more interested in the information they gave up and who tortured them.”
The padre shook his head. “Iraq is a very dangerous part of the world.”
“The whole world is dangerous.” The padre seemed to know a lot more than a simple knowledge of her job. He knew her previous assignments. Again her eye twitched.
Kate stood to leave. “It’s been great speaking with you, Father Ayaaya, but I must say my good-byes to the villagers.”
He came to his feet. “Yes, by all means. We will miss you.”
***
Brody sat in Salina’s home enjoying a glass of tequila. “Chavez has left for the United States. I think the village is safe now. We’ll be sure to contain him once he touches American soil. He won’t be coming back,”
“That is good news,” Alberto said. “I sent word for everyone working in La Hacienda to get out. They now know you plan to blow it up.”
“I think your people have the right to anything there. Since Chavez got rich off the sweat of your backs.”
“Sí, that is true,” Salina said. “Today I also sent word that it was safe for my sister to return to her family.”
“That’s good.” Brody took another swallow and then set his glass on the table. “I was thinking maybe the padre might want to use some of the money to improve his church. It’s almost falling down.”
Alberto shrugged. “He can if he wants, but the people of this village want another priest besides Ayaaya.”
That caught Brody’s interest. “You don’t like the padre?”
Salina wiped her hands on a cloth nearby. “It is not that we don’t like him. It’s just that he does not do anything for the village. There have only been a few masses, no communion, no confessions and no baptisms.”
“Why is that?”
Alberto shrugged. “We don’t know this man.”
“What?”
“Father Garcia grew too old and the diocese sent him to retire. We received word a new priest would be coming. Two days later Father Ayaaya showed up.”
“Was he from another village?”
“No one has ever heard of him. He came to the village and went to the church. When we went to mass on that first Sunday, he introduced himself and told us he was our new priest.”
“He’s a stranger?”
“Yes. And the people of the village do not trust a man of God who does not hold mass every Sunday.”
Before Brody could dig deeper, a gunshot sliced the air. He jumped to his feet and darted outside.
Frantically, he searched the area for Kate, but he couldn’t find her. Had something happened? He entered the church with Alberto behind him. He ran down the aisle and entered the padre’s office.
The room stood empty and silent as a tomb. Blood speckled the floor. A chair lay on its side, and the back door of the church hung ajar. Outside, vehicle tracks marred the sand.
Back in the padre’s office, Brody squatted and touched his fingertips to the blood. Could Kate be hurt? Who took her, and why?
Brody stood and ran toward the Jeep.
Chapter 22
Tony and Frank arrived at a private airport outside of El Paso, where a driver waited to take them to the hotel. Once there, Tony set up a base of operation and Frank checked in with security.
“Zoe text me where President Gomez is staying. Mac is in a room right next to him. Gomez’s security team is in three rooms across from the president.”
“Where is Chavez staying?” Frank asked.
“I’m sure he has contacts to make arrangements for him a place to stay.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know, but I have feelers out. Several people know Chavez is coming to El Paso. They just don’t know why or where he’s staying,” Tony said.
“Any information about how this is going down?”
“I learned just before leaving Dallas that Albin Burr left Stockholm yesterday.”
“He’s the assassin?” Frank asked.
“He has a reputation as a hit-man. I think they plan to use him to kill the president.”
Frank sat in a chair next to the window. “That makes sense. I’ll go out on a limb and say they plan to blame the assassination on A.J. Why else would they keep him alive?”
“Exactly. I’m having every bit of information checked and double checked. I have a man standing by to see if Burr arrives at the airport. He could be on another assignment.”
“We have to find A.J.” Frank said.
“I agree. His hours are numbered. I’m sure they’ll murder him and take his body to the kill zone.”
“Because of forensics, they can’t kill A.J. too soon. If they do, th
ere will be too many questions.” Tony plugged a wire into the back of his laptop. “I’m tracking him, so they haven’t found the wire.”
“Or they have found it and put it on a decoy.”
“That’s a chance we always have to take.”
“How far away do you think he’ll be?” Frank asked.
“Let’s leave that up to Mac. He’s the expert when it comes to how far a sniper can be effective. Also, we all know he’ll need height to get a straight line of fire.”
***
Scott wasn’t too happy sitting across from Doug Morgan on Air Force One. They’d both decided to travel with the president, and Frank Hamilton had made arrangements for travel from the private airport to the hotel. Air Force One would set down at the international terminal at the El Paso Airport.
“I guess with Falcon Securities in charge of Davis’s safekeeping, we don’t have much to worry about.”
Doug put down his magazine and gave him a hard glare. “We’re always worried. The day we stop being concerned about the president’s welfare, we need to quit.”
“I’m worried about Davis,” Scott growled. “I don’t like that his life is in a non-government agency’s hands. I mean, hell, we both know anything could happen.”
“Not with Hamilton on the job, it won’t.”
“He’s just a fucking man with a security company.”
“You think so? Frank being in charge tells me the president thinks he’s pretty capable.”
“And the Secret Service isn’t?” Scott’s voice rose.
“Sure we are, but when it comes to the safety of our country, I’ll take all the help I can get.”
Teeth grinding, Scott mentally scolded himself for being so damn petty. Raking his hand through his hair, he sucked in a breath of air. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
Scott leaned back, closed his eyes, and conjured up how many ways he could kill Doug Morgan. A sharp knife to the heart sounded good. Or a kill shot to the head. One thing for sure he had to make it look like a Falcon agent did the deed.
Everything had to fall in Frank Hamilton’s lap and maybe they could blame Doug’s murder on another Falcon agent. Hell, they could bring down the whole fucking organization. And Scott would enjoy watching Hamilton try to squirm his way out of this mess. He couldn’t wait for the Security Council to get hold of that damn Falcon Securities.
Scott opened his eyes when he heard Morgan get out of his seat and sit across the aisle. Vice President Rafferty traveled on another plane that would land at Ft Bliss. He’d meet up with them at the hotel.
Everyone involved knew that once the president was assassinated they couldn’t do what they planned with Doug Morgan around. No, his ties with the DOD ran too deep. One hint of a set up and he’d hunt down the truth.
Scott knew that Doug had a wife and two children, but that played little against taking his life. Unfortunately, Doug Morgan did his job better than anyone, and that made him dangerous to their plan.
***
Washington D.C.
Monique didn’t like that Ron had gone to El Paso without her. She’d hoped by now she’d be firmly planted at his side. Maybe even engaged, or at least an item in the Washington gossip mill.
Nothing.
Neither her brother nor Youssef el Jibar mattered to her. When she became the first lady those two would be shipped back to Pakistan where they belonged. Classified as an American citizen, she wasn’t about to let them spoil her time in the spotlight.
Their cause had never mattered to her. She didn’t believe in all that nonsense they preached about Allah and the destruction of Americans.
When they sent her to America to set up a life and work for them, she became the happiest girl in the world. With practice, she’d played their little game.
No one could convince her that being beautiful didn’t play a big part in their decision. And she let it all happen. Then once she got here and began living like a young American, nothing could stop her, especially her brother. That’s when she learned how to be her own woman.
Asad and Youssef were fanatical. Their goal was to change the course of history by destroying democracy. She wanted fame and fortune. Also, a big fancy house, a private driver, and expensive clothes would be nice. Besides, she was closer to her goals than they were to theirs.
Now here she sat in her empty townhouse watching the summer rain fall on the sidewalk outside. Ron was in El Paso making a difference, and Ben Reed snug at home with his wife and two daughters. They would be celebrating his birthday, and his wife had planned a big celebration for the evening.
She wouldn’t be invited.
The phone rang, and she jumped. She hoped Ron’s voice would greet her on the other end. “Hello.”
“You still want Kate Stone dead?”
Trying to keep the disappointment from her voice, Monique said, “Yes, Angel. More than ever.”
“If she isn’t already dead, I might be able to help you out.”
Relief loosened her muscles and she breathed a sigh of relief. In a soft voice, she said, “I would be very grateful.”
“Grateful enough to get me what I want?” he blatted out.
She paused. “What do you want?”
“Other than to fuck you?”
Monique gritted her teeth and closed her eyes. Men! “Other than that.”
“I want Oscar dead.”
“What?” Monique opened her eyes, sat up and sucked in a deep breath. “You want me to do it? I’ve never killed anyone before.”
“Not even in Pakistan?”
He’d learned her secret. Son of a bitch. Her brother would kill her but only after he killed Diaz. “I left there when I was ten. No, I’ve never killed anyone and I don’t intend to. How can the first lady be tangled up in something like that?”
“You have people. Tell your big brother to do it. I just don’t want it coming back on me.”
“If my brother knew what you asked, he’d probably kill you.”
“No, he won’t. I know who he is, what he is, and all about his plan to destroy America.”
“Where did you get all that fucking information?”
“Still have some connections with a friend in the FBI.”
“Your friend is mistaken. My brother isn’t in the States. He’s in Pakistan. And he has no desire to bring harm to this country.”
“Then why are you there in Washington screwing every dick in town?”
“It’s simple, stupid. I want to be first lady. If that is my goal, why would I have anything to do with a radical group?”
“That’s what you want, but is that what your brother and Youssef el Jibar want?”
Youssef el Jibar.
Angel had no idea his big mouth had just cost him his life.
“Keep what you know to yourself, and I’ll see about Oscar. I don’t understand why you want him dead. He’s going to make you rich.”
“I’ve decided he’s too soft to run an organization this large. I think he loves Kate Stone. And everyone knows a man who thinks he’s in love in this business is a dead man walking.”
“Where is he now?”
“They’ve all left for El Paso. Chavez wants to see the presidents die with his own two eyes. Wouldn’t settle for less. Like I said, he is weak.”
“I’ll see if Scott Wheeler can take care of it while in El Paso. That’s a good place for an accidental death to take place.”
“What? Are you screwing Wheeler, too?”
She didn’t answer. He had no right to know anything. “Just keep your mouth shut, and I’ll see what I can do.”
“Before I kill Stone, I’m going to interrogate her.”
Anger fueled her. “The only thing you will learn is the two men in her team left behind were paid well to do what they could to dismantle her assignment. When they weren’t able to stop Stone, they were tortured to death.”
“That would just point a finger to Youssef el Jibar. Not you.”
“One of th
e prisoners said he told a cellmate who’d escaped my true identy,” Monique said.
“That could all be a lie.”
“It’s no lie, Angel. Men being tortured don’t lie.”
“I’ll see Stone dies today.”
Chapter 23
The president’s plane, carrying the Secret Service, a few press people, and two young interns landed right on schedule. The evening before, President Davis had held a press conference and announced he and President Gomez would be meeting today in El Paso to discuss the border issues and how to improve Mexico’s economy.
They’d allowed plenty of time to make it to their hotel and relax a little before dinner at the Convention Center. Everyone on the plane would be rooming on the same floor as the president at the Camino Real.
Scott stuck his head out the door and confirmed a pair of limo’s waited to take them to their hotel. Before leaving D.C. he’d made sure the White House secretary had put him close to the president’s suite.
The hot sun assaulted Scott’s eyes and wicked the moisture from his body. Shielding his eyes, he looked around at the barren landscape, and let out a deep sigh. He hated the heat. And El Paso didn’t have much of a night life, either. But they would only be here two days before heading back to Washington and a new life.
Doug passed him taking off his suit jacket as he made his way to the second limo that carried the president. Ron would probably be waiting at the hotel for them since his plane took off earlier than the one carrying the president.
Scott met up with several other agents and they climbed into the limo along with a few members of the press and a young intern brought along to cater to their needs. Inside the air-conditioned vehicle, Scott loosened his tie and settled back for the ride. He didn’t have to concern himself about any incidents out there. The only danger they faced was the one they’d created themselves.
Scott’s thoughts returned to the task at hand. On the return trip there would be no Davis or Morgan except in body bags.
Looking out the tinted windows, Scott wondered what kind of leader Ron would be. Everyone knew he had ambition and drive, but few knew how willing he was to look the other way with issues of money. Also, he planned to loosen up the border so drugs and other black market items could flow more freely.
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