by Bella Juarez
“Yeah, man, I want some McDonald’s and I need a jacket, man. I’m freezing my ass off. Gimme yours till I get one,” Jorge said.
The man peeled off his Spurs jacket and handed it over. Beaumont was about fifteen minutes from the prison. There was a Walmart with a McDonald’s. They arrived in the parking lot and went into the store. Rivera had no money, so his man would be responsible for getting him whatever he wanted. He ate his Quarter Pounder with fries and a Coke. They found him some clothes and he quickly changed in the car. They turned and headed for Victoria. He was on his man’s phone as they reached the city limits of Beaumont.
* * * *
Lieutenant Gamez was a little pissed at having to come in on a Sunday. Rock had called him and told him to trace everything on a Maximillo Guzman, a small-time hood from somewhere south of San Antonio. As he sat and listened, he yawned. He was having a hard time getting adjusted to Texas time from California time. He had only been at Randolph for two weeks.
There had been no unusual traffic other than a few drug deals. For the last couple of hours there had been no phone calls at all. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. What he wouldn’t have given to be in his bed right now in the middle of his second dream with J. Lo shaking that fine ass all over him. Lieutenant Gamez was almost asleep when the trace kicked in again. The conversation he was hearing sent him upright.
What the fuck?
Someone else had made a call, and his equipment instantly recorded the conversations as they were being held. Gamez sat staring at the device for almost thirty minutes. The call ended and he flew out of his seat, racing down the hall. He rushed into the Captain O’Malley’s office. Mac and Rock were sitting around a conference table.
“Captain, Master Chief. I think you better come listen to this.”
* * * *
“Are you sure?” Gavin asked.
“Yes, I’m sure,” Mac said.
“Badass, you really need to watch your step with this one,” Rock said.
Rock and Mac had him on a speakerphone in Rock’s office. Rivera had been in contact with Esteban Ramirez-Merles as soon as he had left the city limits.
“You need to find out what fucking money they’re taking about. One billion dollars is a lot of damn money. And, you need to find out who they’re getting to launder that money,” Rock demanded.
“Okay. Anything else, Rock?” Gavin asked. “You only want me to take down an international money-laundering operation, terrorists, and a small-time drug dealer. You want that fucking gift wrapped, too? Who the fuck do you think I am, Superman?” Gavin snapped.
“No sweat,” Mac chimed in.
“Are you planning on helping a little now?” Gavin asked.
“If that’s what it takes because I want Ramirez-Merles. That little bastard knows a lot more than we thought he did. I’ll talk to Dixie. I’ll figure something out,” Rock said.
Gavin ended the call with Rock and Mac and stayed behind his boys. Obviously there was something bigger going on here. He called Jimmy and had him start the surveillance schedule. Rivera was moving a lot faster than he had anticipated. Jimmy confirmed and said he would call back. About forty-five minutes outside of Victoria, Jimmy called back.
“It’s set up, boss. First shift should be in place in about thirty minutes. Where are you?”
“Taking a Sunday drive. I’ll be at the station in about thirty minutes.”
“How did you know Rivera was getting outta jail? I thought that wasn’t happening for another couple of days,” Jimmy said.
“I got friends in low places. Just make sure that team is in place. I’ll see you when I get there,” Gavin said.
Gavin ended the call and watched Rivera’s vehicle reach the city limits of Victoria. He was expecting him to turn off at the south side of Victoria. Instead, they kept going. They kept driving until they reached the city limits of Corpus Christi. He was glad he had fueled up while they were at Walmart. They had managed to travel five hours. He watched as they pulled up to a house on the outskirts of the city.
Rivera’s man waited as Rivera walked up to the front door and was admitted inside. Gavin jotted down the address. From his vantage point he quickly snapped a picture of the man who opened the door. Within an hour, Rivera walked out and returned to his vehicle and left. He watched as they turned and followed at a distance from behind. When he finally arrived in Victoria, Jimmy was beside himself with worry.
“Jesus! Boss, I was thinking about sending out a search party. You said you’d be here in thirty. It’s been three hours,” Jimmy said.
“I got sidetracked,” Gavin said.
“So what’s up?”
“Stick with the plan. Is the team in place?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Okay. Go home and get some rest. You and Kaiser are up on deck, right?”
“You still taking grave, boss?”
“Yes, Jimmy, that’s the plan.”
Gavin noticed that Jimmy was hesitating.
“The conversation is over, Jimmy. Get back to work,” Gavin said.
“I’m just curious how you knew what was going down today?” Jimmy asked.
“You’re dismissed,” Gavin said.
Jimmy turned and left. Gavin’s cell phone had been vibrating in his pocket during the conversation. He had ignored it until now. He watched Jimmy walk through the double doors before he answered his phone. It vibrated once more. He looked at the caller ID and shook his head. Damn Mac! Doesn’t he know about voice mail?
“Don’t you know how to leave a message?” Gavin asked, slightly annoyed.
“Hell no!” Mac said.
“What do you have?”
“The house is a rental, run by an agency. We won’t know who’s renting it until tomorrow morning.”
“All right, I’ll talk to you in the morning.”
Gavin stretched. He was sore and tired. He had been sitting for the last sixteen hours. He wanted to go home, eat, shower, and sleep. He had given himself the midnight-to-six shift. He wanted things to appear as if nothing major were going down, just simple surveillance detail. He had to remove himself from all of the day’s events and think.
Gavin got home and went through his simple routine. As he lay in bed, he thought about what he had seen and heard today. He smiled. It had been very productive. He let his mind release all thoughts of work and drift to Amy. He had been suppressing his thoughts of her since he had left the library. He thought about her long chocolate hair and soft voice. He recalled her cute giggle and wished he could curl up with her instead of alone. Gavin briefly wondered what it would be like to come home to her every day and snuggle up to her at night. I need to see her again. I need to find out if she’s real.
Chapter 7
185 Larimore St
Victoria, Texas
November 22, 2007/1931 Zulu
Unlike the Sunday before, the surveillance detail had been fairly uneventful. Rivera simply laid low, but Gavin knew he was waiting for something. It was a slow week and Thursday arrived without any movement or incident on Rivera’s part. Gavin was well aware of his upcoming holiday with the Ortizes, and for the first time in a very long time, he was looking forward to spending time with other people.
Gavin arrived at the Ortizes’ around one thirty. He had worked most of the morning. The rental agency had still not been forthcoming about the renter in the house that Rivera had visited the Sunday before. They were demanding a warrant. He knew he couldn’t get a warrant with what he had, so he had to depend on Mac to get him the information he needed. He rang the bell at the front door.
“You showed up after all.” David growled, blocking the door.
“Beer, Chief?” Gavin asked as he held up a six-pack.
“The time for kissing my ass has long passed. My niece doesn’t need a badass in her life.”
Irene came to the door and pushed David aside.
“Come in, Gavin. Welcome to our home,” Irene said.
David
scowled over Irene. Gavin walked into the house as he handed the drinks to Irene.
“Gavin, would you like to help Amy in the kitchen?” Irene asked, staring at her husband.
“He’s helping me in the backyard with the turkey,” David said firmly.
“Are you sure?” Irene asked.
“Come on, badass.” David walked toward the back door.
Gavin followed David Ortiz out to the backyard. There was a huge fry pot and something cooking inside. He wasn’t sure about the whole fried turkey thing, but he had to admit, it smelled good. He watched as David fussed over the turkey in the pot.
“Is there anything I can do to help, sir?” Gavin asked.
“Leave,” David said shortly.
“All right, Chief, I can do that. Let me go and say bye to the missus…” Gavin turned around to leave.
* * * *
“Not so fast, badass.” David growled.
“Sir?” Gavin asked.
“You know damn good and well what Irene is pulling here. Let me tell you something from the get-go. I don’t like it,” David snapped.
“I gathered as much.”
“Amy isn’t your type and she doesn’t need all the heartache you’ll cause her. You have no idea what she’s been through. You’re not the man for her. I don’t want you seeing her and I better not find out you try and touch her. So get that shit out of your head right now. If I find out any of that happens I’ll fuck up your planet in ways you can’t imagine. Understand?” David snarled.
“Understood, sir.”
“Now, we’ll have a nice sit-down, and afterwards, you’re going home and forgetting Amy exists. Understand?” David commanded.
“I hear you,” Gavin said.
David turned back to his task, clearly unconvinced. He knew Gavin wouldn’t heed anything he had just said, but he wanted it on the record. He noticed how Amy brightened when Gavin walked into the room and son of a bitch if Gavin didn’t turn into a schoolboy when he saw her. David inwardly knew there was no way he would be able to keep them apart. Fuck! David had to think and think fast. He couldn’t stand the idea of Amy being hurt and falling apart again.
Chapter 8
Embassy of Pakistan
Washington, DC, USA
November 22, 2007/0019 Zulu
Nayyaf Bakri stepped out of the limousine that took him to the Pakistani embassy in Washington, DC. He inhaled the air around him. It was a crisp late autumn evening. He entered the building and was soon greeted by the ambassador.
“As-Salāmu `Alaykum,” the ambassador said, raising his right hand to his forehead.
“And may peace be upon you, too, my brother,” Nayyaf replied with a smile and the same salute. The men embraced.
“How was your trip?” the ambassador asked, leading Nayyaf away from the entrance and to the private quarters of the embassy.
“Long, as usual,” Nayyaf replied.
“I understand you are going to Houston for a meeting with some energy companies? You must be hungry and it is almost time for dinner.”
“Yes, I understand your cook is wonderful. That is why I came here instead of New York,” Nayyaf said.
“Come this way. Your meeting is scheduled when?” the ambassador asked.
“I will be leaving in the morning. Allah willing, the deposits of natural gas will hopefully prove to be most profitable for our homeland,” Nayyaf said.
The men continued their small talk in an outer area of the living quarters. Nayyaf ate and was shown to his quarters. He quickly sent a message and then relaxed for the evening.
This will indeed be a profitable trip…
This trip would lay the groundwork. Nayyaf made a quick phone call to his contact in Houston and was briefed. His contact had found someone who could do exactly what they needed. It was too bad about Mummar and Abdul being imprisoned. It was worth the few hundred thousand he had funneled to them. He had been working behind the scenes to get his cousins returned home. His power as a diplomat was strong and he was making inroads with the US State Department regarding their release. He had plans for them once they were home. He was sure the Americans would eventually send them back to Pakistan. His cousins would be welcomed home as a heroes.
Nayyaf knew that President Musharraf’s days were numbered, especially now that he was cooperating with the coalition forces. If this transfer were to be completed, it must be before the president left office. His government was plagued by scandal and the new reformist government coming in would surely anger the Americans and the aid would stop.
Nayyaf shook his head. He had to act now. It was sooner than he would have liked, but he couldn’t risk the fallout. America was also in the middle of an uncertain future. The presidential elections were coming up and the new administration may not be the friend they had always counted on and pillaged. The other side of the American political aisle wanted to end all support for the Global War on Terror. That would not be in Nayyaf’s best interest.
Nayyaf was eager to get to his meeting in an unknown village, Corpus Christi. It was near Houston. This next week would be grueling but rewarding. Nayyaf was walking a tightrope and getting caught would be the end of his career and quite possibly his life.
Chapter 9
Main Library
Victoria, Texas
November 27, 2007/2003 Zulu
“Amy! That book came in that was on reserve,” Lynn said.
“Which one? We have all kinds of kinds of books on reserve. Put it on the shelf so we can call the patron,” Amy said, turning back to the inventory she was reviewing.
“I think you want to call this patron,” Lynn said with a wide smile.
Amy looked up from her work. “What are you talking about?”
“Presidential Orders,” Lynn said, waving the book. “Was put on reserve by Gavin Walsh.”
“Oh, yeah. I can give it him tomorrow. We’re going out to dinner.”
“Why don’t you take it to him? You know, drop by for visit. Have a drink…have some really hot sex…”
“Lynn! I don’t think that’s happening.” Amy gasped.
“Not if you won’t let him touch you! Damn, Amy! You’ve been seeing him pretty regular like.”
“I’ve been seeing him for two weeks! Don’t you think it’s a little soon?” Amy asked incredulously.
“Not for him. Honey, he’s been seeing you for two weeks, that’s a committed relationship for a guy like that. He’s probably used to getting laid the first date. He must really like you,” Lynn said, shaking her head.
“I’ll call him and tell him it’s here,” Amy said, holding out her hand for the book.
Amy placed the book on her desk and went back to the page she was reviewing. She wasn’t sure how Gavin truly felt about something like that. He was always very gentlemanly. Tim had been the same way. She wondered what Gavin would do if she made such a forward advance. Gavin had called her earlier, but she hadn’t had a chance to return his call. She looked at the book resting on her desk. What should I do?
Chapter 10
818 Meade, #1502
Victoria, Texas
November 27, 2007/2203 Zulu
Gavin heard the knock just as he turned off the shower. He had tried calling Amy at the library earlier to see if she wanted to go out for dinner. He had been so tied up with this new case that he had not been able to spend that much time with her. She hadn’t called back, so he figured she was busy. Since it was still early he had planned on going back to see if she was closing the library today. He heard the knock again. He rubbed a towel quickly over his body and threw on the sleep shorts that hung in his bathroom. He reached the door and opened it quickly. It was Amy.
“I’m sorry. I can come back another time,” Amy said, backing away.
“No, it’s okay. Come in.” Gavin opened the door wider.
Amy stepped inside the doorway and paused a moment. Gavin turned and smiled at her.
“Can I get you something?” Gavin asked a
s he continued to dry himself.
Amy’s sudden appearance at his small apartment had been a very pleasant surprise. Being so shy, this was a very forward move for her.
“No, thank you. I brought the book you had on reserve.” Amy held out the book. “I got your message and just thought I would come by and drop this off on my way home…”
“Thanks.” Gavin stepped closer to her and took the book.
Amy blushed and looked down. There was something different about this blush and the way she looked away. Gavin put the book down and lifted her chin.
“That was nice of you, Amy,” Gavin said.
Amy swallowed hard and seemed to tense when Gavin touched her. He bent down and kissed her. He could feel her reach for him as she touched his forearms to steady herself when he pulled her closer. He broke momentarily.
“I–I should go. I’m sorry I bothered you,” Amy whispered.
“No. You should stay.” Gavin bent to kiss Amy again.
* * * *
Gavin’s voice vibrated throughout Amy’s body and its effect on her was profound. She could feel herself instantly become aroused. His voice seemed to set her nerves on edge as his touch sent a shock wave throughout her. He kept his mouth latched to hers, stroking her with his tongue, encouraging her to do the same. She had never felt like this before. She was completely captivated when her soft brown eyes met hard steel gray. She was speechless as she thought about how she could only watch as a bead of water slid down the cord of his neck. She had wanted to taste it and the thought made her blush. Never in her life had carnal attraction affected her so profoundly. The tension between them was tangible.
Tim had used her for sex. Most of the time there was no foreplay, not even kissing. He would simply lube himself and remind Amy she was his wife and this was one of the few things she was good for. When he was done she had felt like he had just used her for a toilet.
