Edge of Truth

by Kimberly Rose Johnson

  Eric nodded. His face paled, and he looked a little sick.

  “I’ve been authorized to offer you a chance to help us out. In return, you and your family will be put into the witness protection program. Should you decide not to help, I’ll get a warrant for your arrest and you’ll go to prison for a long time. What’s it gonna be?”

  “I’ll help. All this time, I thought you were a banker.” He shook his head. “I sure wish you’d been here a year ago when those blasted Gonzaleses showed up and demanded that I board their horses or else they’d spread lies about my ranch and destroy me. They even threatened to hurt my family if I didn’t do what they said.”

  Jeff schooled his face to reveal no emotion. It took all his training to not lash out at Eric. Didn’t Eric know he could’ve gone to the authorities or at the very least contacted family? “I need you to state your full name and then tell me why you let them get away with it.”

  He nodded. “Eric Nicolas Waters. I can’t afford to lose business. I know I look successful, but the truth is Veronica’s family’s been helping us out. Without her family, I don’t know how we would’ve made it.”

  “Veronica went along with this?”

  “She has no idea what’s going on, and let me tell you, it’s been a big strain on our marriage. But I couldn’t tell her.”

  “Okay then. What about the drugs?”

  “Not long after the Gonzaleses showed up for the first time, they told me to contact Jake. They wanted me to hire him. I’d had a couple kids working part time. I let them go to be able to pay Jake’s salary. Luckily, the guy knows his way around horses. Anyway, the demands kept coming, and the threats got progressively worse until one day I found myself delivering cocaine. I knew it was wrong, but they were going to hurt my family. I had no choice.” Eric’s tone rose revealing his desperation.

  Jeff felt his shoulders tighten. As fantastic as Eric’s story seemed, he believed every word. “Okay. I need to know how this operation works, who’s involved, and what’s the timeline.”

  For the next forty-five minutes, Eric explained in detail everything CODE needed to know. “I overheard Jake yesterday tell someone about a delay. What’s going on with that?”

  “Beats me. No one’s told me anything.”

  “As soon as you hear something, call me. I won’t be around much today. I have to go get the window replaced in my Escape.”

  “What happened?”

  “Someone shot at me.”

  Jeff wouldn’t think it possible, but Eric’s face paled further.

  “Do they know you’re onto them?”

  “I’m assuming you mean the Gonzaleses or Jake, and to be honest, I don’t know. Jake might be suspicious. But I suspect this trouble followed us from Miami.”

  “Us?”

  “My partner, who will remain anonymous for now, and me.”

  Eric stood, knocking over his chair. “I’m out. This is getting too dangerous. If you’re being shot at, it’s only a matter of time before they turn on me. I need to get my family out of here.”

  Too bad Eric didn’t think of that a year ago. Jeff strode over to his brother and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Do not make me arrest you. Pick up the chair and sit. We’ll figure this out.”

  “Don’t you see? This isn’t going to end well. We need to go.”

  Jeff leaned down and made eye contact. “If you do anything out of the ordinary, they’ll know. They’ve been watching you and your family for a long time.”

  Eric nodded, wild-eyed. “What do I do?”

  “Stop freaking out and get it together. Your family’s lives depend on it. We have a plan, but we need your help.”

  Eric nodded and swallowed hard. “Anything. I’ll do whatever you tell me to do.”

  “Okay. For now, about all you have to do is tell anyone who asks that I’m with Kara.”

  Eric nodded.

  Jeff backed away never letting his focus stray from Eric. “You going to be okay?”

  “I am now. Thanks, little brother.”

  “Don’t thank me yet. Things may get worse before they get better. Just remember, business as usual.”

  A sound in the hall drew his attention. But they were supposed to be the only ones inside the house. He drew his Glock and hurried to the door. He yanked it open and spotted Jake darting around the corner. “Stay here,” he said over his shoulder and chased after the man.

  Jake tripped and caught himself on the stair railing.

  Jeff clamped his hand down on the man’s shoulder. “Don’t move.” He aimed his gun at Jake.

  Jake raised his hands. “I don’t want trouble.”

  “Yet you were not only trespassing but eavesdropping too.”

  Jake blew out a breath. “There’s something you need to know.”

  Talk about a turn of events. He motioned Jake back to Eric’s office. “Take a seat.” He pulled out his phone and pressed record. “Do you mind if I record this?”

  “It’s fine.” Jake said.

  “State your name and then tell me what your role is here.”

  Jake did as ordered, and an hour later, Jeff’s mind reeled at all he’d learned. Jake had come to work for the Gonzaleses after they’d killed his sister. He’d decided to take the law into his own hands and infiltrate their organization to destroy them from the inside out.

  Eric paced to the window. “This is so surreal. What I don’t understand, though is how they didn’t know you and your sister were related.”

  “Different last names, and I didn’t live near her. I learned from a friend about her death and their involvement.”

  Jeff shook his head. “Did it not occur to you to go to the authorities?”

  “Yes, but I didn’t think they’d believe me. I have a record—petty theft. It’s taken me years to get where I am in their organization, and now you’re going to ruin it.”

  “Seems to me we both want the same thing.” Jeff looked at his brother who was nodding. “We all want to put the Gonzaleses out of business. If your story checks out, we might be able to use your help. In the meantime, the two of you need to stick together. I don’t want any funny business. Understood?” He looked to both men.

  “There’s one more thing you need to know,” Jake said. “Kara’s in danger.”

  Chapter 33

  Kara watched the parking lot from the motel’s bedroom window. A red Subaru Forester entered the lot. The driver parked and stepped out. She narrowed her eyes. Marci? What was she doing here? Then again, she had told her about this place once when they ran into one another while in line for coffee. Her stomach tightened—had she been set up?

  The woman walked into the building that housed guest services.

  Kara pulled her new phone from her pocket and pressed Jeff’s number. Voicemail picked up. “Hey. I have a situation here. Call me.” She checked her Glock and secured it at her waist. She’d figured Marci for a user, but little else. Had she been wrong?

  Marci strode out of guest services and made a direct path to Kara’s building. How’d she find her so fast? Sure, she’d recommended this place, but she had no way of knowing Kara was there. The only person who knew her location was Jeff, and his SUV was clean for tracking devices. So how were they being followed? She’d think it was her phone except it was new.

  A loud rap sounded on Kara’s door. Kara unlocked the sliders and went out the back. She’d circle around and trap Marci. A firm grip came down on her shoulder.

  “Where do you think you’re going?”

  Kara whirled around. “Luis? How?”

  “Get inside, Kara. I’ve had enough trouble from you to last a lifetime.” He pushed her roughly back inside. “Answer the front door, and don’t say a word.”

  “Answer it yourself.”

  Luis displayed the business end of a 9mm. “Open the door.”

  Kara swung open the door, and Marci strutted in. “Hi, sweetie. Surprised?”

  Kara ignored Marci and turned to Luis. “What’s goin
g on? Why are you here, and why am I still alive?”

  Luis laughed. He seemed to think the situation was funny. Kara shot a silent prayer up to God for help. She remained focused on Luis but kept Marci in her peripheral.

  “You never were one for small talk.” He kept the pistol trained at her head. “It’s kind of amazing how this all has worked out in my favor. Marci moved to town right after your car exploded. She’s here to keep an eye on some mutual friends of ours. When you showed up, it was fortuitous. Imagine my surprise when she called to tell me she’d met you in the town park?”

  The evil look in his eyes made her heart pound. She was alone with not one, but two guns, pointed at her. Marci held a small pistol in her hand. At least she didn’t seem comfortable holding it. Time to change tactics. Without altering her focus, she addressed Marci. “How’d you and Luis meet?”

  “We go way back. Remember I told you my boyfriend was in Australia? Well that was a lie.”

  Kara stifled a groan as an image of a brunette woman on Alvarado’s yacht in Miami flashed in her mind—now she knew why Marci looked familiar. They’d never met and she’d only seen her at a distance the day her car exploded. She should’ve dug deeper into Marci’s background, but she’d pegged her for a simple drug addict. “Where’s your wife and kids, Luis?”

  “This isn’t about them. Since you’ve proven to be so hard to get rid of, I’ve decided to use you. Either help or you die.” He shrugged. “What’s it to be?”

  Good question. They hadn’t taken her weapon, but could she grab it and fire before either of them did? And what about collateral damage? According to the front desk, she’d gotten the last available room, so the rooms around them could be occupied. But if she cooperated, she’d be endangering the lives of her coworkers and Jeff.

  “I’m running out of patience.” His finger twitched. “One, two—”

  “Okay,” she said.

  Luis lowered his gun slightly and motioned for her to take a seat.

  “Before I help, I have a few questions.”

  “Fair enough.”

  Maybe she could buy enough time. “How’d you know I was here?”

  “I’ve had you followed since the moment you left the hospital in Miami.”

  “How?”

  “I have eyes and ears everywhere.”

  “Even in Bend, Oregon?” Duh. Marci proved that. “I don’t understand why I’m so important. I was gone, seemingly dead. I posed no threat to you.”

  “I don’t need to tell you that drug trafficking reaches to every corner of the world. Now is that all?”

  “I still don’t understand why I’m alive.”

  He shook his head. “Me neither. I sent a team after you, but so far, you’ve managed to thwart them. I’ve decided you’re more use to me alive than dead—for now anyway. Enough talking. You’re wasting my time.”

  “Just one more question. How are you involved with the drug smuggling going on here?”

  His eyes shone. “I have an interest in what’s coming up from Mexico. I need you. You’ll still do your DEA job, but I want half of any drugs you seize.”

  Kara shook her head. “No way.” If she got caught stealing drugs from the DEA, she’d not only get fired, she’d likely end up behind bars.

  “Either help me or you die.” He shrugged as if her decision was of no consequence. “I’ll find someone else.”

  “You have a good thing going in Miami. Why are you here?”

  “Thanks to you and the Miami DEA it’s too hot there for my organization right now. I need action. I like to keep an eye on my competition.” He shrugged.

  “Kara made up her mind. She’d help him, but in her own way. “Okay. I’ll help.” If things went the way she wanted, she’d take down Alvarado and the Gonzaleses.

  Luis grinned. “Smart choice. I always knew you were smart.” He went on to explain exactly what she was to do then pulled a small box from his pocket. Inside the box rested a device. “You must wear this at all times. I’m not stupid enough to believe you’d willingly help me. If you remove it, slip up, or tell anyone what you’re doing, you’re dead.” He snapped his fingers, and she jumped causing him to laugh uproariously. “The great DEA agent is human after all.” He slammed his palm down on the coffee table and got in her face.

  His breath smelled of tobacco and sickened her stomach. She held her head high, meeting his challenge.

  He snickered and backed away. “Marci will take you to Sunridge. You will stay at her place.”

  “Bad idea. Everyone will expect me to stay with Jeff.”

  “Your DEA boyfriend? Are you two getting it on?”

  If only she could take him down without risking the lives of her neighbors. “Jealous?”

  He slapped her face hard. Blood trickled down the side of her face. “Now look what you’ve done. Your stitches are bleeding. Marci, go clean her up. Then take her back to Sunridge. Dump her off a mile from the ranch. She can walk from there.”

  Marci grabbed her arm with surprising strength. Must be from carrying her son around.

  “Wait!” He held up his hand. “You need to wear this.”

  “What is it?”

  “A fantastic invention that will not only allow me to hear everything you say, but will monitor your heart rate. Should I decide you betrayed me,” he pulled a phone from his pocket, “a simple code will activate an explosion. Put it in your bra. We both know it’ll be safe there.” He snickered and pulled a strip of paper off the back of the device. “Stick it to your chest. It’s heat activated. If it leaves your body for more than fifteen seconds an alarm will sound, and you’ll die.”

  “How will I shower?”

  “Figure it out.” He walked out the slider door without a glance in her direction.

  Marci looked at her with disgust. “You had to go and make him hit you. Clean yourself up and make it fast. I have to pick up my son from daycare by five thirty.”

  Kara slammed the car door and forced one foot in front of the other. Marci dropped her two miles from the ranch. Guess she didn’t know how to figure distance. Kara needed water. The sun was beginning to lower in the summer sky, but heat still radiated off the asphalt. The smell of dried pine needles permeated the air.

  Kara focused on moving forward. If only she had a little water. She refused to allow a dry mouth, burning lungs, and a pounding headache to get the best of her. She had to make it to the ranch.

  Fifteen minutes later, a black SUV blew past her. Then the tires squealed and skidded to a stop in the middle of the road. About ready to drop, thanks to the smoke inhalation from her apartment’s fire, she couldn’t make her feet move any faster. Had it only been a few hours since she’d been released from the hospital? It seemed like a lifetime ago. She heard a door shut and saw someone running toward her. It had to be Jeff, but the sun glared in her eyes, and she couldn’t be sure.

  “Kara! What are you doing here?”

  She fell into his arms and buried her face in his chest. “I missed you.”

  He gently pushed her away from him and looked down into her face. Alarm shown in his eyes. “What happened? The stitches are torn. You look awful. I’m taking you back to the hospital.”

  “Water?”

  “Just as soon as I get you inside.” He picked her up in his arms, carried her back to his SUV, then set her down to open the passenger door. He opened a metal water bottle and held it out. “Drink.”

  She didn’t have to be told twice.

  He got behind the wheel and did a U-turn. “How did this happen? You look like you were in a fight.”

  “I leaned down and hit my head on a chair. No biggie.”

  “How’d you get here? Did you walk all the way from Bend?”

  “Marci gave me a ride.”

  “Marci?”

  Kara nodded and looked around for a piece of paper but saw nothing. Somehow, she had to let Jeff know what was going on without speaking or writing. Morse code? No. That would come through on the wir
e. Think! She closed her eyes and leaned her head back. If Jeff thought she was sleeping, maybe he wouldn’t say anything about the case.

  “Eric’s cooperating.”

  Kara opened her eyes and glanced at Jeff. “Great. I’m kind of tired. Do you mind if we talk later?”

  “Sure.”

  She saw the confused expression on his face and wanted more than anything to tell him that every word they said was compromised, but then they’d both die. She’d do as ordered, at least for now.

  Jeff pulled into St. Charles. “Just drop me off. I know you’re busy.”

  “I am, but I’ll come in with you and wait.”

  “Honestly. Jeff.” She swallowed hard. “I need you to back off. We’re moving too fast.” The shock in his eyes turned to hurt. Come on, Jeff. You know this isn’t me. Think!

  He worked his jaw. “Sorry. I didn’t realize showing concern for my partner—”

  “Fine. Just pull over.” If he didn’t hurry, she was liable to heave on the seat. She’d hurt him big time. Her own heart ached at what she saw on his face. “I’ll call you.”

  He pulled over and stopped. His lips set in a straight line, and he stared ahead.

  She got out and closed the door. He drove away without a word.

  Chapter 34

  Jeff tossed his cell phone onto the passenger seat after listening to his voicemail from Kara, saying she had a situation. He should’ve known something was up when she told him to back off. That wasn’t the way she rolled. He made a U-turn at the next light and did his best not to speed.

  He drove into the parking lot and parked. He’d find Kara and get to the bottom of things. “Excuse me. I dropped Kara Nelson off here a few minutes ago. Has she already been admitted?”