by Joe Nobody
Zach liked the man instantly. “What do you mean, Detective?”
“We had a missing person case six months ago. A young lady … apparently a nice girl … just vanished into thin air. Her parents filed the report and claimed that Trustline had been threatening their daughter over a bad loan. I could never pin anything on the bank or tie their collection activity to the disappearance in any way.”
“What made you think the bank had anything to do with the case?”
Monroe grunted, “We found on-line posts on the victim’s social media accounts that were … err … harsh to say the least. We interviewed her co-workers, and they told us stories about collectors visiting the missing girl’s place of employment. According to several eyewitnesses, these guys got very, very nasty with her.”
Zach was seeing a pattern that would be obvious to a blind man. “When I first got you on the line, you said, ‘Not another one.’ Are you aware of other missing person cases associated with Trustline?”
“Yes, there was a woman out of Lubbock about five months before my case. I spoke with the sergeant over there a few times, and he described a similar set of circumstances with Trustline. We were both convinced that the bank had something to do with the missing women, but we couldn’t prove a damn thing. Last I heard, both files are now cold.”
Zach continued to question Monroe but learned little else. He ended the conversation with the detective’s promise to email the file.
No sooner had the ranger disconnected, than a call came in from the sergeant at the Lubbock Police Department. The story was nearly identical. Missing person. Pretty girl. Bad debt. Vigorous collection effort.
“I wouldn’t ever borrow any money from Trustline,” the sergeant stated. “Even if Mr. Carson and his bank had nothing to do with the missing women, I saw what they were doing to this girl. Brutal is the word that comes to mind. Yet, according to the experts I spoke with at the prosecutor’s officer, there was nothing illegal about their activities.”
“Thanks for the briefing,” Zach responded. “I’ll keep you in the loop if our digging uncovers anything regarding your case.”
Zach and Sam exchanged troubled glances. The predatory nature of the bank’s operation didn’t fall into the realm of the ranger’s responsibility. Normally, such cases were left to the local authorities. This case wouldn’t be the first time a loan shark set up operations disguised as a reputable banking institution. Probably wouldn’t be the last.
Mid-level bankers had some percentage of perverts and predators, just like any other occupation. According to Monroe, the El Paso vice squad had storerooms stuffed with the files of such individuals. Banker Carson, however, had been “clean as a whistle.”
The two rangers were back to the fuzzy recording taken by Cheyenne and the mention of the word, “Mexico.”
They continued driving for some time, Zach’s exaggerated sigh signaling the ranger had formulated a course of action.
“We have to bring Chey into this,” he stated in a monotone.
“No, Zach. That’s a bad idea,” Sam protested. “We both know that if this thing gets away from us, she’ll end up like those other girls … probably resting in some shallow grave south of the border.”
“I don’t see any other choice?” he countered. “Considering how the other two cases developed, there is just no doubt this situation is going to escalate and get very nasty. Even if we don’t bring her in, she’s already vulnerable to these parasites. Plus, we’re getting nowhere on any other lead. We’ll keep an eye on her … a really close eye.”
Crossing her arms, Sam made it clear she was preparing to fight like a wildcat. “No. There has to be another way. Cheyenne has already been kidnapped once because of her ill-advised association with you. You can’t ask that girl to endanger herself again.”
Shooting his passenger an angry scowl, Zach spouted, “Ill-advised? Now where the hell did that come from? Besides, Chey called us – remember? If any other citizen of the republic had approached us with this situation, asking them to wear a wire to a meeting wouldn’t be completely out of bounds.”
“I don’t know about how the rangers operate, but that would be extremely rare in most law enforcement organizations. Chey called you because she trusts us. And I used the word ill-advised because obviously you are not putting her safety first. What kind of friend even thinks of such a thing?”
Zach flashed hot, and for a second, Sam thought she’d gone too far. After a few more miles, the senior ranger mumbled, “We have a unique relationship.”
Sam’s response was softer this time. “That’s none of my business. That’s between the two of you. What is my business is how we conduct this investigation, and I will not support getting Chey involved at this point. There have to be other courses of action we can take.”
“Such as?”
“We can lean on Carson … subpoena his call records. We can get a court order to audit the bank. We can put the bank’s employees under surveillance … lots of stuff.”
Zach shook his head. “Our chances of getting a court order are about the same as my being on Chico’s Christmas list. You heard Tony. Besides, going after this guy via the long road means getting Putnam involved. I thought you decided that wasn’t the best course of action right now.”
“Then let’s go talk to Carson. You can use that wonderfully persuasive personality of yours. I’ll even dress up like a stripper again if it will help.”
Again, Zach disagreed. “I’m sure the Lubbock PD and Detective Monroe worked our banker friend over reasonably well. He’s obviously a pretty cool character under pressure. All that we would accomplish is giving ourselves away, and then he’d go down a rabbit hole for months or years. As far as your dressing like a stripper … well….”
“Well, what?” Sam interjected, bracing for a full assault.
“No comment. I wish to remain silent, Officer. Exercise my Fifth Amendment right.”
“Smart man.”
“Look,” Zach started, clearly wanting to change the subject. “We should, at least, talk to Chey about this. How about we leave the decision up to her?”
Sam was skeptical, “What decision? What are you going to propose?”
“I just want her to contact Mr. Carson, set up an appointment with his client, and wear a wire. He said the mystery man was going to be in Texas. We can protect her here.”
The lady ranger didn’t like it. Not one bit. “That sounds extremely risky, Zach. Seriously. You’re going to have her meet, in person, with a potential mafia goon or cartel enforcer … a person who probably has more security than the president? What if he decides he likes Cheyenne … a lot? What if he decides just to kidnap her and tote her off south of the border?”
Zach nodded, “Yeah. I know. I don’t like it either, but there’s always a risk. Hell, that girl is in peril just driving to work in that little buzz-wagon she’s piloting. But damn it, Sam, we’ve got missing persons, a banker that’s out of control, and only one half-assed clue to solve the massacre. Besides, she asked for our help.”
Sam didn’t respond for a bit, her gaze focused out the window as Zach continued motoring down the highway. Finally, the female ranger retorted, “Okay. You win. Call her. I just pray that girl has enough sense to tell you to go jump in a lake.”
Cheyenne’s reaction didn’t surprise Zach. It did, however, disappoint Ranger Temple.
“Sounds exciting,” she stated without hesitation. “Besides, if that’s what I’ve got to do in order to get these bloodsuckers off my neck, then sign me up.”
The trio sat over cups of coffee and tea, a cloud of apprehension suspended above their corner table.
Sam’s tone turned motherly. “Don’t underestimate how dangerous this is. If Zach and I are right, Mr. Carson is in cahoots with some of the most dangerous men on gawd’s green earth. Cartel bosses have zero mercy or concern for their fellow human beings. None.”
“Ahhh … that’s very sweet of you, Samantha, but I’
m a big girl. I know things could go wrong … very wrong. On the other hand, these people are going to ruin my reputation, my credit … and maybe even get me fired. If they have anything to do with those other girls disappearing, then I want to help.”
Sam’s cell phone jingled, a quick check of the caller ID creating a deep furrow across her brow. “This is my mom,” she hissed. “I’ll be right back.”
After the lady ranger had wandered out of earshot, Zach took his turn at trying to make sure Chey understood what she was getting herself into. “We don’t know where this meeting will take place. We have no idea what kind of security Mr. Carson’s client will have surrounding him. You know we’ll do everything in our power to keep you safe, but even the Texas Rangers can’t make any guarantees.”
Cheyenne giggled, brushing her hand softly along Zach’s chin and flashing the Texan a longing, seductive look. “Oh, I think I can motivate you to keep me safe, cowboy. You have to know I’m the sort of girl who would show her appreciation at being rescued from the evil villain’s clutches. Where I’m from, heroes deserve the most intense rewards imaginable.”
Zach shifted uncomfortably in his chair, trying to retain a professional demeanor and failing badly. “Please don’t open that gate right now,” he whispered. “It’s been a long week, and I’m trying to stay focused on business.”
With a wink, Chey removed her hand just as Samantha reappeared at the table.
“Everything okay?” Zach asked, not liking the look on his partner’s face.
“Yeah. It’s cool. Mom was watching President Clifton’s news conference from Washington. She overreacts to those things.”
Zach raised an eyebrow, an invitation for his partner to continue. Sam didn’t take him up on it, instead returning her attention to Cheyenne. “So, are you still game?”
Now the senior ranger was really worried. Sam’s entire attitude seemed to have changed since the call.
“It’s okay if you’ve changed your mind,” Ranger Temple continued, realizing how aggressive her last statement had sounded.
“Count me in,” the leggy model replied without hesitation. “Let’s take these rustlers out and hang ’em from a high oak tree.”
Cheyenne arranged to meet the rangers first thing in the morning. She would call Carson early and agree to meet his client.
After kissing Zach on the cheek, the two lawmen watched her exit the coffee shop and enter her miniature, electric carriage.
She hadn’t been gone more than two seconds before Sam turned and said, “Mom called to tell me President Clifton was closing the border with Texas. She’s worried that she’ll never see me again.”
“The U.S.A. is doing what?” Zach responded with a start. “Closing the entire border?”
“That’s what she heard the Prez say. Evidently, our neighbor to the north is pissed about a number of things, including the availability of unlimited firepower, our closing the border with Mexico, and the lack of cooperation between Texas and the United States.”
Zach tilted his head, “Damn. That ain’t good. If you think we were under a lot of pressure to solve this case before, wait until this shit hits Austin’s fan.”
The trio reunited at the coffee shop the next morning, Chey, as usual, running late. While he and Sam waited, Zach’s attention was drawn to the wall-mounted television broadcasting a popular morning show.
The news, as anticipated, was dominated by President Clifton’s decision to close the borders with the Lone Star Republic. From the sound bytes, it was clear the U.S.A.’s chief executive had her panties in a wad.
“This is a tremendous undertaking for our great nation,” she stated. “The border with Texas encompasses four states and is actually several hundred miles longer than the previous international boundary with Mexico. It is a challenge that our law enforcement and border patrol communities assure me can be accomplished.”
The commentators were all aflutter over the situation, no doubt motivated by the ratings boost sure to result from the strife.
Next came the opening bell on Wall Street, gloom and doom predictions aplenty as the world-famous index opened several hundred points lower. Uncertainty was bad for business. The billions of dollars’ worth of trade normally flowing between the two countries would now be at risk.
The new Texas Stock Exchange, recently dubbed Harris Street, was experiencing the same negatives.
Chey rushed in, glancing at her oversized wristwatch and mumbling, “Sorry,” as she made her way to the waiting officers.
Zach remained patient as the two women chitchatted over tea. Finally, he glanced at Chey and said, “Ready?”
“Willing and able,” she winked.
Producing a cell phone from her bag, Chey started to punch in Mr. Carson’s direct number, but Sam stopped her. “We want to record the conversation,” the lady ranger explained.
“No problem. That software app I downloaded will do the trick. I can email you the file once we’re done.”
Sam threw Zach a questioning look, and after receiving an approving nod, said, “Put it on speaker so we can hear, please.”
A minute later, the trio was listening intently as the familiar male voice answered. “Trustline National Bank. This is Mr. Carson. How can I help you?”
“Hi, Mr. Carson. This is Cheyenne. How are you?”
“I’m just fine, ma’am. Have you thought about my offer?”
Rolling her eyes at the two eavesdroppers, Chey responded with a pleasant, “Yes … yes, I have. I’m still sitting on the fence. I would like to meet your client before making any decisions.”
There was a pause on the other end, Zach wondering if Mr. Carson was having second thoughts. That concern soon passed, however, the banker finally returning with, “Of course. I’m sure that can be arranged. From what I hear, he is apparently a very charming gentleman, and it just so happens that he’s in Texas at the moment. Are you free this afternoon, per chance?”
Zach shook his head and mouthed a stern but silent, “No! Tomorrow at the soonest.”
“I’m sorry Mr. Carson, but I have a photo session this afternoon. My schedule tomorrow is clear?”
“I see,” replied the banker, apparently not troubled by Chey’s busy calendar. “Let me get in touch with my client and arrange a time and place for you two to get acquainted. I’ll call you back shortly.”
Chey disconnected the call and then exhaled in relief. “Swoooo. That was a lot harder than I thought. Now I’ve got a bad case of the jitterbugs.”
“You did great,” Sam smiled, patting the girl’s arm for support.
“Sure did,” Zach chimed. “I’m damn proud of you.”
The trio sat for nearly an hour before Carson called back. “I’ve got good news. My client is in San Antonio for a few days and would like to meet you. He will be dining at the Titus Steakhouse on the River Walk, and hopes you can join him at 5 PM sharp. Is that acceptable?”
Zach didn’t like it. In order to buy time while the ranger thought it over, Chey said, “I’ve never been to that restaurant before. How should I dress?”
“Titus is extremely exclusive,” Carson responded with a highbrow tone. “All of the dining rooms are private, and their wine cellar is known as far away as Paris. I would suggest something formal.”
Now Zach really didn’t like the meeting place, but there wasn’t an alternative. With a reluctant nod, he signaled Chey to agree.
“Wonderful,” she said with as much upbeat inflection as she could manage. “Tell him I’ll be there at five. Whom should I ask for?”
“Don’t worry about that. They’ll be expecting you. Good luck.”
Before Chey had punched the “End” button on her phone, Sam had already pulled up the restaurant’s web page on her laptop and was studying the associated map. “This isn’t going to be easy,” she mumbled, looking at the eatery’s location from a tactical point of view.
“The River Walk never is,” Zach said flatly. “But we didn’t have a lot
of options. We’re just going to have to bring in some help.”
Zach watched Cheyenne drive off, the two rangers having spent the last hour doing their best to prepare her for tomorrow’s meeting.
No sooner had her taillights vacated the coffee shop’s parking lot, than the senior lawman turned to his partner and said, “You get to work on the equipment. I’m going to start making some calls for backup.”
“Major Putnam isn’t going to like this, Zach. I hope you’ve thought up a really good line of reasoning to convince him to pull personnel off the massacre case and point them toward a pervert banker.”
“Who said I was calling the major?” the Texan smirked back. “I have a few friends that might be willing to help.”
Sam wasn’t pleased with where the operation was heading. “What the hell are you talking about, Zach? We need sworn peace officers involved in something like this, preferably Texas Rangers.”
Zach shook his head, “Look, there’s a distinct possibility that Mr. Carson’s associate is just a rich dude that likes pretty ladies. Maybe he’s into some weird kink, and the missing girls were too embarrassed to go home. Maybe they’re still alive and enjoying the partying life on the man’s private jet and private island. At this point, we just don’t know what we are dealing with.”
“Maybe. There’s also a chance that the man is an ax murderer on a rampage.”
“We’re supposed to assume a person is innocent until proven guilty. Having the Texas Rangers come down on a wealthy man who is guilty of nothing more than being horny and having the money to satisfy his desires isn’t the right move in my book.”
Sam thrust her hands on her hips, a sure sign she wasn’t going to give in quietly. “We have to protect Chey. And I mean really protect her. How are you going to do that without calling the major?”
“Let me make a few calls while you take care of the hardware. Afterward, if you’re not happy with the team I recruit, then I’ll call the major and plead our case.”
Ranger Temple, after extended contemplation, agreed.
Zach pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number from his contacts. The call was answered on the third ring. “BB? This is Ranger Bass. I’ve got a little operation going on tomorrow in San Antonio, and I could use another man. Any chance you could get away and help out one of your old students?”
