Moving Target

by Desiree Holt

  “Let’s just identify all the players first, okay?” Kane swept his glance around the room. “Nick can deal with that situation later. Right now, you’ll need these men to do what needs to be done.”

  “This isn’t a tea party,” Quinn ground out. “And I’m not hanging around for bureaucratic bullshit.”

  “You never did. Just let me introduce you to the other men in the room.” He nodded in their general direction. “Meet Special Agent Joe Tallmadge, Special Agent Aaron Hill, and Special Agent in Charge Noah Delaney of the FBI. They’ve been investigating the Osunas from the beginning of the Strike Force. And over there is Clay Peters, head of the district DEA office, and one of his men.”

  Quinn waved a hand in the air. “Nice to meet you all, but we can forget the social amenities. Where’s Kate?” He turned to Nick. “And Nolan?”

  Nick looked at Kane. “Why don’t you fill him in? Then I can figure out how to apologize, if that’s even possible, and we can get on with business.”

  Quinn ground his teeth. “Will someone please just tell me what the fuck is going on?”

  Kane looked decidedly unhappy. “If you’d let us take care of her in the first place, this wouldn’t have happened. Just keep that in mind.”

  “Damn it.” Quinn’s patience was gone. “Forget about who should have done what. I did what I thought was best for her. Can we get to the meat of this thing? I want to know what’s happened to Kate?”

  “First of all, you’re right.” Lines of tension were etched in Kane’s face. “We’ve been working on that flash drive we got from Kate, cracking the codes one by one. Lots of good information there. Bank accounts. Dummy corporations. Suppliers. Buyers.”

  “And?” Quinn prompted, his voice rough.

  “And a list of people all over the country taking payoffs from the cartel. It’s far more extensive that any of us thought. They’re into every area of law enforcement on every level, as well as private parties that could do them some good.” He looked over at Nick, then back at Quinn. “As Jake told you, Nolan Hanks’s name is on there.”

  Quinn looked at Nick, whose face reflected his own sick feeling.

  “Jake said Fleming’s in town, and they’re all gathered at someone’s condo for a sit-down,” Quinn pointed out. “That’s got to be where Nolan’s taken Kate.”

  Dean handed Quinn a photo. “Let me introduce you to Mrs. Eva Gallagher. Wealthy respected San Antonio matron. Otherwise known as Eva Osuna Fleming Gallagher Burke. Sister to Esai and Miguel. Widow of Roger Burke. Mother of Peter Fleming. And according to the last of the codes we cracked, the real head of the cartel.”

  If Quinn had been panicked before, he was terrified now. For Kate.

  Dean opened a folder he was holding. “The Osunas came out of Mexico forty years ago dirt poor. Eva snagged herself a couple of rich husbands, who died not too long after their weddings. Of unidentified causes, according to the death certificates. She used her inheritances to set up the cartel.” Briefly, he gave Quinn the rundown on how John and Roger Burke got caught in the trap.

  “That’s all wonderful information, but can someone tell me why we’re just sitting here?” Quinn demanded, his patience long gone. He wanted to scream. To hit somebody. Anybody. Anything but having these conversations while Kate could be…No. God, don’t even think it. “Nolan’s taken her to the condo. We need to get going while she’s still…all right.”

  Nick cleared his throat. “She’s still alive, Quinn. Nolan called me just before you and Jake got here to let me know and tell me what they wanted.”

  “What?” Quinn thought he was hearing things. He pulled the tattered shreds of his control together and tried to pay attention to what Nick was saying. “The man has balls.”

  “Big ones,” Nick agreed. “And I’ll never be able to tell you how sorry I am about him. We have an excellent system in place to prevent just this kind of thing. I guess we’ll have to look and see where the holes are.”

  Quinn gritted his teeth. “What. Did. He. Want?”

  “They know we’ve got the flash drive, so their goose is cooked. Their only chance is to get away clean and start somewhere else.”

  “And?” Quinn made a motion with his hand to speed it up.

  “They’ll trade Kate for safe passage out of here into Mexico. A clean getaway. No cops. No arrests.”

  “So they can set up in another country,” Noah Delaney put in, a bitter look on his face.

  “Fuck.” Quinn wasn’t sure his legs would keep holding him upright. There was one empty folding chair, and he dropped into it. “What did you tell him?”

  “I told him I’d have to get with the U.S. Attorney to get his approval on something like this.”

  “Did you get proof of life?” Quinn demanded.

  “Yes. He put Kate on the phone to give us their demands.” Quinn saw a look of admiration flash in Noah Delaney’s eyes. “Your girl has more guts than most women I’ve ever met. We all know the ordeal she’s been through, and still not even fully recovered. But she kept her cool. Just read the message they’d written out for her.”

  “When are you supposed to hear from him again?”

  This is so much bullshit. I need to find out that address and get my ass over there.

  Nick looked at his watch. “One hour from when he called, which makes it almost any time now. I told them it would take me time to get hold of Kane.”

  Quinn jumped up. “That gives us plenty of time to get there. If you guys want to sit around and gossip, have at it. Just tell me where the damn place is. I’m going to get Kate out.”

  “Hold on, will you?” Kane glared at him. “That’s our plan, too, but can we at least get a few details together first?”

  Nick’s phone rang, and they all looked at each other. Nick pressed the Talk button.

  “Yeah?” He listened a moment. “We got the okay on it. It’ll take about thirty minutes for them to type it up and get the AG’s signature on it. Then we’ll fax it to you. What? No, asshole. No one’s going to do anything to endanger that woman’s life. You just better get the hell out of town before we change our minds.” He disconnected the call and looked at Kane. “Okay. We’ve got half an hour. Is that enough?”

  Kane nodded. “More than.”

  “Unless they kill her first,” Quinn pointed out with barely leashed anger.

  “They won’t do that,” Kane told him. “They need a live body to do this. They know if they kill her first, all bets are off.” As he finished speaking, the bell on his fax machine rang. He reached over and ripped out the paper as it fed into the tray. “This is what I was waiting for. A warrant for the condo and all its contents signed by Judge Harley. A man not on their payroll, by the way. It’s our ticket in.”

  He stood up, rolled down his shirt sleeves and pulled on his jacket. “All right, boys, time to get the party started. Jake, you ride with Dean and me. Clay and Noah have their own vehicles.”

  “I’m coming, too,” Quinn said, heading for the door.

  “And me,” Nick added. “It was my fuckup.”

  Kane hesitated only a moment, knowing they’d follow him anyway. He scribbled something on a slip of paper and handed it to Nick. “All right. Here’s where we’re going. Just remember who’s calling the shots. And Quinn? That goes double for you. You wait for my call on everything. Got it?”

  Quinn nodded, but he had his own thoughts on the matter.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Impatient with procedure, Nick and Quinn pulled around to the back of the complex, parked their SUV, and quietly went over the wall. With a stealth born of long years in the business and a connection that required little talking, they crept silently toward the targeted building.

  The guard on duty in the lobby half rose from his desk when they entered. “Who are—”

  That was as far as he got. Quinn gave the man’s neck a pinch in the right place, and he folded. Nick pulled out the flex cuffs he’d stuffed in his pocket and trussed the man up.r />
  “Elevator card?” Quinn asked.

  “Right here.” Nick held it up.

  They opened the elevator doors, then flipped the card onto the desk for Kane and the others. Noiselessly, the car rose to the top floor.

  The elevator doors to the Gallagher condo hissed open, and Quinn stepped out into the lavishly decorated foyer, Nick behind him. Both men had their guns drawn.

  The living room was straight ahead, and for the moment, they were completely exposed. The sound of voices drifted out to him, but fortunately, no one was looking their way. In seconds, they were behind two tall cactus plants that provided some cover while they scoped things out.

  The voices were louder now. A woman. A man. More than one man.

  Quinn signaled to Nick with his hand. You take the left side. I’ll take the right. But wait until I know where Kate is.

  Nick nodded.

  Quinn had to be able to see where everyone was, gauge their best chances. Cautiously, he slid forward to a giant schefflera plant and peered through its leafy branches.

  “I’m not feeling well.” Kate.

  “Don’t worry,” A man said. Not Hispanic, so probably Peter. “Before long we’ll be happy to put your out of your pain.”

  “But you said—”

  “Peter, will you please shut up.” That had to be Eva. Angry. No, enraged.

  “How do you plan to do this?” Peter asked, sounding petulant. “What makes you think they won’t just show up at the door with plenty of fire power?”

  Yes, how do you plan to do that, you bitch?

  “I know people like him. They won’t want to risk Kathryn’s life. The publicity fallout from something like that would be disastrous.” Her voice was tinged with disgust. “As soon as that letter comes through on the fax machine we’re leaving. I’ve already called Luis to have the helicopter waiting.”

  “What about packing?” Miguel asked. “Are we just supposed to leave everything?”

  Eva lifted the briefcase Peter had given to her earlier. “Everything we need is in here. We have more than enough money to buy whatever we need, including houses. Traveling light is less complicated.”

  Able now to see everyone, Quinn memorized where each person was and stepped forward. “I think we may just change this situation a little.”

  “Quinn!” Kate started forward at the sound of his voice, but Peter grabbed her arm and jerked her back roughly.

  Her face whitened and contorted with pain, and Quinn almost killed the man right then.

  “How the hell did you get in here?” Peter’s rage was unmistakable.

  “Easy, if you know how. It would help if everyone sat on the couch.” When no one moved, he fired his gun at Eva’s feet and snapped, “Now.”

  Eva looked at him, her eyes shooting daggers. Everyone moved slowly, aware of Quinn’s eyes pinning them.

  “You’re outnumbered, Quinn.” Nolan Hanks rose from where he sat, a gun in his hand.

  “You know, you are one lousy son of a bitch.” Nick moved forward, also pointing a gun. “Surprised to see me, asshole?”

  “Nah, I figured when I saw your friend here, you had to be somewhere nearby. Give it up,” Nolan told him. “Back out of here, let us out of here as soon as that fax rings, and we’ll let the girl live.”

  “Trusting you was my worst mistake,” Nick spat, “but I won’t make it again. No way am I just walking out of here.”

  Nolan raised his gun, and his finger tightened on the trigger.

  “Bad idea.” Nick shot him three times, once in the arm and once in each leg. “Anyone else? Okay, then. Kate, come over here.”

  Nolan had collapsed on the floor, moaning and writhing. Nick stepped over and kicked his gun backwards, keeping his own gun trained on everyone while he picked it up.

  Quinn was still covering the room.

  Peter tightened his grip on Kate’s arm. “Kate is it? Well, no matter what name she calls herself. She’s not going anywhere.”

  “Kate.” Quinn’s voice was like a knife edge. “Walk away from him and come over here.” His eyes swept over her for a brief instant.

  It was like a tableau suddenly come to life, and Kate saw it begin to move in slow motion.

  Eva pulled her hand from the pocket of her skirt, her fingers wrapped around a small pistol. Kate wrenched herself around, biting her lip against the pain, and shoved her knee into Peter’s groin, freeing herself. She picked up a small but heavy statue from a display table and, gritting her teeth against the pain, heaved the statue at Eva’s gun hand. The woman dropped her weapon, screaming.

  “She broke my wrist,” Eva screamed. “The bitch broke my wrist. Someone shoot her.”

  Esai was bent over, pant leg pulled up, reaching for a tiny Beretta in his ankle holster.

  “Down!” Quinn shouted, and Kate dropped to the floor.

  Quinn fired at Esai, hitting his gun hand. He wasn’t quite quick enough for Miguel, however, who fired low at Kate.

  She felt something sting her side, then a burning sensation flooded through her. She knew she was hit, and a searing pain told her she might also have torn something inside. She breathed through her mouth, willing the agony to pass.

  Quinn swore at Miguel and shot twice, shattering his arm.

  Kate looked up to see Peter pointing a gun directly at Quinn.

  “That’s it,” he shouted, his finger tightening on the trigger. “You’re done.”

  “Kill him, Peter,” Eva screamed, cradling her broken wrist. “Shoot him now.”

  Kate, fighting not to pass out, forced herself to roll slightly. Sweat broke out on her body everywhere at the effort, and she was sure she was going to vomit any minute. Somehow, through sheer effort of will and overwhelming fear for Quinn, she pulled her gun from her waistband. Her hands were slick with sweat and blood, and she had time for only one brief thought.

  Please God, let me remember how to do this.

  Then she fired upward at Peter and kept firing, hitting him as his gun went off. She barely noticed the bursts of red that bloomed in the center of his chest, right where her bullets had hit so many times at the shooting range.

  The shots had all come so closely together they might have been one, reverberating in the room, bouncing off the tall ceiling. Boom! Boom, boom, boom! Boom!

  Kate heard Eva scream again, Miguel swear, glass break, and the thud of a body hitting the floor. Dizziness was overtaking her.

  “Quinn?” She didn’t know if she shouted it or whispered.

  New voices. Running feet. And finally a vaguely familiar voice, heavy with authority.

  “This is the FBI. Don’t anyone move, or I will shoot you. And believe me, I mean every word I say.”

  Kate felt as if she were falling, but that was impossible. She was already on the floor, wasn’t she? Someone was trying to pry the gun loose from her hands, but she put all her strength into holding on.

  “Kate? Stay with me, Kate. It’s Quinn. You can let go of the gun.”

  “Quinn?” She forced open her heavy eyelids to see him leaning over her.

  “It’s me, darlin’. Let go now. It’s all right.”

  “Your shoulder.” She saw the blood on his shirt.

  “I’m fine. Hang on. The paramedics are on their way.”

  A babble of voices sounded in the background. Eva’s, strident and imperious. Esai or Miguel, she didn’t know which one, swearing in Spanish. Voices she didn’t recognize. Someone giving orders. The pain was so unbearable this time she didn’t think there was enough Tylenol to take the edge off.

  Hands touching her, soft and gentle, but making her wince and cry out all the same.

  “Dean.” Quinn’s voice, angry and impatient. “Where the hell’s the damn ambulance? She’s bleeding heavily. Tell them to get here now.”

  “Was she shot again?” A voice filled with concern and worry. Whose?

  “Yes, but I’m afraid to move her.” Quinn’s voice was shaky. He completely ignored his own wound. “A
ll I can do right now is try to stop the bleeding.”

  “Quinn?” She could barely get the word out.

  “Right here, darlin’.” His face loomed over hers. “Kate, I am so sorry. I…” He stopped, and she wondered if she was fading away, but then he went on. “This is my fault. All my fault. I love you, Kate, and I let you down.”

  She tried to focus on his face, as movement swirled around them. “Am I dying?”

  “Not a chance.” He took one of her cold hands in his large warm ones, pouring the heat of his body into hers. “You told me you were a fighter. I’m counting on that.”

  Eva, her voice imperious, demanded that she be allowed to call her attorney. The Osuna brothers still cursed angrily in Spanish. There were sounds of token struggles and more strange voices, giving orders, making phone calls.

  “Get them all out of here and take them down to the federal building.” A strange voice, one she didn’t recognize.

  “Kate?” Jake Garza. Where had Quinn gone? “Kate, the ambulance is here. They need to check you over before they can give you something for the pain. All right?”

  “Okay.” Her lips could barely form the word. Her eyelids felt as if they’d been dipped in concrete, but as strange hands did things to her body, she tried to find Quinn. All she saw was unfamiliar legs and Jake crouching on the other side of the EMTs, his face pinched with concern.

  “We’re ready to roll,” one of them said. “The wound in her arm busted open, and she’s been hit again in the side, almost the same place as the last time. People need to stop using her for target practice.”

  “I’ll ride with her.” Jake.

  “Quinn?” she croaked.

  “He’s here. They’re fixing his shoulder.” Jake moved away so the paramedics could fit her with the oxygen and hook her up to the portable EKG machine. As they lifted her she heard him swear. “Damn it, Quinn, let them patch you up. No, you can’t…”

  She forced one eye open. Jake, again.

  “Quinn?” She could hardly get the word out.

  “Being taken care of. You’ll see him at the hospital.”