Hidden Prey (Lawmen)

by Cheyenne McCray

  “I’m going to make sure she is.” Landon looked over his shoulder at Tori. While she talked with Marks, she was rubbing her arms with her palms as if she was freezing. “I’ll call you the moment I learn anything else,” Landon said to Dylan.

  Landon disconnected the call, holstered his phone, and headed toward Tori, who was inside the SUV like he’d instructed, and still talking with Lieutenant Marks.

  “I’m one hundred percent sure that’s our UC,” Landon told Marks when he reached the pair. “My RAC is sending out a team now.”

  “Murder of a federal agent.” Marks frowned. “I’m sure you’re going to want to take control of the investigation, but we still have jurisdiction as well.”

  Landon glanced back at the crime scene before addressing Marks. “We’ll share anything we have and I’m certain you will, too.”

  Marks nodded. “We’ll make it happen.”

  Landon was still having a hard time believing Miguel was dead, even as he made arrangements with Marks. “We’ll need to search the vehicle, collect Miguel’s things, along with the UC registration and whatever else we find.”

  After Landon and Marks went over a few more things, Landon inclined his head in Tori’s direction. “I’m taking her into protective custody and I need to get her out of here.”

  Marks nodded and turned to Tori. “I’d say good to see you, but I wish it was at a reunion and not a murder investigation.”

  Tori appeared to be exhausted. “Same here.”

  Marks gave her a concerned look. “Don’t take any chances.”

  She shifted on the passenger seat. “I don’t plan to. I’m already scared out of my mind.” She looked as scared as she said she was.

  “I don’t blame you.” Marks’s expression was concerned. He glanced at Landon. “Anything else I can do for you, Agent Walker?”

  Landon shook his head. “I’ve got it from here.”

  Marks nodded to Tori. “Take care of yourself.”

  She raised her hand in a parting wave just before Marks left and walked toward the body.

  Landon turned his attention to Tori. “Did you remember anything more than what you told me?”

  “I’ve been racking my brain, trying to remember the name of the man who killed Mateo.” She looked in the direction of the body and Landon saw her visibly shudder. “It’s like my brain is frozen. I feel numb. I can’t think straight.”

  “You’re suffering from shock.” He wanted more from her but he knew he could push her too far if he wasn’t careful. He tried to keep his voice even. “I know I’ve been asking a lot of you, but you’re going to be faced with a lot more.”

  “I understand.” She sounded close to tears.

  “The murder you witnessed,” he started, “that man was one of our undercover agents. His real name was Miguel, and he was also a good friend of mine.” Landon and Miguel had trained at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, FLETC, together. They’d gotten drunk together, had even chased women together. That was before Miguel married Jane and had two kids, a couple of years before Landon met Stacy.

  Tori’s eyes widened and it seemed to jerk her out of the partial numbness that she’d said she been feeling. “I’m so sorry.”

  “So am I.” Landon blew out his breath, barely able to contain his anger. So the fuck am I. “We believe a drug cartel was behind the murder, and I’ll need you to go through some photographs.”

  “A drug cartel?” Tori’s voice shook. “Does that mean a cartel will be coming after me?”

  Landon looked grim. “We’re putting you into protective custody. We’ll keep you out of danger.”

  She put her palm to her mouth. She lowered her shaking hand. “Cartels are ruthless.” It sounded as if she knew something about cartels, something he’d talk with her about later when they had a moment.

  He gave a slow nod. “Yes, they are extremely ruthless.”

  “I’m scared, Landon.” She gripped her hands in her lap, her knuckles white. “No, I’m beyond scared. I’m terrified.”

  “Hey.” He rested his hand on her arm and that touch seemed to calm her a bit. “I’m going to make sure you’re safe. You have nothing to worry about. We just need your help and we’ll get this guy.”

  Her throat worked. “What do I need to do?”

  “We’ll take you in to look over photos tomorrow.” Landon studied Tori. “In the meantime, we need to get you to safety.”

  “I don’t want to take the chance that the men will go after Mom and Dad, so I don’t want to go to their house.” Tori shook her head. “But I have nowhere to go. My cash, my credit cards, my checkbook—everything is gone.”

  “We definitely wouldn’t take chances with your parents.” He had her looking at him in surprise when he added, “I’m taking you to a safe house.”

  “A safe house?”

  “It’s the safest option. The only option.” Landon glanced at her as she started to buckle up. “Did you check with Lieutenant Marks to see if by chance your bag was left behind by the men?”

  She fumbled with the seatbelt. “He said that when he arrived, nothing was here but the car and the body.”

  Landon helped her with the seatbelt. Just as the metal clicked, his cell phone rang. He took it out of its holster and checked the screen. He recognized the number as Agent Johnson’s. “Walker here.”

  “Hang tight.” Johnson never messed around with pleasantries in important situations. That was one thing you could always count on. “O’Donnell and I are en route and we’ll meet you in fifteen minutes at the scene to escort you to the safe house.”

  “Just hurry your asses over here.” Landon disconnected the call and looked at Tori. “Now to make sure your parents are safe.”

  “You think they’re in danger?” Tori’s eyes grew wide. “Their names and address aren’t in my bag and they barely use the computer I gave them, so I don’t think they could be found on the Internet. The killers won’t even know my parents’ names, will they?”

  “Anything can be found on the Internet if you know where to look.” Landon watched Tori’s expression as fear for her parents grew. “Property ownership, you name it. Your name could be found as well, and it might list who your parents are.”

  “You’re right.” She brushed her palms on her jeans. “Are you going to take them into protective custody, too?”

  He shook his head. “Right now we’re going to put a car with agents outside their home. What’s their address?”

  She told him, and he made another call. When he disconnected, he turned to her. “We’ll have a car stationed outside their home.”

  “I’ll let my mom know.” She pulled her phone out of her pocket and called her mother.

  “Hi, sweetheart,” Josie answered, obviously seeing that it was Tori by the caller ID.

  “Hi, Mom.” Tori took a deep breath and let it out. “I was coming to see you, but when I got to Bisbee—” She swallowed. “I saw a man being murdered. The men who killed him are after me.”

  “Dios mio!” Josie exclaimed. “Where are you? Are you safe?”

  “I’m with federal agents.” Tori gripped the phone tighter. “They’ll make sure I’m safe. They’re also going to send someone to watch out for you now. They’ll park in front of your house and keep an eye out.”

  “You think these men will come after your father and me?” Josie had an edge of panic to her voice.

  “It’s a precaution.” Tori closed her eyes. “These are some very bad men, and if they find out where you are, they might hurt you to get to me. I’m so sorry.”

  “You have nothing to be sorry for, mija.” Josie spoke in her firm no-nonsense tone. “We will be careful, and the police will keep us safe.”

  Josie was doing a good job of putting up a brave front for Tori’s benefit. “Are you certain you are safe?” Josie asked.

  “I’m with an agent now, and I’ll be taken to a safe house.” Tori swallowed. “So yes, I will be fine.”

  “Good.
” Josie sounded a little relieved, but still concerned. “I need to go and get your father now. He’s at St. Elmo’s.”

  Tori felt a lump in her throat. “I’ll tell the agents and they can go get him. You stay in the house, okay?”

  Josie hesitated.

  “Please, Mom.” Tori closed her eyes. “I need to know you’re safe.”

  “All right. The agents can get him.” Josie paused. “But tell them to hurry.”

  “Thank you.” It was hard to swallow as full as her throat felt. “I love you, Mom.”

  “I love you, too, mija.” Josie’s voice was gentle. “Be careful and call when you can.”

  “I will.” Tori disconnected the call and opened her eyes.

  “Where’s your father?” Landon asked, obviously having heard her part of the conversation.

  She stuffed her phone in her pocket and told him where her father was at this moment, and that her mother agreed to stay in the house.

  Landon dialed a number on his phone and she heard him give the information to someone on the other end.

  When he’d finished and pressed the end button, he looked at Tori. “They’ll be fine. We’ll get to them before anyone figures out who they are.”

  “Okay.” Her voice sounded small, even to herself, as she shifted so that she was fully inside the truck, and he closed the passenger side door.

  It wasn’t much longer before a black SUV pulled up beside them. Landon got out and went to the vehicle where he spoke with someone through the lowered window.

  Landon returned and climbed into the driver’s seat and shut the door behind him. “We’re going to get you to a safe house now.” He looked at her. “Turn your cell phone off and take out the battery, just in case they have the connections to find a way to track you using it.”

  She dug the phone out of her pocket and powered it down before taking out the battery.

  He eyed her squarely. “Hand them to me.”

  She hesitated then handed him her phone and the battery, and he stuck it in his own pocket.

  Everything felt so surreal, like it was happening to anyone but her. Even this small action made her feel like none of this was real.

  Landon buzzed down his window and she heard him give the agents on protective detail the signal that they were ready to go. Landon buzzed the window up again before starting the SUV.

  CHAPTER 4

  Diego Montego Jimenez watched his granddaughter as she studied the chessboard. The girl’s forehead furrowed in concentration, her long dark hair spilling over her shoulders and her cheeks as she analyzed the game. Diego knew she was planning multiple moves ahead. Angelina was exceptionally intelligent, just as her mother had been.

  He held back a scowl at the thought of his daughter, Rosanna’s, murder. He’d had his son-in-law killed for failing to protect Rosanna. It had been her husband’s responsibility to protect her, and he had failed. Diego did not tolerate failure.

  Diego did not want Angelina to see his anger, so he kept his mask of the doting grandfather. It was not a stretch because he did dote on the pretty fourteen-year-old girl who would soon be celebrating her Quinceañera, a recognition of her journey from childhood to maturity.

  Like all girls her age, Angelina should know only a soon-to-be young woman’s hopes and dreams. He sheltered her from the cruel realities of his world. A world that was no place for one so special as his lovely granddaughter.

  They sat at a small table on one of the sprawling home’s expansive balconies, where they enjoyed challenging each other in a game of chess in the evenings after their final meal of the day. The desert of Mexico cooled once the sun went down, and it was pleasant outside with no breeze.

  As he waited for Angelina to make her move, he let his gaze drift over the terracotta flooring interspersed with decorative ceramic tiles. He rested his gaze on the stone rail. He felt like a monarch when he looked over his own private kingdom.

  Below the balcony was one of his crystal blue swimming pools, the extensive gardens, and the lush vegetation. It was a magnificent view. He often stood at the stone balcony rail and looked out across his land and all that was his, all that he had worked so hard for. He deserved to enjoy the fruits of his labor, but he remained ever vigilant, running his business with a firm hand.

  When his gaze returned to Angelina, the glimmer of a smile passed over her lips, but she quickly hid it. She was good at schooling her expressions, but not good enough—yet. She would learn to fully control her expressions, mannerisms, and actions as the granddaughter of the respected and feared Diego Montego Jimenez, El Demonio. The nickname pleased him.

  Angelina reached with her slender arm, picked up her queen and moved it across the board. “Check.”

  She had caught him unawares. Perhaps he had been too lost in thought, not enough concentration. He gave a nod. “Very good.”

  She beamed then quickly shuttered her expression. “Thank you.”

  “However, my little angel, it is not good enough.” He took her queen with his knight.

  Without blinking, she took his knight with a pawn.

  After six more moves, a look of triumph flashed across her face. She moved her bishop. “Checkmate.”

  Diego steepled his fingers as he leaned back in his chair. The pride he felt for her was more than he could have expressed. He gave a slow nod as he laid down his king. “Excellent.”

  He met her gaze and her look of deep pleasure slid away and she looked down. “Thank you, Grandfather.”

  “You are a worthy opponent.” He put his hands on the arms of his chair. “Come. Walk with me.”

  He rose, as did she. When she became a woman, she would wait for the gentleman to pull out her chair before standing.

  The thought of his granddaughter crossing the bridge from childhood to becoming an adult brought him both pride and a sense of loss. He would miss the little girl she had been, always coming to him for her needs and desires. As a woman she would come into her own, broadening her horizons. He was torn between sending her away to college and keeping her with him. He did not like the idea of her going into the world alone. He had too many enemies and she would be but a woman.

  She looped her arm through his and smiled up at him. “Where would you like to walk this evening?”

  He swept his arm toward the stairs that led below. “I wish to see my gardens.”

  “They are so lovely.” Her skirt flowed around her calves as they walked. “The blooms are magnificent and the perfume flows through me like the song of life.” She played the piano beautifully and he could imagine her fingers dancing over the keys as she breathed in the scents of roses or other flowers from his garden. Daily, Diego’s gardener put together an arrangement and the head housekeeper set the vase on top of the grand piano.

  Just as they reached the top of the tiled stone staircase, Jaime, Diego’s personal assistant, walked through a balcony that led into the ten thousand square foot home. Jaime approached Diego and Angelina.

  Diego looked down at his granddaughter and patted her hand. “I must speak with Jaime. Wait here for me.”

  Used to interruptions, she smiled. “I will be at the balcony.” She walked to the balcony, her back to them.

  Diego turned to Jaime. “This must be important as you are well aware that I am not to be disturbed when I am with my granddaughter.” His tone held a hint of warning.

  Jaime did not betray any emotion, as usual, as he handed Diego an encrypted cell phone. “You have a call from Alejandro. He claims it is urgent.”

  Diego frowned as he took the cell phone, wondering why his only son would be calling. Diego did not answer yet as he never talked business where his granddaughter might hear. He walked into the house, leaving Angelina on the balcony. He worked in his library, across the hall from the archway leading to the balcony.

  He entered the library, a place that pleased him greatly. He had a love for reading and had books in each of the languages he spoke. He had been raised speaking only Spanish
, but in college he had flourished in foreign languages and was now fluent in English, Italian, and French. Every wall of his library was lined with walnut bookshelves filled with books.

  When he reached his finely crafted walnut desk, he sat in his leather desk chair and brought the cell phone to his ear. “What is it, Alejandro?”

  “The problem you had me take care of has been eliminated, Father.” Alejandro paused. “However, there is a complication.”

  Diego narrowed his brows. He did not like complications, especially in dealing with a U.S. federal agent who needed to be disposed of. “What is this complication?”

  Alejandro cleared his throat. “A woman witnessed it. I believe she saw everything, including my face.”

  Heat rose up around Diego’s collar. Alejandro did not normally do the dirty work, but this time Diego’s son had wanted to eliminate the agent himself. Mateo had gotten deep into the Jimenez Cartel’s family. Diego and Alejandro had trusted the bastard and had taken him in as if he were one of their own.

  “You did not take care of this complication?” Diego asked.

  “John and Pablo went after her.” Alejandro’s voice hardened. “They lost her.”

  Diego surged to his feet, the heat around his collar rising to his face. “They lost her,” he repeated slowly. “And she can identify you.” Diego could not afford for his son to be identified.

  “We do know who she is.” Alejandro spoke more quickly now. “She left a bag with her purse that contains her ID, cash, and credit cards. Her name is Tori Cox and she has a Tucson address. We found other information as well that may lead us to her. However, we do not know where she is now.”

  “Did you search on the Internet for her?” Diego asked. “She may have family there.”

  “Yes, I did do a search.” Alejandro said. “I got multiple Google hits on her. She’s a musician, highly regarded, and has performed around the U.S. However, there is no reference to Bisbee or to family. Her Facebook page is private, but lists her relationship with a Gregory Smith. It does not show her hometown. It is as if she has no ties here.”

  “She must have friends or family there.” Diego tried to keep control of his fury. “Send Pablo to Tucson to the address on her driver’s license and see if he can find anything that will lead us to her. Perhaps someone will be there who will know where she must have planned to stay.”