Black Ops Chronicles: Dead Run

by O'Neal, Pepper

  “I don’t want you out of the way. I want you protected. You matter a great deal to me.”

  “And what happens when the people at the embassy betray me to Nick?”

  “I’d trust Tom with my life, and I know I can trust him with yours. Will you do this one thing for me?”

  “I don’t know. I’ll think about it. But I can’t go anywhere until I pick up the cash at the marina.”

  “If you won’t go to Mexico City, will you at least run somewhere else? Somewhere safe?”

  “I’m not sure there’s any place that is safe.” Pushing her plate away, she leaned forward, placed an elbow on the table, and rested her chin in her hand. “If I do run, what are you going to do?”

  “I have to find the terrorists and stop whatever they’re planning, which means stopping Nick as well.”

  “So you’re going to risk your life for me, and I’m going to run?” She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “I was right. I don’t like it.”

  “I’m not risking my life for you, I’m simply doing my job. So just think about it, okay?” He waited until she nodded then got to his feet and held out his hand to her. “There’s brave, and then there’s stupid, Tess. And I refuse to believe you’re stupid. So I’d appreciate it if you didn’t prove me wrong by getting yourself killed.”

  ***

  8:21 a.m., El Nopal Motel, El Nopal, Baja California Sur:

  “Who’s the man with Tess, and what’s their relationship?” Nick stood in his motel room, drinking bad coffee and asking himself the same frustrating questions over and over—along with totaling up the mistakes.

  Josh and Glen had been rescued from the cave, but they’d lost their weapons and radios. The children Tony wanted to take hostage hadn’t come back to their farm. There was no sign of Tess in the village. And she hadn’t shown up at the marina yet, or Joe would’ve called. Worse, thanks to Josh and Glen, wherever she was, she was now armed and expecting them.

  This man helping her...Nick kept coming back to him. “I’ll enjoy killing him. Slowly.”

  Jealousy and resentment swirled in his gut, mixing with the bitter coffee and turning his stomach as sour as his mood. Tess still belonged to him, and only him, damn it. So what if he intended to kill her? That was just business. It didn’t give her permission to find someone else. Bad enough that she’d betrayed him and gone to the FBI, but to take up with another man? The thought was unbearable.

  Women should accept that what their man did was for the best, not run away and whore themselves. The man came first. Why didn’t Tess know that? The Church taught women to obey their men. But she obviously hadn’t learned that lesson.

  This was all her fault. She’d forgotten that he was in charge. She’d rejected him. Run from him. Was she laughing at him, too—her and her new squeeze? He’d make her pay extra for that. He’d make them both pay.

  But it was her dreams that really freaked Nick out—the real reason he’d gone along with Tony and agreed to have her killed. It didn’t matter that she couldn’t understand what they meant until it happened. The point was her dreams did come true, and that was just...wrong. Women weren’t allowed to hold the priesthood, so the dreams weren’t coming from God. They couldn’t be. And if they weren’t from Him, the only one who could have sent them was Satan. If Tess had stuck by Nick and married him as she’d promised, he’d have convinced her the dreams meant nothing and all the things that happened, that they seemed to predict, were just coincidences. She could’ve ignored the dreams and Satan would’ve lost his influence over her. But nooo. Instead, she’d run. Fine. Now she’d pay the ultimate price for her stupidity.

  How big a part were her dreams playing in her ability to always escape him? Christ, if she’d finally figured out how to interpret them before the event—

  A brisk knock jerked him out of his dark thoughts, and he almost spilled his coffee. Setting the cup down on the dresser, he opened the door to admit Tony. “Anything new?”

  “I’ve talked to Tanner,” Tony reported. “The other CIA officers haven’t contacted Bradshaw, so they still don’t have Tess. She hasn’t shown up at the marina yet, according to Joe, but I’m confident she will. And finally, I just got back from the brats’ farm. There’s still no one there.”

  Nick picked up his coffee, sipped. “Doesn’t it strike you as suspicious the way those kids just disappeared?”

  “Not really. It’s Carnival. The family may have gone to stay with relatives after the parade.”

  “So what do we do now?”

  “We forget the hostages and move on.” Tony stole Nick’s coffee, took a sip, made a face, and handed it back. “We know for sure Tess is here and will show up at the marina sometime today to collect her cash. When she does, Joe will take her out.”

  “What about the guy helping her?”

  “If he comes to the marina with her, Joe will take him out, too. If not, it’s no biggie.”

  “It is a biggie. I want both Tess and the guy dead.”

  “The guy can’t hurt you if we get rid of Tess. Anything he knows would be hearsay.” Tony studied Nick’s face then sighed. “Look, slick. In this business, you have to worry about the things that really count. You want Tess dead. That’s fine. That’s important, not only because of what she knows, but to set an example of what happens when someone betrays you. But you only want the guy dead because you’re jealous. That doesn’t fly. I’m not willing to risk the important stuff to satisfy your pride.”

  Nick knew it was pointless to argue, but he couldn’t help it. “She’s my woman! There’s got to be payment.”

  “There will be. If nothing else, he’ll suffer when we kill Tess and, depending on their relationship, that may be worse for him than killing him outright.”

  “Maybe. But that’s only if we get her.”

  “We’ll get her,” Tony promised. “I always finish what I start. Trust me. Now, grab your bags and let’s get something to eat. Then we’ll head out to the rendezvous house. I want to get there well before our business associates show up. Just to be sure there aren’t any surprises.”

  ***

  8:27 a.m., La Paz, Baja California Sur:

  “Why are we stopping here?” Tess asked when the cab they’d snagged outside the restaurant pulled up to the curb. “We’re still quite a ways from the marina.”

  “We’ll walk from here and check out the terrain,” Max replied.

  She climbed out of the car and looked around. The streets were full of people and leftover confetti. The air smelled like a hangover—stale beer, vomit, and urine. Here and there, revelers who hadn’t made it home the night before slept curled up in a doorway or under a tree.

  And this would go on for four more days? she mused as she side-stepped to avoid a man stretched out, asleep, on the sidewalk. A smile curved her lips, even as she shook her head. God, what a strange bunch the Mexicans were.

  As they rounded the corner into the marina parking lot, Max dropped down behind a parked car, yanking Tess down with him.

  “What is it?” she whispered, fear swallowing the brief glimpse of humor.

  “The guy from the village yesterday—the one you called Joe—is standing by that same sedan, watching the office. I don’t think he saw us, but I can’t be sure.” He gestured back the way they’d come. “Head around the corner and stay down.”

  “Shit.” Struggling not to panic, she concentrated on keeping her head down until she was out of sight of the parking lot.

  “I told you there was a spy,” Max hissed. “Nick obviously knew you were coming to the marina today.” He helped her to her feet. “Come on, I’ve got to get you to safety while I think this through.”

  “I’m not leaving you. Besides, I can’t go anywhere without the funds to survive.”

  “Look, angel,” he said, tugging her down the street, “I can go get your damned letter for you. But I can’t focus on what has to be done if you’re in danger.”

  “Max, you can’t just
shove me into a corner and expect me to stay there. We need to discuss this and work out a plan.”

  “A plan?” He stopped, sighed. “Come on then.” Steering her into a little café, he led her to a table in the rear. He motioned for her to sit then repositioned his chair, putting his back to the wall. “I have to finish this, Tess. As long as Nick and his boys are alive and hunting you, you’ll never be safe.”

  When the waitress came over, Max ordered two Cokes without ice then turned back to Tess. “You know that, don’t you? Isn’t that why you were trying to kill Nick yesterday morning before I stopped you?”

  Embarrassed by the memory, she looked away. “I wasn’t thinking clearly,” she admitted in a small voice. “I’m very grateful you stopped me. I couldn’t stand being a murderer like Nick.” Blowing out a long breath, she pushed her hair out of her face. “I was just overwhelmed. At the time, killing Nick seemed like the only solution. I’d like to think I would have come to my senses before I pulled the trigger.”

  “Now that I have my memory back, I’m sorry I didn’t let you do it.” He reached over and took her chin in his hand, forcing her to meet his gaze. “You were right. Killing Nick is the only answer.”

  “But that’s murder.”

  “Hardly. Killing someone, who’s trying to kill you, is self-defense.”

  “That sounds great when you say it like that, but if it doesn’t happen during a fight, if it’s from a distance—” She broke off, her thoughts troubled and confused. “I mean, what if you’re wrong about it being self-defense?”

  “Then you can help me decorate that condo in hell,” he snapped, releasing her chin. “If I’d gotten my memory back before we tackled the guys in the cave, I’d have shot them, too.” His eyes hardened. “I have absolutely no sympathy for terrorists. Or for anyone who conspires with them. Their whole existence revolves around killing innocents. They consider it a holy cause.”

  “But—”

  “Listen, angel, Nick and his crew aren’t vacationing down here. This deal they’re making with Almasi is going to result in an attack on the U.S.” He sat back as the waitress delivered their Cokes. “I don’t like killing people either,” he said when the plump woman had moved on. “But just think how many innocent civilians, including children, will die if Nick’s allowed to follow through with this. Hundreds, maybe thousands. I’m talking about disposing of five Americans and a dozen or so Middle Easterners. Seems like a pretty fair trade to me.”

  How could she argue when he put it like that? “Maybe so, but I’m not hiding under a bush while you save the day, Max. I want to help.” She saw the light of battle come into his eyes and held up a hand to stop his protest. “It’s no good arguing with me,” she warned. “I’ve been running for nine months. Now that it’s time to stop running and fight back, there’s no way you’re keeping me out of this.”

  “Damn it, Tess. There’s nothing you can do except get yourself killed.”

  She sat back and crossed her arms over her chest. “Why, because I’m a woman? And all we’re good for is staying home, raising babies, and knitting freaking scarves? God, you sound just like a Mormon.”

  “That’s not what I said.”

  “Only what you meant.” She shrugged, waving a hand before he could protest. “Forget it. As you pointed out a minute ago, if we don’t take out Nick and Tony, my death’s only a matter of time. So it just makes sense for me to help.” An idea formed in her mind, and she couldn’t hold back her snort. “Besides, I can do something you can’t.”

  “Okay, I’ll bite. What can you do that I can’t?”

  “I can be the bait.”

  ***

  The bait? Max couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Jesus, didn’t Tess realize what kind of men these were?

  “Absolutely not,” he snarled. “I won’t let you put yourself in danger.” The words came out harsher than he intended, but the thought of her getting hurt made him crazy. He took a deep breath and tried to control his temper. “It doesn’t do either of us any good if I get myself killed because I’m worried about you getting yourself killed. That way we’d just kill each other.”

  “I can’t believe I actually understood that.” She sipped her Coke, her eyes challenging him over the rim of her glass. “Don’t worry. I have a plan.”

  He groaned. “A plan?”

  “Yeah. Do you want to hear it, or would you rather sit there grimacing like a constipated gargoyle?”

  “Okay, fine, smartass,” he grumped, fighting a smile at the image her words conjured up in his mind. “Let’s hear this brilliant plan.”

  “Joe won’t just shoot me from a distance and take off.” She moved her shoulders in a half shrug. “I know Nick. He’s big on evidence. So whoever kills me will have to prove it to get the reward.”

  “Prove it how?”

  “With my body. That means he’ll ambush me somewhere private so he can carry the evidence away without being caught. So, when he sees me, he’ll follow and wait for his opportunity. That gives you time to take him out.”

  “What’s to prevent him from just shooting you in the parking lot and throwing your body in the trunk?” Max demanded.

  “People would notice. Even in Mexico. And I doubt Joe wants to draw attention to himself.” Obviously convinced she was right, she leaned forward. “He’ll follow me at least until I’m out of sight of the office. If I know where to go, and you’re there ahead of me, we shouldn’t have any problem.”

  When he didn’t respond, she waved her empty glass at him. “Come on, Max, admit it. You know it’s a good plan.”

  It was a good plan, but he still didn’t like it. So many things could go wrong. But he doubted he could even approach Joe without making him suspicious. And the guy would have the information Max needed to find Nick and Almasi.

  He glanced at Tess to find her watching him. “Okay, okay. It’s not a bad plan. But where do you intend to lead him?”

  “Karl’s letter will be at the marina office.” Hopping up from the table, she went over to the counter and came back with a pen. “The office is here,” she said, drawing a map on a napkin. “There’s a stand of trees and shrubbery right here, between these other buildings and the water. It’s as good a place as any for an ambush.”

  “And how do I get there ahead of you?”

  “You’ll have to go in the back way and climb over a fence. I’ll show you. Then I’ll go in the front entrance.”

  “No. We stick together. If I go in the back way, so do you.”

  “Okay, but why?”

  “Because I’m not taking any chances with your life,” he growled. “I don’t want to be wandering around, trying to find you, and have him kill you before I get there. And, Tess—” He reached over and squeezed her hand. “After the marina thing is over I need you to go to Tom Davis for me. Or at least to someplace far away from here. Can you promise me you’ll do that?”

  She chewed on her bottom lip. “I don’t know. I’ll have to decide that after we’re through at the marina.”

  “Fair enough.” If she wouldn’t go to safety willingly, he might have no choice but to take matters out of her hands. She’d hate him for it, but at least she’d be safe. “We’ll see how this goes,” he said as he got to his feet. “Now, since our guns don’t have silencers, let’s go buy a knife and put this marvelous plan of yours into action.”

  CHAPTER 13

  Thinking she should’ve kept her mouth shut and her ideas to herself, Tess led Max down the street to the far end of the marina. Too late, dummy, you already volunteered for this. After all her tough talk, her pride wouldn’t let her back out just because she was terrified. Although her stomach felt like it was eating itself, she gritted her teeth and ignored the pain and nausea.

  The dream she’d had again last night wasn’t helping her nerves any, but now she wondered if it could have been referring to what she was about to do. She’d dreamt once more of running down the same hallway while the numbers, three, two, and
one chased her with knives in their “stick-figure” hands. If she hadn’t had so much experience with her dreams coming true, she’d have laughed it off as the tequila she’d drunk last night. You’ll be running into the trees, not down a hallway, the voice of reason said. Nevertheless, that trapped, helpless feeling she remembered from the dream was very similar to what she was experiencing right now.

  But with no easy way to get out of it, she led Max to the far side of the marina where they climbed over the fence and crept behind the outlying buildings, into the trees.

  “Wish me luck.” Taking a deep breath, she started past him then yelped as he grabbed her and jerked her against him.

  “For luck,” he murmured and covered her mouth with his.

  The kiss plowed straight through her. Every rational thought drained out of her head. She threw her arms around his neck and tried to climb inside him. When he released her, she clutched his shoulders to steady herself.

  “Um, okay,” she gasped, licking her lips. “I should be able to think again in a minute.”

  He chuckled and brushed his knuckles across her cheek. “Be careful and come back safe.”

  Leaving him there took will power she wasn’t aware she had. With the sour tang of fear replacing his taste on her tongue, she stiffened her spine and made her way out of the trees. Coming in the back way, she figured she was far enough from Joe that he wouldn’t try to grab her before she got to the marina office. But she quickened her step, just in case.

  The incoming-mail box sat on a table in the corner. Any boat docked at the marina, or passing by, could have mail sent there and held in the box until collected. Tess found the envelope from Karl near the top under several from the IRS addressed to various boaters.

  These letters always made her chuckle whenever she went to a marina for mail. She figured they were dunning notices and wondered if the government was really dumb enough to expect the recipients to respond to the “we want our back taxes, you deadbeat” letters, even if they got them.