by DiAnn Mills
“Miguel, I’m Special Agent Tigo Harris from the FBI, and this is Special Agent Ryan Steadman. We need to ask you a few questions.”
The man scowled, his glare full of hate.
“Suit yourself,” Tigo said. “You’re wanted for armed robbery in El Paso, and we’ll send you back there as soon as you can be moved. Or we can turn you over to a couple of Skulls.”
Ryan paced the room. “I’d rather Cheeky found out that one of his boys cooperated with us.”
“Good idea,” Tigo said. “Miguel here would be dead by morning.”
“What kind of questions?” Miguel spit the words.
Tigo bent over the bed. “What caused the fight?”
“Two gangs. What do you expect?”
“Because we have reason to believe it was more than that. Gun smuggling is big business. Rumors are the Arroyos are losing money, and the Skulls are selling to the cartels.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“We’re being tipped off when one of Cheeky’s transports is heading into Mexico. That means the Arroyos are paying for guns and ammo that aren’t making it across the border.”
Miguel swore. “You paid for bad information.”
“Don’t think so. Who is setting you up? My guess is the Skulls would pay more for the guns, giving the supplier a bigger profit.”
Tigo stepped back, and Ryan walked to the other side of Miguel’s bed. “Give us a few names, and we’ll make sure the charges are lessened against you.”
“Do you think I’m stupid?”
Ryan snorted. “That tells me we’re right on. Who’s supplying the guns?”
“Only Cheeky knows that.”
“How can we find him?”
“Your problem.”
Ryan gazed at the IV bags dripping into Miguel’s vein. “What happens when these tubes stop pouring meds into your body?”
“Forget it. I’m not telling you anything.”
“Think about it.” Ryan nodded at Tigo. “Any parting words for our friend here before we leave?”
“His choice. He knows what we can do. We’ll make sure this hits the media with his face and name. Make it easy on the Skulls.”
They left the hospital with the knowledge that they might be closer to finding out why the Arroyos were out for blood. He was eager to see if Bates’s or Masterson’s names were mentioned during the gun buy with Cheeky.
“Ryan, what are our chances of Cheeky giving us the names of his current supplier?”
“Zero. Until we earn their trust.”
“I want them all — Cheeky, Bates, Masterson, and anyone else who’s working with them.”
“We’ll get them. Patience, Agent Tigo. And time.”
CHAPTER 44
Sunday afternoon, Tigo arrived promptly at two. He’d probably waited at the security gate until his Buzz Lightyear watch alerted him to the time. Vicki was sleeping, so Kariss hoisted her shoulder bag, with her 9mm tucked beneath her cosmetic bag, and met him outside.
Tigo looked as calm and together as Friday night, but she knew inside the calm exterior simmered an agent who didn’t miss a thing.
“Want to take my Prius?” She dangled the keys in front of him. “It’s a fun ride.”
“Sure. We could look like the modest couple out for an afternoon of fun.”
“At the shooting range?”
“Did you know your zip code contains the largest demographics of CHL owners in the state?”
“Tigo, I’m smarter than that. What about your buds on the southeast side of town?”
He chuckled. “They don’t need a CHL. Just cash.”
Her mind simply didn’t work parallel to lawbreakers. “It won’t be long before this lady’s packing.”
“Your whole county will move.”
She laughed and handed him the car keys. This was the same great guy from Friday night. Personable. Teasing. She paused in her reflections … Tigo was a friend. Period. Their arguments had been about her safety and her insatiable desire to learn about the role of an FBI agent. Even when he attempted to dissuade her from helping Xavier, he had a good reason.
They walked outside and around the front of her condo to her garage. She positioned her sunglasses and drank in the smells of roses and clean air. She felt protected inside her gated community. Not what she’d experienced in other parts of the city.
Once inside the garage, he opened the door for her. “Did your sister question us going to the shooting range?”
“I told her I thought every woman should have a CHL, especially single ones.”
“When are you going to tell her the truth?”
“Maybe never. She has enough problems.” She relayed the stories about the rose delivery and extravagant breakfast. “However, she won’t abort the baby. He’s wasting his time there.”
When Tigo didn’t respond, she studied him … His brow deepened.
“What are you thinking?”
“Just curious about Phillips.”
She remembered Tigo’s question about him when she’d been on pain meds. “I loathe the man, but I think he’s too big of a coward to break the law.” Some of his pranks scrolled through her mind. All concerning his lies to cover his infidelity. “I understand motivation can drive a person to do anything. Wyatt’s greedy and self-centered. But he’s much too concerned about himself, and ending up in jail might damage his face.”
“Does he gamble?”
“Too stingy unless it’s a sure thing, which makes me wonder what he’s up to with Vicki. Do you know something about him?”
“One of his clients is under our radar.”
“Who?”
“Now, Kariss. You know I won’t give you a name.”
“I can try. You might forget you’re not with another agent and slip.”
He grinned. “I know the difference between a writer and an agent. For the record, an agent wouldn’t need a CHL.”
“All right. I give for now. What happened when you met Ryan at the hospital?”
“We talked to a patient.” The stoic FBI agent had settled into his persona.
“Were you able to get the information you needed?”
“No. He won’t betray them.”
“What makes gang members loyal to each other? I know they’re involved in drugs, sex trafficking, extortion, and whatever else breeds money and power. What is it about gang membership that draws them into a life of crime? I know everything they do is based on their identity within the gang — but why?”
“It’s a sense of belonging, a family. Most of them have only one parent or none, and whoever’s responsible doesn’t give a rip. They’ve learned survival on the streets, and the way to gain recognition is to be a bad boy. And based on their initiation, their allegiance is for life.”
“So if any of them decide to turn witness, they’re dead?”
“Right. They know the terms when they agree to help us, and we do our best to protect them. Cheeky’s number one man was found dead. In pieces.”
She shuddered. “I wonder what he did.”
“I could guess, but I won’t.”
She’d drop the matter because it was obviously out of her control. “What about Candy and Jo-Jack? Weren’t they afraid?”
“Money talks, Kariss.”
“What a horrible way to make a living.” She shuddered, her mind resting on the type of person who’d live so dangerously.
“They live on the streets. Whoever killed Candy made it look like her pimp had slit her throat. Jo-Jack sold drugs for the Arroyos.”
Fear crept up her back, sending chills to her fingers. She thought of the thousands of innocent men, women, and children in the city. “Do you think Houston will ever get as bad as the border towns?”
He gave her a half smile. “Not as long as I breathe. That’s the commitment of every law-enforcement official who believes in his job.”
That’s what she feared the most, because she knew he’d do whatever it too
k to stop Cheeky or any other criminal who threatened the city. Admirable. A hero. The kind of person she loved to write about. But her characters weren’t real, and Tigo’s commitment meant she might lose a friend.
At the shooting range, Kariss felt more confident than during her previous attempt. She’d been practicing lining up the sights in her bedroom like he’d taught her and hoped her good aim wasn’t a fluke.
“Great shooting,” he said forty-five minutes later. “I think you’ll do fine on the shooting portion.”
Satisfaction made its way to her lips. “Thanks to your instructions.”
“Your dad was right. You have a good eye.”
“I’ll surprise him.”
“Then you’d have to tell him why you own a gun, and you don’t like lying.”
He’d gotten her again. “True.”
“Would you like some ice cream? I owe you. I was supposed to treat you and Vicki on Friday.”
“We’ll flip for it.”
They drove to a nearby soft-serve ice-cream shop, the kind with two dozen flavors and even more toppings. Kariss waited while Tigo placed their orders. They both wanted chocolate with M&Ms and chocolate chips. Outside patio tables looked inviting, though the heat would melt the ice cream.
Her gaze panned the area, and that’s when she saw her. The woman who’d followed her and Vicki now leaned against a motorcycle not far from the Prius. Kariss strained to see her features. She hurried to the front of the line where Tigo stood and grabbed his arm.
“The woman from the Galleria? She’s in the parking lot.”
He moved out of the line to the glass facing outside. “There’s no one out there.”
She’d seen the dark-haired woman, and she couldn’t have disappeared. “I saw her.” Bewildered, Kariss pushed open the door and walked to the parking lot to where she’d seen the woman. Vehicles of all sizes filled the area, and people, young and old, milled about. Yet no one resembled the woman she’d seen moments before.
Tigo was right. Had she become paranoid?
The rumble of a motorcycle caught her attention.
“Kariss, watch out!”
She turned at the sound of Tigo’s voice and the touch of his hand. He pulled her away out of the motorcycle’s path.
Gasping she watched the cycle speed away. “That’s her, Tigo.”
CHAPTER 45
Frustrated, Tigo wished he’d gotten more of the motorcycle’s license plate number. He’d been concerned about Kariss … Ryan’s words echoed in his mind. How did Tigo really feel about her? Later he’d analyze it.
All he’d observed about the driver was her black hair and Hispanic features. He released his hold on Kariss. “Are you all right?”
“Sure. Is she working for the Arroyos?” she whispered.
How much did he tell her, and how much dare he allow her to believe? “Could be. But she wasn’t armed or you’d be dead.”
Kariss nodded, her body still trembling. “Thanks.”
He slipped his arm around her waist. “How about ice cream?”
Her pale face didn’t match the enthusiasm in her voice. “Good thing I hadn’t already eaten it, or I’d be wearing it.”
He smiled. Had to like this woman. “Why don’t you sit at a table — inside — while I order our chocolate on a waffle cone?”
“Tigo?”
He caught the depth of her brown eyes. This had to stop.
“Don’t forget the M&Ms.”
He pressed his lips. “Yeah, I know.”
“It was her, and she’s followed me twice. Not Vicki. If she wasn’t hired by the Arroyos, then who?”
“I’m working on it.”
“Could she know where I live?”
“In a gated community.” He opened the door to the ice-cream shop, and they stepped inside, giving him time to form his words. Once he had her seated at a corner booth away from the glass windows and door, he scooted in next to her. “Kariss, if anyone wants access to your condo, they can get in. Today doesn’t seem like a coincidence considering all we know, but at this moment, I can’t see a connection.”
“Don’t lie to me. You said one of the men you’re investigating is Wyatt’s client. I don’t think he’s stupid enough to get mixed up with criminal activity, but you posed the same question to me.”
Why couldn’t she be a little less insightful? He started to stand up, but she grabbed his arm.
“My mind’s racing,” she said. “But remember when you told me that the Arroyos pay people to drive guns and drugs into Mexico? And you said they used people who didn’t have a record and often used intimidation to keep them working?”
He nodded, not sure if he liked where this was going.
“Couldn’t that woman be one of those kinds of people?”
“Yes, but highly unlikely. I think your ex-brother-in-law is trying to pull something. Perhaps his girlfriend is a part of this.”
Relieved that she seemed satisfied with his conclusions, he patted her arm. “If you’ll let go of me, I’ll get our ice cream.”
While standing in line, Tigo honed in on what had just happened. He quickly phoned the FIG and asked for a background on Lissa Montgomery to be sent to his Blackberry.
He and Kariss were midway through their ice cream when his Blackberry signaled him. “I need to see this,” he said, glad he was on the opposite side of the booth.
He opened the attachment and read through the document. Everything seemed normal until he noted Lissa’s parents’ information. Parents divorced since 1995. Mother remarried Juan Chevez. Two stepbrothers and one stepsister.
“What do you know about Lissa’s background?”
“Nothing. Why? What have you found?”
He gave her a grin. “I’ll let you know.”
She handed him her ice cream while reaching for her phone. “Don’t eat mine.”
“Are you calling Vicki?”
She pressed in a number. “She’ll be up by now.”
He started to protest, but the question about Lissa’s stepfamily would drive him nuts until he had more information. “Ask about her stepdad and his kids.”
“Will do. Hey, sis … Yeah, I’m with Tigo. Stopped for ice cream after acing the shooting range … No, I’m not another Annie Oakley. I write contemporary not historical … Say, I have a question: what do you know about Lissa’s family?” Kariss wiggled her nose at Tigo while curiosity nipped at his heels. “Thanks. See you later.” She dropped her phone into her purse.
“Vicki has no clue.”
Monday morning, Kariss arrived at the office to find Tigo and Ryan in deep discussion. She handed Tigo his venti and hurried to her cubicle. She kept her eye on the hallway and her ears open. The two men walked by toward the hall. Something was going on, and she could feel it down to her manicured pink toes. If this was about the woman who’d tried to run her over with a motorcycle, she had a right to know.
When they returned, she made her way to Tigo’s cubicle. “Have you found out anything I should know? Like are the Arroyos behind bars or maybe you learned the identity of the woman who’s tried twice to hurt me? Better yet, do you have the man who shot me in custody?”
Tigo lifted a brow, but amusement was on his lips. “Sometimes I think you’re in the wrong profession.”
“What can you tell me? You know, under the subject of research.”
“Not a thing, Kariss. It’s all off limits.”
She sighed. “I’ve been threatened and shot while I’ve been here. That should give me clout.” She held up her hand. “Don’t mention taking a vacation again. Not going there. Who’s Masterson?”
Ryan shook his head. “I’m outta here. Dealing with you has caused me to lose more hair …”
“You didn’t have any when I arrived.” She watched him leave before turning her attention back to Tigo. “I heard you mention Masterson.”
“I don’t think so. You must have heard wrong.”
“Must you always be sworn to secrecy?�
��
“It’s a need-to-know basis, which reminds me — I have plenty to do.”
“Tigo, I heard you mention the name of Masterson. And I know you weren’t talking about a resurrected Bat Masterson.”
“Who?”
“Bat Masterson, the legendary gambler, army scout, sheriff, and sundry other things.”
Tigo looked at her, but his gaze was somewhere else.
“What’s the matter?”
“I’m impressed. You’re a genius.”
“Thanks, but what did I do?”
“Can’t tell you. Might get you into trouble.” He pointed to Ryan’s cubicle. “I need to talk to my partner.”
“Wait a minute. You can’t just leave me. Curiosity will destroy my creativity.”
“I doubt that.”
“Where are you going?”
“I have a date with Ryan.”
“But you just talked to him.”
He touched her nose. “Work on your novel while I work on my case. Oh, Hillary is looking for you.”
Kariss cringed at the thought of Hillary cornering her again. “I hope you’re not serious.”
“I did you a favor, so you do me one by stopping pestering me. I told Hillary you might not be in today.”
“Thanks. I’ll do my best to ask easier questions.” She watched him walk away. He’d touched her nose again. A Tigo sign of affection? Now what was that all about?
CHAPTER 46
“The legendary Bat Masterson never entered my mind.” Ryan pushed the Up elevator button. “Makes me feel stupid.”
“I’m right there with you.” Tigo motioned to him about approaching agents. “Yet ‘Bat’ could be either Bates or Masterson.”
“Let’s camp on Masterson being the man Jo-Jack told us about. If the Arroyos believe he’s charging too much for guns and ammo, his days are numbered. I bet they’re looking for another supplier, and we’ll fit the bill tonight.”
“Then there’s Arnold Bates,” Tigo said as the elevator opened. “But I’m thinking he might be pushing Masterson out of the game. Working with the Arroyos to cut them a deal. He could lower the price, give the gang a better deal, and still make money.”
“One of them is tipping us off about transports. Let’s hope we find out more tonight. I’m ready now.”
