by Laura Marie
Elloisa took a seat at the head of the conference table, which appeared to have flustered Agent Mathews. Gustavo chuckled to himself and had a feeling that Elloisa wanted to keep her eye on everyone. There was a stenographer to record everything as well as a tape recorder. She had a look of sophistication and maturity for someone rather young. He was impressed.
They handed her some official paperwork that she had to sign then proceeded to get ready.
“Maybe you’d like to hook a lie detector up to me as well,” Elloisa stated sarcastically as Ramirez and Thomas set everything up. Gustavo stayed toward the other end of the table.
Williams smiled. “I don’t think that is necessary at the moment.”
He cleared his throat, and she challenged him with a raise of her light brown eyebrows.
“Where is Armando Sintorez’s estate located?”
“Durango, south of Cerro del Mercado.”
“Security?” Williams inquired.
“Lots.”
“Then how could you have escaped?” Agent Thomas asked as he looked her over.
“I was able to find a hole in the fencing behind a bush around the perimeter.”
“No cameras?”
“Lucky for me, not on that side. You see…” Elloisa began to say before she paused to take a sip of her water, looking directly at Agent Williams. “An hour or so before I escaped, the camera somehow malfunctioned.”
“How did you do that?” he inquired and actually looked smug about it.
“Who said I did?”
“You implied that you did it.”
She smirked. “Desire for freedom can sometimes give people capabilities they don’t even know they have in them.”
“Guards?”
“Lots.”
“Miss Givani, it’s important that you expand on your responses so that we can gather the information necessary to advance on this investigation.”
“Agent Williams, it would be in your best interest to be more specific about what you’re looking for and whether or not you want me to expand on the obsolete stuff or the good stuff.”
A few chuckles went through the room and Williams appeared agitated. He glanced at his file and a stack of papers.
Then they asked about how she escaped, and she explained about the proper training and intense workouts she did.
“Why is it that you waited until now, a year and a half later, to try and escape?” Williams asked.
“Fourteen months and three days, Agent Williams. Let me explain a few things to you gentlemen. I want you to have a clear and accurate understanding of Armando Sintorez.
“You think you know evil? You believe as you sit here in your high-rise building behind your office doors and comprise your lists of your seemingly successful little drug raids in the city that you’re getting closer to it? The reality is that you’re not. Armando is many steps ahead of you. He knows your moves before you even know your moves.”
Elloisa told them all about the murders she witnessed, giving names, dates, and then information about Rosalie and Nina. It was obvious by their facial expressions that they were outraged. At least, most of people in the room were. The female stenographer looked white as a ghost and about ready to run from the room.
She leaned forward in her chair as she saw the agents’ eyes widen in astonishment and disgust at Armando’s brutality.
She whispered to them. “You don’t scare me, Williams. None of you do. I’ve been to hell and back, nothing you could say or do to me would even come remotely close to what Armando has done. I’ve been to hell. There’s really no need for me to explain and reveal every detail of my time with Armando. It’s the important information you want. I will share a little of what I know.”
“What do you mean, ‘a little’?” Williams asked, abruptly interrupting Elloisa.
“A little of what I know until I can be sure that you each can be trusted.”
“That we can be trusted? What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Agent Thomas demanded.
“There’s no hidden meaning. Take it exactly how it sounded. I don’t know any of you. I don’t trust any of you. I sure as hell wouldn’t trust my life or my family’s lives with you. The DEA left me there to rot, to be victimized, used, and basically to die. I owe you nothing. I’m here for the simple fact that I want justice. I want Armando as well as his bodyguard Ramos to be caught and punished for all of their crimes. I want my family protected, and the only way to ensure this is to capture Armando and Ramos and destroy his cartel. You guys are already working a case to attain that goal, and I will help you as best I can. Here is some of what I know. You’ll get more when I’m ready.” Elloisa stated, and she told them what she wanted to about the trafficking operation, production, and routes of border entry. Over an hour and a half later, the agents had plenty to work on and confirm.
* * * *
Gustavo realized that Elloisa was the most valuable witness and informant they could have ever wished for. The DEA wasn’t used to getting such insightful and accurate information handed over to them by an informant. Where most informants were labeled occasional, regular, or arrested individuals with an agenda or a “what’s in it for me” attitude, Elloisa wasn’t. She wasn’t being persuaded to be an informant. She wanted revenge but also justice and security for herself and her family. She wasn’t a criminal as far as his investigation had proven thus far. She knew information no agent had been capable of getting by any other means. She was a precious commodity to the agency.
Gustavo watched her as she spoke. He could see her muscular shoulders through her blouse. She was strong and determined not to show her fear. He had to admit that Elloisa Givani held herself well under pressure. Williams was pounding her with questions, hidden accusations that Elloisa was seeing straight through.
Gustavo watched her eyes and how she wouldn’t turn away from the interrogator. She looked at Williams and the others directly. She wouldn’t glance away or turn from embarrassment, fear, or guilt, which said a lot.
She moved her legs when she changed position, and at one point her blouse pulled a little farther to the right, revealing a bit more of her bronze flesh, voluptuous breasts, round and trimmed with lace from the camisole that barely covered them.
Gustavo wasn’t the only man in the room affected by Elloisa and her beauty. A slow glance around the room and he could see the other agent’s were absorbing Elloisa’s beauty as well.
There was no denying the instant attraction Gustavo felt toward Elloisa. The more she spoke, the more she revealed about herself and her personality.
He recalled the anticipation he felt about seeing her again today. She remained in his thoughts since leaving her in the safety of her family last night. His dreams were filled with erotic thoughts of her and it disturbed him. He had been a loner most of his life with no family and no ties to a name. It was what made him a perfect candidate for secret undercover missions that took him away from the United States for months or years at a time. He couldn’t honestly say he enjoyed the profession, but it kept him busy and he loved the adrenaline rush.
He stood up just as all the other men in the room did the moment Elloisa stood from her seat. It was she who ended the meeting. It was Elloisa who remained in control, not Mathew or any of them. Gustavo was impressed and Elloisa exited the conference room with dignity and class.
Chapter 10
“I want her back!”
“Armando, you are crazy. She’s gone. She’s out of Mexico, and there is nothing you can do about it,” Ramos stated as he watched his boss stare at Elloisa’s picture.
“You can replace her with five…”
“No! She cannot be replaced. There will always be just one Elloisa. You don’t understand,” Armando said.
He couldn’t stand the idea that she left him. She had escaped, ran, and he should have seen it coming. The last month, she had been different. She was different since the night Rosalie was killed.
He should have seen by th
e way she acted, the way she gave herself to him willingly, that she was up to something.
He loved her. He lusted for her and that amazing body.
Who would she go with? Who would be the man to have her as he had? The thoughts enraged him.
He would kill that man with his bare hands.
“Find out where she is! I want to know by this afternoon, Ramos.”
“And when I find out where she is, what are you planning to do?”
“I will choose a group of men to retrieve her for me. I will have my Elloisa back.”
* * * *
“She must be amazing in bed,” Ramos grunted as he turned toward the door.
An instant later, the sharp switchblade was pressing against his jugular. Ramos could feel the tiny drips of blood roll down to his shirt.
“Don’t you ever say anything like that again and never touch her. She’s mine.”
Armando released him then shoved Ramos towards the door.
* * * *
“Did any of the information you obtained from Miss Givani open any new doors in the investigation?” John Falco asked.
“Our men are screening through the information now. It appears that one smuggling entrance location across the border had been missed by our agents. We have men covering that now. In the process, it led to uncovering a storefront thirty minutes from the border that appears to be a large storage facility. There were underground tunnels leading into the basement of the factory,” Williams answered.
“Yeah, someone with a lot of money had to have backed the operation. There was plywood brought in with small beams about fourteen inches high and sixteen inches wide placed throughout the tunnel, probably to minimize the chance of a collapse. They even had ventilation because they ran an air pump hose through the tunnel for the person digging. It led directly into the basement,” Thomas added.
“That’s impressive,” John replied then looked toward Gustavo who remained quiet. Williams and Thomas glanced his way then back at John.
“She seems to be holding out,” Thomas added.
“Seems to be?” Gustavo replied sarcastically.
“You could have helped us a bit with her, Gustavo. She’s comfortable with you,” Thomas added.
“With me? She doesn’t trust me, and she sure as hell isn’t comfortable with me. She’s not stupid. Elloisa will give you what little information she wants to give and test your integrity with the department. It’s simple.” Gustavo leaned back in his chair.
“She’s been his puta for the better part of a year,” Williams replied in disgust, and Gustavo sat forward, giving Williams and Thomas a dirty look.
“Hey, she has been, and there’s no denying it. She’s got class and sophistication considering she’s laid down with such trash, but that being said, she knows more than she’s letting on.”
“You know this how?” John asked, trying to bring attention away from the animosity in the room.
“Our intel from the Sintorez organization says she was always with Armando. Even in meetings with Miguel Philepe,” Thomas replied.
“What else do you have?” John asked.
“Elloisa can tell us what other dealers are involved with the organization. There’s been a lot of chatter over the airways and through snitches about some major imports coming in. We don’t have much, but we know that Sintorez is involved. It could be the opportunity the DEA has been waiting for to capture him,” Thomas added.
“Okay. Get a move on that and give Elloisa a few days with her family before you question her again,” John stated as Thomas and Williams stood from their chairs.
“I think we should press information from her now. She’s a woman. She’s weak and bound to be manipulated with the right methods of interrogation,” Williams replied arrogantly.
“Give her time, Williams. She’s was accosted in her home, taken out of the country, and held prisoner for over a year. She finally made it home to the family she thought was dead,” Gustavo replied calmly as he remained in his chair with his arms behind his head, making him appear relaxed.
“So she says that she didn’t know about her family. A year is a long time,” Thomas added.
“Get moving on that information, and be sure to keep me posted,” John interjected, noting that Gustavo was getting pretty worked up over the conversation.
Williams and Thomas left the room, closing the door behind them.
“Assholes,” Gustavo stated under his breath.
John smirked then returned to his desk, leaning against the front of it.
“So how do you really feel about the conversation we just had?”
“I’m impressed with Elloisa’s ability to remain composed and in control. You heard the tapes from the meeting. She should not be underestimated, and she sure as hell should not be interrogated forcefully. That type of action will shut her down and shut her up. She’s just waiting for an excuse to say, ‘Fuck you. Go find out your own information.’ I think if we push too much too fast, she’ll bail.”
“Your point is taken, Gus, but what choice do we really have? She’s the best witness and informant this organization or any other law enforcement agent has seen. We can’t coddle her too long. Besides, I am certain she is right that Armando has men in the country looking for her and that they will come after her and the family.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they did attempt to get her back.”
“It’s good that her brothers and father are agents. At least they can protect her when she’s not here. If anything happens, we may be forced to initiate a witness protection program for the family.”
“I think that is going to be inevitable,” Gus replied then stood from his seat, prepared to leave.
“Let’s hope not.”
* * * *
Early in the morning, Elloisa sat on the screened-in porch, grateful for the mild summer temperatures of New York, although her skin couldn’t help but miss the intensity and heat of the Mexican sun.
A good twenty minutes had passed since someone had come outside to check on her. Two guards secured the property and another was posted inside the house. Her brothers and father took turns as well.
Elloisa was nervous and afraid. She couldn’t help but wonder if the feelings would ever go away and if she would ever be free of her past and Armando.
It was very quiet where she sat. In the distance, minor sounds could be heard from inside the house, but for the most part it was calm.
She embraced the time to thank God for her survival and for seeing her family again. Prayer had gotten her through many nights on the Sintorez estate. There were times back in Mexico, late in the evening, when she found herself deep in thought about her life in America. It seemed as if she were recalling a past life, not actual memories from years ago. Yet something deep inside wouldn’t let her forget. There was a hold on her memories of her family and her childhood.
Elloisa could not deny that she fell in love with Armando and all his power and money. At first, he had kept her sheltered from the business. Perhaps it was a test or some sort of means to determine her trustworthiness. Or maybe he just wanted her to adore him so much that she would accept him and his crimes. She would never know why he just hadn’t sought revenge on her family and killed her. He had killed many times throughout the year. She had witnessed him beat a man to death by banging his head repeatedly on the solid oak dinner table he ate upon every evening. She had witnessed his wrath enough to know she had better not be afraid of death if she were to ever challenge him. In leaving, she had done more than that. He would take it personally, and if and when he found her, she would suffer a horrible death.
The chills ran through her body at the thought. Immediately, she envisioned her family and their smiling faces.
Elloisa closed her eyes and prayed for their safety, no matter what. She had gotten to see them. She got to hold them to her and love them one more time. Asking for them to be safe forever seemed selfish, never mind foolish.
“
Dear blessed mother. Querida madre santísima. Favor de proteger a mi familia y de guiarlos dondequiera que vayan. Por favor guádalos sanos y salvos siempre y para siempre.” She prayed for the safety of her family.
* * * *
There was a small dinner party at the house that evening. Many relatives had been stopping in to see Elloisa, overjoyed at her return. Elloisa helped her mother and the cook prepare the meal in the kitchen.
At one point while Elloisa fried some chicken, she caught her mother staring at her.
“What?” she asked her with a smile.
“You are just so beautiful. I had dreamt about days like these when you were just a child. I was afraid the opportunity to share making a meal together had been lost.”
Elloisa felt the tears sting her eyes.
“So did I, Mamma, but we are here together. So who else is coming over tonight?” she asked, hoping to change the subject.
Maria, the cook, opened up a jar of herbs and sprinkled some over the chicken as Elloisa fried it.
Elloisa inhaled the aroma. She had learned a lot about cooking in Mexico. Although Armando was against it at first, he learned to appreciate the meals she made. But he only allowed it once a month or so. She had to get permission and remind him. The thought saddened her. Would such memories disappear one day?
“¿Preparabas comidas cuando estabas en Mexico?”?”
“A veces. Hay muchos condimentos distintos que se usan en la cocina mexicana. Es diferente de la cocina italiana.”
Maria smiled as Elloisa told her that there were many spices and ways to prepare meals in Mexico and that they were a bit different from Italian meal preparation.
The conversation continued with Elloisa talking about the small village outside of the Sintorez estate and about the different foods and culture.
