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She and Mike watched with him as the photos zoomed in closer and closer.
There s the hut, he said, pointing with his finger, and far enough away that we
have some difference is the main house. The estancia. If we can take out the guards
without alerting anyone we can get everyone out of the hut and be away before
anyone s the wiser.
What are those blinking lights? she wanted to know.
Rick smiled. Those, Kat, are the hostages. Alive and moving around. This time we
know for sure they are there.
He set the laptop aside, then picked up a backpack and removed three items from
it.
I don t remember seeing you with that last time, Kat told him.
Didn t use it, he told her. I didn t think we d need it but the parameters are
different this time. We may need a little distraction.
185
Desiree Holt
What is it?
A grenade launcher that breaks down into three parts. He grinned, despite the
seriousness of the situation. He was like a little boy playing with toys. Another one of
LaRue Tactical s nifty little items. We can use it to delay any pursuit if they send anyone
up from the main house when they hear the helo.
Liftoff in five, Mike told them and took his seat in the cockpit.
To Kat it seemed only seconds before she heard the familiar whine of the engine
and the whapping of the rotors. They lifted off smoothly, each man concentrating on his
own preparations. Kat sat beside Faith again, leaning back against the wall of the cabin.
She felt the vibrations of the huge helicopter rumbling through her body, reminding her
this was far from a pleasure trip.
Leaning her head back and closing her eyes, she did the only thing she could do
now.
She prayed.
* * * * *
Anthony Delaware closed his cell phone and looked at the people seated around
the table. His agents looked tired yet alert, while Pelley, Post and Prescott gave the
appearance of having been run over by a garbage truck. The executive image had long
since disappeared. They all looked at him expectantly.
We ve finally got something to go on, he told them. The helicopters reported
seeing the motorcycle head for a small, isolated private airfield outside the city. There
was a plane waiting for him. It took both the driver and motorcycle onboard, then a few
minutes later took off.
Any idea where it took off for? one of the agents asked.
Delaware took his time answering, watching the reaction of each person. It headed
south, he told them. Probably into Mexican airspace. But we did get something out of
it.
Well? Pelley said. Are you going to tell us what it is or not?
One of the helo pilots saw it through binoculars. A logo painted on the side of the
plane. Mazatlan Textiles.
Have we traced the owner? someone else asked.
Delaware nodded slowly. We got lucky, because the owner is really a corporate
shell. But we ve got good techs at the Bureau. Mazatlan Textiles is owned by Victor
Herrera, leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel. Probably the most vicious of all the drug
lords. It s a very good guess no, not even a guess at this point that he s behind the
kidnapping and he s holding the hostages on his estate.
No one said a word as Delaware let his gaze travel from person to person, noting
every change of expression, making a mental note of those whose reactions set up
warning flags.
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F-Stop
Finally Pelley asked, Does this mean you can t go after them? That you can t cross
the border to get the hostages?
At the moment, yes. Herrera surrounds himself with an army of guards and a
firefight wouldn t do anyone any good. Plus, he owns most of the federales so we won t
get any help from the government. It s too dicey a situation. I m sorry.
An agent at the other end of the table cleared his throat. Don t chop my head off
for suggesting this, Anthony, he began, but maybe it s not too late to bring in the
Phoenix Agency.
I think that ship has already sailed, Delaware snapped. Sorry. Damn sorry.
So we just sit here and wait? Prescott spat at him. And hope they release the
hostages before killing them? What a stinking way to do business.
Delaware spread out his hands. He agreed, only he was hamstrung by his boss and
Bureau regulations. But he had another angle to work on. He looked at the three men
who d received the messages.
A heads-up, gentlemen. We re going through all your financial records, personal
and business, to see who might have a connection to the Sinaloa cartel. Even a fleeting
one during the course of business. If there s something there, we ll find it.
He waited.
You know I own a spa in Mexico, Post blurted out. But that doesn t mean I m
involved with people like that.
We know about that, Mr. Post. If it s a clean business deal, you have nothing to
worry about.
So we just sit here and wait, Pelley repeated what Rand Prescott had asked.
Delaware nodded. I want all of you where I can see you until we get word the
hostages are released. Pelley, is it possible to get some food sent up from your
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