Garza rubbed the back of his neck and it came to him. Why hadn’t he thought of it sooner?
“This shipment,” Garza said. “It is not drugs, is it?”
Sadeem shook his head. “It’s the reason I ask whether you are using a tunnel. There are certain. . uh, requirements the shipment needs in order to remain stable. The temperature outside is too hot. This load should not be left outdoors for long periods of time.”
Now Garza understood the payment. “Precisely how dangerous is this shipment?”
“In its current form it is completely harmless. However, should the container be opened, there is no guarantee.”
Garza was ready for another shot of mescal. He was also ready to send this man and his briefcase and his smug attitude on his way. But there were five million reasons why he didn’t. The man seemed to understand this and he became even more comfortable in his recliner.
“Recently, you have invited the interest of some American law enforcement officials,” Sadeem said. “Is that a wise decision?”
Garza could feel his blood pressure rise. He wasn’t used to having his decisions questioned and it didn’t sit well with him. He wondered why the man was so at ease in Garza’s lair, swollen with soldiers geared to protect him.
Garza came to his feet and felt the man’s eyes follow him as he began a slow pace behind the recliner. “You spoke about my reputation,” Garza said. “Did it occur to you that I might have provoked this attention on purpose?”
“No,” Sadeem said. “That hadn’t crossed my mind.”
“Then please allow me to do my job.” Garza pointed to the briefcase. “Obviously, someone thinks very highly of my abilities.”
The man nodded. Garza had made his point. Sadeem was obviously a courier and no more. People of importance had hired him to make the delivery and he appeared to be overstepping his boundaries.
“Okay.” Sadeem stood and slowly made his way to Garza. “I have enough information. You will meet our men precisely when we have agreed. Yes?”
Garza looked at the man’s outstretched hand. One last gesture before he could take custody of his largest payday ever. Deep inside he didn’t trust this man, yet he couldn’t place strict evidence on his suspicions. Over Sadeem’s shoulder sat the open briefcase, the five million taunting him. Garza wondered whether it was designed to be positioned that way on purpose, or whether it was pure greed which had him firmly shaking Sadeem’s hand.
“Yes,” Garza. “We will be ready.”
Chapter 5
The three Border Patrol agents sat across the desk from Nick, side-by-side, with nervous ticks and darting glances between their fellow employees and the Deputy Director who sat in a chair next to the desk facing them. Matt and Stevie stood in the rear of the room. It was just past lunchtime, but without windows, Nick had to rely on the digital clock on the wall to determine the time of day.
“Now listen,” Roger Decker said, leaning forward with his hand on his knees, “no one is accusing any of you of wrongdoing.”
Nick was allowing Decker to save face and discuss the matter with his agents first, but the fact Nick sat behind the desk let them know who was in charge. Decker had no interrogative skills whatsoever. His main detainee spoke a different language so many details ended up lost in translation. Nick felt his phone vibrate and when he pulled it from his pocket he could see the name of the person who had just left a text message. Nicole Hernandez. Ricky’s widow. A spike of bile rushed up his throat. He’d made a personal guarantee to Nicole that Ricky would be fine going undercover. He assured her the FBI would keep close tabs on both agents.
Now he touched the screen on his phone and cringed when he saw the two word message.
“YOU PROMISED!”
Nick’s face flushed as he leaned back and shut his eyes before anyone could detect the episode he was having. He felt the outside of his empty pocket and realized he’d forgotten to take his PTSD meds for the day. He practiced his breathing exercises and gained control of his emotions. As his heart pounded, he gathered his thoughts, trying to grasp just what had gone wrong. Ricky and Jim were supposed to be picking up a client of Antonio Garza’s at the makeshift runway when they were ambushed by Garza’s men. Both FBI agent’s were exceptionally talented and couldn’t possibly have tipped Garza with their actions. Someone had to set them up. And Nick was convinced it was someone in the room with him right then.
When Nick came upright again, the three Border Patrol agents looked as if they were getting sick listening to Decker explain the understandable consequences of dealing with nasty people. The scolding was a bit tame for Nick’s taste.
“Roger,” Nick said. “Why don’t you run out and grab a sandwich.”
Decker seemed annoyed at Nick’s patronization, but he must’ve seen the burning hostility brewing in Nick’s eyes because he retreated with a simple nod and was out the door.
Matt shut the door behind him while Nick gestured to Stevie to get ready. The FBI techie took a flat stick from his duffle bag and began pushing buttons on the stick. The three Border Patrol agents kept an eye on what Stevie was doing until Nick snapped his fingers and said, “Over here. I need your attention on me.”
As they returned their attention to Nick, Stevie waved the flat wand behind the men, slowly working up and down their bodies.
Nick gestured to the desk in front of him. “Please place your cell phones on the desk.”
The three agents did as they were told.
Stevie worked his wand meticulously until he stood behind the agent to Nick’s left and nodded.
Nick looked at the other two agents and said, “Get out of here.”
The men looked bewildered, but didn’t hesitate at their good fortune. They gathered their cell phones and moved. Just before they left, Nick said, “Don’t leave the building until I say you can.”
Matt closed the door behind them and took the vacant seat two chairs away from the remaining agent. He glowered at the agent. Intimidation was half the battle.
“What’s your name?” Nick asked.
“Greg Chapin.”
The way Chapin fidgeted convinced Nick he had the right guy.
Nick pointed to the front of his desk at Chapin’s cell phone. “Now let’s see your other one.”
Chapin seemed confused. “My other one?”
“Your other cell phone,” Nick explained. “The one you kept in your pocket when I asked for your cell phones.”
Chapin hesitated too long. It seemed he was trying to decide how Nick could’ve known about the phone, or how much it mattered that he withheld the device. He looked at Matt who sat stone-faced, chewing on a piece of gum.
“What makes you think I have another cell phone?” Chapin asked, being somewhat evasive and putting the burden of proof on Nick.
Nick wasn’t in the mood for playing games. Not now. He leaned forward and glared at the agent. “Put the damn phone on my desk or I’ll have my partner rip your clothes off.”
Chapin turned to see Matt cross his legs. He offered a menacing grin.
Chapin reluctantly pulled a cell phone from the inside of his jacket pocket and placed it on the desk.
Nick grabbed the phone and tossed it to Stevie, who began to play with it.
Chapin paid too much attention to Stevie which added to Nick’s suspicions.
“Why the extra phone?” Nick asked.
“I don’t want my government to hear every conversation I have with my family,” Chapin said with a rehearsed tone.
Nick nodded. “I see.” He looked at Matt. “How many phones do you have?”
Matt held up his index finger.
“Stevie,” Nick said, “how many phones do you have?”
“One,” Stevie said, examining Chapin’s cell.
Nick returned his attention to Matt again. “Who tends to have more than one phone?”
“Drug dealers.”
“Who else?”
“Anyone who’s trying to hide something.”
Stevie came around the desk and handed the phone to Nick and pointed to something on the screen. Nick nodded while Stevie returned to the back of the room.