Something else required the right moment as well. When the time was right, she planned to ask Franco for a job. Surely El Jefe’s organization could use a tactically trained female in its ranks, and she was the perfect candidate. She already had the confidence of El Jefe’s right-hand man. If she played this right, her ticket out of Santavilla was certain. She wanted a convertible, a house on the hill, and a closetful of clothes to show off her figure. She hated dressing in hand-me-downs. Nothing would stop her from getting a better life, certainly not Tobias’s son. The guy had been laughable, especially that fatherly crap about being concerned with her safety. She’d nearly given him a hug, but that would’ve seemed forced. She’d gained his trust well enough without a phony show of affection.
Antonia was many things, but naive wasn’t one of them. She knew Franco was using her, but he didn’t know she was using him too. When they’d first started seeing each other, he’d been reluctant to teach her anything. Over the course of several months, she’d gradually worn his defenses down through crafty manipulation. When he was aroused, she’d tease him and promise a little something extra in exchange for tactical training. It had been all too easy. Everything he’d taught her, from surveillance to bomb making to personal combat skills, was all neatly tucked away for future use. Maybe she’d even replace him someday. She felt confident she could apply her feminine wiles on El Jefe as easily as she had on Franco.
First things first. She needed to find Estefan Delgado before calling Franco. He wouldn’t like getting a call this late, but he’d be grateful once he heard the news.
She finished her cigarette, slipped inside her house, and looked at the ugly clock on the wall. It was just after 12:30 AM.
What a dump. She resented everything about this place. The beat-up furniture, stained curtains, and bare concrete made her feel cheap and dirty. Even though they had some nice stuff, a shanty was still a shanty. Her father spent all his money on booze and opium. She felt bad about her mom’s condition, but there was nothing she could do for her. If she didn’t leave this place soon, she’d end up just like her, or worse.
She’d wait a few more minutes before going outside to scout the area.
Estefan reached his truck and conducted a quick survey of its tires. He didn’t trust the girl and wanted to be sure she hadn’t flattened any of them.
“I’m at my truck,” he said.
“Go ahead and pack up everything and be ready to go.”
“You got it.”
“We’ll keep eyes on Mateo’s house and let you know if we see Antonia head for the pay phone.”
Estefan removed his face paint and briefly used the dome light to see if he’d missed any areas.
Harv arrived a few minutes later and grabbed all their gear. He let Harv know he kept some of the money for the motel. Fifteen seconds later, Harv disappeared into the foliage. Now it became a waiting game. Estefan didn’t doubt Antonia would contact Raven — the question became when? He sat in his truck, staring straight ahead. He almost felt sorry for the girl, but she was old enough to make informed decisions. If she ended up in an unmarked grave because her priorities were screwed up, so be it. Sadly, the world wouldn’t miss her.
His earpiece came to life with Nathan’s voice. “Stand by, Estefan. Antonia just stepped outside.”
CHAPTER 22
“She’s lighting a cigarette and looking around. I’ll let you know if she makes a move for the pay phone. Harv, did you copy?”
“Affirm.”
“Where are you?”
“Two mikes.”
“Go ahead and double-time it. I’m confident we’re alone up here.”
His radio clicked.
“Antonia appears on edge. She keeps looking from side to side and turning around. She knows you’re out here, Estefan. She just doesn’t know where.”
“She’ll know soon enough.”
“I’m counting on it.”
Nathan froze when he heard Harv’s approach. To be sure it was Harv, he issued a warbling whistle and received the same whistle in return, lower in pitch. Had Harv’s return whistle not been lower in pitch, Nathan would’ve gone into high alert.
Nathan said, “Stand by, Estefan. Harv’s back. We’ll get his eyes back on the lumber mill.”
“I’m on it,” Harv said, breathing heavily.
Nathan removed his finger from the transmit button and kept his scope on Mateo’s house as he spoke. “Maybe we should interrupt Antonia’s call. If we time it right, Estefan could drive into town right after she gets on the phone. She’ll duck for cover, and she’ll think she’s eluded Estefan. It would be unsettling to Raven to have her call suddenly end like that. Put yourself in Raven’s shoes. You just learned Viper’s in town, snooping around and asking questions. What would you do?”
“I’d get up there as soon as I could, find a good SP overlooking the town, and drop the guy from a safe distance.”
“Exactly,” Nathan said. “But here’s the kicker. Raven doesn’t know we’re with Estefan. He thinks Estefan’s alone. If we can get eyes on Raven, even for an instant, we can drop him.”
“That’s a big if,” Harv said.
“Here we go.” Nathan pressed the transmit button. “Estefan, Antonia’s on the move. Start your roll into town. You’re about a mile from the general store, so it will take about three or four minutes. Turn on your high beams. I’m hoping she’ll see them in the distance and alert Raven that someone’s coming — presumably you. Turn off your lights just shy of the church. We want Antonia to think you’re trying to sneak in there. Your engine noise works in our favor. You copy all that, Estefan?”
“Affirm. On my way.”
Echoing in the distance, Estefan’s truck rumbled to life. Despite all the trees and undergrowth lining the mountainsides, sound traveled amazingly well through this valley.
“Harv, keep eyes on the lumber mill.”
“Will do. Besides the meltdown on the road, Estefan’s done well.”
“He’s worried about his wife, so I doubt he’s totally focused down there.”
“You’re probably right, but he’s a vet. I’m okay with Estefan.” Nathan pressed the transmit button. “Estefan, she’s heading straight for the phone. Pick up your speed a little.”
His radio clicked.
Harv said, “If Raven has men at the lumber mill like Antonia said, he’ll call over there after he hangs up with her. Things could get dicey for Estefan.”
“I have an idea. I’ll go over it in a minute.”
Franco was watching the entrance to the hospital when his prepaid cell rang. Only Antonia had this number. “You’re calling awfully late.”
“It’s important.” She sounded breathless, quite unlike her usual phone manner.
“What’s so important that it can’t wait until tomorrow?”
“Tobias’s son is here. He came to our house and talked to my father.”
“When?”
“Maybe half an hour ago.”
“What did they say?”
“I didn’t hear them. They walked out to the river. I wanted to follow them, but my dad told me to stay in the house.”
He started his car and grabbed a notepad and pen from the glove compartment. “Okay, slow down. How do you know it’s Tobias’s son?”