For the next few minutes, Carly explained the situation with El Jefe, beginning with the murder of Miguel Hernandez, the money that had been embezzled from Drake Trucking to force her grandfather into joining the man’s criminal activities, her run-in with the drug lord’s men, and meeting the man himself.
“Unfortunately I was blindfolded. I have no idea what he looks like, except he has big feet and he’s a little pigeon-toed.”
Taggart sighed. “You’re not alone. No one seems to know who he is, or if they do, they’re afraid to get involved.”
“I would probably recognize some of his men.”
Taggart nodded. “That would be useful. We can have you look at mug shots on your computer. We don’t want to bring you in to headquarters because we don’t want anyone to know you’re working with us.”
“Hold it,” Linc said. “She’s not working with you. She’s giving you information. We need you to arrest this guy and put him out of business.”
“That’s exactly what we’re trying to do. But we won’t be able to do it without Carly’s help.”
“What kind of help are you talking about?” Carly asked.
Taggart eyed her shrewdly. “You’ve filled me in on what’s been happening, but I have a feeling you’re leaving something out.” Which was true, since neither of them had mentioned the load Drake Trucking was supposed to pick up and deliver on Tuesday night.
“Before this goes any further,” Quinn continued, “I need you to tell me what brought you here today. Last week, Linc was very circumspect about how much he told me. Today both of you are here. Obviouslysomething has changed. If you want the help of the FBI, I need to know what that something is.”
Carly looked at Linc, clearly uncertain.
“We need your help, Quinn,” Linc said. “But before we tell you anything more, we need to know exactly what you expect in return.”
Quinn’s focus centered on Carly. “You’ve actually met this guy who calls himself El Jefe—the boss. Under the right circumstances, he might want to meet with you again. If that happens, we’d have the chance to go in and arrest him. Until that point, we need you to play along, do exactly what he tells you. In the meantime, we’ll be putting a case together. There’s a chance you’ll even be able to provide us with evidence. In exchange for your help, we’ll provide you with protection.”
“No.” The single word had both their heads snapping toward him. “She’s not getting near that bastard again.”
Quinn looked at him with a trace of pity. “She needs to do this, Linc. Whatever threats this guy has made, he isn’t afraid to carry them out. Carly’s best bet is to help us catch him before he kills her or someone else.”
Silence settled over the table. There had to be another way, a plan that would keep Carly out of danger.
“Drake is supposed to pick up a load for El Jefe on Tuesday night,” Carly said, and Linc softly cursed. “I have no idea what’s going to be in it. The text I received said they would text us the pickup location. I’m guessing they’ll tell us where to take the load once we get the cargo loaded.”
Quinn’s satisfied smile made Linc’s jaw feel tight. He didn’t want her involved with this. For the first time, he questioned whether he should have brought her here.
“Now we’re getting somewhere,” Taggart said.
“What do you want me to do?” Carly asked.
“No way is the guy going to be there,” Linc interrupted before Taggart could reply. “If the FBI shows up, it’ll be a minor bust that’ll get you nowhere and Carly will become a target.”
“I’m not suggesting that.” Taggart turned back to Carly. “I want yourtruck to pick up and deliver the load just as you’re instructed. From now on, you’ll do whatever it takes to win El Jefe’s trust. Once that happens, you’ll be able to set up a meet and that’s when we’ll step in.”
“Who do you suggest makes the pickup?” Linc asked. “The last driver who butted heads with El Jefe wound up dead.”
“We’ll supply the driver. He can take over after the truck leaves the yard.”
“Too risky,” Linc said. “What if someone’s watching? What if one of El Jefe’s men sees the driver exchange?”
“I’ll drive the truck,” Carly said.
Linc felt a cold stab of fear. “No way. That isn’t happening. It’s too dangerous. I won’t have it.”
Carly bristled. “It isn’t your decision, Linc.”
“Take it easy, both of you,” Taggart said. “We’ll figure it out. Maybe we can put an agent undercover as a driver, someone who’s presumably on your payroll. If anyone’s watching the yard, they’ll see an employee driving the truck in and out, smooth and easy, no problem.”
“He’d be someone new,” Linc said. “A new guy doing the first pickup might arouse suspicion.”
