I’d been praying for five minutes as the captain talked quietly on the phone, losing my place in the Rosary several times as I overheard Rex’s name. I looked up as a window between the back of the truck and the cab, suddenly slid open.
“Candy, we’ve got a tail.”
I listened to him, sure I’d misunderstood something until the captain went to talk to the agent driving.
“Are you sure, Mars?”
“Aye, sir. I’ve ‘ad my eye on them for a while, not sure they were really following. But they’ve swerved in and out of their lane, always keeping at least one other car between us for several miles now. They’re good.”
“Shit,” the captain swore under his breath. “They must have picked us up at Cachi’s house. Keep an eye on them and get us to the office as soon as you possibly can. I need to get this family to safety before we go to Rex’s last location. I don’t think we have much to worry about with the tail. They obviously know who we are and it’s much safer to take the family to the federal building than to a safehouse.
“Let SAC Bradley know the office might have company so he can get another Tac Team at the ready to defend anyone in the lobby. Since we go in through the underground garage which they can’t access, that’s the only way they can infiltrate the building.” He checked the dive watch he was wearing and then spoke to the driver again. “It’s late and there shouldn’t beany pedestrians at the building, but cartel goons can sure as hell shoot up a lobby and take out the guards.”
“Will do, Cap.”
“Thanks, Mars.” The captain instructed the other agent and Marcello who immediately took up positions with their guns, looking out the back. We all watched silently. He started calling someone else and even though I was eager to listen, I was interrupted by Mamá when she tapped on my knee. Her eyes were wide with fear.
“What happen, Cachi?”
I explained in Spanish what was going on. They all looked freaked out, so I took Mamá’s hand in mine. “We are safe, Mamá.” I looked away but she reached out and took my chin with gentle fingers, turning my face toward her.
“Cachi, your friend, Rex, is okay?”
I shook my head, feeling the tears burning behind my eyes again. I didn’t want to cry again in front of her or my aunt and uncle, but holding them back was getting harder and harder. I looked down at my phone before answering.
“He no answer, Mamá.”
She cocked her head as her expression morphed into sadness. “I sorry, Cachi, pero, these men…they are very professional. I think they protect your friend and he very strong…your Rex.”
The sweet sadness in her words struck me then. Of course she was right. Rex’s phone could’ve died and that would explain why he wasn’t answering. If the cartel had been following us from the house, then chances were, they wouldn’t look for us anywhere else. They’d have no way of knowing where I worked anyway. I nodded. “Si, Mamá, Rex, he is strong.” I gave her themost reassuring smile I could as I squeezed her fingers. She smiled back and picked up her rosary to start her prayers all over. I picked mine up from the bench seat and began my own prayers as the captain took another call.
“He’s there?” he suddenly said. “What?” The urgency in his voice wasn’t reassuring. My heartrate sped up. “And he’s—” the captain paused as he listened on the phone and nodded, more to himself than anyone else. “But he’s breathing?”
I sucked in a breath as the back of the truck suddenly got deathly quiet.
“Okay, Mickey. Get him to the hospital as fast as possible.” He turned to look at the rest of us, still pressing his phone to his ear. “We’re gonna be at the federal building in three minutes. I’ll drop off these folks and then meet the team there. See you in a few.” He swiped the phone and got serious.
“What happen to Rex? Why he go to the hospital?” I could hear the panic in my voice, but the idea that Rex had been hurt, scared the shit out of me.
He frowned. “Someone shot him, Cachi.” When I opened my mouth to ask if he was still alive, he held up both hands. “He’s lost a lot of blood, but someone heard the shot and came running. They must’ve scared his attackers away. Fortunately, one of the guys who ran out there is a first responder.”
“What is first responder…he is doctor?”
The captain shook his head. “Not a doctor. The man is a paramedic. He’s trying to stop the bleeding and 911 has been called. The ambulance will be there in a minute. I’m gonna drop you and your family at the federal building and then meet my team there.”
“I go with you, Captain.”
“No. You have to stay where it’s safe.”
I shook my head. “No, Captain! I go with you, see Rex. I need—” I covered my mouth as the tears filled my eyes. I shook my head again. “I go with you.”
“Mr. Adams…it’s not safe and—”
“I go with you, Captain. I see Rex. This is my fault.” I glanced at Marcello who’d been silent throughout the ride and now looked over. “Marcello, you tell him.”
Marcello’s look of distress was easy to read. “Cachi, the doctors will do everything they can to take care of Agent Monroe. You being there will only distract them.”
“No, Marcello. I go with the captain!”
