Accidental Commando Page 8

  It was hard to believe they were one and the same. How could the hands that gripped that deadly looking machine gun have handled her body so tenderly? How could his grimly set mouth have softened in a smile, or nibbled her ear? He was back in control today. Apart from a warmth in his gaze when their eyes had first met, and the extra squeeze he’d given her fingers as he’d helped her from the car, he had been behaving as if nothing had happened.

  And she was happy to follow his lead. As she’d told him already, they knew what they wanted from each other. They couldn’t let their relationship get personal. They both had bigger priorities.

  “What do you think of this side of Rocama, Miss Wright?”

  Emily wrapped her camera strap around her wrist and turned toward the envoy. It was unusual to be addressed directly. After days of holding up the wallpaper, she’d been getting accustomed to feeling invisible. “It’s beautiful in a wild kind of sense,” she responded. “And a long way from the palace.”

  “Yes, indeed. It’s refreshing.” Helen Haggerty hadn’t worn one of her typical power suits today. In her cotton tunic, capri pants and comfortable-looking orthopaedic sandals, she looked more like someone’s vacationing grandmother than a high-powered diplomat. “I apologize for not speaking with you sooner,” she said, lowering her voice as she fell into step beside Emily. “I only just learned that you’re not a part of Major Redinger’s team.”

  Emily glanced at the major, who had moved a few paces to their right. “Technically, I suppose I am part of Eagle Squadron, Ms. Haggerty,” she said. “At least until the end of this mission.”

  “I understand you had a close encounter with my would-be assassin.”

  Any grandmotherly resemblance vanished. There was steel behind the mild voice, as well as courage. Emily took the opportunity to study the woman more closely. Helen appeared to be in her mid-sixties, and though she’d allowed her hair to remain a natural gray, her face projected a youthful vitality. Rimless bifocals perched midway down her nose. Behind their lenses, her eyes were sharp.

  Emily realized she was being studied in return. “I wasn’t at my best when it happened,” she said. “Otherwise, I’m sure I would have been terrified.”

  “It’s very brave of you to agree to identify him. I appreciate your willingness to help a total stranger.”

  The compliment made her uncomfortable. Her ability to recognize El Gato wasn’t really needed on this field trip, since anyone who approached in this isolated spot would immediately be a suspect, regardless of what he looked like. “Did Major Redinger also tell you that I’m a reporter?”

  “He did. He assured me that he explained to you the need for discretion during my visit. He guaranteed that you won’t be revealing any information that would cause problems.”

  “Yes, the major and I have an agreement. I’ll wait until the mission is over before I publish my article.”

  “I’m glad that you understand. We’ve worked very hard to get to this point with the Rocamans. I would hate to see our progress derailed because of a premature announcement.”

  Emily shortened her stride to better match the older woman’s pace. “To be honest, I wouldn’t know what to announce, Ms. Haggerty. I don’t know whether you’ve noticed it, but these men aren’t a very talkative bunch.”

  The envoy smiled. “Yes, I noticed. It’s an affliction that’s shared by many military men of my acquaintance.”

  “I read about your father. He was a hero in the first Gulf War.”

  “The general was a good leader, but he’d be the first to tell you that it was the men he commanded who were the real heroes.”

  Spoken like a true diplomat, Emily thought. “Had you ever considered following in his footsteps with a career in the military?”

  “Never. I knew from my junior year in high school that I would follow a different path to serve my country. That was when I ran for class president and lost. The next year I managed the campaign of the candidate who won.” She reached into her handbag and took out a folded cloth hat. She shook it out and placed it on her head so that the brim shaded her eyes. “That was when I learned that my talent lies behind the scenes.”

  “You and President Gorrell appear to have a good relationship.”

  “I’m fortunate to be able to consider him my friend. Since he came to office, Rocama has made great strides forward. The level of literacy in the population is rising, as is the life expectancy and the average wage. There is great potential in this island.”

  Emily searched her memory for facts about Rocama, but most of what she’d learned had come from tourist brochures. She hadn’t yet had the opportunity to look for a library or an Internet café where she could do research, since she spent practically all of her waking hours with Tyler and the team. Even when they were off duty, they seemed to find some task for her to do, like refining the composite image of El Gato, or checking more surveillance footage. “I understand the restoration project in Rocama City is part of the government’s campaign to boost the tourist industry.”

  “Yes. There is also a project in the works to deepen the harbor there in order to accommodate larger cruise ships.”

  “That sounds great. It is a beautiful place.” She started as an animal hooted from somewhere in the trees. “I’m surprised more tour companies haven’t discovered it before this.”

  “Before the recent airport expansion, the runways hadn’t been long enough to handle regular commercial flights. In fact, seven years ago, the country only had one principal industry,” the envoy said, coming to a halt as the path ended at the front entrance of the house. She swung her hand toward it. “And this was its headquarters.”

  Emily focused on the house. Now that she was closer, she could see that it wasn’t as old as she’d first thought. The elaborate wood doors didn’t appear weathered. Not all the windows were broken, either. “I don’t understand. What was this place?”

  “It was the processing lab and distribution center for the Juarez drug cartel.”

  She rubbed her arms. Was that why she’d felt a chill when she’d first seen it? “Juarez,” she repeated. “That name is familiar.”

  “Arturo and Leonardo Juarez were ruthless thugs who acquired an obscene amount of wealth selling cocaine. For years they ran their empire from this compound. They considered themselves above the law, but then Leonardo made the mistake of hijacking a plane carrying American citizens.”

  Emily frowned. “I remember something about a hijacking in this area several years ago, but I don’t remember hearing that a drug cartel was involved.”

  The envoy peered at her from beneath the brim of her hat. “No, you wouldn’t have. Major Redinger and his men were discreet then, too.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “This will have to be off the record.”

  “If you wish.”

  “Eagle Squadron were the ones who raided this house and destroyed the lab.”

  Emily turned to look at the major, but he had moved off to speak with Jack. She caught Tyler’s gaze and scowled. His expression didn’t change. He was far enough away to be out of earshot and likely wouldn’t know what she was annoyed about.

  But couldn’t someone have told her that they’d been in Rocama before? And that they’d raided a drug cartel’s headquarters? Didn’t they consider that information something a reporter doing a story on this mission would want to know, whether it was off the record or not? It was a lot more relevant than the smattering of personal details she’d managed to extract from the men so far. It helped explain why the commandos of Eagle Squadron had been selected to guard the envoy in the first place.

  “The Juarez property has remained unoccupied since it was confiscated by the Rocaman government,” the envoy continued. “I’m hoping to convince the president to put it to better use.”

  Juarez. Now she remembered why the name was familiar. Kurt and Duncan had mentioned it when they’d returned to the palace the evening before, after they’d failed to f
ind El Gato. She hadn’t pursued it then. She’d been too preoccupied with getting away from Tyler. “Was everyone from the Juarez cartel arrested?” Emily asked.

  “The brothers are still in prison. Unfortunately, their network was extensive. Even though the corrupt politicians who supported them are no longer in power, elements of their influence remain active.”

  Another piece of the puzzle shifted into place. “They’re the ones who hired El Gato. They want to stop you from developing this property, don’t they?”

  “That’s what I have been told.”

  “Why? Is it pride? Or do they think they’ll be able to restart their drug business from here?”

  “Their motives are complex. I suspect there is a good deal of pride behind their opposition, yet most is due to practicality. An American presence on this island would almost certainly ensure they would never regain the power they once had.”

  “A presence?” Emily repeated, glancing around. “What are you hoping to do with this place?”

  “Our government has wanted to establish a military base in this region of the Caribbean for years. This is an ideal site.”

  A military base? Tyler hadn’t mentioned anything about that, either, but surely he would have known. That had to be another reason the army had sent commandos to act as bodyguards: they had a direct stake in the success of the envoy’s mission. A base would have a huge impact, not only strategically but economically and politically, as well. This story was even bigger than she’d imagined.

  It was frustrating to be learning about it only now.

  “Would you consider letting me interview you when your visit is over, Ms. Haggerty?”

  “I would look forward to it, my dear. It’s the least I could do to repay your help.”

  Tyler strode across the darkened courtyard, through the arched carriageway and headed for the gates. There were no official events scheduled for the palace this evening. The envoy had been fatigued after her excursion to the Juarez property and had retired early to her quarters. The president was dining with his family. The grounds were quiet enough that Tyler was able to hear Emily arguing even before he rounded the corner to the checkpoint.

  She was standing toe-to-toe with one of the palace guards, her fists on her hips and her jaw thrust forward. It was a pose he was getting more familiar with than he cared to be. “I thought your job is to keep people out,” she said. “Not in.”

  “I am sorry, señorita.”

  “This is outrageous. Let me talk to your supervisor.”

  “He would say the same as I.”

  “What are you worried about?” She slipped the strap of her bag off her shoulder and held her arms out to her sides. “If you think I’m trying to make off with the royal silver, go ahead and frisk me. Search my purse.”

  “Señorita, I only follow orders.”

  “You know who I am. You walked by me three times yesterday when I was standing outside your president’s conference room.”

  The guard looked past her, his shoulders lowering in relief as he spotted Tyler approaching. “Por favor…”

  Tyler caught Emily’s hands and tugged her a few steps away from the guard. “What are you doing?” he asked.

  “I’m trying to leave, but this person won’t open the gate.”

  “He’s following the major’s instructions. Why do you want to go out?”

  “Why should it matter?”

  “Because your safety is my responsibility. That’s why I’m here. Redinger was notified that you were causing trouble.”

  “Trouble? I just want to go outside. What’s the problem with that? You speak soldier, right? Tell him to let me pass.”

  “First, tell me where you’re going.”

  “That’s not the point. I’m a free citizen, am I not?”

  He guided her another step back and put his head closer to hers. “Emily, have you forgotten you’re a potential target? You can’t go anywhere unprotected.”

  She tried to tug her hands free but he hung on. She sighed. “I’m only going to the library, Tyler.”

  “If you’re looking for something to read, there’s a library in the palace.”

  “It’s not for entertainment. It’s to do background research for my article. I also want to look at the back issues of the local papers to verify some information.”

  “Why the rush? The library is probably closed by now.”

  “No, it’s open until nine tonight. I checked with one of the maids. She told me it’s on the next street behind the Royal Rocaman Hotel. I know the way.”

  Tyler looked at the plaza beyond the gates. It wasn’t busy, but it wasn’t deserted, either. The sound of guitars came from the direction of the café where he and Emily had done their stakeout. A group of teenage boys, kicking a soccer ball between them, were making their way past the scaffolding in front of the courthouse. More people strolled through the pools of light cast by the streetlamps. There was plenty of activity to give them cover, yet not enough to hinder him from keeping track of it.

  El Gato had no reason to expect that either Emily or the envoy would be leaving the palace grounds this evening. He already knew they were looking for him, so he’d probably be lying low until he could contrive another opportunity to strike. Although the palace guards were enforcing Redinger’s instructions to the letter, the risk to Emily posed by an outing was minimal.

  Tyler nodded to the guard. “It’s all right,” he said, placing his hand at the small of Emily’s back. “Tell the major I’ll be going with her.”

  She didn’t speak again until they had left the gates behind. “Well, I’m glad to see that I’m allowed out. For a while there I got the impression I was some kind of prisoner.”

  “We want to protect you.”

  “Sometimes it seems more like supervision than protection.” The soles of her sandals slapped hard against the cobblestones. As he’d observed on more than one occasion, she tended to increase her pace when she was annoyed. “I get the feeling you and the team don’t fully trust me,” she added.

  “Why would you think that?”

  “Gee, could it be because I’ve interviewed every one of you and the majority of what I’ve been given is fluff and busywork instead of facts?”

  He couldn’t dispute any of her accusations. That was exactly what had been happening.

  “I talked to Helen Haggerty today,” she continued. “In the space of ten minutes, she gave me more worthwhile material about this mission than I’ve been able to gather in the past four days. It made me realize I haven’t really pushed as much as I could have. I’ve let you set the pace with our interviews, and that’s what’s got me ticked off the most.” She stepped in front of him and poked her finger against his chest. “She said our government wants to build a military base in Rocama. Why didn’t you tell me that?”

  “We’re here to protect the envoy. What she discusses with the Rocamans isn’t relevant to our mission.”

  “I doubt that. And why didn’t you tell me Eagle Squadron had been deployed here before?”

  “That was seven years ago. It happened before I joined the team.”

  “That’s no excuse. The other guys would have known about it. And don’t you dare say no one told me either of those things because I didn’t specifically ask.”

  “I’ve answered your questions as well as I could, but remember I’ve been on duty. So have the other men. It always has to come first.”

  “I realize that. I’ve seen how serious your job is. But maybe you could try to remember that I have a job I’m trying to do, too. Just because I carry a notebook instead of a gun doesn’t mean my work isn’t any less important to me. Yet you and the other men think it’s just fine to give me nothing but little tidbits about your childhoods or what you like to eat for breakfast.” She poked him harder. “I’ve been holding up my end of the deal. I have a right to expect the same from you.”

  Yes, she did, Tyler thought. Not for the first time, he cursed the major’s order
s. Yet since the envoy had already given Emily some of the facts, he couldn’t be faulted for setting the record straight. He slipped his arm around her shoulders and started her moving forward once more. “This isn’t the best place to have a discussion. We’re too exposed. We’re going to draw attention.”

  “There you go again. Trying to distract me.”

  “I’m trying to keep you safe.”

  “And I’m getting tired of being put off. I’d like some answers, Tyler.” She lifted her shoulders as they walked, attempting to shrug off his arm.

  In response, he firmed his grip. “The closer we are when we walk together, the less chance there is of anyone overhearing us.”

  “I hope this means you’re actually going to give me something worth hearing.”

  He steered her past the last of the outdoor tables of the café, then started on a curving route that would take them around the outskirts of the plaza and keep them away from the streetlamps. “I’ll tell you what I can.”

  “Great. Begin with Juarez.”

  “Leonardo Juarez hijacked a jet in order to bargain for the release of his brother, Arturo, who was already in an American prison. Eagle Squadron rescued the hostages and took Juarez into custody. But you won’t find any accounts of the raid on the compound in the public record. If that’s what you plan to look for at the library, you’ll be out of luck.”

  “There must have been something. Bringing down the Juarez cartel would have been big news in a country where the drug trade was the primary industry.”

  “Yes, there would be articles about the arrests and drug seizures, but not about Eagle Squadron’s role in them. The Rocaman government didn’t want that made public for political reasons.”

  “At least that’s a place to start.”

  “Keep in mind that the raid would have had little lasting effect without judicial follow-through. Norberto Gorrell was the one who did the bulk of the work to smash the cartel. He was a judge before he won the presidency.”