Page 35

“Some Ruiz soldiers showed up here tossing their weight around.” Nicole placed a hand on my back as she stepped around me, and the kid’s mouth dropped open. I knew she’d probably dealt with the Ruiz family since she mostly worked the southern part of Mexico.

“You’re Nicole Winter from the Washington Post ?” His mouth was open.

She plastered on a smile and shook his hand as he fangirled over her. “Nice to meet you.”

He got all excited. “Adan, I’m Adan. My dad has the biggest crush on you.” He laughed while I fought not to roll my eyes. “What are you doing here?”

“Adan,” she got closer and placed her hand on his arm, and he nearly gushed right out of his skin, “can you tell me what they wanted?”

“They wanted to know about when the boat left the marina and if I knew who was on it.”

“Did you tell them anything?”

“No.” He rubbed his arm where she’d touched him. “We might live in their territory, but they’re terrible men who do nothing for our town. They care nothing for the people here. So, I lied and said I only noticed the boat was gone last week.”

“When it was really…” She tried to coach him along, but he looked over at John and me, and I could see him starting to close up.

“Hey, Adan,” Nicole pulled his focus back to her, “you know me from TV. You know what I’m trying to do here in your country.

I always support your people and tell the truth about what is happening in Mexico.

” He nodded. “Well, something bad has happened, Adan, and if we don’t get to that boat first, whoever is on it will be killed. ”

“The baby, too?” I tried not to react, but that was just the confirmation we needed. My son was still alive and last seen on the boat.

“Everyone, Adan. Everyone will be killed. So, can you help us and tell us when they really left and who was on the boat?” He glanced at me, and I saw his wheels turning.

“Don’t be fooled by their getup,” Nicole said.

“They are good people who are trying to do the right thing. Be a part of this story with me, help me tell it.” That seemed to get his attention.

“Can I get a picture with you?”

“Picture, video, signature, you name it, and I’ll do it. But first, please, the information.”

He got excited all over again. “Come with me.” He waved us to follow him to a houseboat at the end of the slip. He stepped on board and headed into the cabin. I got on first and did a quick scan then offered Nicole a hand to step down. John stayed on the dock to keep watch.

I leaned in and spoke quietly into her ear. “Get anything you can.”

“Copy that.”

The kid opened a laptop and started to type in what looked like a boat ID number, and a few moments later a map popped up.

“Last year, Selena’s boyfriend asked me to install this fancy new GPS on their boat.

” He kept typing and started to eliminate some tracked boats from the screen.

“He’s an asshole, as you would say.” He kept his eyes on the screen.

“Anyway, he asked me to make some adjustments in the program after I did it for him. He gave me a paper with some instructions on it. I did as he asked then told him he was good to go, but I saw what he was doing, and it was kinda strange. Then he only paid me half of what he promised,” he complained.

“He really is an asshole.” Nicole grinned and leaned closer. “I work with a few of them, too.” I wondered if she referred to us.

“You smell nice.” His cheeks flamed.

“Thanks.” She bumped his shoulder playfully so he’d keep talking. “What’s strange?”

“This.” He pointed to the screen. “You didn’t get this from me, yeah?”

“From who?” Nicole grinned at him again, and he laughed.

“He wants you to think he’s here out in open water, but really, he’s all the way over here off the southern tip of Cozumel. And to be more specific, they are currently in Isla Paraíso.”

I clicked my radio that we had something. Then I said, “And if you were going to that island, what’s the best way in without getting seen?”

He thought for a moment. “Honestly, I’d just blend in on a tourist boat but then have another boat for when you want to leave. The tourist boats only run once at night and once in the morning.”

I leaned over Nicole’s shoulder to study the map. “Is there anyone you trust that we could rent a boat from?”

“Someone who won’t sell you out you mean?” He snorted. “Yes, my brother.” He pulled out his phone and sent off a quick text, and a second later he got a response. “He’ll lend you one, no fee, as long as she’s there.” He pointed at Nicole.

“That, we can do,” she answered before I did. “Thank you, Adan. Now, what can I do for you?”

“Video, please.” He turned his phone around, so it faced the two of them. “Guys,” he said to the camera, “look who I met today. It’s Nicole Winter from the Washington Post !” He moved it over, and Nicole smiled warmly and gave a friendly wave.

“Hello everyone. I highly recommend Adan here for all your nautical needs. Look how handsome that face is.” She winked at him and put her arm around his shoulder. I thought the boy’s heart would burst out of his chest, he was so excited.

“Nic,” I used a nickname so she’d look right at me, “can you let Cole know?”

She got the drift that I wanted to speak to Adan alone. “Of course. It was lovely meeting you, Adan.”

“You too!” He watched her leave and gave a whistle. “You’re so lucky.” He looked at me. “I knew she was beautiful, but meeting her in person, wow, she’s a real hottie.” I had to laugh at the teenage reference. “My dad will be so jealous. I bet you have to fight all the men to keep her.”

“She’s popular, for sure.” I couldn’t help but think about all the men we’d met and how many of them fell all over themselves when she was near.

“So, you guys are dating? Because I see the way you look at one another.”

I looked back at John, who clearly heard that last comment, because he was trying hard to hide his amusement. I sidestepped the question.

“I appreciate your help, Adan. I know the risk you took to share it. You have our word that no one will know what you told us.”

“Thanks.” He suddenly looked nervous. I stepped closer and pulled out some money and held it up when he went to take it I moved it higher.

“Can I ask that you do the same and hold that video you took of Nicole for a while, maybe at least a week? If people see you with her in that video they’ll connect the dots.

Understand? Will you help to keep her safe? ”

“ Sí, senor .”

“Good.” I gently slapped his shoulder. “Now, let’s set up that boat with your brother.” I handed him the money once we were done then ducked out of the cabin and hopped over to the dock with John. “Not one word,” I grunted as he fell into step behind me, but I heard him chuckle.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

We found the others waiting next to the SUV.

Once Cole was up to speed, he thanked Nicole for her efforts and nodded toward the vehicle.

“I’ll drive.” He tossed his bag in the trunk as the rest of us quickly scrubbed our faces clean of the paint.

“The rest of you, get some shuteye. We’ll talk again once we get there. ”

Nicole was the first in, and she took the very back seat again. I joined her while the rest rushed to get in, and we hit the road.

A short way into the drive, Nicole shifted to pull her phone from her pocket.

“Wait, what?” She studied the screen with a puzzled look. “Ah, Cole?” she said.

“Yeah?” He looked at her in the rearview mirror.

“Rafael just texted me and said that no bid has been accepted, and that if I hear otherwise, it’s not true. I’m not sure what that’s all about.”

I took the phone from her hand and re-read the message.

“He texted you on the phone I gave you?”

“Yes.”

Cole waited for the light to turn red and swiveled in his seat to look at us. “You gave him your number?”

She instantly looked concerned. “Yes. Wait, was that wrong?”

“No,” he grinned, “I’m just impressed you did that. You must have left quite the impression for him to keep you in the loop.”

“It’s because I told him I’d get the info out to all the Cartel families using my resources.”

“And did you?” I had to know.

“Yeah,” she shrugged like it wasn’t a major deal, “but maybe I spread a little misinformation along the way.” She grinned. “Like all bidders should meet in Rosarito three days from now and to stay tuned for more details. That should buy us enough time here. They head north, and we head south.”

“I’m impressed, Nicole. You’d make one hell of an asset for Shadows if you ever decide to give up the reporter game.

” He hit the wheel with a laugh, and I looked out the window as I nodded in agreement.

She was certainly proving to be an asset on this mission, but something gnawed at my subconscious.

I knew she hadn’t shared all she knew, and it bothered me that she wouldn’t answer her phone. If it was her work, why not answer?

When darkness replaced the warm sun, we were still a few hours away from where we needed to be.

There had been multiple roadblocks, and they ate up time we needed.

It drove me to the point of almost losing my shit as every second that went by was another second someone could get their hands on my son or worse…

Nicole sank lower in her seat and silenced another call. Instantly, it rang again, and she tossed the phone in her bag. That was the stuff that was bothering me. Who was that? I didn’t believe it was her work.

“Your ex?” I dug, since everyone was asleep and Cole had earphones in. He was filling his father in on what was happening.

She ran a hand through her hair, and her forehead creased as she thought about what I asked. “No, not my ex, just someone who wants an answer I don’t have.”

“That’s vague.”

“I know.” She sighed but didn’t offer anything else. She ran a hand over her wrist. I could still see the bruises, and it made me think of Bruno.