Page 28 of Fighting for Julia (Laguna Beach Cops #6)
LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA
Miguel and Julia
The determination she perceived in Miguel’s expression and in his bearing buoyed Julia. “Before we start strategizing, Jiena, have you eaten lunch? There’s deli meat and cheese in the refrigerator.”
“I’d love a sandwich,” Jiena responded.
“So would I,” Miguel declared. “I can’t regain my strength on soup alone.”
“Okay. Shall we eat outside? It’s a beautiful day, and Miguel, you could use some fresh air and sunshine.”
“That pale, huh?” he teased.
“Yes,” Jiena and Julia answered simultaneously and laughed.
While Jiena and Miguel sat outside on the comfortable deck chairs, Julia prepared deli sandwiches with a loaf of fresh Cuban bread.
She placed them on plates and added potato chips.
She also found a container of mixed fruit, and another filled with homemade chocolate chip cookies.
Julia went to retrieve Miguel’s LBPD hoodie before she carried lunch out to the deck.
“Wow! Everything looks good,” Miguel commented.
“Here’s your hoodie, Miguel. There’s a cool breeze coming off the ocean.”
“Thanks, Jules.” He shoved his arms into the sleeves and zipped it up.
As they ate, Julia noticed Miguel’s eyes were clearer and brighter, and he didn’t seem to be out of breath in between bites of food and their light conversation.
“You seem much better, Miguel,” she observed.
“I am. My temperature is normal, and the heaviness in my chest is gone. I’m ready to get to work.”
“We need to proceed cautiously,” Jiena reminded them. “Tex has covered your tracks since you left Alabama, so there’s time to decide our next course of action. Even if the Andersons and General Escobar learn you’re in Laguna Beach, they won’t risk coming here.”
“Especially after the debacle in Alabama,” Julia commented.
“If I were they, I’d lay low in Mexico where I have the advantage,” Miguel theorized. “I’d know you were coming for me.”
“Or I’d lure you into a trap,” Jiena offered another theory.
Julia swallowed a bite of watermelon. “Perhaps I should send a message to General Escobar.”
Their heads swung in her direction.
“No!” they exclaimed.
“Absolutely not.” Miguel’s voice was as hard and unyielding as granite.
“Listen, I have an idea. We offer General Escobar a trade. Me in exchange for Axis and Axalia.”
Silence crashed among them. Waves crashed below them. The wind blew stronger. A solitary seagull’s cry emphasized its loneliness.
Miguel’s palm connected with the tabletop, rattling their dishes and sloshing their iced tea. “Julia, have you completely lost your mind? There’s no way in hell we’re trading you for the Andersons. Right, Jiena?”
Jiena remained quiet in thoughtful contemplation. The only outward sign of what must be whirling through her mind was the drumming of her fingers on the table.
Miguel stared hard at her. “ Right, Jiena ?” he repeated.
Her fingers stopped tapping the table, and she leaned forward a little. Jiena’s thoughtful expression turned intense. “Actually, Miguel, it’s a good idea.”
“Why?” he demanded. “Why is it a good idea when we already know the outcome? Taking Axis and Axalia back into custody is a mistake. They’ll be ruled incompetent to stand trial and escape punishment for what they’ve done.”
“Are you saying the only reason you’re pursuing them now is to kill them?” Jiena asked.
“Yes. That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
Julia’s heart twisted in her breast. It hurt to hear Miguel speak so calmly about taking lives.
“Miguel,” she spoke up. “What if General Escobar kills them? As a condition of my surrendering to him, he has to eliminate them.”
The fear in his eyes caused Julia’s heart to twist even more before it sank into her stomach.
“And what then, Julia? What happens to you?”
“Nothing is going to happen to me if I cooperate with my grandfather . And then I destroy him and his cartel from the inside.”
“It’s a good idea,” Jiena reiterated. “And it just might work.”
“It’s a horrible idea,” Miguel insisted. “I would sooner offer myself as a trade. Or offer to leave him in peace if he rids us of the Andersons.”
Jiena lifted an eyebrow. “And allow him to continue to send drugs to the States? He’s responsible for the largest shipment of fentanyl to hit the Southwest in the past five years.”
“And what exactly has law enforcement done about it?” Miguel argued.
Jiena and Julia frowned at him. “Everything our agencies can,” Julia replied.
“It’s not enough. So, what’s the difference?”
“The difference is we’re not making a conscious decision to turn a blind eye.”
“We don’t have to honor any deal we make with him. Once I’m inside and the Andersons are dead, you can descend on General Escobar’s compound with the fucking Marines if you want.”
“He’ll kill you, Miguel.” Julia reached out and covered his hand with one of her own. “But not if I’m with you.”
Miguel placed his free hand on top of hers and caressed it. “Jules, how do you know he won’t kill us both?”
“Because he was willing to kill his own son to get to me. I don’t think he’ll kill you if I beg him not to.”
Miguel squeezed her hand. “Then we stick to our original plan and find a way in together. We’ll offer ourselves up if he kills Axis and Axalia.” He turned toward Jiena. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s a viable option, but we need the green light from the Department of Justice and the Deputy Director of the FBI.” Jiena rose to her feet. “Thanks for lunch. I must get back to my office and make a couple of phone calls. I’ll talk to you later. In the meantime, don’t do anything rash.”
They escorted Jiena to the door and bid her goodbye. When they were alone, Miguel studied Julia’s face and demanded, “What’s going through that gorgeous head of yours?”
Julia’s nerves skittered like live wires. “A bold and daring but unorthodox plan to ensure your safety, if you’re willing.”
“Lay it on me.”
Since Justice and Tawny left to serve on Barbara’s security detail and Finnigan and Brielle worked on the same SWAT squad, Finnigan had been joining her every night for dinner and hanging out with the kids.
He joked it was good practice for the family he wanted to have with Tawny in the future.
It also fulfilled the promise he’d made to Justice—that he’d protect Brielle and the kids with his life, if necessary.
After they devoured the stuffed chicken breasts and vegetables Julia had prepared for dinner and shared their news for the day, they moved into the family room and tuned into President Brown’s press conference that had been recorded when it aired live on the East Coast. Barbara stood next to him, and they caught glimpses of Justice and Luca, along with the President’s Secret Service agents.
President Brown wore a grave and sorrowful expression on his face as he spoke to the nation.
“We are greatly saddened by the loss of life caused by the horrific attack at Central Alabama Hospital in Aliceville. Our hearts are with the grieving families, whom we will be visiting tomorrow. Law enforcement has identified the attackers as members of General Jorge Escobar’s cartel in Central Mexico.
We don’t know the reason why he ventured across the border to stage this attack.
As of this moment, we are still gathering information.
It is assumed that General Escobar’s target was someone in his own regime who may have defected.
We do know that the unidentified subject was not among the victims, and the federal and local authorities are coordinating a search to apprehend him or her.
We will keep you informed as we learn more.
That is all for now. We won’t be taking any questions from the press at this time. Good evening. May God bless us.”
President Brown exited the White House’s press room amid flashing cameras and shouting reporters.
Brielle switched off the TV. “So, what do you think?”
“I think it’s a plausible spin,” Miguel remarked. “I’m not sure, though, if the media will buy it.”
“Let them chase their tails,” Finnigan added. “It’ll keep them busy.”
“Speaking of busy, Julia and I have an idea we’ve been tossing around…”
The proposal left Brielle and Finnigan speechless. Then Brielle stood abruptly and invited Julia to accompany her for a stroll down the beach. Julia shot Miguel a helpless look before she followed Brielle out of the family room.
Alone, Finnigan grinned at Miguel and slapped him lightly on the back. “Well, Miguel, this is unexpected and not how I envisioned it would happen for you.”
“Neither did I.”
“I know you’re sick and taking antibiotics, but, man, you look like you need a beer. Maybe more than one. I know I need more than one.”
The friends left the family room and headed into the kitchen.
Finnigan pulled two cans of beer from the refrigerator and tossed one to Miguel.
Alcohol was the last thing he should be drinking in his current condition, but damn, he did need it.
The familiar aroma and taste as it slid down his throat calmed his nerves.
“Miguel, I imagine Brielle is saying the same thing to Julia. If you do this, there will be consequences for you and her. Painful ones. And there won’t be any coming back from those. Whatever is happening between you and Julia could be ruined forever.”
“You make it sound so dire, Finn.” Miguel gulped his beer.
“It is. And not to be entered into lightly.”
“Believe me, Finn, I’m entering into this very seriously, with my eyes wide open, and so is Julia. And when this situation is over, I’m not letting her go, nor will I forsake her.”
“And does she feel the same way?”
Miguel drained his can of beer. Finnigan reached into the refrigerator and removed two more cans. Miguel popped the top and took a swig before he answered Finnigan’s question.
“Yes. Maybe. I hope so.”