Page 108 of Hit Man

I whistled, an act that always drives him loco. “Bad news for her if he finds out.”

“You’re a real shyster. You know damn well I didn’t reveal anything important.”

He wouldn’t. Like me—like all of us—the consequences would be too great if information about TORC was leaked. “I’ll keep your secret. But I’ve a favor to ask.”

“Of course you do.”

“Take Aubrey to the airport tomorrow. She doesn’t have a passport so you’ll need to pull some strings to get her on the one-fifteen to Sacramento. Ask one of our colleagues to help her through US customs.”

“Are you out of your feckin’ mind? How about you call Hayden and see if he’s available to pick up your bird?”

“The way I see things, it benefits us both if we hold off in contacting him.”

“So I’m your Uber driver now? Why don’t you drive her there yourself?” he calmly asked but I could hear the irritation in his tone.

“I need to follow up on a lead with El Chulo.” Who told me a woman called the warehouse on Mendoza’s behalf and that his men traced the call to Tepoztlán. I needed that number, pronto, and with Hayden’s help, an address.

I studied McDuff, in his flip-flops, ripped jeans, and a T-shirt imprinted with the faded revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara. Sporting a shaggy beard, he looked like he just wandered out of the deep woods. Shamrock made it so damn easy to underestimate him. But as he’d been tracking Fahder, he might know where I could locate his ex-mistress. I might not have needed El Chulo’s help after all.

I selected my words carefully. “What of Fahder’s ex-mistress? Think he’d show up at her place?”

McDuff chuckled. “No way. No love lost there.”

“Señora Mendoza has poor judgment in men. I’m sure she’s relieved to have moved on from that relationship.”

“She goes by Señora del Leon.”

Dios,there’d been no easy way to get this out of him. “Where can I find her?”

“Ah, so now we get to the heart of it. What are you offering in exchange?”

“What is this, Let’s Strike a Deal Day?” I demanded.

“Don’t tell me. Fine. You can escort your girl while I follow this lead.”

I felt like punching him in his smug face. “How about I share with you where your next assignment will be?”

He didn’t react outwardly but I was damn sure I had his cooperation. “If my hunch is correct,” I clarified. “But first, how about you jot down señora’s address for me.” I waved to Aubrey from across the room, then addressed McDuff in a low voice. “Take care of her. And no matter what happens, make sure she’s on that goddamn plane.Comprende?”

“You, amigo, are in love,” he replied, voice booming.

Aubrey approached with several beers but I moved away toward the door. I needed to shut this conversation down fast before I hurt her any more than I intended to. I took a few seconds to regroup.

When I turned back to them, McDuff was showing her one of his PlayStation games, and if I heard her correctly, Aubrey was challenging him to play.

“I’ve got to be going. Business calls,” I informed her. Might as well cut the cord then and begin my road trip out of town.

“See you tomorrow?” Aubrey said as she approached. Eyes locked on my face, searching for the lie I struggled to hide. I grasped hold of her and pulled her into my arms. I kissed her, allowing every suppressed emotion to bleed into it. A kiss good-bye. For all I knew, it might be our last.

“Wow,” she mumbled, after I let her go.

“Wow,” McDuff added, clapping his hands and applauding my efforts as he drew in closer and handed me a slip of paper.

“Any parting kiss for me?” he joked.

“As a matter of fact, yes. Pack your bags, McIdiot.”

He gave me a curious look. “Where am I going?”