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“A compound explosive highly sensitive to friction, heat, and shock.” I know the compound, but it was considered mostly safe. As long as it was used correctly.

“You remember.”

I’d been an explosives expert, which is likely why the aging man was sitting on a barstool in the middle of Luray, Virginia. “Yeah, I remember a lot of things. Why would a reporter be interested in a compound that’s used as a trigger for other explosives?”

When he glanced at Jeff, I did as well, nodding slightly to the man. We both waited until Jeff moved into his office. Whatever Gray wanted to tell me was top secret.

He cocked his head after Jeff moved away. “I don’t need to tell you, but I will. Keep this between us. There are some sources inside the government and military that believe she could have been contacted by someone in El Salvador.”

“For what reason?”

“To do a story on Fernando Alfaro involving his use of the compound. Right now, that’s hearsay as her editor refuses to confirm anything but the story on several orphanages.

However, he sent up an alarm that trickled down to me.

Alfaro was likely behind the attack on the Honduras president a few months ago, another leader from Brazil, and another cartel leader out of Mexico. ”

“Confirmed responsibility?”

He laughed. “No. Just conjecture.”

“Why are you in the middle of this?”

“Let’s just say I like to keep busy. Don’t worry about my connection. Worry about Ms. Douglas and what she’s gotten herself in the middle of. Alfaro is more dangerous than before.”

Yeah, the lady had balls, but did she fully comprehend the possible outcome? Alfaro’s army was far reaching, supposedly growing daily.

“The largest drug lord in the entire continent.” The fucker was as brutal a leader as anyone had ever heard of or seen.

A few years back he’d already set his sights on being emperor of the world.

He’d killed his own father and older brother to take the throne not long after I’d spent time in the jungles on the western side of the country.

Slave trading I could buy; it wasn’t a huge stretch from his drug trafficking, but the choice of explosives was interesting.

Gray’s smile made me feel like I was on Wheel of Fortune . “Exactly. There are unsubstantiated rumors that Don Alfaro found a creative method of eliminating his enemies.”

I studied his expression and the way his eyes were darting back and forth across mine. “Some scientist figured out a way to use the compound with cocaine.” Cocaine was still the drug of choice, including in upper echelon circles no one would believe were interested.

He lifted his bottle as if toasting me. “Very good. Potentially other sources as well since he’s branched out into various supposedly legitimate businesses. If that’s the truth and someone supplied our reporter with actual proof…”

“That puts a red-hot target on her back. She’s using the information about kidnapped women and the orphanages as a cover to get close.”

“Exactly.” He studied me before sighing. “Plus, her previous article placed a target on Alfaro’s back and for months, he was forced to lay low.”

Laughing didn’t seem appropriate, but this was more than just a death wish for the woman. “Personal vendetta.”

“Look, the lady isn’t known for her patience or accepting any bullshit. If she thinks something is off, then she will dig through hot coals and dive into quicksand to discover the truth. She’s been arrested twice.” He seemed to find that amusing.

“Arrested for what?”

“First time was for picketing.”

“That’s perfectly legal.”

“Not in a senator’s backyard.”

I almost choked on my beer. “You’re kidding me?”

“Nope.”

“And the second time?”

“Impersonating an officer.” Gray sneered. “A tough lady. I think the two of you might hit it off.”

“So the fuck what?”

“I’m just telling you that the woman is cut out of the same cloth you were and undoubtedly still are.”

God help her then.

I thought about what he was saying. “I own a cattle ranch, Gray. A few horses. Almost four hundred acres. I’m being pressured to turn it into some kind of tourist destination.

You know, like a dude ranch for idiots who need to relax from their insidious eight to five jobs.

That sounds like crap to me, but it’s a working ranch, which means I spend eighteen hours a day, usually seven days a week on renovating the house and handling all the shit that comes with owning it all.

Now, with only so much money, as you might imagine, time is valuable. In other words, I’m not interested.”

“Would you do it for five hundred thousand?”

He had me laughing once again. “You’re not in the business of paying me that kind of money. What the hell did you get into, Gray?”

“Not me. Her family and some people I know.”

“People.”

He nodded, obviously determined not to let me in on his little secret.

“Like I said. Not interested. The danger alone is worth more than that.”

“A million.”

I rubbed my jaw. With that kind of money, I could do a hell of a lot with the house as well as replacing the fencing. How many cattle had gotten free since I’d bought the place? “How long are we talking?”

“A day down, a day to convince her to listen to you, and a day to get back. Not bad for three days’ worth of work.”

“Convince her,” I repeated.

“From what I’ve heard and if her reports are any indication, she’s a tough lady. She doesn’t like being told what to do.”

I finished the beer, now wishing I hadn’t since I was actually considering the shit.

“Let me guess. You and your mystery buddies wouldn’t mind getting your hands on the information.

I doubt it’s to provide solid evidence that Alfaro is a savage.

You could run a raid any time you wanted.

You want the properties in the new compound. ”

“Can’t say one way or the other.”

The entire thing sounded unseemly as hell. I pushed back the bottle and stood, tapping the bar. “Nice to see you, Gray, but lose my number. I’m not interested.”

“Just wait a second. I want you to look at something.” He yanked a cocktail napkin from the huge stack and pulled a pen from his jacket.

“This is a link that will take you to several of the reports she’s done.

She even did some freelancing for some network television shows. You’ll get a solid feeling about her.”

“And why would I want to do that?”

“She’s a good gal, someone who doesn’t deserve to have her life ended. Just take a look. I’m staying at a dive motel not too far from here. I’ll be there for twenty-four hours. Just hit redial and I’ll answer.”

Against my better judgment, I snagged the napkin and shoved it into my jeans pocket.

“Don’t hold your breath, Gray. I’m happy to be out of the service.

I did my time. I served my country.” And I lost everything that mattered to me in the process.

Why the hell would I want to be reminded of the tragedy of my life?

“Like I said. Just think about it. You’re the only person capable of saving her life.”

“What the hell is her name?”

“Charmaine Douglas.”