CHAPTER 41

“You all right?” Solterbeck asked Cal.

Cal didn’t answer, staring down the road and toward the canyon.

“Look, that’s not how it was supposed to go down.”

Cal remained silent, his shock turning to anger.

“I know you’re stunned about what just happened and you could’ve very easily died today. But you didn’t. Someone was looking out for you, Cal.”

Finally, Cal spoke. “Yeah, well I know that someone wasn’t you. I could’ve died because one of your trigger happy agents decided to gun down the prisoner I was being swapped for.”

“That’s not what happened.”

“Oh, really? Then help me understand why you were raining down bullets on these men knowing full well I was with them.”

“Something went wrong, but we were careful not to shoot you.”

“Please, spare me. I wasn’t born yesterday. You got lucky you didn’t kill me—and you know it. You probably thought I was a ghost walking down the road.”

“Things aren’t always as they seem.”

“Well, it seemed like you were doing your best to get me killed, not really trade for my life.”

“Look, the truth is nobody on my team took the shot that killed the prisoner we were trading.”

“Then who did?”

“Someone from a rival cartel.”

“You mean to tell me another cartel found out about this swap and just happened to show up?”

“They found out because we told them.”

“You told them?”

“Yes, we didn’t want word getting out that we would trade hostages for a cartel’s assassin in U.S. custody. So, we tipped off a rival cartel. One of their snipers obviously couldn’t wait to take him down. He murdered a lot of people. You understand that, right?”

“So you invited them to the exchange?”

“Well, we told them when and where this trade was taking place and that if they wanted to ambush Hernandez and his men, this would be a great opportunity to do it.”

“Only problem is, Hernandez wasn’t there.”

“Yeah, we realized that once we stopped and ID’d the bodies. Do you know where he is?”

One of the FBI agents wandered over to check Cal for any possible injuries.

“I’m not sure. But Diaz told me something interesting.”

“Oh? What’s that?”

“He said that someone hired Hernandez to do this.”

“Did you find out anything else?”

“I learned that Hernandez has an insurance plan. Not sure what that means, but that’s what one of the guys said.”

“He was probably referring to you.”

“I don’t think so. It seemed like he was talking about someone else.”

“I haven’t heard reports of anything else happening.”

“Well, how’s Kelly and Jake? Are they OK?”

“Yeah. They’re fine. Jake is already back with Noah. Everything there is great.”

“Good. And they weren’t hurt?”

“Nope. A few scratches but nothing to speak of.”

“Thank goodness.”

“Look, I’m really sorry about today, Cal. I know you’re upset. But you’re alive. I appreciate all you’ve done this week to help get Jake back to his family. You’d make a great candidate for the FBI, you know?”

Cal didn’t say anything. He stared off into the distance, still seething over another monumental government screw up that by some complete miracle didn’t result in him getting killed.

The FBI agent finished inspecting Cal and released him. “He looks good to me.”

Cal finally spoke. “There were a few moments where I wasn’t sure I was going to make it. But I did, no thanks to you.”

“Again, I’m sorry, but I’m glad you’re alive and well. We still have a few more questions for you back at our office before we get you home.”

Cal paused. “Look, I don’t mean to be a pain, but I really want to get back to Houston. I want to feel normal again, and I think the Super Bowl will help me do that. Can I answer your questions tomorrow?”

Solterbeck thought for a minute before relenting. “OK.”

Cal heard a helicopter in the distance. It belonged to the FBI.

Cal was going to the Super Bowl.