chapter forty-five
As soon as Jack and Lily scrambled into the back seat, Adams quickly drove away. Under Rubalcava’s direction, Adams headed west on the highway and turned on another road going south. This road intersected with yet another road that would see them back in Juarez half an hour later.
Rubalcava, Adams, and Jack were all seasoned veterans. One would expect them to have become as emotionally tough as one could imagine, but all three men had tears spilling out of their eyes as Lily, sitting with Jack’s arm around her, called her mom to say she was alive.
When Adams stopped in an alley in Juarez to let Rubalcava out, Jack also got out to say a quick goodbye.
“I just realized it is dinnertime,” said Jack. “What about your two sons at school? You weren’t there to pick them up.”
“My wife took care of it. I was a little busy this afternoon.”
Jack smiled and said, “Having an affair, according to the rumours.”
Rubalcava grinned. “Of course, but I do recall getting some work done this afternoon, as well.”
“For that, I want to thank you. I really owe you one.”
“No, amigo, it is my country that owes you a debt. Perhaps someday it will be safe for you to bring your wife and children here to meet my family. It would be an honour to have you stay with us.”
“I would really like that. Be safe, my friend,” added Jack, as they gave each other a hug.
Twenty minutes later, Adams drove across The Bridge of the Americas with Jack and Lily both crammed into the trunk. It was an extra precaution that was not needed, as the trip was made without incident.
Once in El Paso, Adams drove Jack and Lily to a hospital for examination. Jack was immediately taken for a CAT scan while Lily was admitted to a different examining room.
Jack lay momentarily unattended on a gurney while waiting for the results of the scan and Adams took the opportunity to talk to him. It was the first time they had been alone together since morning.
“I should call Weber and tell him what happened,” said Adams.
“He’s your boss. You better call him.”
“What did happen?”
“Don’t get yourself in trouble. Tell them the truth. I heard the bad guys last night saying Lily was still alive, but that they were going to kill her soon. I made a decision to go to Mexico on my own as I believed there wasn’t time to save her if I had gone through channels. You and your friend helped me. I found Lily, grabbed her, and stole a vehicle and … well, you know the rest.”
“Yeah, but …”
“But what?”
“You make it sound so simple. They found out who you were and busted your skull open. These guys were armed to the teeth and you had nothing. How the hell did you escape? What happened in there?”
“They handcuffed me to a pipe. I simply picked the handcuffs, stole a set of keys, grabbed Lily, and bolted. There’s nothing more to say.”
“What about El Pero?”
“What about him?”
“He was Big Al’s nephew for Christ’s sake. I don’t believe one of the guys shot him.”
“I was shocked, too, but you can ask Lily. Must have been someone higher up the ladder than Big Al’s nephew. Maybe the guy who killed him was related to Guajardo himself, or one of the Carrillo Fuentes brothers.”
“Big Al would go ape-shit if that happened.”
“I did hear Big Al fighting with someone later in the kitchen.”
“Yeah, that’s what you said. Then you said they all went outside to unload a truck. Sounds to me like Big Al got over the death of his nephew pretty easy. Then everyone heads down the tunnel with the dope and you grab some keys and escape with Lily.”
Jack nodded.
“That’s another thing. I don’t see Big Al doing a peon’s job of going down the tunnel. He would have stayed in the house.”
“Maybe that’s who it was,” said Jack, thoughtfully.
“What are you talking about?”
“Did I mention I thought there was someone using the bathroom when we left?”
Adams stared silently at Jack.
“Listen,” said Jack, “I’ve been beat on the head, tortured, still having vision problems, and I’m exhausted. I’m sure some details will come up that need further explaining, but now is not the time.”
“You do know I’m your friend, right?”
“Without a doubt. I’m just really tired. Try to imagine how I feel. A lot of things are going through my mind right now.”
“I bet I know exactly how you feel. Tired, scared … and feeling alone and wondering if you did the right thing.”
This time it was Jack who stared silently in response. Feeling alone and wondering if I did the right thing? Few people know about that, unless …
“Anyway,” replied Adams, “I’ll give you some time to think about it. In the meantime, I’ll call Weber.”
Jack remained on the gurney, but watched as Adams walked down the corridor while calling Weber on his cellphone. When he returned, Jack asked, “What did he have to say?”
“He was astounded,” replied Adams. “He wanted to come right over and congratulate you and meet Lily, but I convinced him you both needed your rest tonight.”
“I appreciate that. Did he give you any flak about me going to Mexico?”
“He doesn’t care about that. He’s not your boss and as far as I go, he knows I sneak across quite often to meet my CIs. He said he wasn’t surprised we went. He said he could tell you and I were two of a kind from the first day we met.”
Their conversation was interrupted by a neurologist and a hospital psychologist who both arrived to talk to Jack.
Jack was told he had a hairline fracture in his skull, but there was no sign of bleeding under the skull. It was, however, recommended he stay overnight for observation.
Lily was suffering from dehydration, but her physical injuries were relatively minor compared to the psychological damage and it was recommended she also stay overnight, but be returned to her home environment as soon as possible. Jack said he would try to arrange for their trip tomorrow.
“I don’t believe the psychological damage will ever completely heal,” said the psychologist, “but in time she will think about it less and less.”
“She is going to have nightmares for years to come,” said Jack.
“Sadly, I would agree with you,” replied the psychologist. “Do the media know about it?”
“Not that I am aware of,” replied Jack. “In Canada it was being investigated as a missing person. We didn’t find out until today that she had actually been kidnapped.”
“Her recovery will go a lot smoother if she is not being hounded,” said the psychologist.
“Only a few people know,” said Jack. “I don’t see anyone calling the media.”
After a short discussion, Adams made some calls and Jack and Lily were admitted to the hospital under fictitious names. They were both put in the same room where they were to be placed under armed guard for the night. Adams stayed in the room with them while waiting for the security detail to arrive.
As soon as the orderlies left the room, Jack looked at Adams and asked, “Did you talk to Weber about the tunnel?”
“Oh, yeah. I think he was dancing on his desk he was so happy,” replied Adams. “Speaking of which, do you think you’re up for a quick airplane ride tomorrow morning to do a little recon?”
“If my head doesn’t explode, I will be. I’m sure I’ll be okay.”
“Good. All the troops will be out first thing in the morning. As soon as we locate Casa Blanca and figure out where the tunnel comes up on our side, they’ll be going in. Davidson is arranging things on the Mexican side.”
“We know how that will go with the Mexicans. There won’t be anyone there,” said Jack.
“Yeah, but it’s not like the bad guys don’t know we’re coming, anyway.”
“Think there will be an attempt at retribution?”
“Against you or your family … possibly, if Big Al has his way,” Adams noted.
“You think there’s a chance he won’t have his way?” Jack kept his expression neutral, masking his knowledge that Big Al wouldn’t be getting his way ever again.
“He was responsible for letting you escape … along with everyone else in that house. I wouldn’t want to be in any of their shoes right now.”
“Think they’ll get spanked?”
“There’s a good chance of it, although Big Al is high enough up he might be able to deflect the heat off onto the others. We’ll have to wait and see what happens. Maybe our friend will hear something. In the meantime, when you get back to Canada you may want to think about packing a gun with you on a permanent basis.”
“Just one?”
“What are you trying to do? Become an American?”
Jack chuckled and was relieved the rest of their conversation was light-hearted. Two men arrived for the security detail and after Adams made a quick introduction, one of them handed Adams two cellphones. He gave one each to Jack and Lily and said, “Make as many calls as you want on these tonight. Courtesy of the U.S. government.”
Lily immediately called her mom and while she was on the phone, Adams looked at Jack and said, “I should stay with you tonight.”
“It’s almost six … I haven’t slept in forty hours,” complained Jack, “and I have the worst headache I’ve ever had in my life. What do you want to do? Keep me awake bullshitting all night?”
“Well … yeah,” grinned Adams. “I thought we could talk about what kind of gun you should carry. I could explain the different calibres to you and what type goes best if you’re wearing a bathing suit. That sort of thing.”
“Please, no jokes. Laughing makes my head hurt worse. Go home to Yolanda. We’ve got work to do in the morning and I’ve still got my notes to write tonight.”
Adams nodded and said, “Get some sleep. You, too, Lily! I’ll see you in the morning.”
As soon as Adams left, Jack called Natasha. With the one-hour time difference it was five o’clock in the evening in Vancouver.
“Hi, babe! It’s free to talk,” said Jack.
“Good. Where are you?”
“Still in El Paso, but the mission is accomplished. We found Lily. She’s with me right now talking to her mom on another phone.”
“I know. Lily also called her mom about an hour ago. Her mom called Marcie and she called me. That’s wonderful. I’m so happy.”
“Me, too.”
“So everything went okay?”
“A few drinks, a few laughs, nobody got hurt. Well, I picked up a small cut on the top of my head. Nothing serious.”
“Your voice doesn’t sound quite right. You sure everything is okay?”
“Actually it was hell, but I’m okay. I’ll tell you about it when I get home. Right now, I’m exhausted and … uh ….”
“And what?”
“It’s been one of those days where the importance of family really hits home. I love you so much.”
“I love you, too.”
“I’ve got a favour to ask. Is Mikey awake?”
“It’s five o’clock. What do you think? He’s propped up in his highchair with Pablum all over his face. Do you want to say hi?”
“Yes, but first I wonder if I could get you to sing to him. There’s something I would like to hear.”
“Sing to him? Okay … do you want me to sing the Dr. Hook song, Freakin’ at the Freaker’s Ball?”
“No, not that one. Your song about him being our little boy, our pride and joy.”
“I can do that.”
Jack listened to Natasha sing the song and didn’t care if someone saw the tears streaming down his face.
“How was that?” asked Natasha.
“Probably the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. Let me say hi to the little fart.”
Jack unsuccessfully tried to get Mikey to talk, but eventually Natasha cut in and said, “Well, you got him to smile and spit Pablum all over the mouthpiece.”
“I heard him.”
“So when are you coming home?”
“Tomorrow is Friday … we have a mop-up operation to do in the morning. A couple of houses to search. I also have to arrange for Lily to get proper travel documents, not to mention clothes. Everything she had was stolen. Still, with luck, there is a flight out of here tomorrow around four in the afternoon and it arrives in Vancouver just before ten at night. I’ll call you later to confirm it.”
“So tomorrow won’t be dangerous?”
“No. The bad guys know we’re coming so they won’t even be there.”
Jack was right about the fact that he didn’t have to worry about the bad guys. It was the good guys who were still after him.