Retribution Road, Jon Coon [top business books of all time .txt] 📗

this. Would he ever see his family again? He thought about Chica and how they had killed her and then how she had set him up to be kidnapped. Who were these people and how could they be so cold-blooded? That Tulane professor friend of Gabe’s, Alethea, had told him about atheist dictators who killed millions and had no fear of a final judgment. Was that who these people were? If they killed as easily as they killed Chica, that had to be the case. He wondered, if there was a God, how could he have let this happen?

Chapter 13

EMILY WALKED THROUGH THE CUTTING horse stable admiring the quarter horses in their crisp white stalls with fresh straw on the floor and blended grains in their feed bins. There were twenty stalls, ten on each side, and in addition to the smells of the hay and the feed and the disinfectant, there was the wonderful, intoxicating smell of horse. Agile, lightning fast, cunning horse. Able to outmaneuver anything on four feet, jump to a full gallop, stop and spin on a dime, and give you a nickel in change. There could be no greater joy in life than having a horse as your best friend and partner. But which horse? That was the question.

Carol entered the south end of the barn and saw Emily rubbing the nose of a sleek brown stallion. “That’s Mr. Mister. He’s a champion,” Carol said. “One of the best in the country. His foals sell for tens of thousands of dollars and there’s a five-year waiting list.”

“Wow.”

“Your granddad saw the future in cutting horses before the sport became as popular as it is now, and he got in on the ground floor. Our ranch has some of the best horses in the state. This barn is what pays the bills for the ranch and is how Dad’s been able to keep all of it intact.”

“How could you have ever left, Mom? This is so cool.”

“I love horses, but I loved your dad more. It was my job to go with him to his job.”

“But why couldn’t we come back now?”

“I think we’ve got some unfinished business in Florida, don’t you?”

“Maybe, but I’m beginning to have my doubts.”

“It will take time, honey. I’m just not sure he’s ready.”

“Mom, what’s really going on with Paul? I’m old enough to handle it, whatever it is. I just wish you would tell me the truth.”

Carol recognized the hard set of Emily’s face. It was almost as if she were seeing her younger self in a mirror. “Okay, I guess you’re right. You are old enough. Paul was kidnapped by drug dealers. He was wounded when they took him, and we don’t know where he is or how badly he’s hurt.”

“That’s terrible. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“We didn’t want you to worry until we knew what was really going on.”

“Why would they take Paul? He’s just a dumb kid.”

“Your grandfather thinks they took him to use as leverage. To get the task force to back off.”

“They don’t know Grandpa. He’ll hunt them like snakes in a pit.”

“Yes, that’s what I’m afraid of. Let’s keep praying that doesn’t happen.”

Later that afternoon, Captain Bright took his cell phone from the pocket of his well-worn bomber jacket pocket and answered, “Hello.”

“Grandpa Tom, it’s Paul.” The voice was weak and strained.

“Paul, thank God you’re alive. Where are you, boy?”

Juan Mateo Caldera was on the line and cut in before Paul could answer. “Hello, amigo. Your grandson is safe. At least for now. He had a little accident, but we fixed him up pretty good. Now you and me, we need to have a talk.

“What you did to my boats and my men, that wasn’t very friendly. If you want to see this boy again, that’s all going to have to stop, amigo. Comprende?”

“Go on.”

“We have some very nice insurance. Those pretty little girls and now this fine young man. No one wants to see them hurt. Most of all you and your amigo, the senator. So starting today, the Texas Rangers are going to be working for peace and cooperation along the borders and the coast. I think this can be the beginning of a beautiful relationship, don’t you?”

“Specifically, what do you want?”

“You have a plane, yes? That pretty orange one?”

“Yes, and others.”

“Well, that’s good. Because you have just become a passionate fisherman. In fact, you are going to fly down here and go fishing a couple times a month, at least until you’ve repaid what you cost us. And while you are flying for us—and understand the importance of what I’m telling you—you are going to make sure our other visits go unhindered.

“Your Democrats have wanted to open your borders for years. Well, now’s the time. Open your borders and these niños will be as safe as if they were in their mama’s arms.”

Tom was silent, waiting.

“So, amigo, you think about it. I’ll call you in a day or two and we’ll schedule your first vacation. No problems.”

“Let me speak to my grandson again.”

“Of course, he’s right here.”

“Paul, are you all right?”

“Yes, sir.”

“We’re all praying for you, son. Don’t worry. This is going to turn out just fine.”

“Grandpa, I’m really sorry I got into this mess. I should have listened to you and Gabe.”

“You just concentrate on getting stronger. That’s all that’s important now. Now put me back on with the guard.”

“Yes, sir.” Paul returned the phone to the guard.

“Don’t hurt those kids. I’ll do what you want, but don’t hurt those kids.”

“Oh yes, Capitán, you will do what we want. Buenos dias.”

Tom watched his watch for two minutes and then punched a code into his phone. “Did you locate them?” he asked.

“Not an exact position, but south of Puerto Aventura. There can’t be much there. We’ll set up a satellite watch.”

“Good, let me know as soon as you’ve got something.”

“You ready to go to Mexico? I just got a call from Paul and someone who sounded like