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

of us are safe from the gangs and the cartels. Cops know the risks we face, but when they come after our families, that’s a game changer. No one can be prepared for that.”

“So what do we do now?”

“We go home and pack. Your dad’s right. The Rangers can protect you a whole lot better there than I can here.”

“You’re coming too?”

“Your dad asked me to come. He said he has a dive for me. And if things get crazy I want to be with you. And Paul—when we find him—has questions to answer about his truck and that dead girl. I’ll see if Bob can take the dogs, but one way or another, we’ll be in Texas tomorrow night.”

“That fast?”

“That’s what he said. He’s flying over in the morning. And one other thing, Carol. Please don’t blame your dad for this. There aren’t many guys anywhere who could make a dent in a cartel the way he has. I’m sure he thought you and the kids were safe with me, but no one could have anticipated what happened with Paul. Who could have ever guessed that girl was connected to them? Or that Paul would have said anything to pin a target on his back?”

“I know what you’re saying is true, but I just want it to go away and leave us alone. First Charlie is murdered on that damn bridge and then Emily kidnapped and now Paul? I don’t deserve this. None of it. You guys all signed up for these risks: Charlie in the Marines, Dad in Vietnam, you and your diving. Not me. I just want to live in peace, make babies, and have a garden.”

“Make babies? More babies?”

“Well, maybe. I’m not that old. There’s still some time.”

“I wasn’t thinking about age.”

“If there were something else you could do for a living, no police work, no getting shot at or getting me shot at, or my kids nearly killed. If you could do that, we’d have something to talk about.”

“That would be a big change.”

“There would be benefits. Lots of benefits.”

“Something to think about, that’s for sure.”

“Come here.” She pulled him down to her and kissed him long and deep.

“Think about that and let me know. This could be a limited time offer.”

Chapter 8

IT WAS SUNSET WHEN THE eight-passenger Cessna 414 AW made a textbook landing at Panama City, Florida. Its long tapered nose and sleek air frame belied its nearly thirty-year age. New burnt orange and white paint and polish, in honor of the University of Texas Longhorns, gleamed as proof of the affection with which the plane was maintained. Carol hugged Gabe and said, “It’s my dad,” as the plane taxied toward them. Emily snuggled between them and waved toward the plane.

The props spun down to a stop and the two-part side door opened and a stair dropped into place. Captain Tom Bright paused in the hatch and waved back at them before descending to the tarmac to meet them.

“Got everything?” he asked amid hugs and handshakes.

“I believe so,” Gabe answered. “Can I drive the truck out here to load?”

“I’ll call the tower and get permission. Go get your truck.”

When the gear was loaded, the captain turned to Carol and asked, “Want to do a pre-flight?”

“Sure.” Her response was half-hearted, but Tom let it slide. He suspected she was on the edge and didn’t want to make things worse.

They walked around the plane checking flaps and tires. When they finished, Tom asked, “Want left seat?”

She perked up, smiled, and said, “You bet. But it’s been a while.”

“I’ll be right here.”

“Okay.”

When they were aboard, ladder up and door secured, Tom turned to her and began, “Kick the tires—”

“And light the fires,” she said. She smiled at the memory of happier times, then gave a half-hearted laugh. After the stress of the last few hours, Gabe was glad to see her smile, even as subdued as it was.

The engines came up to speed, and Carol called the tower to get permission to taxi into takeoff position. When granted, she rolled the plane onto the runway and headed upwind until reaching the end and making a one-eighty, putting the nose into the gentle wind. It was dark now, and when the tower granted permission, she looked over at her dad. Tom nodded and she pushed the throttles forward, bringing the revs up.

“Flaps, lights, brakes, go. I love this part,” she said as the sleek plane became an orange flash, airborne at 150 knots. They climbed to altitude, leveled out, and began the westerly heading to Austin. They would cruise at 190 knots, or 218 miles per hour, burning forty gallons of aviation gas per hour.

“I didn’t know your mom was a pilot,” Gabe said to Emily.

“She only flies when we are with my granddad. She says planes are just too expensive. Besides, she likes horses better.”

“Me too.”

“Are you going to get a horse?”

“I can’t let you guys have all that fun without me.”

“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that,” Emily said, looking very serious. “Are you going to stay in that trailer forever? You know Mom built closets for you and a den for your guns and stuff. And you’re not getting any younger.”

Gabe smiled and ruffled her hair. “We’re talking, Emily. But things are complicated.”

“Like with my brother, huh? I asked Mom what’s going on and all she would tell me is ‘it’s complicated.’ I wish people would start telling me the truth. I know a lot more than you think.”

“Oh really? What do you know, smarty-pants?”

“I know Paul was doing drugs, not just grass. That girlfriend of his was stoned all the time. And I know I’m too old to be called smarty-pants. That’s not politically correct.”

“You’re right and I apologize. How about if I call you princess instead?”

“That’s better.”

“Well, I’m glad we’ve worked that out.”

She giggled and looked out the porthole at the stars filling the night sky.

Carol set the autopilot and released the yoke. She looked back and