Page 23 of Silk Shadow

Viper wasn’t done. "One last question."

"Yeah?"

"What's the situation like down there? Are there any rebel groups or local militia who wanted Beaumont gone?"

"You talk like you know the region?” It was a question.

"I’ve done a few ops down there. U.S. Navy." She noticed he didn’t say what he’d done in the Navy.

Still, the tone of Hernández’s voice changed. Respect now echoed down the line.

"I was a sergeant in the Mexican Army. To answer your question, La Sombra Roja controls the region, and they want to take over the running of the mine.”

“A cartel?” Viper frowned.

“Yeah, my men fend of attacks every few months by gangs affiliated to the cartel. The mine is profitable, it’s a good way to legitimize their business.” He didn’t have to explain. The cartel wanted to use the Montezuma mine to launder their drug money.

“They want to buy the mine?”

“They want to drive it into the ground and then buy it on the cheap. Attacks are bad for business. Employees leave and go elsewhere, investors back out.”

Viper grasped what he was saying. "They thought if they abducted the boss, they could ransom her for the mine?"

"That’s my guess, but it wouldn’t be good for the surrounding communities or the people who work in the mine. La Sombra Roja would run it into the ground, the knock-on effect would be catastrophic."

Izzy felt sick. This was what she'd feared. Without her father, the mine was vulnerable. Without her, it was as good as finished. That's why she hadn't sold and why she held on to her shares, even though she had no interest in running the company herself.

"Okay, we appreciate the feedback. Let us know if you need anything," Viper was saying. "Miss Beaumont wants to help."

"Will do.”

Izzy let out a shaky breath, then dropped her head in her hands.

CHAPTER 10

This was bad.

Viper wasn’t familiar with La Sombra Roja, but generally speaking, cartel members were a ruthless bunch. Izzy could be in real danger.

"Your father’s death does sound suspicious." His voice was low, almost a murmur, as he sat down across from her. "You have a right to be concerned."

Izzy's eyes flashed. "I won’t sell, no matter what the threat to me. You heard what Hernández said. The mine is vulnerable. Selling it could lead to people losing their jobs, the work drying up."

Viper nodded. She was brave, but then he wasn’t surprised. You didn’t get to where she’d gotten without having a good deal of backbone.

"I need to update Pat.” He raked a hand through his hair. “If your father was murdered, it makes your situation more precarious. The U.S. authorities should be notified."

Izzy heaved a frustrated sigh. "The FBI know about the threats," she said flatly. "But until an actual crime has been committed, there's not much they can do. They can’t get involved in the Mexican side of things."

"They can look into your father’s death." Viper leaned forward to make his point. “Although the Mexican police have jurisdiction, the FBI can assist when the crime involves an American citizen.”

"Do you think they would?" She stared up at him.

"I'll get Pat to check on that too. He’s pretty well connected. I’m sure he can get them involved."

She nodded, a hint of hope flickering in her eyes. "Okay, if you think it'll help."

"In the meantime, I strongly suggest you don't go out more than necessary. Here, at the hotel, I can guard you, but out there in bars and clubs, it's a lot harder."

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