Page 30 of Blind Trust
“I’m in San Diego, getting ready to cross the border,” Brian said. “Heading your way, and I need some help.”
“Anything,amigo, I owe you at least one life,” Arturo said.
“I came to San Diego with a woman who has been taken to Ensenada,” Brian said. “I have the location, and I’m heading therenow!”
“I am sorry to hear this. Tell me more,” Arturo said, his tone now serious.
“I gave Cecelia a pendant necklace with a GPS device. After they took her, the GPS moved in a straight path to Ensenada,” Brian said. “They’ve stopped. I need to get there fast and find her. The clock is ticking.”
“Okay,amigo,” Arturo said. “I will pick you up in Puerto Nuevo about halfway there, and we can travel together. Then I will help you find your woman.”
“Thank you, brother,” Brian said, with a catch in his voice. Arturo would help him and would have his back.
When he reached the border, there was a line to cross over into Mexico. A long line of cars.
Of course, there was. I should have thought of that.
This was not what he needed right now.
He cursed, wishing he’d had time to get to a helicopter, so he could get up into the air to parachute in fast.
This way, he wouldn’t be able to take his weapons in.
Dammit.
He should have thought of that, too. He shook his head to clear it. Worry over Cecelia reached into his emotions, and talking to Arturo had, too. He was too close to this operation, and he knew it.
Time to get his head on straight.
Do the job. Save the girl. Like any other girl.
He told himself that and forced his emotions back down where he wouldn’t think about them again, until she was safe. There was no room for error here. He’d raced off, emotionally reacted, and that was not good.
He needed a plan.
He’d have to park the truck and walk across. That would be faster. Many Mexicans had cars on each side of the border for this very reason. It took too long waiting in the driving lines, and walking was faster and easier. His analytical brain had kicked in now, and he was thinking fast.
Rethinking his plan, he found a long-term parking lot and parked his truck. He placed his weapons in the glove box and left his backpack under the seat. Nothing to check meant a faster crossing over the border. A bag could slow him down. And he, himself, was a weapon. Other weapons he could pick up. He got out and locked his truck, stuck the keys in his pocket and started walking.
He picked up his phone and called again as he walked toward the border.
Arturo picked up on the first ring. “Brother, talk to me.”
“The lines were too long,” Brian said. “I left my truck in long term parking to walk across. I had to leave my weapons behind in my truck.”
“I got you covered,” Arturo said. “I’m already on the way to our meeting place.”
Arturo would know exactly what weapons Brian needed and which he wanted. He would also know the area and where Cecelia might be held.
“I will meet you halfway as planned,” Arturo said. “Can you take a taxi now?”
“Yes,” Brian said. “Once I get through to Mexico.”
“You will not have a problem,” Arturo said. “But if you do, you call me. When you get here, I will buy you a taco.”
They’d had a standing agreement that when Brian made it to Mexico and looked Arturo up, Arturo would buy him a fish taco and bring a bottle of good tequila.
“Thank you, my brother,” Brian said. “I may need that tequila when this is over.”
