Forced to Kill

who don’t think we’ll deliver Montez alive. Which tells us three things. First, it’s pretty obvious that something big is going on. Second, it virtually guarantees that the Dalton and Kramer cases are connected, meaning Nichole and her daughters were taken by Montez. And third, someone wants Montez alive. In other words, it’s all about Montez and whoever’s calling the shots doesn’t want it getting out in the open. Whatever it is.”

“What could Montez be doing that makes defense and intelligence agency chiefs react like this?”

“Good question. Montez is an interrogator by trade. When he interrogated me, he was working for the Sandinista holdouts. But now he could be working for anyone. One thing’s certain. Whoever hired him to take Kramer and the Daltons wants information. It could be a corporate espionage thing, maybe related to Kramer’s clean coal technology. Whatever it is, you can bet there’s serious money involved.” Nathan paused for a moment. “I’m only speculating here, but what if a scientific breakthrough has been made in clean coal technology? A breakthrough that solves the carbon dioxide problem you mentioned. It could change the global energy dynamics. The OPEC countries would be quite concerned. Oil exports would drop. How much, I couldn’t say, but I’m willing to bet we’re talking billions of dollars. Ask yourself this. What would the Saudis and other OPEC nations be willing to do to keep their oil empires healthy?”

“That’s an interesting take on things.”

“I could see that,” said Harv. “And it might explain why Thorny’s ‘people in high places’ want it kept under wraps and why they want Montez alive.”

“My assistant just handed me a note. I’ve got to take a call. Will you promise me something? ”

They both waited.

“I don’t want you guys getting killed trying to collar Montez. He’s not worth it, even if it means letting him go.”

“That wouldn’t be my first choice.”

“Letting him go, or getting killed?”

“Getting killed.”

“Good, because my world’s much more interesting with Nathan McBride and Harvey Fontana in it.”

“First things first,” Nathan said. “I’ll call you as soon as we’ve looked at the condo.”

Holly agreed, and they said their good-byes.

Harv turned and nodded to Jeremy. The FBI agent donned his headset.

“Sorry about that,” Harv said.

“No problem.”

Nathan said, “I wish we could share everything with you, but we can’t. We can tell you we may have located the crime scene. Kramer’s brother-in-law owns a condo at the marina.”

“We going there?”

“Yeah, but I don’t want to call in the cavalry until we’ve had a chance to look around.”

Ten minutes later Jeremy drove them down State Highway 276 toward the marina.

“Somebody’s screwing with us, right?” Nathan asked.

“I’m afraid not.” Jeremy turned into the same condo complex they’d stayed in last night.

Holly’s address led to a different building, but it stood uncomfortably close to their own.

Jeremy parked fifty yards shy of their destination. “Is there any chance the bad guys could still be in there?” he asked.

“It’s been three days, but let’s play it safe. I think Harv and I should be packing.”

Jeremy opened the trunk and Harv removed their gun belts from the duffel bag. He watched Harv give the Sigs a quick assessment.

“Suppressors? Subsonic rounds?” Harv asked.

Nathan said no.

Jeremy donned his Windbreaker with huge FBI letters on the back. “If anyone sees us walking around out here with guns, I don’t want them to be alarmed.”

“Good thought,” Nathan said.

They walked past two covered parking areas. Nathan pointed to his eyes, then pointed to the rear of the next condo building. Jeremy veered off to the right, staying as close to the condo’s wall as possible. He watched the FBI agent weave his way through some small shrubs and cacti growing in terra-cotta pots. If anyone looked out their sliding glass doors, they’d see Jeremy for sure. There was no place to hide in this arid landscaping. Nathan and Harv continued along the sidewalk and entered the courtyard between the target building and its neighbor to the left.

“Looks like it’s the second unit on the right,” Harv said. “Are we worried about trip wires or booby traps?”

“I don’t think so. From what we believe, they left in a hurry. We’ll be careful anyway.”

They kept their Sigs holstered until they arrived at the front door.

“You ready?” Nathan whispered. “I’ll take the lead and left.”

Fingertips only, he reached for the knob.

Chapter 13

Unlocked.

He slowly pushed the door, feeling for any resistance. None.

Gun first, he rushed down the hall and pivoted to his left at an open door. A small bathroom. Empty.

He sensed Harv slip past and cover his blind spot. He continued deeper into the condo and turned toward the bottom of some stairs. He pointed his Sig to the upper landing and froze. All quiet. No movement. He made eye contact with Harv and motioned to the top. He stayed put while his friend began a silent ascent.

Harv was back thirty seconds later. They cleared the other rooms before heading into the living room and kitchen. Nathan noticed it right away. The smell. One he knew well. Familiar and noxious. They glanced at each other, rounded the hall corner, and stopped.

What lay before them could only be described as hideous.

The grisly aftermath of a cruel and protracted murder.

A bloody chair sat in the middle of an expanse of plastic drop cloth. Dark red pools surrounded each leg. Dried and cracked. Countless bloody footprints encircled the chair. An end table had been hauled onto the plastic- the tools of pain adorning its surface. A filleting knife. Wire cutters. Pliers. And a small Coleman burner. A strip of plastic had also been laid into the kitchen with more bloody tracks to and from the sink.

“Do you see it, Harv?”

“See what?”

Nathan didn’t respond.

“Talk to me, Nate.”

“Rage. Montez was pissed. That isn’t like him. Neither is leaving a scene like this. He’s making a statement.”

“This was a violent interrogation, but I’m not sure you can draw that conclusion.”

“I need to see the body.”

Harv shook his head. “Nathan, that’s reckless. In your current mental state, it’s beyond reckless.”

“I need to be sure.”

“Sure of what?”

He waved a hand. “That this wasn’t business as usual. This was personal for Montez.”

“Personal? You’re thinking he knew Kramer? And you think seeing Kramer’s body will confirm that?”

“Yeah, maybe. I don’t know. But look at this. Does this look like the aftermath of a professional interrogation,