Page 67 of Great White
“They keep their operation close. I hear rumblings of shipments over the border. I’ve heard the name Escandon used. It might be their shipping company.”
“Hmmm. Okay. We can look into that. Anything else? You should know the whole fucking operation by now with your Rico Suave moves.”
“I don’t think there is going to be much of an operation left if Raffi gets his way. He wants to absorb the Deltoro cartel. And it looks like Stefania is considering it.”
“Because of love?” Taylor snorts.
“Something like that.” I subdue the sourness in my response. If he had any idea how deep my feelings ran for Dove, he would pull me out so fast that my, Stefania’s, and Dove’s heads would spin. I just need a little more time.
“Where will that leave your little femme fatale?”
I only shrug. I don’t like the way he saidyour. “Dead or an outcast?”
“Hmmm.” Taylor scratches his beard thoughtfully. “Think she would ever consider working for us?”
“Becoming an informant?”
“Or a freelance contractor? She has skills we can use.”
I never considered this. “I guess if the deal is sweet enough, anything is possible.” The thought of Dove being a counterpart never crossed my mind, but that is why Taylor is Taylor. He’s always thinking outside the box.
“You have a few more weeks. Let’s see how this plays out.”
I nod, mainly concerned with how much time I have left with Dove. I have resided to not push. If I don’t have anything to report on, I can keep Dove safe. I’ll just ride out the remainder of the op, and then slip silently away. If I’m lucky, the Deltoros will be dissolved by then, and Dove will be free of Stefania. This won’t be an easy transition, but I already have her considering a future with me. I just have to keep that momentum going and tread lightly while I do.
“Roger that,” I comply.
Taylor seems satisfied. Which in turn satisfies me. This meet and greet is over. These three a.m. check-ins are getting old fast.
My phone rings as I stand to leave. It puts both Taylor and me on alert. I don’t recognize the number, but I figure it’s one of two people.
“Hello?” I answer, with Taylor’s bird-like eyes glued to me.
“Guapo?” Stefania’s voice is panicked.
“Stef? What’s wrong?”
“It’s Dove. She’s been arrested.”
“When? Where?”
“Just a few hours ago. She was ambushed right over the border with fifty kilos. A delivery went sideways. She went to try and salvage the load. Cops were already waiting.”
“Local or federal?”
“Local. Why?”
I summon all my cool as I speak to Stefania. If she senses something is off by an inkling, this op is over right now.
“Just want to know what we’re dealing with. Did you send a lawyer?”
“The best in Texas. He’ll see her first thing in the morning. She knows what to do.”
“Good. I’ll do the same.”
“I was hoping so. Ella te necesita ahora. More than ever.”
She needs you now more than ever.
