Page 18 of Fatal Strike
Leah spoke up, noticeably calmer. “We understand your stress and the overwhelming burdens. I can’t imagine how you are dealing with this.”
“My God supplies all my needs.” He shook his head as if regretting the automatic response. “God’s provision doesn’t mean my job or yours is easy.”
“Then you must see how Agent Colbert and I have a job to do, to end the rising fear regarding the deaths of three highly respected people.”
Father Gabriel nodded. “Law enforcement work never ends, just like mine. But while I choose to embrace lives, I fear you have a different perspective.”
“Law enforcement’s role is to protect the innocent.”
“And using violence to combat violence won’t eliminate the problem. If I can talk to these men, I can influence them to end the violence and turn themselves in. Not only the Venenos but all gangs.”
“I commend your aspirations,” Leah said. “But many people on the island are afraid of who could be targeted next.”
“Then I must seek out gang members before another death occurs.”
Jon stifled a sigh. The Venenos were terrorists, and no one in their right mind negotiated with killers.
12
LEAH CHECKED HER PHONEfor the time and status of late-afternoon traffic while Jon drove the stretch of I-45 north to Houston. They’d make their meeting with SAC Thomas and the SWAT team if traffic didn’t bottleneck. Being late didn’t match a sniper’s DNA.
“I should have asked for a Coke before we left Galveston.” She yawned.
“I can pull over.”
“I’m okay.”
“But I’m not.” He moved into the right lane and exited at the next feeder where a Whataburger saluted them with an orangeW.
After a jaunt through the drive-through for a Diet Coke for her and a Dr Pepper for him, they were back on the road againlike a Willie Nelson song. She wanted to discuss the investigation, but her mind needed to analyze findings and body language. Edgar Whitson was a hero in her eyes, and she hadn’t detected anything but honesty from him. As much as Leah wanted Silvia Ortega’s heart to be at peace, Leah recognized the woman’s fierce protectiveness regarding Dylan ... possibly to the extent of breaking the law. Elena James might have lied—it was hard to tell from their brief phone conversation. Had they really broken up, or was she covering for him? Father Gabriel’s stand seemed illogical. He had the vow and faith thing going, which she failed to understand. But the man wanted the murders stopped and claimed he’d help. In her opinion, he’d walk into danger to save a man’s soul. A threat on his life hadn’t lessened his zeal.
She reached for her phone. “I’ll type our notes. Then we can prioritize them and make a list for tomorrow.”
“They’ll change after we talk to the SAC. My guess is our meeting will be short, a debrief from this morning’s shootings, and then we’ll catch the SAC up to speed on Judge Mendez’s case. Possibly there’s new intel in the deaths of Greer and Trevelle.”
“Wish we could have finished out the day in Galveston and talked to more people.” She shrugged, regretting how they’d left Silvia Ortega. “Hated we weren’t able to gain Silvia’s confidence.”
“She may be afraid to provide intel. Death by lethal venom injection isn’t a great way to go.”
“And this isn’t her first rodeo, as you Texans say.”
“How long have you been in Houston?”
“Eight years. Four previously in Dallas. Anyway, reality can be paralyzing. How does Silvia feel about learning her son maybe part of a gang?” How had her own mother felt about Leah’s behavior? Although she’d never broken any laws, she’d given her parents plenty of sleepless nights. Mom and Dad had tried to talk to her about responsibility until Leah ran. “Her faith will be her strength or weakness.”
“We may see both before this is over.” He tapped the steering wheel.
“Unload your thoughts.”
“I want to discover the Venenos’ endgame.” Jon hammered in a good point. “Time isn’t an ally. Right now, we have nothing but a rising body count.”
Like Jon, she wanted solid answers. “Okay, here’s my best shot.” She shook her head. “Poor choice of words. We’re compiling questions. On our agenda for tomorrow, I have another meeting with Rachel Mendez, Elena James—who came up clean on her background—Judge Mendez’s staff, Chief of Police Zachary Everson, and Dylan’s high school bud Aaron Michaels.”
“Add researching known persons in southeast Texas who milk poisonous snakes.”
“Rattlesnake farms.” She hadn’t considered the rare business of wranglers. No reason to mention her phobia. Her blood pressure shot straight up at the thought of one snake, always been that way. “I’m adding the Hotel Galvez manager.”
“At the Galvez, we can check if Dylan had any visitors or mentioned where he spent his spare time. If we’re lucky, we’ll be given access to security footage and won’t have to wait for a warrant.” Jon kept his attention on the road. “Regardless of when Dylan’s found, my guess is his employer, coworkers, and girlfriend know a different man than his mother or the priest.”
