Part 17 (1/2)
”We've parted ways, at least for now. They asked me to help them with something that would have undoubtedly worsened my legal situation in California. I told them I'd reconsider after I got my family to safety, you and Mom included.”
”They just let you go? Odd move, after going to so much trouble rescuing you.”
”I know. There's not much we can do if they're tracking us. We'll ditch the car when it's feasible.”
”They gave you a vehicle? You need to ditch it sooner than later. I guarantee it's being tracked.”
”They gave us a bullet-resistant SUV with enough supplies and fuel to reach Las Vegas. This beats whatever we can buy or steal on our own. It is what it is for now.”
”Sorry to get excited, Nate. This whole thing is crazy. I just want you guys to get back in one piece,” said Jon. ”CLM, huh?”
”They've been running part of their California operation out of Mexicali.”
”Right under the cartel's nose?”
”They've been paying the cartel rent. Like I said, it's complicated,” said Nathan. ”You want to say hi to Owen and Keira?”
”You bet your a.s.s I do,” said Jon. ”Put the big guy on the line.”
He wished Leah could be here for this. Her stoic Marine-spouse face had been on the verge of crumbling for the past twenty-four hours, wanting nothing more than to talk to her son and grandson. He'd have to call Scott's phone and leave a quick message to let her know they were alive and well. Not out of danger by any stretch of the imagination, but making progress.
”Grandpa?” he heard.
The hardened sh.e.l.l Jon had built over a thirty-year Marine Corps career crumbled at the sound of the tired child's voice. His eleven-year-old grandson was driving in an armored SUV through the back roads of Mexico, with any number of lunatics looking to kill him. It took him a few moments to muster a response.
”Grandpa?” repeated Owen.
”How's my big guy doing? Keeping your mom and dad out of trouble?”
”I don't know about that,” said Owen. ”We're driving somewhere in Mexico. It's really dark out. I can't wait to see you and Grandma.”
Jon paused to wipe the tears running down his cheeks. ”I can't wait to see you either. We'll find a quiet, safe place where we can hide out for a while. Grandma sends her love, too. She's been talking about seeing you all day.”
”Is she there? Can I talk to her?”
”She's staying in a supersecret compound, kind of like the place I'm going to find for all of us. I'll tell her you asked for her, buddy. That'll make her whole week. How does that sound?”
”Good. Are you coming down to help us? We're on our own now,” said Owen, sounding sad.
”I'm meeting with David's father and another very capable man tomorrow morning, and we'll drive as fast as possible in your direction-without stopping.”
”David's dad? This David, with us?”
”That's right. Everyone's parents are getting involved in this. That's what families do, and if my calculations are correct, this entire family will be back together sometime tomorrow night. Somewhere in Utah.”
”I wish Mom's parents could be there, too,” said Owen.
Jon could imagine his daughter-in-law squirming in her seat at the boy's dark, out-of-the-blue statement. He'd never known Keira's parents, who'd died in a freak skiing accident in Whistler, British Columbia, before she'd met Nathan.
”Buddy, I guarantee you her mom and dad are pulling some serious strings with the big guy upstairs for you. Think about all of the close calls you've had. Someone is watching out for you.”
”I think you're right,” said Owen. ”Mom says she wants to talk to you.”
”Well, put her on,” said Jon. ”Hey. We'll pick out a place where you can go swimming. I mean it.”
”Really? Warm or cold water?” said Owen.
”Warm. Though I might have to pee in it,” he said, getting a laugh from his grandson.
”That's gross, Grandpa.”
”I know. Don't tell your mom. Love you, Owen.”
”Love you, too. Here's Mom.”
Jon wasn't sure what to expect from Keira. They hadn't enjoyed the best relations.h.i.+p, due to the differences in their political opinions, though he'd done his best to keep it civil. Nathan might not agree that he had always succeeded.
”I heard what you said,” said Keira.
”I promise I won't pee in the water.”
Her voice changed. Quieter and hesitant. ”No. The other part, about my folks. Thank you for saying that. He-we both needed to hear that.”
”Well,” Jon said, ”I believe it. And I think about you and what happened to them a lot.”
”You've just made up for every disagreement we've had,” she said, sniffling.
Jon heard Owen's voice in the background, probably asking her what was wrong. He decided to change the subject. ”Keira, what's the real situation there? I don't trust David or Nathan to give me the straight scoop.”
”They haven't held much back. We're driving toward the border crossing at Nogales, which may or may not be open to us. Our CLM friends claim it's wide-open. We're not convinced.”
”Customs would probably identify Nathan.”
”They swear it's wide-open.”
”Well, be careful,” he said. ”It would be silly to get detained there. You're better off hiding in Mexico if it looks shaky. We can come to you.”
”If it looks like business as usual at the border, we'll turn back. You stay safe, too. We'll see you sometime tomorrow night if everything goes according to plan.”
”Give Owen a hug for me, and save one for yourself,” said Jon.
”Thanks, Jon. I'll pa.s.s you back to Nathan.”
”Hey, Dad. We'll be careful at the border. After that, it's a matter of making our way north without attracting attention from Cerberus or the cartels. Our CLM contact gave us some tips for getting around Tucson.”