Life Cover

Chapter 1

Alpha Towers, Birmingham.
Office of Elizabeth Pitt, Chief Investigations Officer, Crown Insurance.

Elizabeth Pitt stood in front of her ninth story window and surveyed the view before her. The city skyline was at its most impressive at this time of night; the sun was starting to set and rose-tinted rays reflected off the glass buildings. As the door to her office opened she turned and saw the Vice President Claims framed in her doorway.

She sighed. "What can I do for you Bob?" She asked, already knowing the answer.

She had reported to him on the file that sat on her otherwise empty desk. It was a strange case which she considered needed further investigation. She had known that her request for permission to undertake those inquiries would provoke this visit. The insured had apparently died four weeks ago in very unusual circumstances; his body had been found in a burnt-out car in the desert just inside the American border. The only identification of the body had come from four individuals who had allegedly seen him die and from a ring that he always wore. Elizabeth was unsure why this particular case intrigued her so much and, she had to be honest, worried her.

"Lizzie, is this really necessary?" Bob Thomson asked, waving her internal memo.

He slumped into the chair on the opposite side of her desk. At six foot and large with it, whenever Bob sat down chairs creaked or made some noise of complaint.

"Tell me why Elizabeth? Explain it to me," he sighed.

She knew his long suffering tone all too well and had been on the receiving end of it on too many occasions. She remained standing hoping that this might give her a psychological advantage. This was going to be a difficult one to get past him. She had been over the arguments herself and knew how flimsy they were. She started her well rehearsed argument.

"A little over four weeks ago the body of a man was found in the remains of a burning car. The body was so badly burnt that normal identification was not possible. The local police accepted the statements of four of the deceased's friends who had seen him by the car minutes before the explosion. The body had a ring on it which the deceased was supposed to have habitually worn."

Bob interrupted." Were the friends reliable?"

"American citizens; two ex-military, one ex-DEA and one, a woman, apparently ex-CIA," she answered.

"An interesting group," Bob said, raising his eyebrows.

"That was the first thing that made me sit up, as well as the ferocity of the fire. The body was burnt beyond all recognition. No finger prints, no distinguishing features. It takes an awful lot of heat to do that and you don't get that level of combustion with a normal car fire, as you well know," she continued.

Bob nodded. He'd started his career with Crown Insurance over twenty years ago as a mail boy. He had quickly moved into the Claims Investigations department and just two years ago had left the office that Lizzie now occupied to become Vice President Claims. He would retire in ten years and spend his time playing golf in Marbella. Lizzie had gotten his job. She'd started with a law degree, intending to become a criminal lawyer. She had left her legal training after just 12 months, disillusioned with what she found and had joined the police force. Going straight to Bramshill she'd fast tracked to Detective Inspector in six years and then been headhunted by the Company. He'd wanted to groom someone to takeover, mould them in his own image. Looking at Lizzie he couldn't envisage an image so unlike his own. She was five foot six inches, compact, although she described herself as fat, with long dark-brown hair. Her glasses gave her a studious look and she took life very seriously, but he had seen her on team building days charging around shooting everyone in sight during the paint balling. Someone had said she had done a stint in the Territorial Army. She hadn't seemed too serious then, her laughter had rung around all day and her smile had lit up her face.

"Go on," he said, knowing what was coming. Lizzie was very thorough.

"There was no dental identification, no blood work, no DNA and...." she struggled for words." What the hell were five people like that doing in the desert on the American/ Mexican border?"

"What was the deceased's background?" Bob asked.

"Again ex-military, but chucked out for gross insubordination. He punched out an officer. That was two years ago. Since then, I've hit a brick wall. Very few records. Lots of Hush Hush. I'm still working on it," Lizzie paused.

Before she could continue Bob asked another question. "And the claimant?"

"Ex-wife. This is one of the American subsidiary policies. They passed it on to us because of the amalgamation." Lizzie sat down and opened the file on her desk. "Three children, all of school age."

She went silent and Bob said nothing for a while, just looking at her. Eventually he spoke. "What do you want to do Lizzie?"

She took a deep breath and dived in. "Exhumation, post mortem and general inquiries, including the widow and the four witnesses."

Bob raised both eyebrows. "Lizzie, you love stirring up trouble." He looked hard at her and nodded. She released a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Don't be surprised, Lizzie. I've followed enough hunches in my time, you know. Just keep me fully informed at all times."

He got up and went to the door. Opening it he stopped in the doorway and turned back to her. "Be careful, Lizzie, please, " he said with feeling.

"I will, Bob, promise," she replied, little knowing what the future held.

Chapter 2

The Silver Star Hotel, Hermosa Beach, California.

The team had last been together at the funeral. There'd been an understandable reluctance to come together since; the absence of Benny Ray like an open wound. Matt had called them all. Deke wasn't around and a call to Trout had revealed he was in Europe somewhere, doing something. CJ and Chance were still at the hotel. They'd arrived from Hawaii two days before the funeral and had stayed on, reluctant to return until the healing had at least started. Time didn't seem to be doing any healing. Matt, CJ and Chance sat in the basement. Margo arrived next, sat beside Matt and muttered a quiet hello to the others. No one said anything as they waited for Nick. Even his entry down the stairs was subdued. He'd not been his normal self since the job went sour. He blamed himself for Benny Ray's capture and subsequent death. He'd been inconsolable at the funeral.

"Hey, guys, what's this all about?" he said, his New York accent thick.

Matt took a deep breath. "I've had two phone calls. Yesterday Mary Ellen rang. Margo shook her head. She'd never understood why that woman had given up on Benny Ray. It had torn him up inside after she had moved away from California, after Billy's kidnapping, refusing to allow Benny Ray any contact with the children. Margo wondered what she wanted now. They'd all seen her at the funeral and it had been heartbreaking to see the kids so upset, but there was no reason Margo could think of for her to be in touch now.

"She's having trouble with the insurance company. They're refusing to pay out on Benny Ray's policy, Matt continued.

"I'm surprised they gave him one at all given the work we do... did." CJ muttered.

"Apparently it was taken out when she and Benny Ray were first married, but the Company who issued the policy were recently bought out by a British business and they want to carry out further investigations," Matt stated.

"Which Company?" CJ asked.

"Crown Insurance," Matt replied.

CJ considered. "They have a good reputation, unlike some," he said.

Matt continued. "Well, Mary Ellen has met with the insurance investigator and they want to exhume the body and carry out a post mortem."

He knew what the reaction off his team would be. It had been his reaction yesterday when Mary Ellen had told him. The angry comments mirrored his own. He put his hands up to quiet the team. "I know, I know. But they've told Mary Ellen that there will be no payout until their examinations are complete."

"Bastards!" CJ spat out.

"So why is she coming here?" Margo asked ever the practical one.

"She's not coming alone," Matt sighed, knowing that his next comment would go down just as badly. "The Chief Investigations Officer is bringing her. She wants to speak to me, Margo and Nick. She's already spoken to Deke in France."

"So some bloody pen pusher is coming here to interrogate you lot about Benny Ray's death. They're all ghouls," CJ protested.

Nick looked at his feet. "Do we have to talk to her?" He asked.

"Fraid so Nick, if we want to get Mary Ellen her money," Matt said gently.

Nick got up and walked away. "I don't know if I can do this," he said more to himself than the others.

No one said anything until Margo cleared her throat and asked Matt." You said you had two phone calls. Who was the other one from?"

"One Elizabeth Pitt, Chief Investigations Officer of Crown Insurance. She felt it would be more efficient if she saw us altogether."

Chance jumped up kicking the table. "This stinks!" He exclaimed. Nobody disagreed with him.
"They'll be here soon," said Matt. "We should take this into my office."

Chance took the steps out of the basement two at a time as if trying to get rid of his frustrations by running away from them. The others followed behind more slowly, Nick at the rear. They waited in the office for nearly thirty minutes hardly talking to each other. Chance and CJ exchanged a few muttered comments and Nick looked at his feet constantly.

There was a quiet tap at the door and at Matt's response of come in, the door opened to reveal Mary Ellen Riddle. She stepped into the room and said hello. Behind her was another woman. Every member of the team bristled as she strode into the room and walked straight up to Matt's desk.

"Major Matthew Shepherd, I presume," were her opening words. "I'm Elizabeth Pitt, Crown Life." She held out her hand confidently and shook Matt's hand firmly. She turned her back on Matt and looked at the others. Approaching Chance and CJ she once again held out her hand. "Mr. Walker, Mr. Yates." She shook their hands. Turning she softened her voice as she offered to shake hands with Margo. Nick looked up as she took a step towards him. "Mr. Delvecchio, pleased to meet you." She held out her hand, but he didn't take it, giving her a short wave and a passing, "whatever". His response seemed to disconcert her and she turned again to face Matt.

The others were all sitting now and she thought to herself that standing did not necessarily give you a psychological advantage, sometimes sitting did that. She faced a formidable group of people and she could almost feel the animosity. Matt gestured for her to take a seat, which she did gratefully. She decided attack would be the best way forward.

"I appreciate your agreeing to meet me and I'm sure you're all wondering why I have asked you to come together like this."

CJ spotted the London accent behind the educated overtones.

"I do not believe Mr. Riddle is dead."

The collective gasp was deafening and they all tried to talk at once. She could pick out Matt's "What the hell are you talking about?" but the rest of the comments were garbled. The former widow sniffled into her handkerchief as Elizabeth looked round. She had not formed a good impression of Mary Ellen during their interview and had already labelled the woman a money grabber, but to give her credit she had agreed to both the exhumation and post-mortem with out too much complaint. She had been more reluctant when Elizabeth asked if she could have blood samples from the children for DNA comparison, but had relented eventually. The kids she had liked, especially the older boy, Billy. He had real spunk refusing to show his distress at his father's death, obviously being the big man for his mum.

Matt asked all the important questions. "What makes you think that, Ms Pitt?"

"It's Miss," Elizabeth smiled. "And I'd prefer it if you called me Lizzie."

Matt stared stonily at her. "You haven't answered my question, Miss Pitt!" He retorted.

Well that puts me in my place thought Lizzie. She smiled sweetly. "If you don't mind I would like you to explain to me the events leading up to Mr. Riddle's apparent demise."

"We do mind," said Nick hotly. " What makes you think you can come here and question us?" He demanded.

Lizzie could tell there was something really troubling the man. "Mr. Delvecchio, I've read all your statements and frankly I'm staggered that the police accepted your story, and, given your individual backgrounds, I'm surprised that you expected those stories to be believed." As Lizzie looked around there were two faces that looked a little awkward, the shorter man was still looking at his feet. I have struck a chord thought Lizzie and she pushed on." Ladies and gentlemen, I intend to prove that the body that you buried is not that of Benny Ray Riddle, with or without your help."

Mary Ellen looked up. " Is this true Matt?" There were tears in her eyes.

"No, Mary Ellen, it's not," he replied, fervently.

He believes it thought Lizzie, so why won't he tell me the truth, I could sign off on the death and she could have her money.

Matt looked at her with hard eyes. "Benny Ray is dead, Miss Pitt, and that's an end to the matter."

Lizzie stood up. "Very well, Mr. Shepherd," she said, angrily. "If that is your attitude, then I will leave, but believe me I will find out the truth, whether you like it or not." Turning she stormed out of the office slamming the door.

Matt looked at the others. "Damn" was all he said.

Later, after Matt had walked Mary Ellen to her car, the five of them once again sat in the basement. No one spoke and three of them thought back to the visit of Xavier Trout that had started off a chain of events that led to Benny Ray's death. The other two looked at each other and nodded.

CJ had volunteered to be spokesman. "Matt, tell us what really happened." Matt looked up. "We deserve it," continued CJ. "He was our friend too."

Chapter 3

Silver Star Hotel, Hermosa Beach, California five weeks earlier.

Trout pulled up in his normal chauffeur-driven car. Benny Ray was cleaning the Big Dog. He kept his head down, but Trout stopped by the other side of the bike and watched as he worked." I need to speak to you and the rest of the team, Mr. Riddle."

Benny Ray stood up. "Roger that, sir."

The two men walked into the hotel and down to the basement. Trout nodded." Matt, Margo, Nick, where's Deke? He said he'd be here."

"And here I am," said a voice from the armaments cupboard.

"Good," said Trout. He stood in front of them. Benny Ray cleaned his hands on a rag as Deke settled next to Margo on the couch.

" Three months ago reports started coming through from the Mexican Government that a new pipeline had opened up."

"Drugs or guns?" Nick interjected.

" People," Trout replied. "Word had it that the Border Patrol had struck a deal with one of the local chiefs and were letting the illegals through for the normal exorbitant fee. Unfortunately most of the illegals were ending up dead on the US side of the border. Even more disturbing was the statement from one man who survived the executions that the women and children were separated off beforehand."

"White slavers?" Nick asked.

Trout nodded. "We put a man in undercover. You knew him, Nick. Jack Slater."

"Knew?" Nick queried.

"Yes, he ended up dead with a group of twenty other men. The bodies were found twenty-four hours ago. The Government takes a dim view of DEA agents being murdered."

"Jack was a good man, the best undercover man I ever worked with," Nick explained.

Trout continued. "We don't think his cover was blown, he didn't appear to have been treated differently from any of the others. We have no independent reports on what is happening to the women and children."

"Independent?" Matt questioned.

"Lots of rumors, but nothing solid. We want it stopped and we want the people who murdered Jack Slater. DEA has asked for our help given that there are cross-border implications and that the evidence points to the involvement of the Border Patrol. Matt, I was wondering whether you could pull Rico in on this one."

Matt nodded.

Trout handed Margo a CD. "What information we have is on this. Nick, you might want to get in touch with a few old friends."

"Can do," Nick replied. "And a few old enemies."

"Matt, keep me informed of your plans. I've a feeling this could get dirty," Trout stated, as Matt walked with him back to the car.

Back in the basement Margo was feeding the CD into the computer. She and Nick had their heads together round the screen. Deke and Benny Ray stood at the high table where they normally cleaned their weapons. At the moment the table was empty.

"I have a few contacts down that way I think I'll check out," said Deke.

Benny Ray turned to him." Is there anywhere you don't have contacts?" He asked smiling.

Deke thought, turned to Benny Ray as he took out his cell phone, and said simply, "No".

Matt walked back down the stairs and came up to Benny Ray." Rico is on his way over."

"Be good to see him again. Been a while, " nodded Benny Ray.

Margo's voice summoned them to the computer." Okay, guys, we've got something."

As they went through the information Trout had left them a plan was formulated. Nick had disappeared to Matt's office to make some phone calls. It was decided Rico would go in from the Mexican side of the border with Margo as his wife. They would go in as aliens trying to get across the border. Margo assured them her Spanish was good enough. Nick would work the DEA angle and see what he could come up with as to who was selling out the Border Patrol. Deke and Matt would stay as close as possible to Rico and Margo. Given what had happened to the DEA man they didn't want to leave them without back up. Benny Ray had objected to trying to infiltrate the Border Patrol. At his protestations Matt had reminded him of the success he had made of going undercover with the White Way Group. Benny Ray had raised an eyebrow at that and in turn reminded Matt how long it had taken him to recover from his injuries. Finally agreeing, Matt suggested that perhaps a surveillance role might be just as effective.

Later after both Nick and Deke had reported back and the additional information had been assimilated into their plans, the group sat round. Bags were packed, travel plans were made and they were just waiting for Rico to turn up. Benny Ray twirled his bullet round his finger and Nick was telling Margo about his date last night. Deke and Matt were listening. As Nick came to the end of his story laughter rang around the room.

"You know, amigo, that's a story CJ would be proud to tell." Benny Ray pointed out.

Nick protested. "It's true honest, it's all true." They laughed again.

Rico walked into the basement to hear their laughter. "What's the joke?" He asked.

"Nick," Deke laughed.

Matt explained the plans whilst they drove to LAX.

In the SUV, Rico turned to Margo and smiled. "A dream come true, Senorita."

"De Nada," Margo smiled and bobbed her head.

The flight Trout had arranged was waiting and with no customs to pass through they were soon on the plane and airborne. The flight passed uneventfully. They landed at a small and isolated airfield about 20 miles from a small town called Torreblanca, a one-horse town way off the tourist map. Somehow Deke had organized two jeeps. Benny Ray was to drop-off Rico and Margo just outside Torreblanca and then drive back to where the best Intel said that the border crossings took place. He was to settle himself in and wait, reporting to Matt on any comings and goings of the Border Patrol. Deke, Matt and Nick took off for a rendezvous with an old DEA friend of Nick's and would then to take up station outside Torreblanca so they could keep an eye on Rico and Margo.

Chapter 4

Cantina Rosa, 5 miles south of Torreblanca.

Nick's contact was waiting for them at the Cantina. In fact he ran the Cantina and a more run-down and dilapidated place you probably would not find. It couldn't make any money, Matt mused. There were no potential customers within five miles. Deke had to stoop to get in. Matt was wrong, inside half a dozen men sat around quietly drinking local beer. Nick's contact was behind the bar. He fitted in perfectly; unshaven, dirty, unkempt and his hair in need of a cut.

"Senors, what do you want to drink?" He asked in broken English.

"Three beers," Deke indicated.

The three men settled onto stools by the bar. The beers arrived and Matt was surprised to find it was almost as good as the beer he sold at the Silver Star; clean and cold. No wonder this place had customers; there couldn't be many places that sold beer as good as this around here.

The barman held out his hand. " Nick," he said.

Nick shook his hand and introduced Matt and Deke. The barman's English was suddenly perfect. As Matt looked over his shoulder at the others in the bar, the barman answered his unasked question.

"Don't worry the guys are deaf dumb and blind when I want them to be. It's surprising what free beer can buy." Matt took a large swallow and nodded.

"What can I do for you Nick?"

"It's about Jack Slater," Nick replied.

The barman scowled. "I've been all over that one and I've drawn a blank except for one thing. Word has it that it's Chavez."

Now it was Nick's turn to scowl. Nick turned to the others and explained. "Chavez is a first-class bastard. He came to the attention of DEA about five years ago smuggling any drug you wanted in any quantity direct to Miami. Word had it he had a connection with a major Colombian cartel, but nobody could prove anything. A lot of people were pissed off by someone they considered an upstart. Anyone who tried to move against Chavez ended up dead and nastily dead. One guy was castrated and then staked out in the desert to die after he tried to make a play for Chavez's lady. They say he took a long time to die." Matt swallowed hard, the distaste obvious on his face. "Eventually," Nick continued. "He was left to his own devices and finding drugs a little on the boring side decided to branch out into gun-running. The story took a similar turn there and now it seems he has moved into white slavery and illegal immigration. So what can you tell us about him?" Nick asked the barman who had still not been introduced.

"Well," he said. "Most of this is uncorroborated, but my source is normally reliable. As far as we know Chavez is holed up at the Villa Castillo, just outside Torreblanca. He never stays in any one place for any length of time and this is one of several homes he has in the area. His wife is about to give birth and he has stayed put for the last month. She's had a bad pregnancy and he's very attentive, as Nick has told you. He never leaves her side and all the day to day business is done by his lieutenant, Domingo Martin. Domingo has a Mexican mother and an American father. He's the connection to the Border Patrol. He used to be part of the Patrol. Left after he beat an illegal half to death."

"Nice guy," muttered Nick.

The barman looked at him. "Life here is brutal, cheap and normally short, Nick. Only the cleverest or the most ruthless survive as anything other than a peasant or a grunt."

"What are you?" asked Matt.

The barman smiled. "Something quite unusual, Mr. Shepherd. Neither and both."

Matt knew he would get no better answer no matter how hard he tried.

The barman had a little more information, which he imparted. With profuse thanks the three men left and stepped out into the sunshine. All three put their sunglasses on.

"This Martin guy, he came up in my inquiries," said Deke. "A sociopath who enjoys hurting people, but not too bright. I hope Chavez keeps him on a short leash." With agreement all round the three men headed back to the spot they had picked out to watch Rico and Margo.

Chapter 5

Somewhere in the desert, American/ Mexican border.

Benny Ray was hot, damn hot. He'd found what shelter he could, but the temperature had to be 140 degrees. He'd been in place for only a few hours, but he was already dirty, thirsty and uncomfortable. Sand got in all the little nooks and crannies no matter how careful you were. His high-powered binoculars ranged across the desert. A Harris hawk flew overhead checking he wasn't a potential meal. For a while Benny Ray watched the bird ride the thermals, the freedom and grace were awe-inspiring. The hawk cried out plaintively and Benny Ray heard another sound, an engine. Locating the source of the noise was easy there was little to see out here but scrub and cacti, jackrabbits and snakes. It was the Border Patrol. Their Humvee lumbered over the hummocks making relatively slow progress. Benny Ray watched it cross in front of him and disappear to the south. It seemed to be a normal Patrol. An entry was made in a small notebook lying on the ground. The hawk cried again and Benny Ray felt a cold shiver down his spine despite the heat.

Chapter 6

Torreblanca.

Rico and Margo walked into the center of town from the direction of the highway. According to their calculations they had given themselves enough time to walk from the road to town to make it look as though they had gotten off the last bus. They had talked about how to play things on the walk, but knew that there were too many unknowns to fix all the details.

Torreblanca was dry and dusty and could hardly be called a town. The welcome sign had long since fallen to the ground and was now unreadable thanks to weather and neglect. There was only one road through the center of town, which was more a ramshackle collection of buildings in various states of disrepair. The best maintained structure was a motel, which was odd considering that Torreblanca rarely got any visitors. It was called the Old Fountain Motel and right in front stood the old fountain. No water sprang from the top and it looked as if it had been years since that particular event had occurred. Rico and Margo sat by the fountain and waited. It wouldn't be long before someone would start talking to them.

After half-an-hour a young man in his early twenties approached from the West. An arrogant swagger marked him as someone low in the pecking order as far as the team was concerned. He demanded to know who they were and what they wanted in Torreblanca. Rico went into the agreed spiel. He was Rico Vasquez and Margo was his wife, Victoria. They were looking for work. The swaggerer told them there was no work in Torreblanca and it would be better for them if they left. Rico, with a little more desperation in his voice explained that they were hard honest workers and would do any sort of work anywhere. The opening came when the swaggerer suggested they find work in the North. Letting Rico carry on the conversation, Margo kept a close eye on their surroundings. She spotted one man with a rifle lurking across the other side of the street about forty yards away. He was doing a bad job of being inconspicuous. She couldn't spot any others, but made sure she was thorough. If there were others they were a great deal more sophisticated than these two, which wasn't difficult. The conversation between Rico and the swaggerer, who had now introduced himself as Juan, was nearing an end. Juan, if that was his name, would have to report to someone else higher up the chain of command and eventually their presence would trigger the response they wanted.

After buying a little food and water and moving into the shade offered by the building next to the motel, Rico and Margo settled down again. A couple of hours later Rico heard Matt over the tiny earpiece he was using. One of the buttons of his shirt was a transmitter, while Margo's was in her rosary beads. When she had complained that every time she wanted to say anything to the watching team it would mean she would have to look like she was praying, Matt had commented it would be good for her soul. She had scowled at him. It hadn't changed the position of the transmitter.

Rico reported the news and Matt relayed what Nick's contact had come up with. Everyone settled to wait. As dusk grew and no further contact was made Rico and Margo went in search of somewhere to stay for the night. There were rooms to let at the nearest Cantina. Matt turned to Nick and asked him to go out to Benny Ray with fresh supplies. Keeping enough water to stave off dehydration for the sniper meant keeping him supplied regularly for as long as the surveillance was needed. Nick quickly agreed feeling the need to stretch his legs. The short man had enough trouble keeping still, but this enforced waiting was getting on everyone else's nerves. Matt wondered how Nick's partner had survived surveillance work with the New Yorker when he was DEA. Deke had already threatened to strangle him unless he stopped regaling them with stories of his love life. They both looked at each other and sighed when Nick left.

Suddenly Deke laughed. "I wouldn't want to be Benny Ray when Nick gets there."

Matt chuckled. "Benny Ray can handle himself."

The border between Mexico and America ran just north of a large gully that eventually flattened out into a gentle slope. Some locals said it was an old riverbed, but the chance of any river having flowed along it during the lifetime of any local was remote. Nick knew where Benny Ray had left his Jeep and found the spot easily. Carrying the supplies Benny Ray needed, he had a three-mile hike in front of him, but the thought of stretching his legs in the warm scented air of the desert overcame any complaints he might have had about the length of the walk. For about a mile and a half. After that Nick grumbled every step of the way. By the time he got to Benny Ray, Nick was in a foul mood. Benny Ray's greeting did not help.

"You make enough noise to wake the dead. I've heard you coming for the last fifteen minutes."

"I've just marched through the desert to get here, you ingrate," Nick retorted. "Couldn't you park any closer?"

Benny Ray was openly sarcastic. "The Valet parking was sloppy, next time I'll tell him not to bury it too deep. Did you bring my supplies?"

"Yeah."

Nick dropped the backpack on the ground. He also dropped to the ground, opened the backpack and helped himself to the water.

"Gee, thanks, Nick."

Benny Ray had little time for Delvecchio's complaints, after all he'd been the one stuck out here in the sun and heat all day.

After he finished drinking, Nick sat and looked at Benny Ray. "Nice place you have here," he smirked.

Benny Ray didn't even bother to answer him, but as he drank from the fresh supply of water Nick gave him the information the DEA man had given them.

"Well, so far, they've done two sweeps, all standard stuff nothing unusual or suspicious, but we need to be patient on this one. You get the best milk from a lazy cow," said Benny Ray inscrutably.

Nick looked at him as though he had just sprouted two horns and a tail. Standing up Nick pointed a finger at Benny Ray and spluttered. "You're crazy you know that, you've been in the sun too long."

As Nick strode away he could hear Benny Ray chuckling.

Chapter 7

Torreblanca, day two.

Rico and Margo, in consultation with Matt, had decided that they needed to force the situation and get things moving. They couldn't support and supply Benny Ray indefinitely out in the desert without attracting attention. The ` married couple` took up their position by the old fountain having first been round the entire town asking for work. They had come up with nothing, as they expected. The only incident had been when the daughter of one of the shopkeepers had come screaming into the small shop blood streaming from her head. Rico had taken charge calming the semi-hysterical mother and taking the child to one side. He quickly stopped the bleeding and having obtained Elastoplast from the storekeeper, treated and comforted the sobbing child. The storekeeper was very grateful, but still had no work. Rico explained, at his questions, that he had some medical training, but had never completed it due to lack of money and had continued to help anyone from his town who needed it and couldn't afford to pay the local doctor. Eventually the doctor had got fed up with this and had Rico run out of town. The storekeeper appeared to swallow the cover story and turned to his wife who was heavily pregnant. He asked if Rico would be around when his wife's time came. The local midwife, or wizened crone of reputedly eighty-three years, had recently died and the town had no doctor. Rico shrugged and explained that if he didn't get work he would have to move on. The storekeeper wished him luck and offered him payment for helping his daughter. Rico declined.

The hours passed slowly with no contact being made. Suddenly a jeep drove into town at high speed and came to a halt in a swirl of dust outside the church. A man got out and ran inside. It was difficult to be sure, but both Margo and Rico thought it was Martin. Inside the church the storekeeper's wife was making confession and on hearing a man's shouts both she and the priest came out of the confessional box. Both of them knew Martin and would normally have avoided him at all costs, but upon hearing him the storekeeper's wife stepped towards him and explained that she thought she could help.

By the motel Rico warned the others when Martin and the storekeeper's wife came out onto the steps of the Church.

"Heads up, we have action. But not the sort I like," he added as the storekeeper's wife pointed in their direction. Martin ran towards them. Rico and Margo stood up and braced themselves. When Martin stood in front of them he seemed anxious, almost lost for words not angry or threatening. He had no weapon in his hands.

"You," he pointed at Rico. "You're a medic?"

Rico nodded.

"Good, you will come with me," he stated.

Rico started to object. "But why, I don't understand."

Martin's demeanor changed. He caught Rico with a backhanded clout that cut his lip and pushed him back. As he turned back Martin held a gun on Margo. His eyes blazed. " You will both get in the vehicle now, or the woman dies."

The gun was aimed at Margo's chest. Rico nodded, he had little choice. Matt, Deke and Nick were already on the move back to their Jeep.

"What the hell is going on here?" Matt muttered. "This isn't what I expected."
Deke ran beside him in long loping strides. " I think this is something else, man," he said.

"Yes," answered Matt. "But what?"

Chapter 8

The road west out of Torreblanca.

After Martin had hustled them into the Jeep he didn't even bother to keep the gun on them. Neither did he explain what was going on. Putting the vehicle in gear he sped away from the town as quickly as he had blown in. By silent mutual consent Margo and Rico had decided to play this out. The threat of the gun had been removed and Martin had been more interested in Rico's medical abilities than anything else.

The journey took only a few minutes, the Speedo not going below eighty, not withstanding the limit in force and more importantly the state of the road. The potholes were atrocious and Martin seemed to manage to hit every one. They pulled up outside the locked gates of a very large well-guarded villa. A quick blast on the horn had the gates opened and the breakneck speed resumed. At least the drive to the villa was in good condition. Margo and Rico had reached the same conclusion, this was Chavez' home.

As the car halted, spraying up gravel, Martin took the gun out of the holster and motioned them out of the jeep. They were escorted into the villa and kept in a large airy anteroom with stairs leading up to the next floor. A scream echoed through the building, it was a woman in pain.

"Your patient?" Queried Margo.

"I think we're about to find out," Rico replied.

Martin had started up the stairs, but stopped at the sound of the scream. Before he could resume his journey a man started to descend. Tall, dark and what some might call handsome in a cruel way, the man who came down the stairs was obviously distraught. He approached Martin and a frantic conversation ensued. The two men kept their voices quiet to begin, but after Martin shrugged and gestured to Rico the man raised his voice and his gestures became angrier. He started to go red in the face and suddenly pushed Martin to one side and ran down the remainder of the stairs. His speed took him to stand almost nose to nose with Rico.

"Is this true?" He demanded. "Can you help my wife?"

Rico shrugged. "I don't know what is wrong with your wife, but if I could see her...." He left the rest of the sentence unsaid.

The man was silent for a moment then spat out, "Follow me." He turned on his heel and went back up the stairs. Rico and Margo exchanged a quick glance. Margo mouthed" Chavez" in question and Rico nodded. They followed him up the stairs, down a long hall and into a large bedroom.

A massive four-poster bed dominated the room. A woman lay on the bed. She had kicked off all the bedclothes and writhed in obvious pain as she moaned. She was also very pregnant. Two local women stood either side of the bed doing little, but add to the level of moaning. Martin pointed to his wife.

"Help her, please."

Rico went over to the woman. He explained that he needed to examine her and asked one of the women for hot water, soap and a towel. He asked Margo to sit by the woman and bathe her head. Having turned back his sleeves Rico thoroughly washed his hands and arms.

"Do you have any alcohol?" He asked Chavez.

The man strode across the room, picked up a decanter and handed it to Rico.

"Take out the stopper and pour a little into my hands."

For a second it seemed as though Chavez was going to object to being given orders, but he acquiesced.

Rico moved the pregnant woman on to her back, pushed her legs up till her feet were flat on the bed and gently pushed her legs apart. As he started his examination, Chavez stepped in close. Rico chose to ignore him. As Rico continued the woman had another contraction. When her screams subsided Rico asked, "How long has she been in labor?"

One of the women answered him. "About 10 hours, Senor."

Rico shook his head and checked the woman's pulse.

Chavez was impatient. "What is wrong? Tell me! Can you help her?"

Rico quickly explained that the baby's head had engaged, but that his wife's waters hadn't broken and the pressure caused by the baby's head moving down meant the waters would not break on their own and his wife was growing weaker from the regular, very painful contractions.

"What can you do?" Chavez asked, close to tears.

"What I really need is an amniohook," said Rico more to himself. "But we'll have to improvise."

He turned to Chavez. "I need your sharpest carving fork or serving fork."

Chavez looked confused. " What?"

Rico explained. "We need to make your wife's waters break. Unless we do this your wife will continue to be in great pain, grow weaker and the baby will become distressed."

"Carving fork," Chavez said, still confused.

He hurried off and Rico turned back to the mother. He explained to her that she had to calm down. He would break her waters and the birth would proceed quickly. He further explained that until he could rupture the membrane she would have to lessen the contractions by panting and in no circumstances must she push. The exhausted woman nodded.
Three contractions had passed before Chavez came running back. He had a large two-pronged fork in his hand. He held it out Rico and his hand shook.

"Put it in the bowl," Rico told him as he pointed to the pitcher and bowl on a small bedside table. "Cover it in alcohol." Chavez did as he was told and he then carried the bowl to Rico. Having washed his hands again, Rico took the fork and explained. "I have to tear the membrane of the amniotic sac. Because the baby's head has engaged I have to slice through the membrane with this. The membrane is very close to the baby's head and what I am going to do will probably leave small scrape marks on the baby's head, but," he emphasized. "No more than that."

The mother nodded wearily, Chavez looked too stunned to take in what Rico had said.
Within a few minutes the fork was withdrawn as the flood broke.

"Now," Rico said, with a twinkle in his eye. "Get ready to catch."

Chavez looked horrified.

Within thirty minutes the baby was born, a little blue, but fine and with a good set of lungs. Weighing about eight pounds, according to Rico's estimate, the proud father held the newborn while the exhausted mother rested. His gratitude was gushing; he offered Rico money, anything he wanted. As the man allowed the tiny child to grasp his little finger, Rico explained they were trying to reach America so that he could find work to support his family.

Chavez looked at him in amazement. "Is that all?" He laughed.

Standing suddenly, he carried the infant to the door and called to Martin. When the lieutenant arrived he showed off his new son and told him to put their honored guests in a room and bring his car round to the front of the house. Martin led Rico and Margo away.

Some time later Chavez entered the room where Rico and Margo were waiting. He was more composed and they could see in him some of the hardness that Nick's DEA contact had reported. He held a briefcase in his hands.

"My friends, this is a small gift to thank you for giving life to my child and my wife. I know you didn't ask for it, but it is the least I can do. That, and give you safe passage across the border. My driver and car await you, arrangements have been made and your passage will be smooth and trouble-free. And if there is anything else I can do, know you have the gratitude of a powerful man."

He put the briefcase down, turned on his heel and left. Margo, who had informed the Major of what was happening while they had been confined in the room, relayed the new `good tidings` as they walked out of the Villa and could only agree with his summary of the situation.

"Shit."

Chapter 9

The border.

The sun was starting to sink and Benny Ray was tired. His eyes were dry and dusty and he was thirsty. He had a little water left in his canteen, but he kept that in reserve. Nick should have been here by now. He was late. Benny Ray grumbled and cursed Nick. Delvecchio could muck up the simplest things. The routine of yesterday had been repeated; the only new factor was when an old flatbed truck drove down the other side of the gully. The vehicle was so dilapidated that it seemed almost impossible that it could still move. It was driven by an old man; probably not old in years, but old in the toll this land had taken upon him. Benny Ray had followed his route as the truck toiled into the distance.

Where the hell was Nick, thought Benny Ray. He considered that the team had run into trouble and decided that if Nick hadn't reached him in two hours, he would, as arranged break camp, return to Torreblanca and wait at the agreed spot. He cursed Nick again as he settled down to wait and felt slightly better.

Chapter 10

Heading for the border.

Chavez' car, a BMW M3 in white with leather trim, made for a comfortable ride. The two passengers felt anything but comfortable. Their plan had gone fubar. They could have hardly declined Chavez` offer and politely requested instead that they be allowed to cross the border in a cramped airless truck escorted by a renegade Border Patrol, surrounded by people who had probably hocked their entire lives and that of their families just to pay for the pleasure of the trip.

Margo sighed and prayed. "Matt, what now?" She asked.

Deke's voice answered. "We're working on it pretty lady. Sit back and enjoy the ride."
Margo groaned. As the miles between them and the Villa grew Margo became more concerned.

Suddenly she heard Matt's voice. "Hold on to your hats"

The jeep the three men were in suddenly appeared behind them and just as quickly overtook throwing up stones and dust. The driver cursed hoping that the paintwork on the car was not scratched. He still had the scars from the last beating he had received when he had swerved to avoid a rabbit in the road and caught the side of the car against a high bank causing the slightest of scuffing. Chavez took pride in his vehicle and made sure the young man knew that the life of a jackrabbit was nothing compared to his car. The driver was not even sure he would have swerved to avoid a man in the road now, so vivid was the beating he suffered. He did however try and avoid the jeep that pulled in front of him and stopped suddenly.

At the warning from Matt, Margo had used one hand to brace herself and another to lift up her skirt and remove the Glock 19 holstered on her thigh. As the car came to a halt Margo leant forward and placed the gun at the driver's temple. "Don't move," she hissed.

The driver's hands came off the steering wheel and up into the air as he sighed and wondered whether he would survive the beating he would get from Chavez for letting his car be stolen.

"Out," indicated Margo. Stepping out of the car the driver was confronted by Matt, Deke and Nick armed to the teeth and smiling in a way that seemed decidedly unfriendly.

"Please don't kill me," he stammered.

"We won't kill you," said Deke stepping forward. "Yet."

The driver looked like he would faint and dropped the bottle of water that Deke threw at him. He bent down to pick up the bottle when Deke indicated with the MP5. Deke leaned into the front of the car and looking into the back seat, greeted Margo and Rico with a large smile.

"Nice to see you two. How's married life?"

"Eventful," Rico replied, with a grin.

Meanwhile Matt led the panic stricken young driver to the rear of the car. Deke popped the boot and Matt told the young man to get in. He looked relieved and almost willingly climbed in. The boot was shut and Matt turned back to the others.

"Okay, Nick, you rendezvous with Benny Ray," he paused, as he checked his watch. "Now."

Nick raised an eyebrow.

"That gives us a two-hour leeway before Benny Ray considers you AWOL and evacs to the agreed meeting spot."

Bending down Matt picked up a stick and started to mark a plan in the dust on the road. He wished Benny Ray were here to do this, besides being the best damn sniper Matt had ever seen, Benny Ray was almost uncanny in his ability to interpret maps and know where he was in relation to given points. As Benny Ray reminded them from time to time, he came top of his class in map reading.

Matt marked the border, Benny Ray's position and the road they were on. He planted a rock to show Torreblanca. The rest gathered round, Deke squatting to see more clearly.

Matt spoke. "We searched Torreblanca and found none of the people we were looking for. So either Trout's Intel on timings was bad and we've missed the next consignment or Chavez keeps them somewhere else."

Margo shook her head. "They could be anywhere. This country is so vast we could search for days and not find anything."

Matt agreed with Margo.

"The only option we have is to attack this from the other end. We go and join Benny Ray and that way we can cover a much larger area. If Trout's Intel is right we should get something in the next twenty-four hours. Nick, you go out to Benny Ray and let him have his supplies, tell him we'll all be joining him shortly, just as soon as we let Trout know what is going on and decide what to do about our young friend."

Indicating the BMW, Matt suggested Nick take the car to make the meet with Benny Ray. The driver was removed from the boot and handcuffed to the back seat of the jeep. Nick took off thinking he had got the better of the deal.

"What about Romeo, here?" Deke asked.

Matt told them what he had decided.

Deke laughed. "Well a nice cool beer cellar has got to be better than the boot of the car, even a BMW."

The drive to the Cantina where they first met Nick's DEA contact didn't take long and once they'd explained what they wanted, the bartender was ready to oblige. Returning to the Jeep, Matt asked Margo if she had got through to Trout. She confirmed she had and that he had in turn confirmed that according to his Intel, another trip across the border would go down in the next twenty-four hours. Matt nodded and they got moving.

Chapter 11

The desert.

Trout had been right and Domingo Martin was on his way to check that the truck would be leaving on time with its contents. It was not a good consignment, there were only three women and five children, but at least that meant only six men to dispose of. Six was a good number, Martin thought. He enjoyed the killing; he found it erotic. The feeling of power aroused him and the sex that he had on the nights that he killed was formidable, or so he thought. The sadistic monster that was Domingo Martin had no concept of the pain he inflicted on the women and girls he chose as his partners on those or any other night.

Martin's second in command, Manuel Benez, pointed up ahead where a dust trail could be seen. It was another car travelling fast down a side road. Martin told his driver to stop. As the car pulled over, Martin and Manuel got out. Martin took the binoculars he was handed. Tracking the dust trail he finally located the vehicle causing it. He was surprised to see it was Chavez' car. He knew it shouldn't be there. Young Paolo had taken the medic and his wife to the border. What was the car doing on that road? He would find out.
Nick was having great fun. The car was incredible and he drove it like a New York cabbie, fast and loose. Nought to sixty, in five seconds and a top speed of one hundred and fifty five miles per hour put a big smile on Nick's face. Okay, so in these road conditions the suspension was stomach wobbling but that was a small price to pay for maximum power point of seven thousand rpm and six gears. And when was he going to get the chance to drive a car like this again. He practically screamed with pleasure as he perfected his handbrake turn. Checking his watch Nick decided he didn't need to leave the Beamer by Benny Ray's Jeep and then walk all that way, he could drive a lot closer, it would be quicker he figured and who the hell was going to see him out here. Nick laughed and swung the car round a sharp bend at the last possible moment.

As the BMW was driven more and more erratically, Martin became convinced that it was not young Paolo who was behind the wheel; the kid had been severely beaten by Chavez last time he had scratched the car, he would never do this. And if it wasn't Paulo, who was it? Martin smiled, a chase! Oh he loved the hunt. Directing his driver to follow at a safe distance and speed, Martin kept the binoculars trained on the white car and wondered if there was a purpose to this journey.

Nick had the radio turned right up and was singing along for all he was worth to `Uptown Girl` by Billy Joel. His first few attempts at finding music he liked had ended in failure, but finally he had found something. As the song ended Nick looked around and realized he had come a lot further than he had intended. He was about a mile from Benny Ray. He felt a prick of guilt at his mistake. Nick pulled the car off the track and gathered the sniper's supplies.

Arriving at the site, Nick was slightly disturbed to find it empty. He looked around and could see nothing. Maybe he's taking a leak thought Nick and called the sniper's name quietly. There was no response. He called again a little louder this time. There was still no response. Now he was worried. A movement behind made him jump.

"Where ya been Nick?" Asked Benny Ray, emphasizing the last word.

He looked relaxed, but Nick knew better. The eyes were angry and Nick took a step back.

"We had some trouble," he stammered and began to explain, quickly, the change in plans.

Martin had stopped the car some considerable distance away and watched the small man get out and head off towards the border with a heavy rucksack. His interest had been piqued earlier, but now ideas were forming in his head and a smile played across his lips. Chavez would be pleased with him if his hunch were correct. When Chavez was happy, Martin was allowed the leeway he enjoyed to participate in his favorite pursuits. Pursuits which, if it were not for Chavez` protection, would have landed Martin in prison a long time ago. The thought of inflicting more of his pleasures again so soon sent a shiver down Martin's back. He wondered where the little man was going. There was nothing out there, just miles of desert. He continued to watch noting when the man disappeared. Telling Manuel and the driver to wait, Martin set out to follow.

Manuel was unhappy with his boss for going off on his own and insisted he took water and a cell phone. Martin was good at his job, Manuel knew, but once he became focused he often disregarded his own safety and the safety of those around him. It was almost as though he could only concentrate on one thing at a time.

By the time Nick had finished explaining, Benny Ray had calmed down slightly. He was still mad at Nick and wanted the New Yorker to know it. Nick tried to deflect the anger he saw in Benny Ray's eyes.

"Anything happen here?"

Benny Ray stared at Nick before he answered. " No," was the abrupt reply.

"Okay," Nick stuttered. "Well Matt and the others will be here soon so, um ..." He ran out of words. The silence grew and Nick shuffled his feet.

Benny Ray enjoyed watching Nick squirm. What he didn't enjoy was the thought of spending the next couple of hours with Nick while he tried to get back in Benny Ray's good books. Despite the fact that he had been on his own for the last two days he had no inclination to be in Nick's company.

"Nice new car, Nick. Where'd you leave it?"

Nick swallowed, he would have to own up to his lapse unless....

"I thought it was important that I got to you quickly." He improvised.

Benny Ray stepped closer to Nick and whispered. "Move it, or I'll move you."

As Nick trudged back to the car, he wondered how Benny Ray had known. He knew the sniper was good, but we couldn't have known that he hadn't left the car in the agreed place. Benny Ray chuckled as he watched Nick's back recede. Once Nick had told Benny Ray about the car he was pretty sure Nick would have been playing with it and his guess had been right. That would teach him a lesson. Benny Ray settled down to resume his watch.

Martin hadn't got close enough to Nick to witness the meeting between him and Benny Ray and had only just avoided being spotted by Nick as he retraced his steps back to the car. It took only an instant for Martin to decide to try and find out where this man had been. He could guess he was returning to the car and for a moment toyed with the idea of taking both Nick and the car back to Chavez. That would earn him much gratitude. Even though Martin wasn't the brightest man alive he knew his boss would want to know what was going on out here.

Maybe he could combine the two. Squatting down out of sight Martin flipped open the cell phone and called Manuel. Having instructed his lieutenant to recover the car, he then made a second call. Closing the phone he checked that Nick was now well down the track. Allowing the dark-haired man to move out of earshot and line of sight, Martin moved cautiously forward. He could see where Nick had trodden and followed as quietly as he could. Martin had hunted enough in his life, both man and beast, to know how to approach his quarry without being noticed and the importance of patience. It took some considerable time, but eventually he came upon Benny Ray. Standing silently, breathing only shallowly he swung his MP5 around and aimed at Benny Ray.

Chapter 12

Just outside Torreblanca.

Matt, Margo, Rico and Deke travelled back from Cantina Rosa having discussed their alternative plans and agreed that if they were now to do anything to salvage this mission it would have to be from the other end of the trail. They hadn't planned on stopping in Torreblanca, but as they drove through the small town the crowd outside the church drew their attention. Matt slowed the jeep. Their approach disturbed the crowd and faces turned towards them. One was the storekeeper, whose daughter Rico had helped. There were tears on his cheeks and he stared almost vacantly at the four strangers.

"Matt, stop," said Rico.

He got out of the jeep and approached the storekeeper. He spoke so softly the others couldn't hear the conversation.

"Lot of unhappy people here," Deke said, with feeling.

"Margo," Matt asked. "Can you tell what's going on?"

"Someone's died," Margo said, straining to hear meaningful words between the cries.

Rico returned, his face set.

"The man's wife has had her baby, but it's died."

Margo blinked.

"From the sound of it the woman is close to death too," Rico paused and Matt knew what was coming next. "I want to see if I can help her, Matt. There may not be much I can do but...." his voice trailed off. Rico had always been a healer first and a soldier second. How could Matt deny him?

"Okay Rico. Given what's gone down we can spare you. But keep in touch okay?"

Rico smiled. "Thanks, Matt."

As he turned away from the Jeep, Margo called after him. "Hey Rico, you might need this."
She handed him the first-aid box .He smiled and turned to the storekeeper and told him to take him to his wife.

"And then there were three," Deke said, but no one laughed.

Chapter 13

The desert.

Benny Ray's sixth sense was working overtime. He knew something was wrong, but as hard as he tried he could see nothing to confirm that. He checked behind him constantly, the itch between his shoulder blades getting worse all the time. The slightest sound of metal against material had Benny Ray twisting on to his back bringing his Remington round to bear on the man behind him. The man's MP5 was pointed at Benny Ray's chest. Standoff. Each man inspected the other. They were both about the same height and build; Martin perhaps slightly thicker set and maybe a few years older. The eyes were different too. While Benny Ray's were blue and hard, Martin's were brown and cruel, they shifted constantly, never leaving Benny Ray's prone form, but moving all the time, in a disconcerting way.

Martin spoke first ordering Benny Ray to put down the rifle. Benny Ray smiled, when hell freezes over he thought.

"After you," was what he said.

Another silence ensued, the seconds ticking by. Both men knew that they could kill each other in the blink of an eye, but neither was prepared to give in. Martin's eyes suddenly moved to look at a point behind Benny Ray and he smiled and relaxed, leaving the gun still cocked and pointed at the sniper on the ground.

"I don't fool that easy, dirt bag," Benny Ray snarled, but the sound of an approaching engine made him curse.

"My colleagues will be here very shortly," warned Martin.

"That doesn't keep you alive, amigo," stated Benny Ray calmly, all the time listening, trying to gauge the distance of the fast-approaching vehicle. It seemed to be taking an age to reach them. Another noise intruded, another engine. Both men stiffened. Benny Ray's eyes softened slightly. From the direction of the second noise it was Matt and the others and at the rate the noise was growing louder they would be here before the other vehicle. Something nagged at the back of Benny Ray's mind and he realized that the second engine noise wasn't the jeep; it was a richer smoother sound - the Beamer and Nick. For once Benny Ray would be glad to see the annoying little man.

Concentrating again on the man with the MP5, Benny Ray wondered why he wasn't more concerned. A stray thought crossed Benny Ray's mind, but he ignored it. It had to be Nick in the Beamer.

The white car came to halt a few feet away. The sun glinted off the windscreen and it seemed like an age before the driver's side door opened. It wasn't Nick who stepped out. Martin, with his back to the car, grinned. He didn't need to see Manuel get out of the car; he could enjoy the moment reflected on the face of his victim. Benny Ray's normally impassive face was marred by a tightening around his eyes as he realized the odds against him were lengthening.

"Put the rifle down," Martin repeated, as Manuel brought a shotgun to bear. The other vehicle was now much closer and Benny Ray decided that living to fight another day had its attractions especially with the team not that far away, or so he hoped. Slowly he let the rifle slide to his side and then held his hands out.

"Turn over," Martin ordered. "Put your hands on your head and kneel up."

Benny Ray did as he was told. He looked out over the desert, his hands in his hair and wondered if this was the last thing he would ever see. He was told to stand up. Apparently not, he thought to himself.

Whilst Martin kept the MP5 trained on him, Manuel frisked Benny Ray. Two handguns and three knives were discovered, as was Benny Ray's, comm. link. He had not used it so far, considering it unnecessary for his part in this mission, until now. Manuel trod down hard and the comm. link snapped. The search completed, Benny Ray was herded away from his nest and towards the BMW. Instead of getting in Benny Ray was told to keep on walking. The way down from the sniper's nest from the top of the bluff involved backtracking down the rise and skirting round the edge. It took a little over ten minutes before the three men found themselves below the nest confronted by a Humvee and its occupants. Benny Ray had tried to maneuver one or other of the men into a situation where he could strike, but Martin kept a sensible distance between himself and the sniper and when Benny Ray slowed down all he got was the shotgun stock in his back for his pains.

Martin greeted the members of the Border Patrol like old friends and told Manuel to go back and get the car. He handed the MP5 to the Border Patrol sergeant and took a nightstick out of the back of the Humvee. Not standard issue for the Border Patrol but it had its uses, moving snakes and inflicting reminders on recalcitrant prisoners.

Benny Ray braced himself for what was to come.

Chapter 14

The desert.

Nick could not believe his eyes. The car was gone. There was no one here to steal it, how could it be gone? Okay, he hadn't locked it, but this wasn't New York. He sat down in the dust and thought; the guys are going to kill me.

There was no sign of the car anywhere. From the marks in the dust it looked as if the car had gone back down the way Nick had driven, which was why it hadn't passed him. Matt was going to have plenty to say about this. This afternoon had gone from fun city to disaster and he still had to get to the rendezvous point at Benny Ray's Jeep, two miles away. The only saving grace was that the heat was going out of the day and the sun was starting to slide out of the sky. He had better get a move on.

Matt, Margo and Deke arrived slightly late at the rendezvous point, but were not too worried. This whole mission was turning pear-shaped every way you looked at it. As the minutes ticked by Matt tried to contact Nick over the comm. unit but had no luck. Now he was getting edgy.

"Margo try yours," he asked, in case his unit was faulty.

Margo got no answer

"Nothing from Benny Ray either," rumbled Deke.

"I don't like this," added Matt.

"Incoming," Margo pointed out into the desert about a quarter of a mile. "It's Nick."

Matt looked at the others. "And the car?" He asked.

Margo shrugged her shoulders.

The interrogation didn't take long. He didn't put up much of a fight and they got all the information they wanted with ease.

"Nick, I can't believe you deviated from basic operating procedures to go.... joy riding," Matt complained.

I know it but it did nought to sixty in five seconds." Nick whined.

Margo rounded on him. "What were you thinking of Nick, what if you'd compromised Benny Ray's position?"

Deke clouted him round the head and Nick putting his hand to his head said, " Ow, what did you do that for?"

"Because I felt like it and you deserved it."

Nick didn't argue.

"Benny Ray was fine when I left him," Nick grumbled.

"Well he had better stay that way," Margo threatened. "We can't raise him over the comm. unit." Margo glared at him.

"Get in the jeep, Nick," Matt ordered. He wanted to be on his way. The feeling that something was wrong just wouldn't go away.

Chapter 15

The desert.

Martin had used the nightstick before and was adept at inflicting pain without too much damage. Blows to Benny Ray's legs and torso had come thick and fast pushing him to the ground and leaving him gasping for breath. He knew if he survived this, his body would be black and blue with bruises. On his knees, with Martin standing in front and slightly to the left of him, Benny Ray kept up the constant flow of comments and insults that had gradually got under Martin's skin. The strategy had earned Benny Ray a more severe beating, but an angry man made mistakes and what Benny Ray needed now was an opening. Coming up on one knee, Benny Ray continued with his plan.

"Is that it? I know girls who can hit harder than that. You must be a big disappointment to Chavez."

Martin had introduced himself to Benny Ray during the onslaught with the nightstick, proud of his perceived standing, expecting that Benny Ray would be in awe of his reputation. Benny Ray's feigned ignorance of any reputation at all and his indifference to the situation he found himself in were the first things that irritated Martin and now he was seething. The need to obtain information from this man, who had so far said nothing, was driven from his mind in a flare of anger at the latest insult and he brought the nightstick around over his head directly at Benny Ray's unprotected head.

Throwing up his arm to protect himself, Benny Ray heard the forearm crack and he screamed in pain. Sucking in his breath between his teeth, he cradled the left-arm against his body and thought to himself that maybe this plan didn't have much to commend itself as plans went, but in the circumstances it was the only one he had.

The next blow from the nightstick came against his upraised shin causing him to pitch forward. He had to use his right arm to stop himself going face first in the dust and the jarring his left arm received made him curse. The spectators of this punishment chuckled. They had been present at Martin's performances before and knew the course they would run.

The fact that he'd finally broken through this man's arrogance calmed Martin slightly. His mind cleared and he realized that if he killed the prisoner without getting any information out of him, it would probably in turn earn him a beating from Chavez. Martin breathed hard and told Benny Ray to stand up. With his shin throbbing and his left arm numb, Benny Ray grabbed the open door of the BMW to haul himself up. As he did so, Martin kicked the car door closed trapping Benny Ray's hand. Both men stared at each other as Martin kept up the pressure on the door.

"Very nice," he said. "I will have this," and he proceeded to remove Benny Ray's ring while the Border Patrol sergeant stepped in close with the MP5 to dissuade Benny Ray from objecting. Not that he could. Having taken the ring and placed it on his own right hand, Martin took his foot away and Benny Ray pulled his hand back. Martin opened the door of the BMW and told Benny Ray to stay put. Drawing the Border Patrol sergeant to one side, they spoke quietly out of earshot of Benny Ray who was being watched by the two other Border Patrol members and Manuel. As they parted the sergeant barked orders at the two other members of his team, who proceeded to remove a relatively small wooden crate from the back of the Humvee and put it in the boot of the BMW. It was an order Chavez had placed, a little explosive persuasion he intended to use quite soon on some local competition who still objected to Chavez` move into his current field of operations. While this was going on Martin had made a phone call to his own driver informing him of their current location and telling him to get there, pronto. Martin's eyes never left Benny Ray who stood cradling his left-arm. The numbness was wearing off and despite the coolness of the evening the pain of the broken arm and assorted bruises caused a thin film of sweat on his forehead. As they waited for Martin's driver to arrive, Martin walked over to Benny Ray and smiled.

"We're going for a little ride."

"Running back to Chavez," smirked Benny Ray.

Martin felt more in control now and taking the nightstick he put it under Benny Ray's chin, lifting his head up.

"We'll see who needs to be scared of Chavez soon enough my friend," threatened Martin.

Chapter 16

The desert.

All caution aside, they drove the jeep as close as possible to the lookout, intermittently trying to raise Benny Ray on the comm. Each time the only reply was static, the team got more concerned. Matt suddenly stopped the jeep. He pointed up ahead on the same track as they were following. A dust trail indicated another vehicle. Matt looked at Nick. Nick swallowed and said nothing. Deke took out his binoculars and tried to keep track of the vehicle in front, but with the state of the road and the Jeep moving at high speed it was anything but easy.

"It's not the BMW," he said surprised.

Nick looked up. "How many cars are there out here?" He asked.

As they approached the point where Nick had left the BMW he pointed out the spot to the others. Deke still watching the car in front, announced that it was not stopping and going past the sniper's nest.

"That's good then, isn't it?"

No one answered Nick.

"We're going all the way in," Matt stated.

Pulling up just short of Benny Ray's camp, they approached fanned out in a `v` formation. Now they exercised caution, but to no avail, the camp was empty. The general state of disarray and the broken comm. unit told its own story.

"He was okay when I left him," Nick repeated, half-heartedly

Deke got down on his belly and crawled to the edge of the bluff. Turning back to the others he quickly signalled his findings and indicated silence. All four crept up forward. The scene that lay before them was not good. Benny Ray was standing inside the open passenger side door of the BMW with a man holding a nightstick at his throat.

"That's Martin," said Margo.

"And that's the car we were following," whispered Deke, as Martin's car pulled up. The Border Patrol were getting in the Humvee and preparing to drive off. Martin brought the point of the nightstick to Benny Ray's chest and pushed. With only one good hand to catch himself he half fell back into the passenger seat.

"He's hurt," hissed Margo, noticing how he held his left-arm, as she turned to look at Nick.

The sky was darkening quickly as the sun set.

"Matt, we have to do something. This man has already hurt Benny Ray, if we don't stop him he'll kill him."

Margo turned to Matt, daring him to go. Matt nodded at her.

"Let's go people."

They started off at a dead run back down from the bluff.

Martin had already instructed his driver to return to Chavez` villa and intended that he and Manuel would accompany Benny Ray there in the BMW. Benny Ray knew he had to make a move now or there would be little opportunity to do so later. Martin's car took off leaving the three men alone. A cry from overhead caused Martin to inadvertently glance up. Benny Ray moved. Kicking out at Martin's knee, he smashed the joint dislocating the kneecap. Martin went down, the nightstick flying out of his hand. Manuel turned to Benny Ray lowering the shotgun. Having pulled himself into a standing position, Benny Ray landed a hitch kick to Manuel's chest. The shotgun went off just missing Benny Ray, but hitting the engine of the BMW. Benny Ray stepped forward and with the full force of the heel of the palm of his bruised right hand he hit Manuel in the face just below the nose. The strength of the blow snapped Manuel's head back, the nasal bones were pushed into his frontal lobe and he was dead before he hit the ground. Behind Benny Ray the engine of the BMW was on fire. Groaning slightly he bent down and picked up the nightstick. Ignoring the flames he told Martin to stand up. Pulling himself up on the car and with no weight on his ruined leg, Martin sneered at Benny Ray.

"Chavez will hunt you down, pig."

"Well, you won't be around to see it, amigo, " snarled Benny Ray and smashed Martin in the face with the nightstick. He fell back into the car and lay still, blood running from his nose. Benny ray threw down the nightstick and limped away from the car clutching his broken arm.

Matt, Margo, Deke and Nick covered the journey Benny Ray had taken only a short time earlier in under half the time he had taken, but before they cleared the side of the bluff a massive explosion ripped the air. Margo felt tears sting her eyes and she heard Matt shout, " No!". Within seconds of the explosion they rounded the bluff to see what was left of the BMW a ball of flames. The team came to a halt, the heat too intense for them to approach. They could just make out a figure slumped in the passenger seat.

"Benny Ray!" Margo screamed and Deke grabbed her to stop her running forward.

"It's too late Margo," he said quietly.

She shook her head. Matt stared, not believing what he saw, unable to grasp the loss. Nick cried. A second explosion tore the car and its occupant to pieces.

Benny Ray had put a little distance between him and the car when the first explosion occurred. It wasn't enough. The force of the explosion lifted him off his feet and threw him forward. Hitting the top of the slope he slid down rolling over and over as he fell. He came to a halt at the bottom of the slope fifty yards from the car and twenty-five feet below it. The rocks sand and dust dislodged by the explosion and his tumble down the slope came to rest covering his bruised battered and unconscious body.

When he could think and talk coherently Matt put a call in to Trout. He was stunned over the news, but did as he had promised and got a helicopter to the site within hours. The fire eventually burned itself out and Trout's men covered the scene of devastation as efficiently as they could in the dark. One of Trout's men approached Matt and took him to one side. When Matt returned to the group of four he looked a little paler. He held out his hand. In his palm sat a misshapen piece of metal. Margo's voice caught in her throat. She picked up Benny Ray's ring and held it tight in her closed fist. Walking away she said nothing, silent tears streamed down her face. Matt and Deke followed her to the Jeep. Nick stayed behind looking out over the desert. He knew this was his fault and there was nothing he could do to change things.

"Sir?" It was one of Trout's men. "The others are leaving, Sir."

Nick didn't even turn to see them walk away. "Can I get a lift with you guys?" He asked.

Chapter 17

The desert, day three.

Consciousness finally returned to Benny Ray. He couldn't move, he didn't want to move. He lay almost buried by the slide of sand rocks and dust. There was blood in his mouth and as he lay still memory slowly returned. Benny Ray tried to move. It was a bad mistake. His whole body went into spasm, cramp of epic proportions ripped through him from head to toe. He gasped from the sudden unexpected agony. It was worse than anything he could remember. His nerves couldn't cope with the pain inflicted on his body and sent frantic messages to his brain to shut everything down. After a long time the spasm passed and he lay weak as a kitten, his mind swirling.

He felt cold. That was probably a good thing he thought. If the explosion had caused any internal injuries the cold would help, wouldn't it? He questioned himself. He phased out and back in and more time passed. He was still alive. He was colder, but, he thought, I don't feel worse than before. Was that a good sign, he wondered. He decided to try and move again, but only something gentle just a small movement. Just the thought, the decision to move, brought back the spasm with a vengeance. Benny Ray could hardly bear the pain. The cramp lasted too long and went away too slowly. He lay still for what seemed like forever. He became aware of the sky lightening. He had been there all night. He knew he had to risk moving again. This time the gentlest twitch produced no reaction. He pushed further and the vice came down again taking his breath away. The pain left his body more quickly, but while it had his body in its grip it was just as excruciating.

Over the next couple of hours he managed to move enough to free his right arm. Slowly as the sun started to burn in the sky he rolled over on his front and dragged himself free of the sand. He made no effort to get up somehow knowing that it would be too much. He was thirsty and recognized the signs of an oncoming fever. He needed help or failing that shade. The noise caught his attention. An engine. If it was Chavez or any of his group he would be put out of his misery, but if Matt and the team were looking for him, and they would be by now, it was the help he needed. It wasn't either Matt or Chavez, but it was salvation of a sort. The old farmer that Benny Ray had spotted the previous day was making the same journey again. He stopped his truck and clambered out. Looking at Benny Ray he stood and did nothing.

"Agua, por favour," Benny Ray croaked.

The old man nodded as if an agreement but did nothing.

"Por favour," Benny Ray repeated. The old man bent down and grabbed Benny Ray's right arm. He pulled him to his feet. The pain was too much, the cramp descended again and so did the darkness.

When Benny Ray next became aware he was lying on a rough cot. There was a roof over his head and a thin blanket over his naked body. He was hot and tried to push the blanket off. Strong calloused hands restrained him and he could hear a woman's voice.

"Agua," he tried to say, but nothing seemed to come out. He twisted his head from side to side struggling with the hands that held him. Suddenly, like a revelation, his forehead was cool. A damp cloth bathed his hot face and cool water trickled down his throat. He tried to gulp, but the woman's voice told him to slow down. He did as he was told and drank slowly. When he stopped he tried to focus his eyes, but it was such hard work and he was so tired it was easier to let them close and to sleep again.

The fever gripped him for three days. The farmer and his wife were sure he would die, but somehow he hung on and when the fever finally broke they both offered prayers for his recovery. It took days for Benny Ray's abused body to slowly recover. The bruises and lumps faded, but the broken arm without being straightened and set, caused him a lot of pain. The explosion or the fall down the slope had caused numerous cuts as well as badly bruised or maybe even broken ribs. One cut on his leg had got infected and without stitches took a long time to scab over. That kept him off his feet for a while. The broken ribs healed as time went by, but his first attempt at walking was farcical. Bambi could do better he said to himself through gritted teeth. He managed two steps before collapsing back on the cot. As the days passed and he grew stronger he thought of ways to get back to civilization or at least get a message to Matt and the team. It was over a week before he had enough strength to walk outside unaided.

The farm the old couple lived on was well looked after, but dying on its feet. A few chickens scratched around in the dirt and some goats were penned in. Benny Ray had no idea where the farm was in relation to Torreblanca, but he didn't need to be an expert in map-reading to know it would be a long walk and one he was in no shape to undertake, yet.

Benny Ray had tried pleading with the old man to drive him into Torreblanca, but the old man had refused saying he was too busy. He thought about stealing the truck, but Benny Ray felt that was hardly the way to repay their kindness and leaving them stranded without a vehicle would be like shooting them in the back of the head. So he waited. When he could he did some light chores, helping to pay for his keep. The old woman laughed at his attempts to collect eggs from the chickens. She didn't ask him to milk the goats. As he grew stronger he tried to do more to help. The old woman told him not to be so pig-headed. If nothing else thought Benny Ray, at least I've brushed up on my Spanish. One day out of the blue the old man came up to Benny Ray as he was mending a fence and told him he would drive him into Torreblanca. Benny Ray reckoned it had been a little over four weeks since he'd been brought to the farm. At last, time to go home.

Chapter 18

Torreblanca. Present day.

Lizzie had checked into the Old Fountain Motel late the night before. She had plenty of maps, but it had still taken a long time to find the place. She was exhausted when she checked in and fell straight in to bed without unpacking. The next morning after breakfast she started her search. She spoke to anyone and everyone who would speak to her and who had spoken English or she could get to understand her. Her lack of Spanish hampered her inquiries. She showed everyone Benny Ray's photograph. It was one of two given to her by Mary Ellen. The official Marine photos were nice, she thought, but she needed something up to date. No one had seen the missing man. Lizzie had hoped that she would make some progress and at the end of her first full day she sat in the small cantina drinking beer and reviewing the evidence in her folder and her maps. She drew a line between Torreblanca and the site of the explosion. Along that route were several small homes. She had decided to visit them all or as many as she could get to the next day.

She stood up, paid her bill and left, or at least tried to. A man stood in the doorway. He spoke to her in Spanish. She explained in English that she didn't understand him. She was surprised when he then spoke to her again in cultured English tones.

"Welcome to our town, Miss...?" He left the sentence unfinished.

Lizzie looked at the man. He was tall and handsome, swarthy with dark hair and a charming manner, but something made her dislike him.

"Pitt," she said shortly.

"Miss Pitt, perhaps I can help you. I hear you're looking for someone and I know everyone in Torreblanca. I consider it, my town."

Chavez smiled and Lizzie felt a shiver go down her spine. Reluctantly she showed him a photograph of Benny Ray. He took some time to study it.

"I'm afraid I have never seen this man. Your boyfriend?" Chavez asked.

"My fiancée," Lizzie lied.

Chavez nodded in understanding. "If I was such a man, I would not leave the side of a beautiful young woman like you."

Lizzie didn't find that comforting. "Well," she said suddenly, wanting to get as far away as possible from this man. "I'm tired and if you don't mind." She took back the photograph. He allowed her to squeeze past him and laughed as the discomfort showed.

The next day Liz's search was just as fruitless. She started to doubt her own convictions. She had to work hard to remind herself why she thought this man was still alive. Sitting in the motel she studied the two photographs. She knew the face intimately and she thought she could guess the kind of man behind it. A man who was extremely good at what he did when he was in the Marines, but who obviously had an attitude problem. He could inspire great loyalty in his friends and great anger in his ex-wife. What little she could find out about him since he left the military indicated a ruthless man, one who could kill without compunction if the cause was right; a complex man and a man who intrigued her. She found herself dreaming about him and waking up hot and bothered. She flushed in embarrassment to think of it, told herself not to be silly and put the photos down. Bed beckoned and more dreams.

The day after Lizzie walked to the Cantina for breakfast. She had not decided which area to cover in her search that day. Walking towards her, a dishevelled unshaven man limped down the middle of the road. As he passed her she looked at him. Their eyes met and she gasped. She stopped dead in her tracks and her mouth worked like a goldfish. She turned towards the man who was walking away from her.

"Excuse me," she called and took half a step towards him nervously.

He stopped and turned back to her. She got a much better look. She smiled,

"Benny Ray Riddle, I presume?"

Chapter 19

Hermosa Beach, California.

Matt had stewed for two days over what to do. He had spoken to Trout, who had informed him that Lizzie Pitt was who she said she was. He was convinced that Benny Ray was dead so what good would it do to go on a wild goose chase, raking up old ghosts, causing everyone pain and anguish. And they had all had enough of that over the last few weeks. But the damn woman had started something and he knew it had to be finished. He called in the team and started packing as he waited for them to arrive.

Chapter 20

Torreblanca.

She took him to breakfast. He ate like a horse. She watched him eat his way through three breakfasts and she lost count of the number of cups of coffee he drank. He did not speak as he ate, save to mutter a few, "thank you Ma'am's" to the waitress. Lizzie smiled as she watched him. She could hardly believe it. She had hunted for this man and he'd walked into her life, literally. When he finally finished eating he sat back and studied her.

"So you're an insurance investigator and you've been looking for me?" He asked.

Lizzie nodded. There was a silence between them, which Lizzie broke. "You must have quite a story, Mr. Riddle."

"Seeing as you paid for my breakfast, Ma'am, I think you can call me Benny Ray. "

"On one condition, Mr. Riddle." She corrected herself, " Benny Ray."

"Yes, ma'am," he replied.

"Don't call me Ma'am."

Benny Ray smiled. They stayed at the Cantina as each told the other their part of the jigsaw. Benny Ray's part of the story being somewhat sanitized Lizzie thought, but didn't push the issue. Benny Ray was horrified to think that his family and friends thought him dead.

"I need to get in touch with Matt and Mary Ellen."

"Here," Lizzie offered. "Use my phone."

His first call to Matt reached voicemail. He found it difficult to know what to say and ended up leaving a message. "Major, sir, it's me Benny Ray. I'm not dead. I'm here in Torreblanca."

He left Lizzie's number for Matt to contact him on. Then he rang Mary Ellen. The conversation started out with shock, delight and surprise at the fact that he wasn't dead, and then degenerated into anger on her part for what she had been through and then tears as Benny Ray spoke to his children. Lizzie, uncomfortable in the presence of a man she hardly knew showing such emotion, got up and paid the bill. She waited by the door for him to finish the call, giving him the privacy he needed. Eventually he joined her, returned the phone and thanked her.

"You're welcome," she said quietly. "You need a shower, Benny Ray," she said wrinkling her nose. "And some decent clothes."

Benny Ray looked down at himself as if seeing himself for the first time. He sniffed.

"I smell worse than Nick ready for a night out. I don't have any money."

"Allow me," Lizzie said, as she offered to pay." Expenses," she explained.

He bought the bare minimum, Lizzie noted; T-shirt, jeans, boxers, socks and trainers. Lizzie collected shampoo, soap shaving foam and a razor.

"You might need these as well."

Benny Ray raised his eyebrows, but said nothing as Lizzie paid the bill. With all the purchases in one bag the two of them headed to the motel. A car was parked outside with a man inside smoking. He ignored the pair as Lizzie went to her room and opened the door. As the door shut behind them it took Benny Ray a split second to realize they were in trouble and another to realize how this was going to play out. Lizzie took longer to appreciate the danger.

Chapter 21

In the air over southern California.

The 'keep seat belt on' sign was still on and the stewardess had just reminded the passengers that all cell phones and electronic equipment should remain switched off until the signs went out, having relieved an eleven year-old brat of his Game Gear. The captain came over the intercom announcing the altitude and cruising speed and informing them that there was poor weather ahead and that as a result the seatbelt sign would remain on whilst they experienced turbulence. Matt could see Chance explaining to CJ why he was suddenly feeling sick and the likelihood of the turbulence lasting all the way to their destination. CJ groaned. Margo was sat next to him. Deke had drawn the short straw, sitting next to Nick. Matt didn't know who to feel more sorry for, but looking across at the mismatched pair he thought Deke was definitely getting the worst of the situation at the moment.

The flight was not a long one mercifully for all concerned and once off the plane CJ quickly recovered his normal color while Deke volunteered to collect the SUV Matt had arranged before the flight. They were soon on their way. Matt had explained that they would call in at Cantina Rosa on the way to Torreblanca to pick up the gear they couldn't get past customs. Nick's contact had willingly agreed to help, again. On their arrival he was waiting for them. He took them round to the back of the Cantina where a dilapidated caravan stood. However bad it looked on the outside, inside the caravan was immaculate. It was like an Aladdin's cave and Deke's eyes lit up when he ducked low to enter. The team soon had everything they needed and were about to take off in the SUV when the bartender stopped them.

"I don't know if this is anything to do with what you're doing here, and" he added quickly," I don't want to know, but Chavez is in Torreblanca. Some woman turned up asking questions and Chavez doesn't like it. Since your last visit, he's been a very unhappy man. The spotlight has been on him and his operations and he had to back off, which has meant that others are taking advantage of his difficulties. He hasn't taken kindly to that, so whoever this woman is, she had better be careful. "

Matt held out his hand and offered his thanks.

"My pleasure. What ever you did last time you were here has made my job a lot easier and with Martin having been removed it will stay that way."

"Martin?" Matt queried.

"He hasn't been seen since your last visit. Word has it he is feeding the vultures."

"There was no Martin on the casualty list," replied Matt.

"Well, whatever, he hasn't been seen since the explosion that killed your buddy. So either he went the same way or Chavez expressed his displeasure in some direct action."

At the mention of Benny Ray's fate, Margo flinched. She got into the SUV and the others took it as a signal to leave. As they drove to Torreblanca Matt took out his phone. Plugging in the hands-free kit he turned on to listen to the two messages waiting for him.

"Stop!"

Matt's sudden command caused Margo to swerve. She slammed on the brakes. Matt looked at her and started to laugh. There were tears in his eyes.

"Matt, what's wrong? What's the matter?" Margo demanded.

Matt said nothing, pulled the plug out of his hands-free kit and switched on the speakerphone. He replayed the first message. They couldn't believe the voice they heard, a voice they'd never expected to hear again.

Margo cried as did Nick.

Chance punched CJ on the shoulder and said, "Damn."

CJ grinned. "The bloody jammy sod," he said smiling.

Deke said nothing watching the reactions of the others. As the voices subsided, Matt called an order to proceedings.

"Okay people, we go into Torreblanca, we get our man and get out, quick."

"What about the woman?" Deke asked.

"She comes out to," Matt said firmly.

Deke nodded and Margo put her foot down, hard.

Chapter 22

The Old Fountain Motel.

Benny Ray felt the barrel of the gun against the side of his head and heard the trigger cock almost simultaneously. He said and did nothing. Lizzie turned towards the gunmen who held a gun to her head and demanded to know what was going on. Chavez came out of the bathroom. Besides him and the goons who had guns on Benny Ray and Lizzie there was a third man also armed. Benny Ray was sure that the man, who was so obviously in charge, was also armed.

"You..." Lizzie grasped in her memory for his name. "Chavez," she spat out." What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Kneel down," Chavez ordered.

Benny Ray decided to take his cue from Lizzie.

"What!" she shouted. "Get lost. Just who do you think you are?"

"Get on your knees," Chavez repeated and taking out his handgun put it in Lizzie's face.

She paled and slowly knelt down. Benny Ray followed her. He had little choice. What ever move he made, she would be the first victim. He knelt down and his hands were tied behind his back. His ankles were tied too. His bare feet were touching the door to the motel room. He watched as Liz's hands were tied behind her back. Benny Ray got angry. This woman had not given up on him when everyone else had and now she was going to pay for it. There was nothing he could do, but he'd try.

"Leave her alone," he said to Chavez. "It's me you want, I'm the one who killed your boy Martin and wrecked the car."

Chavez turned to Benny Ray. "That I had worked out for myself and your turn will come, but first I need a distraction. My wife is busy with our newborn son. She has little time for me and this one," he said as he turned to face Lizzie again." Has so much fire and spirit. "

Lizzie suddenly caught on. Her mouth went dry and she looked at Benny Ray. She shook her head. Benny Ray looked straight at her and said nothing. His silence screamed at her. Chavez dragged Lizzie to her feet. She tried to pull away, but only succeeded in tearing the top two buttons off her blouse. She stamped on Chavez` instep. He cried out and she tore loose of his grip. Jumping on the bed she tried to make it across the bed to the bathroom. There was a window there and a lock on the door. She never made it. Chavez grabbed her ankle and she fell face first across the bed. Chavez climbed upon the bed. Lizzie tried to squirm away succeeding only in falling head first on the floor on the other side of the bed. The third gunman dragged her up and pushed her back on the bed. Chavez smiled and straddled Lizzie. She tried to get further away from him but only made it a couple of feet before Chavez leaned forward putting his hand on her shoulder.

"Please, don't!" Lizzie begged.

Chavez tore the rest of her shirt open.

"No, please don't, " she whimpered.

Chavez produced a knife and sliced the front of her bra. Lizzie spat in his face. The knife was suddenly at her throat as Chavez` other hand twisted her left breast. Lizzie tried to angle her neck away from the knifepoint. As she twisted her head she caught sight of Benny Ray. His head was bowed. Lizzie closed her eyes and fought Chavez every step of the way. All it earned her was a few slaps, a bloody nose and a split lip.

Benny Ray pulled against his bonds, but there was no give in them. He had not been able to watch what was going on. He knew Margo had faced being raped before and it was something that he had never really asked her about, something he felt uncomfortable with. He had reasoned with himself that it was because rape was something only a man could inflict on a woman, a humiliation and exploitation that went way beyond any physical beating. But he knew that was wrong too. Mankind was capable of the cruelest acts and didn't limit itself as to its victims. He listened to Lizzie fight and felt powerless. He was a man of action; he ought to be able to do something. He had fought in battles and in single combat, he had hurt people and killed them and he had helped people, but now he could do nothing and it tore at him worse than any bullet or knife could.

Lizzie screamed and he looked up. His eyes met hers. Chavez had finally got round to the act of rape itself, his` foreplay` over. Lizzie stared at Benny Ray, but it was as if she didn't see him. The fight had gone out of her. As a single tear rolled across the bridge of her nose her eyes focussed again and she stared at Benny Ray. He didn't want to look at her, but somehow he knew that if he abandoned her now she would be lost. Like a drowning man he was her life raft. Her grip on him, although not physical, was something like no other. When Billy had been born Benny Ray had managed to get there. The only birth he had attended. Mary Ellen had grabbed his hand and squeezed it at every contraction until he thought she would break it. This was somehow worse. In some small way he suffered with her, the abuse, the indignity and the pain and when Chavez stood up having finished with her she kept his grip. This time she knew there was more to come. For Benny Ray it was unbearable, he forced himself to stay with her, to keep the eye contact when all he wanted to do was lash out and kill someone, something, anyone.

Each of the three men took their turn. Throughout it all Lizzie didn't move, didn't say a word, didn't make a sound, the only sign that she was alive, the occasional blink and the slow rise and fall of her chest. When they had finished she lay on the bed bruised and bleeding. Finally her eyes closed and for Benny Ray that was worse. Somehow without him realizing it, during the ordeal, their roles had become reversed. When Lizzie broke the contact it was Benny Ray who was cast adrift in a sea of frustration and torment. He screamed, "No".

Chapter 23

Torreblanca

Margo pulled the SUV into the side and the team emptied onto the street. Matt moved forward and spotted the lookout in the car. He signalled to Chance to take him out. Chance wasn't as good a sniper as Benny Ray, but he could manage this easy enough. Finding a suitable position, Chance gave thanks to the powers that be for the fact that the man had wound down the window of the car. Stealth was imperative and whilst the Remington was silenced, the sound of breaking glass would not be. The shot was taken and the target neutralized.

Margo approached the reception. Walking in her Glock at her side she asked for a room. The young man behind the counter was bored, but jumped to attention when the beautiful young woman walked in. When she put the gun two inches from his face, he almost fainted. She moved round behind the counter and brought the gun down on the young man's exposed neck as mouthed a silent apology. Checking the register she found the information she wanted. Lizzie's rental car was still parked up. She quickly left Reception and reported to Matt.

Nick and CJ were sent off to scout Lizzie's room. CJ kept watch while Nick went round the back, spotted a bathroom window, and tried to get a look-in without being seen. Getting back to Matt, he was only able to report that there were an unknown number of tangos in the room. He couldn't tell if Benny Ray or Lizzie was in the room.

"Okay we don't know yet if the trap has been sprung. If it hasn't then this is a clean entry and termination. Flash bangs in both windows on my mark and we are in," Matt explained.

"And if Benny Ray is inside?" Margo asked.

Before Matt could answer they heard Benny Ray scream.

Matt shouted, " Nick, CJ, Chance take the back, Margo, Deke with me."

Deke got to the door first and putting all his weight behind it, he kicked the door in. Benny Ray on the inside of the door was knocked forward, whiplash causing his head to snap back and make contact with the door. Lights exploded in his head and as he fell forward a second time, the ground rushed up to meet him and everything went black.

"There's something behind the door," Deke shouted.

Matt pushed passed and stepped over the body before realizing it was Benny Ray. Bringing his rifle to bear he took out Chavez with a double tap to the chest. Margo went right through the door and took down one goon. Deke went left and took another. The third man seeing the bodies dropped his revolver and put his hands in the air.

Deke cuffed him and took him aside. Margo moved to the bed. What she saw made her sick. She put a hand on Lizzie's shoulder and spoke softly. At her touch Lizzie rolled onto her side and curled into a foetal position. Margo pulled the cover off the bed and wrapped it around Lizzie's naked body. Looking at Matt, she nodded to confirm the woman was alive.

"Benny Ray?" she queried.

"Out cold, but I think he's okay. I wish Rico were here."

"We need to get them out of here," urged Margo.

Matt called Chance and Nick to help Benny Ray to the SUV. CJ helped Margo with Lizzie, who was conscious, but not in any state to help herself. Deke had appropriated Lizzie's car arguing that they weren't all going to get in the SUV. Matt didn't argue.

The drive back to the airport was a difficult one, Lizzie started to rock back and forth and only CJ seemed able to keep her calm. Benny Ray was still unconscious, a small trickle of blood at the base of his neck. Margo was worried.

"They both need to be in hospital."

Matt called Trout.

"He's going to have a chopper waiting for us at the airport, no questions asked."
Margo nodded and stroked Benny Ray's forehead. Now she had him back she didn't want to lose him again.

Chapter 24

Coronado naval base hospital, thirty-six hours later.

Benny Ray had woken up with a pounding headache and a room full of people. Margo was sitting on his bed and his left arm was in a cast.

"Hey, beautiful," Margo said, as Benny Ray closed his eyes again. "Don't go back to sleep."

"No one could sleep with all this racket," Benny Ray grumbled.

"Well that's nice I must say," complained CJ. "We bring him back from the dead and all he does is complain about the noise."

Benny Ray opened his eyes and smiled. The banter continued until a nurse turned up ordering them all out, and waving a finger at Matt, saying that he should know better. Benny Ray called Margo back, as they filed out.

The nurse looked at the pair of them and relented. "Only five minutes though."

Margo nodded. Benny Ray still needed his rest. He looked pale.

"They fixed the arm, but had to rebreak it to get it straight. You'll be in plaster for another four to six weeks. Everything else is or will heal in time," Margo explained, knowing full well that this was not what he wanted to hear.

"Lizzie?" he asked.

Margo took a deep breath and saw the fear in his eyes. "No," she rushed. "She's okay."

He settled back down on the pillows.

"Physically she wasn't hurt that much. They discharged her after twenty-four hours." Margo paused. "I asked her to stay for a while. At least until you woke up from the anaesthetic. But she wouldn't. She's gone Benny Ray. Back to England."

"She's left already." It was a statement not a question.

"She left for LAX an hour ago."

"What time's her flight?" He demanded.

"Benny Ray, you're not well enough to get up and go chase after her."

Margo knew she was going to lose this argument from the beginning.

"Margo, you can either help me or get out of my way," Benny Ray warned.

She sighed, and handed him an overnight bag. "I thought you might need these."

Benny Ray smiled his thanks, took the bag and gingerly put his feet on the floor. The leg was okay, but he was still sore. As he went to remove the hospital gown he noticed Margo watching him. He stopped.

"Aren't you going to turn round?"

"No," Margo smiled and then made a big show of turning her back on him. What he couldn't see was that Margo still had a perfect view of him via the mirror above the washbasin. She winced silently at the marks all over his body. The cut on his leg was heavily bandaged and he favored that leg.

"All ready," he announced." Are you going to drive me?"

"I'll get rid of the guys first. Wait here for me."

"Okay, Sweetpea, but be quick."

Margo was back in a few minutes, and Benny Ray had stayed put as he was told. She held car keys in her hand and dangled them in front of Benny Ray. They walked as quickly out of the hospital as his bruised body would allow avoiding any doctor or nurse that might try and stop them.

The drive to the airport had been terrible for Lizzie. The traffic had delayed them and the cab driver had talked non-stop. At first she had tried to join in, then she had tried to ignore him and she'd got to the stage now when she just wanted to scream at him to shut up.

It had been difficult leaving Benny Ray. Last night in the hospital after all his friends had finally gone home she had gone to his room and slipping quietly inside had watched him sleep. She knew that if he was all right in the morning they would operate to reset the broken arm. The nurse had reluctantly given her the information, even though she was not family. Watching the man she felt a connection. That lifeline in Torreblanca had turned into some subtle unconscious bond. She approached the bed quietly not wanting to wake him. Looking down at him she noticed how much younger he looked, sleep taking the hardness out of his face.

She whispered, "Thank you." And left.

The car suddenly stopped and with a start Lizzie realized the driver had stopped talking too. They were there. She paid the cabbie and entered the terminal at LAX. The building was massive and for a second she was terrified. Looking across the terminal building she saw the British Airways check-in desks. As she headed towards them she was hit from behind, in the ankles. An elderly woman with a baggage trolley she couldn't control had just hit her.

"I'm so sorry, dear," she said. Lizzie smiled. The woman was English and from her luggage tickets a fellow BA traveller.

Lizzie followed the elderly woman to the Heathrow check-in desk. When the woman realized they were in the same queue she tried to strike up a conversation. Why me, Lizzie thought.

Her attention wandered as the man she had left in the hospital bed once again came into her thoughts. She had three distinct memories of him. Her first the image she had painted in her own mind from reading the files and investigating his` death`. She had imagined him a simple, but cruel and violent man, perhaps more in looks like Major Shepherd. The second image was of watching him eat breakfast. Their conversation that morning had shown her that her preconceptions were all wrong. She knew that her guess at his physical appearance had been wrong from the pictures Mary Ellen had supplied, but she had not been prepared at all for the man who had sat in front of her that morning. He was far from simple, there was so much hidden behind those intelligent blue eyes. She had seen them cloud with emotion when she described the meeting with his ex-wife and children and light up when she explained her meeting with Matt and the team a few days before. He wasn't cruel, his eyes were too kind.

She had sensed the power in him, but it was trapped, under control like a coiled spring. If it was let go, it would be devastating, but there was never any feeling of loss of control, she never felt threatened. She had found herself pleased at how wrong she had been. And the third impression of him was from the nightmare in the hotel room. She had seen her own pain reflected back at her in his eyes. Weren't the eyes supposed to be the windows to the soul? Those eyes had shown her so much. When she had let go and she had left the body that was being abused, he kept her anchored. He didn't look away; he didn't abandon her to that awful fate. Somehow she had known that he wanted to, that he shared her pain and found it as difficult to bear as she had done, but despite that he had not let go like she had. He had not left her alone.

As the elderly woman saw Lizzie's eyes glaze over she stopped talking and nudged her ever suffering husband.

"She's in love," she said, conspiratorially.

Her husband shrugged his shoulders. His wife was always coming up with these wild ideas. To him she looked like a woman in a daze, probably thinking about whether her car was still at the airport car park or whether some little oick had nicked it.

There was laughter from the front of the queue. Lizzie looked up and saw a group of about a dozen women and girls all wearing shirts with something RUFC on the back. She couldn't make out the first word, but they were obviously causing problems at the check-in desk and Lizzie was stuck in that queue. Almost like home she smiled to herself. Behind her and further back towards the entrance to the terminal there was another commotion. Someone seemed to have knocked a man over. The culprit had his back to her and she was about to look away when he turned and looked straight at her. Benny Ray! It felt like her heart had stopped and that she had to force herself to breathe. He walked towards her and seeing the look of shock on her face, stopped unsure of what to do.

The motherly woman had seen the commotion and the good-looking young man with his arm in a sling who had apparently caused it. She also saw his step towards them and then stop. Following his stare, her eyes came to rest on Lizzie. Elbowing her husband in the ribs she whispered. "See told you it was man trouble."

She touched Lizzie on the shoulder. "It's all right, dear. I'll look after your suitcase and save your place in the queue. You go to him." And she gave Lizzie a little shove in the back.

Lizzie wanted to tell her it wasn't like that and she turned to face Benny Ray. But it was. She walked to him and saw the smile grow on his face, as she felt herself start to smile.

"I didn't want you to go," he started. He paused, "... without saying goodbye"

She felt ashamed. She had known when she left, it was the wrong thing to do, but she had to get away.

"I had to," she said quietly.

He looked at his hands. His fingers felt homeless and his ring finger on his right hand had a pale band where the ring was missing.

"I just wanted to say thank you," he finally said.

She laughed. "You wanted to thank me! Don't you think it should be the other way round?"

"No, I meant what I said."

"So did I."

The silence descended again. Benny Ray reached forward as if to take her in his arms, but Lizzie's hand went out and stopped inches short of his chest, as if to ward him off.

"Don't, Benny Ray," she said and the tears welled up in her eyes. He looked hurt and that she didn't want to see that. She had to make him understand.

"Right now I need to put some space between me and..." she couldn't say it.

"I remind you of that, don't I?" He almost accused himself.

"No you don't, not at all," she said, trying to put her own feelings in words. "I need to go home, not to forget, because I can't, but to get my balance back. I feel like my world is teetering on the brink and I need to be able to step away from the edge." She could see he didn't understand and tried again. "I'm holding on by my fingernails and one by one my fingers are slipping. If I stay here I'm going to fall and you won't be able to catch me or put me together again after."

"Humpty Dumpty, eh ?" He said understanding a little.

Her tears fell. "Yes," she said.

"Can I call you?" He asked.

She took a business card out of her bag and wrote a number on the back. A single tear hit the card and blotted some of the numbers.

"This is my home phone number and my e-mail address."

He took the card and memorized the details. "I'll be in touch," he promised.

"I'd like that."

Her hand still warded him off, but she moved it now gently touching his cheek with the back of her fingers. It was only the slightest contact, but it made her shake. Every touch threw an image into her head that she couldn't bear to remember.

She whispered, "Thank you," and turned to go. Benny Ray went to pull her back, but stopped. He watched her walk away and rejoin the queue. He stayed until she had checked in her bags and until she started to go into the security check area. He was still there when she turned and waved, so he waved back and she was gone.

A hand on his shoulder made him turn round.

"Are you going to be okay?" Margo asked as she handed him a handkerchief. He didn't realize he had shed tears too.

"I will be, Sweetpea. I will be."

"She will be as well." Margo hoped it was true.

"I know."

"Will she be back?"

Benny Ray straightened up, put his good arm through Margo's offered arm and said brightly, "Oh, yes." He clutched the card Lizzie had given him, rubbed his thumb over the tearstain and smiled at Margo.

"Want to buy me lunch?"

"How could I resist such a gracious offer?" She smiled.

"I hoped you'd say that."

THE END.