Killing the Secret (19 page)

“Any cars around?” Tye asked.

“Some from the fifties. I went to visit one little Columbian gal and the family garage opened into their house. So the car was parked in the house on the linoleum floor. Driving there was a gamble since they virtually had no traffic signs back then.”

“Sounds like an adventure,” Tye said with a chuckle.

“Probably the most interesting thing that happened was the day we needed to cross a river. There was no bridge to drive the jeep over. These guys had us drive the jeep into two canoes and they floated us across. Now that was an experience.” Max’s laughter filled the plane.

Tye joined in. “I hope they’ve built more bridges since you were there. I don’t want to drown in a jeep.”

Max’s tone became serious. “What you’re doing is dangerous. You may never get back home. There are killers in the jungle. It may be difficult for you to get a guide, but I will help you with that before I fly to Villavicencio.”

“What’s so interesting there?”

“They used to have fabulous silver jewelry. I thought I’d get my wife a little gift since I’ll be so close.” Max’s lips tightened. “You try to get some rest while I concentrate on flying through this thunderstorm.”

“Okay.” Tye turned his head toward the window. Max obviously was nervous about flying in the storm, so Tye was glad the conversation ended. He told himself to concentrate on how to keep himself alive once they landed. It wasn’t possible to make any plans since he didn’t know what he was going to face.
Just play it by ear and pray a little.

Chapter Forty-Three

Lexie glanced at the clock on her truck’s dashboard. It was six-thirty a.m. Tye should have taken off thirty minutes before. The horse trailer made the truck difficult to steer. Many times it was necessary to correct the constant pull to the left.

Her mind couldn’t stay off Tye.
Maybe it’s a mistake to send him.
She found on the Internet last night that in the 1990s Columbia was one of the most deadly places in the world. According to the article in Wikipedia, it was not as dangerous now. That was her only solace.

Pulling the truck and trailer to the side of Lulu’s Country Store and Diner, Lexie put the truck in park. Lulu’s was the favorite stop for campers to buy their bug spray, not to mention the essential beer and worms.

Lulu came around the corner as Lexie slid from the seat of the truck. “What are you up to, Lexie Girl?”

The head of the five-foot woman fit snuggly under Lexie’s chin during the bear hug she delivered.

“I’m trying to sneak this truck and trailer out of the way, so I can go on a horseback ride.”

“You sure ain’t very secretive, girl, with that big rig.”

“I never can fool you.” Lexie patted Lulu’s shoulder.

“No, and you still can’t, even though I’m seventy-nine.”

“So, am I parked out of the way enough not to interfere with your customers?”

“It’s fine, young’un. I bet you’re goin’ in the woods to look for that drug sellin’ fool, Wilbur.”

“I really
can’t
keep any secrets from you. But please don’t tell anyone.”

“I weren’t going to.” Lulu assured her with a hand squeeze. “I keep my mouth shut about sheriff business. Sure, you can park here as long as you want. Do you need help gettin’ that spotted horse out?”

“I can handle Flame just fine, but thanks anyway. By the way, Turner from the highway patrol will be here in a few minutes. He’ll be close if I need him.”

“Well, I got to get back to fryin’ eggs for them hungry men folks. You come on in the store and tell me bye when you’re finished chasin’ Wilbur so I can quit worrin’ about you.”

“I’ll do it,” Lexie promised.

Lexie backed Flame out of the trailer then saddled him. It was a mile ride to the river turnoff, but she wasn’t going to risk driving any further. Wilbur wasn’t going to get the benefit of a warning from the rattle of a trailer on a rocky road. She easily put a foot in the stirrup and swung her free leg over the saddle. Times like this made her glad her dad taught his daughter what he taught his son. She knew how to shoot straight, lasso, and ride better than most men. Her mother named her Alexandria hoping for a girlie-girl. Instead she ended up with a tomboy who liked to climb trees and push her male friends into the creek. Lexie wasn’t the daughter her mother wanted, and her disappointment was always evident.

Lexie held the reigns loose allowing Flame to follow his instinctive path beside the highway. The blacktop and thoughts of her mother ended as soon as she saw the rocky curving road that went toward Wilbur’s house. Memories of Abbey’s death crowded her mind.

Flame wasn’t in any hurry. His gait was slow as they entered the woods. She let him find a path through the underbrush. His hoof beats blended perfectly with the sounds of nature. Splotches of blue sky were all that was visible through the green canopy. A hawk let out a squawk as she and Flame invaded its sanctuary. It was so soothing to ride in this world untouched by human rigmarole that she lost her focus.

Her eyes darted from side to side and she twisted her body to look behind her. She was afraid she’d missed something by allowing her mind to wander so far from her purpose. There didn’t appear to be anything that didn’t belong—except Flame and her.

The creek ahead apparently looked inviting to Flame because his steps quickened. The horse went cautiously down the incline. Stiffening her body, Lexie controlled it from falling forward.

Flame stood in the middle of the creek and began a long lapping of water. Having nothing else to do, Lexie watched the water flow swiftly down the stream, then pool into a large open area as if to rest before it returned to its hurried trip to the river. The brown stones under the water were slick from the constant movement of the water.

Minnows scattered as Flame’s tongue got too close for comfort. Pulling his head up, Flame shook it from side to side. Lexie wasn’t sure if he was shaking the water off, or if a minnow tickled his snout.

Lexie gave the bridle a tug and Flame continued their journey across the creek and up the other bank. Thirty minutes later, she dismounted and tied Flame to a tree. She was pretty sure she was within five minutes walking distance to Wilbur’s house.

A sound exploded in the distance with its echo rippling through the woods. Dropping to the ground, Lexie waited, but only the insects and the wind created noise. The gunshot coming from the direction of Wilbur’s place didn’t appear to be meant for her.

Standing, she visually explored the surrounding area. Running forward, she tried to avoid the branches on the ground that might pop and break with the pressure of her weight and create a path of sound for whoever was firing the gun. As Lexie neared the house, she stooped down and walked cautiously toward the back door.

“You sonofabitch!” The angry voice bellowed from within the house. “Next time I’m goin’ to shoot you through the head. I want my money now. You ain’t cheatin’ me from what’s rightfully mine.”

“I ain’t got it. My woman took it when she left.”

“You lyin’ bastard!” the voice blurted out in a staccato yell. “I’m goin’ to beat the shit out of you!”

Lexie heard the sound of wood hitting the floor and Wilbur’s high-pitched scream. Looking through the space between the curtains as the wind blew against them, she saw Wilbur tied to a chair that had fallen on its side. The sleeve of his shirt was wet with blood. His cousin, Toby, stood over him with a gun to the side of his head.

“I’m goin’ to kill you deader than a rock.” Toby’s voice was hoarse. The gun in his right hand shook. He stabilized it with his left hand. “Give it to me now or you’ll be in hell tonight.”

“I told you I ain’t got your money.” Lexie barely heard the words that Wilbur breathlessly squeaked out.

“You bastard!” Toby yelled. “Five, four, three, two—”

Lexie fired her shot through the open window aiming at Toby’s right leg. The bullet hit its mark.

Grabbing his leg, Toby dropped the gun, and a wild animal roar exploded out of his mouth.

Lexie crashed through the back door.

Toby grabbed for his gun. One shot ricocheted off the door facing Lexie. Next he turned the gun to Wilbur’s head. “You bastard!” he hollered. “Get my money!”

Wilbur’s face crunched into a mass of fleshy terror. Lexie fired the shot directly at Toby’s chest and watched him fall to the floor.

Adrenaline shot through Lexie’s body. She quickly pulled the walkie-talkie from her backpack. The words came out fast, “Turner, call the med helicopter. I’ve got two wounded men here. Tell them they need a police officer to come with them.”

“Are you okay?” Turner’s voice was strained.

“Yes. Just get them here immediately. Over and out.”

While she was untying Wilbur from the chair she noted that his face was pale, his eyes glassy.

After helping him to the couch, she got an old dishtowel to wrap around his wound.

Toby’s breathing was shallow, his pulse slow. She pressed a towel against his chest which was soon saturated with blood. Droplets of blood sprinkled her as he coughed.

“That asshole goin’ to die?” Wilbur panted out the words, his chest heaving.

“Looks like it.” Lexie leaned back against the wall and shut her eyes.

“
He
deserves to be burnin’ in hell. That fool would’ve killed me if it tweren’t for you.”

Lexie’s eyes flew open. “Is that a thank you?”

“Damn sure is.”

“Save your energy, Wilbur. You aren’t out of the woods yet.”

Wilbur became quiet. He rested his head on the filthy sofa arm like an obedient child.

Toby’s coughing stopped, as did his labored breathing.

It seemed like hours before the helicopter arrived, but it was actually less than thirty minutes. One EMSA person pronounced Toby dead, while the other one attended to Wilbur’s arm.

Turner arrived on a four-wheeler to work on the scene investigation. The other officer went back to the helicopter with Wilbur.

Lexie purposely focused on Turner’s face trying to shut out the horrific crime scene. “If you can handle this, I’m going to get Flame and head back to Lulu’s.”

“Can do. This sure is a bloody mess.” Turner’s eyes expressed his concern. “First person you ever killed?”

She nodded.

“Well, you had no choice,” Turner assured her. “Wilbur made that clear in his ranting.”

“That makes it a little easier, but not much.”

Turner waved her out the door.” You go on now. I’ll finish up here. Highway patrol is sending out an officer to help me.”

Her shoes made scuffmarks in the dirt as she walked toward the woods. Lexie’s clothes were sprinkled with Toby’s blood, and a swipe of her tears smeared the red fluid on her cheek. She’d wounded at least a dozen people as a street cop, but none of them had died. Emptiness was the feeling it left inside her. She feared her soul disappeared when she took Toby’s life.

Flames’ head turned ever so slightly at the sound of her steps. She reached in her saddleback and let him eat hay from her hand. Straddling him, she was a silent passenger trusting Flame to get them back to the highway.

Chapter Forty-Four

After four hours on the plane, Tye’s body revolted against the cramped quarters. He tried to straighten his legs in order to relax his muscles, but it didn’t help. He tried to will himself to sleep, or to think about Jamie and Adam. Nothing eased the feeling of being squashed into a can. Max seemed to be fine in the world inside his head and didn’t offer any conversation. Walking among the snakes and lizards was sounding better and better. He might even try swinging with the monkeys—anything for some exercise.

“See that clearing below?” Max asked as he pointed. “That’s where we’re landing. It’s outside a village where we can find you a guide.”

“Good, my muscles are so stiff.” Tye massaged the back of his neck. “I’m ready to chase lizards.”

“I noticed a lot of wiggling over there,” Max sounded somewhat annoyed.

“Sorry, needed to move to counteract the muscle spasms.”

“You big guys don’t always have the advantage,” Max stated.

“I can’t argue that.”

The plane went downward with a wide smooth swoop. When the plane hit the rough ground, Tye lunged forward with his head stopping two inches from the window. He noted Max’s white knuckles that matched his pale face.

“Quite a landing.” Tye laughed.

Max was immediately defensive. “Rough surface, you know. Impossible to put it down gentle.”

Tye didn’t care if Max thought he was critical. It was what it was—a near head smashing.

The two walked from the plane to the front of an old house where half a dozen men had gathered. They each stared with dark eyes as the out-of-place pair walked toward them. Tye noticed that two of them had their right hands strategically located near their hips.

Max greeted them in Spanish, “Ola.”

“Ola,” Tye repeated.

The men were silent.

Max continued, “Mon amigo has one hundred dollars for the man who will guide him to the burial plot that’s marked on this paper.”

Two men turned and walked away.

A third said, “Los rebeldes se captura y la tortura Que.”

The fourth man nodded his head in agreement.

“What did he say?” Tye asked Max.

“They’re afraid to go into the jungle because of the rebels.”

“Not afraid,” the fifth man corrected in English. “I don’t die for one hundred dollars American.”

The sixth man towered above the others. His words came out in broken English, “I go for four hundred dollars American.”

Tye wanted to negotiate the offer but Max answered, “It’s a deal.” He then reached out to shake the man’s hand.

Tye’s new guide backed up two steps. Max was left with a hand in the air which he dropped quickly, as if to negate the man’s shun.

“Name?” Tye looked at his guide.

One of the other men answered, “El Hombre Grande.”

Tye looked at Max for an interpretation. “They call him Big Man.”

Tye handed Big Man the map. It looked like a note card between his huge hands. One eye followed the directions on the sheet. The other eye peered off to the left. His face appeared to be chiseled out of brown stone, and only three teeth were visible when he curled his lip in thought. A shaved head revealed a red rash and a couple of bloody scratch marks.