Authors: JEAN AVERY BROWN
Within moments Miss Gray entered the office and announced she had checked all the reports back two years and there was no report of any missing persons with that name.
“You say it was reported to Sheriff Brady?” He asked shaking his head.
“Yes, we were told it was reported to the sheriff. That’s why we turned to you people.” Frank said.
“What’s the address of the drop-house?” He asked holding a pen to write it down.”
Ella read off the address and felt a load lifted from her shoulders. She had put the Mexican men in Special Agent Peterson’s hands. And hopefully he isn’t corrupt like everyone else seems to be, she thought.
Special Agent Peterson stood up and extended his hand in a gesture for them to leave. They shook hands and Agent Peterson said, “We will get right on this.”
Frank and Ella left the FBI building feeling much better but still wondering if the FBI would follow up on the lead.
As Frank and Ella walked out of the FBI building Frank said. “You still want to buy that sports car?”
“That’s the plan.” Ella said.
“Let’s have some lunch and then head over to the Chevrolet Dealership.” Frank suggested.
“That’s a good idea. I’m starved and when buying a car a lady needs a full stomach.” Ella laughed.
After lunch Frank and Ella made their way to the dealership. Setting on the show room floor was the most beautiful red Corvette.
“That’s it. That‘s the car I want.” Ella said.
A young man greeted Frank and Ella. Ella told him she was there to speak with a Mr. Miller. Ella bought the van from Mr. Miller and felt she should ask for him.
“I’ll get him for you.” The young man said.
Within moments over the intercom came “Mr. Miller you have customer’s waiting in the showroom.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Smith. How are you today?” Mr. Miller asked holding his hand out with his usual greeting.
“I’m fine, this is my friend, Frank. Frank, Mr. Miller.” Ella introduced them.
“Are you looking to purchase an automobile, Frank?” He asked.
“No, I’m just along for the ride.” Frank said with a grin. Ms. Smith is here to buy a car.”
“What are we looking at Ms. Smith.?” Mr. Miller asked.
“How much for the Corvette over there.?” Ella asked pointing to the red beauty.
Mr. Miller gave Ella an outrageous price.
“Now you know you’re asking way too much give me your bottom dollar or I’ll be shopping somewhere else.” Ella said.
Mr. Miller remembered Ms. Smith pays with cash and this was going to be a honey of a deal.
“Let me talk to my manager and I’ll get the best price I can for you. Would you like a glass of water. I promise not to pour it on you this time.” Mr. Miller told her with a smile.
“No, thank you.” She said with a smile remembering Mr. Miller pouring the water on her lap on her last visit.
Within moments he was back with a smoking’ deal. Ella signed all the papers and she and Frank were out the door.
The drive home was wonderful. Ella would pass Frank and he would pass her. They acted like a couple of kids with a new toy.
When they got back to the house Juan told them the young Mexican man called his family in Baker and they picked him up.
“He was very thankful for your help. His family were very excited to find him. They knew he was in route to the this country but had lost contact with him.” Juan said.
Frank told Ella he had to head home. He would be back soon. He gave her a big kiss and sped off down the drive.
Ella felt good to have Frank’s friendship.
TWENTY-FIVE
Special Agent Peterson picked up the phone and immediately called Agent Harris.
“Agent Harris, can I help you?”
“Yes, Bill, It’s Ben Peterson from Baker. We have a problem. You know the Coyote ring we’ve been trying to crack?”
“Why of course. I’ve been going up against one brick wall after another.” Agent Harris said.
“Bill have you ever thought you might have an informant in your agency?” Ben asked.
“I’ve thought that a few times but I can’t put my hand on who it might be.
“Well, I had a couple in my office today reporting two drop-houses in Coopersville. They said you raided one to find the Coyote’s and the Mexican hostages gone. That’s the one where you found the men in the desert.”
“What about the second house? Where’s it located?”
“That’s the clincher. They reported it to Agent Parker over two weeks ago.” Peterson said wondering what Bill would say.
“No way in hell, Agent Parker hasn’t made a report of any sort. Who reported this information to you?”
“Their names are Frank and Ella Smith but they are not married. They said they are good friends.”
“I’ve ran a check on them and I know who they are. You can take their word to the bank or at least I know you can depend on Ella Smith. Neither have a record.”
“Ben, I believe I have an informer working for the Human Smuggling Cartel in my office. This is why I haven’t been able to crack this case. Damn, I knew I was better than this. I thought I was loosing my touch. Okay, I will put a tail on Agent Parker.”
The two agents discussed their game plan. They had the informant marked but who was head of the Cartel? Who is the boss of the body smuggling ring?
Agent Bill called Agent Parker into his office.
“What’s up Bill?” Agent Parker asked.
“Sam, I think you’ve been working too hard on this ‘coyote’ case and are getting burned out. I want you to take some time off. At least take a week. Things have been quiet for a while. I can keep an eye on everything around here. Take your wife to Palm Springs for a few days. Anyway, as of tomorrow you’re on vacation.” Agent Harris ordered.
“Are you sure about this.” Agent Parker asked with a puzzled look on his face. “I know what it’s like to get burned out. I don’t want this happening to my best agent.” Agent Harris said.
“Maybe some time away will give me a clear head.” Agent Parker said agreeing with his boss.
“Hey, give the little lady a call, tell her to start packing for some sunshine.” Agent Harris said with a chuckle in his voice.
Meanwhile Agent Harris put things in motion. The drop-house raid would be tomorrow. He will pick up the search warrant tomorrow morning and the raid will take place at sundown.
I hope the captives can hold on one more day, he thought to himself. Agent Harris checked his files over and over. Here, is where I let Agent Parker get past me. The drop-house on Fifth Street. He was on stake out the night they took the Mexicans from the house to the desert. I let that slip by. Damn! He thought as he pounded his fist on the desk. How could I let Agent Parker get away with being an informant? Damn, I must be loosing my touch. I can’t let anyone in the agency know of my findings. This one I have to work alone. His mind was spinning. He knew Ella Smith was an honest woman and she was telling the truth.
Agent Harris left the office late and decided to catch a bite at Joe’s Coffee House. Since Bill joined the Coopersville agency he acquainted himself with a few of the locals. Larry the pharmacist happened to stop in at the coffee house.
“Hey Bill.” Larry called out as he made his way to Bill’s booth.
“You have a date joining you?” Larry asked as he slid into the booth.
“No, I don’t have anyone. Did you see a line of women out the door?” Me neither.” Bill laughed as he flipped through the menu.
“What you gonna have, Bill?” The waitress asked.
“I’m looking at a hamburger and a chocolate shake.” Bill said as he handed the menu to Carol the waitress.
“What’s it gonna be Larry, the usual?” Carol asked as she picked up the menu adding it to her collection of menus from the other booths.
“Give me the usual.” He told Carol.
“We’re in a rut.” Larry said to Bill.
Carol shook her head as she headed for the kitchen.
“Bill and Larry will have the usual.” Carol yelled to the kitchen.
“I met a beautiful woman at the car wash. Actually I rescued her from this ugly guy looking her over.” Larry said as he pushed back in the booth as if he were a peacock fanning his tail feathers.
“And do you have a date?” Bill asked with a smile knowing Larry hadn’t dated much.
“No, but she met me here for lunch after the car wash incident. You’ve probably met her. She’s the owner of the new flower shop. Her name is Ella, Ella Smith.” He boasted pushing his chest out a couple inches.
Bill was eagerly looking at him wondering what the next sentence would be.
“No, I haven’t had a reason to shop for flowers.” Bill said as Carol loaded the table with plates of burger, fries, shakes and a bottle of ketchup.
“Can I get you boys anything else?” Carol asked as she wiped her hands on the dish towel she carried over her shoulder.
“No, thank you Carol.” Bill said smiling up at Carol. Bill is aware of Larry’s business at the drug store but Larry doesn’t know anything about Bill except he eats at Joe’s Coffee House every Tuesday evening. The men finished with their dinner and headed their own way.
Bill drove by the house on Ninth Street and luckily the green van was in the drive. The lights were turned down low. Agent Bill decided to take a look at the activity in the house. He parked his sedan down the street and walked in. He crept around the house and could hear sobbing and cursing. He found a slit in one window shade looking in he saw a poor Mexican man tied up. His eyes swollen, his body bruised and dried blood covered his arms and face. He could see dried blood stains on the carpet and walls, the room were trashed. He knew he had to act without delay.
Bill made his way back to this car. He wasn’t going to wait until late tomorrow to raid the Ninth Street drop-house. He would hit around two in the afternoon.
Wednesday morning the town was bustling with a lot of people. On his way to the District Attorney’s office he drove by Ally’s Flower Shopped and it was busy.
They must be buying flowers to take to Amy Bradford’s funeral this afternoon, Bill thought. Most everyone would be attending the two o’clock funeral while Bill and his agents raided the drop-house.