A Dubious Terrain (A Colton Banyon Mystery Book 4) Read online

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  At about the same time Grey and the boys were being shipped to Las Vegas, Manuel, the coyote, found he was in a very bad situation. He had heard there were groups of vigilantes that searched the desert for illegals. He had also heard some of the coyotes never made it back to Mexico. Some illegals had returned with stories of violence and murder. The rumor was some Americans would pay for proof that a coyote was dead. The vigilantes would torture the illegals to find out who the guide was and then they would send the illegals back, after relieving them of all their valuables. There was also a warning to never come across the border again. The threat almost never worked, but there were a lot less coyotes available lately.

  Manuel stood passively as the four men surrounded him. He was short, around five foot four and slight of build. The man standing in front of him was over six foot four and about two hundred and fifty pounds. The other men were equally as large. He knew he could not fight his way out of the circle. So, his best plan for survival was to remain passive.

  The first punch was to his stomach and doubled him over. The men were quickly on him and plastic cuffs were used to pin his arms behind his back. Cuffs were also wrapped around his ankles. There would be no running away from Spike and the boys. They then stood him up. The second punch was to the side of his head and sent him to his knees. Hands immediately went to his pockets and searched his body for any weapons. They found the envelope full of money instead. He also had a cellphone and keys to a car.

  “Take the money, let me go,” he said in accented English.

  “Well at least we will be able to talk a little before we kill you,” Spike snorted. Despite having spent much time in prison where Spanish was the dominate language, Spike never bother to learn any. He had just punched anyone that addressed him in Spanish.

  “I have done nothing,” Manuel pleaded. “I’m just someone lost in the desert.”

  “Sure you are,” Dust said.

  “And just where did you get all this American money?” inquired Spike, as he stuffed it into his pocket.

  “I worked for it,” Manuel muttered, knowing that he was fooling no one. “Please you must let me go. I have a wife and children. We are good people,” he pleaded.

  “But you are paid by a drug cartel,” Spike filled in. “Do you have any idea how much people in the U.S. suffer because of people like you?”

  “I have done nothing wrong,” Manuel muttered.

  “Coyotes are paid to bring illegals across the border. They are called illegals because it is illegal to bring them across,” Ride said as he spat on the little man.

  “Let me go, I will not cross the border again,” Manuel offered.

  “We don’t let coyotes go,” Spike said. “We kill coyotes.”

  “But first we torture them. If you are not a coyote, you will survive the interrogation. It is as simple as that. So let’s get started.” Dust said.

  Spike took a big swing and hit Manuel across his nose. They heard cartilage crack and knew the nose was broken. Satisfied, Spike stepped back and pulled out his cellphone.

  “I need to take your picture to prove you were caught. I get paid that way. It is a shame that I can’t send a picture of dead coyotes. It is too dangerous for me. I don’t want trouble with the law you know.”

  The three other men stood in the photo with Manuel. Blood dripped from his broken nose. He tried to hang his head, but one of the men grabbed him by the hair and pulled his head back. It was the kind of picture a deer hunter would take of his kill.

  “Now let’s get down to business,” Spike said as he put the cellphone back into his pocket and cracked his knuckles.

  The battering started with a punch to his left kidney. Manuel had never felt such pain. Suddenly there was a fury of punches from all the men. Manuel was a human punching bag. After a few minutes the beating stopped so that the men could catch their breath. Manuel was doubled over on the ground. He dared not move. Once he caught his breath, Spike grabbed Manuel by his hair and pulled him up into a kneeling position.

  “Now that we are friends, who do you work for?” Spike stood over the smaller man and kept a menacing scowl on his face.

  “They will kill me if I tell you,” Manuel replied through broken teeth.

  “What do you think we will do if you don’t tell us his name?” answered Spike. He raised his huge fist as if getting ready to land another punch.

  “So, I’m dead either way,” Manuel replied with dead eyes.

  “Well, you could be right there,” Spike replied with a grin. “Now we are getting somewhere. You have ten seconds to answer my questions or we start the beatings again. When we get tired this time, you will die.”

  “Wait, I want to talk to the authorities,” Manuel suddenly pleaded.

  Spike let out a huge belly laugh. “Well, my friend, we are all the authorities you will ever see again.”

  “You don’t understand,” Manuel wailed though broken teeth. “I have information about an assassination of some of your political leaders. It will take place tomorrow. I can give the police the places and time and even what the assassins look like.”

  “How is that?” Spike asked.

  “I just brought them over the border. I can also give the police secrets about one of the largest drug cartels in Las Vegas. If you kill me now, bad things are going to happen tomorrow.”

  Spike was stunned by the information. Usually the coyotes just kept their mouths shut and died. This one was different. He nodded to his gang and they moved a few feet away to discuss the news.

  “What do you think?” Spike asked his friends.

  “It could just be a bluff,” replied one of the men.

  “Yeah, but if he is telling the truth and we didn’t do anything and people get killed, we could lose some of our best supporters. What if the politicians are working to stop illegal aliens from entering the country? He said that a drug cartel is involved. I hate people that sell drugs. Five years ago my brother died of a drug overdose.”

  “I lost one too,” Dust said solemnly.

  “Guys, we could be heroes. Maybe we can make some money from this information too,” Spike reasoned.

  “But we can’t just drop him at the cop station. Maybe he would clam up and forget what he told us.”

  Spike pondered for a minute. “We need to take him with us and record a confession. We then drop him at the station with the recording and a note. That will get their attention.”

  All four men nodded their heads in agreement. They then went back to Manuel and stood over him as he shivered on the cold ground.

  “We are going to take you back with us. You are going to supply us with all that you know. We will record it and then we will turn you over to the Border Patrol,” Spike offered.

  “No, no, not Border Patrol,” replied a scared Manuel. “Turn me over to the FBI, please,” he pleaded.

  “Why not the Border Patrol, you don’t get to choose,” Spike threatened.

  “Because, many of them are on the payroll of the cartel, I would be dead within hours and my story would never be told.”

  The four men looked at each other with shock on their faces.

  Part Five

  Las Vegas

  Chapter Thirty

  It was early morning in Arizona when a call was placed to the FBI Agent in Charge of the Phoenix office with a specific location where Manuel could be found and detailed information about a plot to assassinate some political figures. The caller told the agent a recording of the coyotes’ confession was included. The FBI was now on the case as several carloads of agents took off for the location with sirens wailing.

  The call took place about an hour after Colton and Loni had settled into their seats for the long flight from Chicago to Las Vegas. Banyon had awakened around dawn and was surprised to find Loni was still in bed. She usually was up way before Banyon, doing girl things like packing and unpacking the suitcase several times. She was always adding things and then decid
ing to not take them. Today she was sound asleep.

  Banyon slipped out of bed as he looked at the clock. They had over four hours before the flight, so he wasn’t worried about being late. He knew the checkin and security check would take two hours and they were only a half hour from the airport. The limo would arrive in an hour and a half. That gave him time to make breakfast. He decided to let her sleep a little longer. She would be in panic no matter how long she had to prepare. The suitcase was already packed. It was just some adjustments she would make.

  He was in the middle of scrambling an egg when he felt her presents in the kitchen. He turned towards her. She was up, but not fully awake. The short silk pink robe was open and she was nude underneath. Her long black hair looked like it had been through a hurricane. Her almond shaped eyes were only half open. In short, she looked better than his scrambled egg. He stepped away from the stove and gathered her in his arms. She nestled into his body and sighed.

  “There that is better,” she whispered.

  “Want an egg,” he replied.

  “You know I don’t eat breakfast, silly,” she answered as she rubbed her warm body against him.

  “And I won’t either, if you keep that up,” he acknowledged.

  “Have you something better to do?” she questioned.

  “Loni, have you forgotten?”

  “Forget what?” she replied as she looked into his eyes.

  “We are leaving for Las Vegas in a few hours.”

  “Oh, my god,” she exclaimed. “I need to pack.” She took off for the bedroom. Banyon went back to his egg.

  ***

  When the limo finally picked them up she was fully dressed in black spandex and a small green sweater that barely covered her navel. The suitcase was now twice the size as when they had originally packed it. Banyon had not changed a thing, but he had reminded her to pack her green jade ring. She wore it instead. They reached the airport without incident and passed through security without being searched. The plane was ready for boarding when they reached the gate. They entered the first class section and dropped into their bulkhead seats. Banyon reminded her to turn off her cellphone and therefore missed a call from Agent Gamble. Banyon pulled out his Kindle and began to read. Loni didn’t want him to read so she started to talk.

  “Have you ever stayed at the MGM hotel?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact, I was there the first week that it opened.”

  “When was that?”

  “It was in the early nineteen-nineties.”

  “Just you and your wife?”

  “My sons were there too.”

  “You took children to Las Vegas?” she replied with scorn in her voice. Banyon felt like he was accused of a crime against humanity.

  “Well, back in the nineties, Las Vegas was trying to promote family vacations. The MGM even had an amusement park made just for kids. We could drop them off at the gate and there were councilors that watched the children in the park. No adults could go into the park. It was safe and allowed parents some gambling time. It worked very well and made money for the casino. Las Vegas is always about money.”

  “So, what happened to stop that?” a now interested Loni asked.

  “Well, there were not enough parents willing to take their children to the casinos, so it eventually failed. We did have a fine vacation though. We went to the Grand Canyon which is only a couple of hours from downtown Vegas. We went to the Hoover Dam, the Valley of Fire, Death Valley and took a boat ride on Lake Mead. There are many things to do in the area. There is also the stark desert. To me it is quite beautiful.”

  “Boy, I wish that you were my dad?” she said as she batted her eyes.

  “That would be a problem,” he answered as he gave her a lecherous smirk.

  Changing the subject, Loni asked another question. “How many times have you been to Las Vegas?”

  “Oh, I guess about thirty times. I used to go to a lot of conventions there. When I first went there the strip ended at the Stardust. It doesn’t even exist now. The strip now extends for another several miles.”

  “I’ll bet you did a lot of things that you now regret?” Loni was fishing and Banyon knew it. She wanted some dirt on him.

  “What goes on in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” he replied.

  “Well just as long as I am there with you from now on,” she announced.

  “You can always go with me,” he patronized her.

  Changing the subject again, she asked. “Have you found out anything about the other artifacts?” I mean has Wolf found out anything at all yet?”

  “I didn’t talk to him this morning,” Banyon admitted.

  “What do you think they are?”

  “I haven’t asked him yet,” he replied. “Now is not a good time,” Banyon continued as he looked about the airplane.

  “You know, I have been doing a little research of my own,” Loni proudly announced as she brought up her laptop.

  “You are a wonderful researcher,” Banyon agreed.

  “I think I have found something.”

  “What have you found?” Banyon asked as he looked around the plane to see if anyone was watching them.

  “Let me show you what I have pulled down to my laptop. Come closer,” she added as she set the laptop on the console between them.

  “There is going to be some sort of fight in the garden arena at the MGM tonight. It is very controversial and very convenient. This guy named Danta Lopez is promoting fights between the Mexicans and Americans.”

  “You mean Latinos,” interjected Banyon.

  “Yeah, Latinos, your right.”

  “Do you speak Spanish? If you do, you’re going to use it in Las Vegas. It is the dominate language in Las Vegas now,” he added.

  “Colton, just how many Chinese people that you have ever met can speak Spanish,” she responded indignantly.

  “None,” he admitted. He quickly changed the subject. “So, what have you uncovered Miss cyber-detective?”

  “We know the Black Diamond was in the hotel. It is a little too much of a coincidence. I’m guessing the Black Diamond is going to be used during the fights. Maybe it is a trial of some sort. Or maybe whoever has it wants to showcase the artifacts to sell to the highest bidder. Maybe the other artifacts will also be used, what do you think?”

  “I think you are right. We need to let Gamble know as soon as we land. I’ll also find a place to talk to Wolf and see what he has found out.”

  “So we have about seven hours once we land to find all three artifacts before they are potentially used, right?”

  “Yes,” he replied.

  “The FBI needs to checkout this fight,” she reasoned.

  “Wish I could call Gamble now,” Banyon muttered.

  “By the way, how are we going to find all three items by ourselves?” Loni questioned. “I know that Wolf can see them once he finds them, but they maybe in different parts of the city.”

  “Don’t worry, we are not working on this case alone,” noted Banyon evasively.

  “Agent Gamble can’t handle these items either. He is going to need a whole team. But then other people will know about us,” she moaned.

  Being evasive, Banyon said, “We actually have three teams.”

  “What? Who are the other members?” she asked.

  “Well, you …know them.”

  Suddenly her head snapped back and banged against the seat back. “The Patel sisters,” she hissed like a snake.

  “Yes,” Banyon replied in a sheepish manner.

  “Those bitches,” Loni spat out.

  “They are on their way over from India as we speak. They should be at the hotel before we are. Maya is also coming from Long Island.”

  “Colt, I hate them,” she blurted out. “Seriously, I hate them. How could you?”

  “No, you don’t hate them Loni, you’re just jealous of them. There’s also no need to be jealous of them,” Banyon patiently replied. “I love you, not them.”

  “T
hey are always trying to seduce you and get you in bed with them. I hate them,” she all but shouted and pounded her little fists on the arm rest.

  “Well, I’m immune to them,” he lied as he recalled his most recent conversation with them on Skype.

  “I hate them,” she repeated. “I will not work with them,” she continued as she crossed her little arms and leaned back in her seat with a pout on her pretty face.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “They will ruin our vacation.”

  “Loni,” Banyon reasoned. “We need help to find all three artifacts. They are doing it for the money and to help us.”

  “How much money are we talking about?” Loni suddenly sat forward and asked. “I do like money.”

  “I promised them a third of the money we collect. We stand to collect around six hundred thousand dollars and we can’t collect anything without their help. Remember they are experts in the abnormal. You must trust them.”

  “Crips,” Loni mustered.

  “Besides, you and I will be one team. Gamble and Maya will be another and Pramilla and Previne will be the third. You won’t actually have to work with any of them.” Banyon knew his logic was working on her.

  “I don’t want to see any flirting with or by you with any of them. I won’t stand for it,” she said as she pointed her finger at him.

  Banyon continued like he hadn’t heard her. “They have also promised that when this is over, Agent Gamble will not remember us. Maya is going to cast a spell that makes him forget us. That is what we want, don’t we? Now do you still hate them?”

  She didn’t reply for some time. She moved her head from left to right and right to left and finally she joked, “Well at least we won’t have adjoining rooms, right?”

  Banyon looked at her and said, “Well…”

  Banyon spent the rest of the long flight trying to convince Loni he had done the right thing by bringing the Patel sisters into the caper. Loni was very upset the Patel sisters were going to be right next door and there would even have a connecting door to their suite, but in the end logic prevailed and she agreed they needed the help.