The Law and Dan Mesa (10 page)

Dan Mesa smiles and shakes hands with the Texas ranger. The two men stand talking and Napal takes pictures of the event. Ryan says good-bye to the Cortezes and shakes hands again with Ranger Mesa.

Ophelia and Mardi walk out together smiling. Mardi walks over to Dan and gives him a hug, saying, “This is for Sonia. She would have gotten a kick out of seeing you two rangers together. But on a serious note, you should be careful. There is a price on your head, and apparently, someone is taking it very seriously. We want you to stay alive and healthy.”

Mesa smiles.

“I plan to stay alive too,” he says, “but I can’t hide from these characters. Someone has to stop them, and that is what I get paid to do. But this time, it is personal. Someone is going to pay dearly for what has been done. I don’t make promises often, but I promise each of you that the person responsible for Sonia’s death will pay a heavy price before this is over.”

Ophelia knows she has to lighten the moment and food seems to do the trick. She smiles at Dan and understands his pain and suffering.

She walks toward the house, turns saying; “Okay, let’s go inside for supper. I’ve cooked baked chicken with asparagus, scalloped potatoes, brazed carrots, and corn. We are having lemon coconut pie for dessert. Dan, I expect you to eat heartily. I am a great cook.”

Ophelia turns around and walks arm in arm with Napal into the house with Dan and the sisters following.

Saturday morning brings rain, something seldom seen in El Paso, Texas. The limousine arrives, and the family leaves for the funeral. Mesa drives one of the family cars following the hearse. The funeral is sad. Everyone who knew Sonia seemed to like her. The chapel is filled. All eyes are on the dark-skinned gentleman in the black suit with a star on his chest as he walks in and takes a seat behind the family.

The service lasts ninety minutes. Ophelia cries softly, and so do Mardi and Amelia. Napal’s face is drawn tight, and his eyes are red. Mesa’s face is like stone, and there is a pronounced grinding of his teeth. When he suddenly realizes he is grinding his teeth, he stops.

When the service ends, they all leave for the Cortez ranch. Family and friends arrive at the family ranch. Mesa wanders out to the corral where the horses are. His face is wet with tears, something no one will ever see again. His shoulders are slumped, and his fists are clenched.

Unknown to him, Mardi and Napal are watching from a distance. They slowly turn and walk away, not wanting to intrude.

Inside, the people are lively, remembering Sonia’s zest for life. Ophelia likes the light-heartedness of the crowd but wonders where Mesa has gone. Napal and Mardi explain what they have witnessed. Ophelia walks outside and stands next to the lonely figure lost in grief. He suddenly becomes aware that he is not alone, wipes away the tears, and regains his composure, apologizing for his weakness.

Ophelia says, “You don’t have anything to apologize for. She was my child, but she was more. She was my friend and companion, and she is still here with me in spirit. Daniel, keep her safe in your heart, and never forget what she meant to you.”

She walks away softly, leaving Dan to gather himself together. Then Mesa turns around and follows her inside.

Mesa knows he has to return and start searching for Carlos. He says good-bye to Sonia’s family when he arrives at the airport.

When Mesa arrives in Tucson at the airport on Sunday, Captain Johnson meets him.

“Sergeant, the Texas rangers contacted me about what happened in El Paso. Are you okay? How did the funeral go?”

Mesa says, “Yes, sir, I am okay. The funeral was done in a tasteful manner, and her family was great. She was a well-loved person. I hope, when it is my time to die, someone will weep for me.”

“Dan, take a few days off and go visit friends. Come back to work on Thursday. In the meantime, I will contact all the local police departments to see if they have anything on Carlos or Antonio. When you return, you have my permission to do what you do so well. This is not a suggestion; it is an order, sergeant.”

“Yes, sir. I will take a few days off, but when I return, someone will pay dearly for what happened to Sonia. Captain Johnson, I want that person dead, and I want to be the one to pull the trigger and watch him die.”

Captain Johnson is watching Ranger Mesa as he speaks. He is aware that Mesa’s actions are classic Mesa, said without any outward emotions with the exception of obvious anger. Johnson is worried about Mesa and wonders what he will do.

Captain Johnson turns on the TV to channel 23; KBOT news is broadcasting.

“Good evening, I am Eric Sandoval of the editorial department of KBOT. I want to talk to you about something I believe to be a blot on the law enforcement officers of Arizona. I am talking about one of the Arizona Rangers, a Sergeant Daniel Mesa of the Santa Cruz rangers. It seems that another person has died because of Sergeant Mesa’s actions. My sources tell me that Sonia Perdenales, a close friend of Mesa’s, was kidnapped and murdered because of him. Granted, Sergeant Mesa did not pull the trigger. But because of his reputation and actions, people are afraid of him, and they take actions that often times result in the death or injury of innocent people. It is time a dinosaur such as Ranger Mesa becomes extinct. It is time he enters into the twenty-first century or disappears. The number of shootings he has been involved in is amazing. It is doubtful he remembers. A check of the records says he has killed or shot fifteen people in the last ten years. Sergeant Mesa, it is time for you to go away. Maybe it is time for the rangers to go away. This is Eric Sandoval for channel twenty-three news and good night.”

Captain Johnson’s fist crashes on the desk, and the walls rattle.

The phone rings, and he answers, “Captain Johnson here.”

“Sam, did you see the new editorial about Dan Mesa? That son-of-bitch Sandoval needs to have his goobers caught in a vice and squeezed until he passes out from the pain. I guess under the circumstances the less said and done about it the better. We will let the governor’s office handle everything. Where is Sergeant Mesa?”

“Sir, Sergeant Mesa is taking a few days of well-deserved leave on my orders. He fought it, but he knew I was not joking, so he reluctantly took leave. When he returns, I plan to turn him loose and let him do what he does best.”

“Sam, it seems as if he really can’t get a break. This state and country owe him a lot, but we don’t realize it. Let me know when he returns. Take care, Sam; it could be worse.”

In Douglas, Arizona, Carlos and Antonio are discussing their future and trying to stay ahead of the law.

“Carlos, maybe we should consider leaving Arizona and moving to Texas, or New Mexico, or maybe even Colorado? There we can hide out for a long time. It would be nice to just get away from this life for a while,” Antonio says.

Carlos is far ahead of Antonio.

“You know something? You are right,” he says. “I will sell my sedan and buy a pickup truck. I want a Dodge with a camper and four-wheel drive. I think a used truck will bring less attention.”

“Boss, we should probably change our appearances. I will grow my hair longer and grow a moustache. You should grow a beard and a moustache.”

They arrive at a dealership, and Carlos trades his ‘99 Lincoln town car for a ‘98 Dodge extended cab truck with a camper thrown in.

“Antonio,” he says, “I have always wanted to buy a truck and drive across the country, but living in the city didn’t allow for such. Now is the time to branch out and try new things. So let us go forward and seek new adventures.”

“Boss, that ranger is not going to stop hunting us. He is hell on wheels when he gets angry. I know we have a contract on him, but we haven’t heard anything from anyone, so he is still alive. I believe I could take him out myself. I don’t think he is all that tough. People are always talking about him and how tough he is. I believe I can take him.”

“Antonio, you are a fool. I should just let him kill you, but since you are the only friend I have right now, I will have to protect you. Together, we may be able to take him, but alone, neither one of us is capable. I know Ranger Mesa well. He took Jose, and he was tougher than either one of us. Dan Mesa is angry now, and he is extremely dangerous. He never allows his feelings to overrule his thinking, and a thinking man is dangerous. You and I are responsible for that woman’s death, and he knows it. He plans to kill both of us; that is something I am sure of. Why in the hell did you have to do something so stupid as kidnap his girlfriend?”

“Boss, I thought that was what you wanted. I figured if we had her we could have made a deal for Ranson.”

“Antonio, you don’t make deals with the likes of Daniel Mesa. He would have shot you. The plain truth is you and I have a serious problem by the name of Ranger Dan Mesa. I hope the contract is carried out, because I am not going to jail, even if I have to kill myself.”

In the maroon Dodge truck four-by-four with extended cab and camper that Carlos purchased. They proceed toward San Antonio. Carlos knows that he can get help in San Antonio to take Ranger Mesa out of this life.

In Yuma, Alana is watching the news when Matilda walks in. She sees the affect the news broadcast has on Alana, and she walks over and shuts off the TV.

“Honey, that newscast isn’t worth watching. He is a blooming idiot, and anyone who pays attention to what he has to say has a serious judgment problem. Eric Sandoval made his name in the industry off the pain and suffering of others. He is the type of news reporter who would stick a microphone in your face right after you lost your husband in an auto accident. He feeds off others’ misery, and he take things out of context and changes them to fit his latest crusade. He is on a mission to discredit the rangers just because they are there. He wants to discredit Dan Mesa, because Dan is a target and because Ranger Mesa is something he can never be. Dan Mesa is an honest-to-God man, and he stands for something.”

“Mom, it really gets my temper up when someone attacks Dan for no reason. He deserves better. I remember how I treated him, and it still bothers me. Sandoval advocates doing away with the rangers. I feel like going over to the TV station and punching him in his face. But that would only give him something more to talk about and cause a lawsuit for the rangers.”

“Alana, when this is over, what do you plan to do about Dan? He will never be the same again. I know his type; he will always blame himself for her death. Wherever he is at this moment, he is in torment. I can sense it. He reminds me of your father. Those two men are replicas of each other. It’s almost like he is a reincarnation of your father.” Matilda turns and walks away, remembering her husband and her feelings for Dan Mesa.
He
belongs
to
Alana
.

Ranger Bonefacio Hernandez has put on a beard and moustache and is following Ranger Mesa. He knows where Mesa is headed. He is going to Sierra Vista.

“Captain, this in Hernandez,” he says when he calls to report. “I am following Dan, and he is going to Sierra Vista. What is in Sierra Vista?”

“It isn’t what. It is
who
is in Sierra Vista, and the who is an old friend of his who helped him find his life when his wife left him. I will tell you about it later. Stay on him, but don’t let him see you.”

Dan Mesa arrives in Sierra Vista and parks in front of the Chardon Blieu. He notices a beige Lexus with Maryland tags and two men changing the tire. They don’t fit with the locals. Something in the back of his mind sounds a warning. He walks over to them.

“Gentlemen, I know why you are here. Believe me, you aren’t men enough for one, and you aren’t smart enough for the other. Take some free advice and go back to Maryland or Washington and tell Vermenti you aren’t up to it. If I see you again, I will shoot first and ask questions later. Do you understand what I am saying to you?”

The younger man makes a move toward Ranger Mesa and immediately regrets it. He is suddenly staring down the barrel of the biggest pistol he has ever seen, a 44 magnum. He starts to sweat and his mouth is extremely dry.

Dan turns to the older gentleman and politely says, “Sir, if this man is your friend, I suggest you have a long talk with him about life and death. It would be a shame to shorten his life at his young age. Please pay attention to what I have told you. May you have a blessed day.”

Mesa turns and walks away.

Unknown to Mesa, Ranger Bonefacio Hernandez has witnessed the entire incident and passes it on to Captain Johnson.

The older would be assassin looks toward the younger one and says, “Lorenzo, you have a lot to learn about people. That man is dangerous. Had I been him, I would have killed you. The only reason he didn’t kill you was because he wears a badge. I saw something in his eyes, and believe me when I tell you do not be fooled by his politeness. He was only inches away from killing you. Next time, he will kill you and make no mistake about it.”

“Johnnie, you are too old and too careful. I will kill him next time. Watch and see.”

Johnnie “the Butcher” Martin, short for Johnnie Martinelli, looks at Lorenzo Balducci and shakes his head in a sad way.

“Good evening, sir, are you here for dinner and do you want smoking or nonsmoking?”

“Yes, one for dinner and in the nonsmoking area, please.”

Charley takes note of the man, who seems to be in his early forties and is physically fit and not handsome but has a presence that speaks of courage and a hint of sadness in his eyes.

“Ma’am, is Ms. Olivetti working this evening?” he asks. “If she is, will you please tell her that an old friend would like to see her?”

“Who shall I say is asking for her?”

“Just tell her Daniel Mesa is asking for her. Thank you, Ma’am.”

Charley walks away hurriedly and tells the waitress to go to the stranger’s table.