Uneven Exchange (20 page)

CHAPTER

TWENTY-SIX

THE BRIG

Jake

After speaking with Sean McKittrick, Jake felt hesitant about recalling the final number on Alexandra’s cellular bill. He had no idea why the numbers were classified, and he was beginning to have second thoughts about what to say if someone did answer. Debating whether to try again, he stared at the telephone like a praying mantis poised to strike. Then the unexpected ring of his mobile made him jerk awkwardly in surprise. He looked at the screen, saw that the number was private, and decided to answer.

“Jake Taylor.”

“I understand you have been trying to reach me,” the man on the other end said.

“Who is this?” Jake demanded.

“My name is Kevin O’Neil, and I am a special agent in charge with the DEA.”

“The DEA?”

“Yes, I’m with the Drug Enforcement Administration.”

“What makes you think I’ve been trying to reach you?”

“You’ve already called my mobile, and you have been calling my private office line all morning,” Kevin replied in a matter-of-fact tone.

Jake spun his head around, trying to shake the sudden feeling he was being watched. He stared at the telephone base and realized it must be bugged. “What number are you calling from?” he asked, testing the caller.

Kevin responded by reciting the telephone number for his private line, the same number Jake had been continuously dialing.

“Then you must know something about Alexandra,” Jake accused.

“Yes, I do, and that’s why I’m calling. Can we meet?”

“Where is she?”

“I really think it would be better for us to go over the matter in person,” Kevin suggested.

“I’m extremely worried about her,” Jake said. “Before I meet with you, at least tell me where she is.”

Kevin exhaled, sounding frustrated. “Listen, Jake,” he said calmly, “all I can and will tell you right now is that Alexandra is safe. The rest we will have to discuss face-to-face.”

“You tell me she’s safe, but where is she?” Jake persisted.

“You have my number.” Kevin’s tone signaled an end to their conversation. “Call me if you decide you would like to get together and talk more.”

“Wait, wait! Please don’t hang up. Yes, I’ll meet with you. Just tell me where and when, and I’ll be there.”

“I can meet you right now,” Kevin offered.

“Are you coming to my office, or do you want me to come to you?”

“I’ll meet you down the street at the Brig,” he said, referring to a steak and seafood restaurant in Old Town. “Let’s meet in the bar.”

“Fine,” Jake agreed. “How long will it take you?”

“Fifteen to twenty minutes, max.”

“How will I know you?”

“No need. I’ll know you,” Kevin said before disconnecting.

Jake stood frozen in place, feeling that his feet were glued to the floor. He slowly disconnected his end of the call and stared numbly into the screen while squeezing his phone tightly. Finally, his knuckles turned white from the constant pressure. Jake then loosened his grip and dropped his mobile phone on the desk to free his hands. Instantly deciding to uncover the obvious bugs throughout their office, Jake lifted his desk telephone and inspected the molded plastic. He closely examined the seams and found no evidence of tampering, then carefully checked the telephone base, the cords, and even under his desk.

They’re good
, he thought, unable to locate any bugs.

Not knowing where else to look, Jake moved from desk to desk, searching for anything usual. All appeared normal. Then, with time rapidly expiring, he raced out the door to meet Agent O’Neil.

***

Kevin

As Kevin steered his truck into the restaurant parking lot, he observed Jake crossing the street in comfortable, casual attire—tan, cotton pants and a simple white T-shirt. Kevin looked down at his dress shirt and tie and yearned for the comforts of home with the clothes to match. He sighed, not looking forward to the ensuing encounter, and then decided to wait a beat before leaving the car. The few extra minutes would give Jake time to reach the bar.

After waiting less than five minutes, Kevin walked through the door and up the stairs. The bar area was half-filled with couples and young singles enjoying the long weekend. He looked around and saw Jake sitting at a table opposite the door. Before a server had time to approach Jake, he walked over to him.

Kevin spoke with an outstretched hand. “Jake Taylor, I’m pleased to finally meet you. I’m Kevin O’Neil.”

Jake stood to shake the extended palm with one short but firm pump before he sat down again. His body language displayed the desire to move forward. “Now what’s this all about?” he demanded.

Not knowing where to begin, Kevin had opened his mouth to speak when a young, male server greeted them vivaciously. “Hello, gentlemen! What’s it going to be today?”

“Jake?” Kevin deferred to his tablemate.

Clearly trying to mask his frustration in front of the server, Jake responded, “A beer, I guess. I don’t know. What do you have on draft?”

When the young man held up his hand to begin listing the numerous draft selections, Jake promptly interrupted, “That’s okay, but thanks. Any light beer will do.”

“Sure thing, and for you, sir?” the server asked Kevin, who immediately felt older than his actual age.

“The same,” Kevin replied. After watching their server walk away, he looked squarely at Jake. “I owe you an explanation.”

“Yes, you do.”

Rather than omit anything about Alexandra’s involvement, Kevin decided to start from the beginning. He told Jake about their sighting of Alexandra in Cozumel and his subsequent meeting with her in San Diego. Knowing Jake was more concerned with Alexandra’s present whereabouts, Kevin spent only a short time relating Miguel Santiago’s history and how the Administration needed Alexandra to pose as Santiago’s sister, Daniela.

“So that’s where she is now?” Jake asked. “Is she still in Mexico?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t understand. Why didn’t Alex just tell me?”

“She wanted to, Jake. She hated deceiving you and her parents. But there simply was no other way.”

“You wouldn’t let her?”

“No, I wouldn’t. Working undercover always involves risk, especially for loved ones. My wife Casey never knows about my assignments.”

“But at least your wife knows you’re with the DEA. I don’t understand why Alexandra couldn’t at least tell us that much.”

“If she did, would any of you have let her go, or would you have asked more questions?”

“I guess I would have asked enough to be sure she was going to a safe place.”

“Would you have let her go to Mexico?”

“I don’t know.” Jake sounded doubtful. “I mean, I can’t really prevent Alexandra from going anywhere. I would have pressed her about the danger, though. Was it dangerous?”

“Yes, very dangerous.”

Jake stared directly at Kevin. Words were not necessary, as Kevin was sure they both knew Alexandra’s parents would have pleaded with her to stay. After several moments of silence, Jake finally asked, “Then why are you telling me all of this now?”

“There are two main reasons I decided to finally involve you. First, you obviously know something’s up. We heard your telephone call to England and also to Sean McKittrick. Second, you’re scheduled to pick Alexandra up at the airport on Sunday.”

“I’m guessing she won’t be there. Please don’t tell me something went wrong.”

“Alexandra is fine. We had to modify the plans,” Kevin explained.

“Why?” Fear formed in Jake’s eyes. “What happened?”

“An incident.” Kevin told him about Alexandra’s abduction from the hospital but purposefully omitted any mention of the attempted rape. He also assured Jake that she was safely with their agent, Rico Hernandez.

“I get the feeling you’re not one hundred percent positive Alexandra will even make it by Sunday, are you?” Jake pressed.

“Not one hundred, but we’re hoping,” Kevin responded quietly.

“You’re hoping?” Jake’s voice intensified. “What kind of outfit are you running?” He exclaimed, pounding his fist against the tabletop. His sudden movement rocked the diminutive, round cocktail table.

Without responding, Kevin reached to steady their beer mugs. The room grew uncomfortably quiet.

Jake looked around at the people staring and drew several deep breaths before gulping his beer and flagging down their server to order another. Kevin watched and waited while the other patrons resumed their conversations.

“You mentioned you have a wife, correct?” Jake finally asked.

“Yes, I do.”

“Do you love her?”

“Of course. I love her very much.”

“Then you can understand how I feel. Even though she’s not my wife, I love Alexandra, and it’s extremely hard to sit here and do nothing.” Jake’s voice cracked with emotion as he spoke, and his eyes moistened.

“Believe me, Jake, I understand, and I am very sorry. I never should have left her alone in that hospital.”

“Then please explain it to me. Why did you?”

“I assumed she was safe. Santiago was out cold, and Rico was there by her side.”

“Why did this agent, Rico, leave her?” Jake snapped.

“Please don’t even think about blaming him, Jake. Rico is risking more than you know to bring Alexandra home safely. The entire hospital incident caught us off guard. I admit it, we were sloppy. We prepared for all other contingencies, and then when we finally got close, I guess we just relaxed.”

“You relaxed at Alexandra’s expense.”

“You’re right, and I don’t blame you for being mad, Jake. I can’t imagine how I would feel if the tables were turned.”

“You know, I’m not even sure how I feel. I’m scared out of my wits that something will happen to Alex, and a part of me is still frustrated that she lied to me. But, in the long run, that doesn’t seem important at the moment.”

“I know what you mean.”

“Also,” Jake continued, “I feel a deep sense of pride in her, right now. It must have taken a lot for her to do what she did.”

Nodding in agreement, Kevin said, “You haven’t heard the half of it. Alexandra is one brave woman.”

“Tell me. How did you first convince Alex to work for you?”

“It wasn’t that difficult, especially when I told her about Agent Dawkins.” Kevin recounted the explosion that had killed Jon Dawkins, and then went into a small amount of detail about the Administration’s connection with Ramón Torres in Mexico.

As his story continued to unfold, Kevin could tell he was gaining Jake’s confidence. Although Jake’s questions were numerous, he answered each with few exceptions. When Jake touched on areas of Administration security, Kevin patiently explained he couldn’t go into the issue, and Jake seemed to understand.

“I can understand Alexandra’s willingness to become involved,” Jake said. “It makes me very proud of her.”

After more than an hour of intense dialogue, the initial tension had gradually dissipated. The two men ordered a final round of beers and relaxed by sharing less dramatic stories about Alexandra.

“She certainly has a fiery temper, doesn’t she?” Kevin said.

“So you’ve seen it too?” Jake asked while laughing. “Did you have to duck?”

“No, not literally, but thank goodness,” he said, joining Jake’s laughter.

“Did she drive you crazy with her questions?”

“I’ll say,” Kevin exclaimed. “They were constant. She even had Scott, my assistant, afraid to respond.”

“That’s my Alexandra. She’s sweet, yet powerful. A real take-charge woman.”

“I think her beauty also intimidated Scott,” Kevin added. “She is beautiful, Jake.”

Jake nodded. “I know. Believe me, I know.”

“Well, you’ll be seeing her soon enough. We hope to be back across the border on Sunday before dark.”

“You know I have to be there,” Jake said quietly.

“Be where?” Kevin questioned cautiously.

“There, waiting for her.”

“You mean at the bus stop in Tijuana?”

“Is it possible?”

Kevin rested his elbows on the table, his arms bent at an angle with his fingers locked together in front. “Wow,” he said, pressing his forehead into his knuckles. “That’s something to think about.”

“What’s to think about? When she arrives, it will be good for her to have a friend.”

“Yes, but she will still be in Mexico. I don’t want Alexandra letting down her guard until she is safely across the border. Jake, you have to realize the danger is not over until Alexandra and Rico have safely cleared customs and are standing on US soil.”