Uneven Exchange (6 page)

The muscles in Kevin’s neck tightened. “We do.”

“Then why can’t you arrest him? I know we don’t have jurisdiction in Mexico, but can’t you work with their government?”

“That one question pretty much sums up our entire problem. Just recently we thought Santiago’s freedom was finally coming to an end. One of our agents,” Kevin lowered his voice almost to a whisper, “Jon Dawkins went to Guadalajara in order to meet a top official of the Mexican government.”

Alexandra must have recognized the difficulty he was having relating the story. She sat unmoving and simply listened as he explained.

“Jon was a great agent,” he continued, looking blindly ahead. “He was also a brand-new father.” Kevin shook his head in order to focus. “He went to meet with the official and to orchestrate a plan to finally have Santiago deported.”

When Kevin quit speaking for several uncomfortable minutes, Alexandra finally asked, “What happened at the meeting?”

Kevin’s throat bulged as he swallowed hard. “Jon never made it that far. Santiago murdered him.”

“He what?” she asked, her tone unbelieving, then shook her head sadly. “But how did Santiago even know about Agent Dawkins?”

“It’s simple, but not any easier to comprehend. Someone inside got greedy, and for a few lousy bucks was bought off.”

“You mean someone inside the DEA or inside the Mexican government?”

“We don’t know.”

“So who do you trust? What can you do?”

“Try and be more careful, that’s all we can do. There is definitely a leak, but we don’t know where. We don’t think it’s coming from our end, especially because of how close we all were with Jon. But we also can’t take any chances. So only a tight, close-knit group is working on the Santiago case, and information is provided to them on a limited, need-to-know basis.”

“What does the official in Guadalajara plan to do?”

“Also lay low for a while. What else can he do? He can’t take any more chances either.”

Alexandra grimaced. “Hearing all this makes me feel so very selfish. There’s an entire world out there I’ve never given a second thought to. The things that concern me all seem so trivial.”

“You shouldn’t feel that way. We all have a place in this world.”

“I don’t feel like I have a place.”

“Maybe you are about to find one. We may never know for sure, but perhaps we were meant to find you so you can find yourself.”

“That’s a lot to digest.”

“I agree,” Kevin said. “What do you think at this point?”             

Alexandra appeared hesitant. “Frankly, I don’t know what to think. This is all so weird, it seems surreal. How can two people look so much alike?”

Kevin shrugged. “I have no idea. Maybe somewhere, somehow we all have a twin.”

“But you already have Daniela under complete surveillance. How can I be of any help?”

“Because we can’t control Daniela’s moves, but we can control yours,” Kevin explained.

“I would like to be of some help, but what could I possibly do? I have no training.”

“You wouldn’t have to be trained in the way you might think. We would simply be using you as bait. Just as a way to lure Santiago. You see, Miguel Santiago is an American citizen. We can’t touch him in Mexico, and the Mexican authorities are keeping their distance.”

“I don’t understand why. The Mexican government can’t possibly condone his killing!”

“It’s not everyone in the government, but at this point, we can’t be sure who to trust, with the exception of our contact in Guadalajara, of course. He’s one of the finest men you could ever meet. For some time now, we’ve been working together, plotting to deport Santiago. But after what happened, we have to be even more careful.” Kevin paused to take a drink of his club soda. The melted ice made it taste more like plain water. Without speaking, Alexandra waited for him to continue. She saw their server, smiled, and shook her head to indicate they were fine.

Kevin continued, “By now, I’m certain you realize Santiago has far-reaching connections in Mexico, and how high up they go, we don’t know. What we do know is that we cannot continue to risk lives by stumbling around in the dark.”

“Doesn’t his visa have to be renewed or something every six months?”

“You would think so, wouldn’t you? Then again, Santiago does have a way of bending the rules. If Mexico doesn’t kick him out, I guess he’s welcome to stay.”

“What if he left Mexico on his own?”

Kevin’s eyes instantly brightened. “If Santiago left Mexico, we would have him. Plain and simple, case closed.”

“Do you think I might be able to help get him to cross the border?”

“Yes, I do. But don’t ask me how, because I have no idea. First, we have to get you ready. With all the recordings we have of Daniela, we need to make you walk, talk, and act just like her.”

“How close would I be getting?”

He heard the fear in her voice. “Truthfully, Alexandra, I don’t know.”

“I see,” she said quietly.

Kevin looked into her concerned eyes. Like Daniela’s, a dark chocolate ring encircled the lighter chocolate color of each iris. Slowly, he reached forward and gently wrapped his thick hand around her delicate wrist. “Alexandra, please don’t worry. If you decide to help us, we’ll take this one step at a time. We will work with you, we will guide you, and we won’t ask you to do anything until you’re absolutely ready.”

Alexandra’s lips parted, but she remained silent. Kevin felt as if he could see the gears revolving within her mind. “I really would like to pray about it,” she said softly.

The line of Kevin’s mouth curved upward. “That is definitely a phrase I never hear in my line of work.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t get me wrong, Alexandra. I find it refreshing.” Kevin lifted his phone from the cocktail table. “I need to make a call anyway. That way I can give you some time.”

“I didn’t mean right here, right now,” Alexandra explained. “I would like to take at least the night.”

“I don’t mean to push you, but it’s vital I have your answer before we part ways. Will you at least give it a try?”

***

Alexandra

Alexandra nodded and kept nodding even after he left. She first pressed her eyelids together tightly and then opened her eyes widely to look out toward the water. After taking several deep breaths, she purposefully focused on the expanse of the ocean and considered the enormity of God’s creation. A slight smile formed when she noticed the lone pelican floating effortlessly in front of the picturesque window. Then, before even a silent prayer formulated in her mind, Alexandra heard a still, small voice speak directly to her soul. While waiting for Kevin to return, she continued to watch the pelican rock back and forth with the rhythm of the swells. She was surprised to feel the same sense of peace.

“Alexandra, I’m so sorry to rush your decision,” Kevin said before taking his seat.

She smiled warmly at him. “No need to apologize. I completely understand.” The clock struck five, almost like a signal, and she spoke quietly, “I don’t know why, and believe me, I am extremely nervous, but I feel God is prompting me to say yes. So my answer is yes. Yes, I will help.”

Kevin heaved a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Alexandra. Thank you very much. Know that I will be with you every step of the way.”

“Now what?” she pressed. “Where do we even begin?”

Kevin’s shoulders immediately relaxed. “We begin by determining the most effective way to spend time training you without alerting your business partner, or anyone else for that matter.”

“Is that possible?”

“Sure it is. For example, do you typically have evening appointments with clients?”

“Sometimes I do.” Alexandra was relieved to be speaking about her work. “Quite often Jake and I have clients that work during the daytime. In order to accommodate them, we schedule evening appointments at their homes.”

“Would Jake find it suspicious if you told him you were busy and couldn’t make a specific appointment?”

“I guess that depends on how frequently our schedules conflicted.” Alexandra laughed softly before adding, “Since my love life has been nonexistent, I’m usually always available.”

Kevin smiled. “What about a class? Would Jake understand if you were enrolled in a photography class, for example?”

Alexandra tilted her head in thought and then said, “Yes. That’s a really good idea. Jake knows I love photography, and it would make sense for me to take a class.”

“Great.” Kevin blew out a breath. “If you agree to help us, we can have you enrolled in one that meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and all day Saturday. Of course, the class is real, but you won’t attend. You would only be enrolled. Then we could use the class time for training.”

“Darn,” she teased. “I really did want to learn photography.”

“So what do you think? Are you ready to work for the government?”

Alexandra hesitated briefly. With her face void of expression, she asked, “Do I get paid?”

“Of course you do,” Kevin answered quickly.

Alexandra’s lips curved upwardly in a smile. “I was joking!” she laughed.

He returned her smile but remained serious. “I know now, but I wasn’t. You are going to be working very hard, and, as an official employee of the DEA, you deserve to get paid.”

Alexandra flashed him another smile. “Who would have thought?” Her perfectly straight teeth looked exceptionally white against the natural brown of her skin.

“Tell me, then,” he probed. “What do
you
think?”

“I’m not sure.” She also grew serious. “Part of me is excited because it seems so cloak-and-dagger. But then, I feel guilty about my excitement. I mean, it comes from someone else’s pain.”

“You already sound like a true agent. What you’re feeling is an adrenaline rush, and it’s natural. It comes with the job.”

“I still have tons of questions.”

“I’m sure you do, but how about if we answer them a
wee bit at a time
,” he said, mimicking an Irish accent. “Do you think you can escape from Jake tomorrow night? The class doesn’t begin until next week.”

“Sure. We don’t have anything scheduled.”

“That’s great. Tomorrow will be a big night. We’ll get you processed and hopefully get most of your questions answered.”

“Most of them?” she teased.

“We’ll do our best. Now, listen,” Kevin’s tone grew even more serious. “Tomorrow we are going to review all of the security measures, but until then—”

“Don’t tell anyone”

“Alexandra,” he spoke firmly, “please don’t interrupt me or make light of this. What I need to tell you is extremely important.”

“I understand,” she responded quickly.

“No, I don’t think you do.”

“You have my attention,” she said in a clipped tone.

“I’m not upset,” Kevin said. “I’m just cautious. Okay?”

“Okay.” Alexandra folded her hands to listen.

“Now, no one must know my name. You met with a client today. Just come up with any name you can remember.”

Alexandra nodded.

“Do not, under any circumstances, tell anyone about meeting me, about speaking with me, about anything having to do with the DEA. Understand?”

“I understand.”

“Do not even tell your parents you have something you can’t tell them. Got it?”

“Yes. I will not say a word about anything.”

“Good. Know this,” he continued firmly, “I will not be calling you to confirm or change our meeting. Nor will anybody else be calling. I will meet you tomorrow evening in this exact parking lot at five sharp.”

“But what if you need to change the time?”

“I won’t.”

“What if something happens to you?” Alexandra asked, feeling agitated.

“Then I won’t be here, and you go immediately home.”

“Will someone else contact me?”

“No, absolutely not. If anyone contacts you, even if they claim to be me, do not speak to them. Simply hang up.”

“Kevin, you’re scaring me.”

“I don’t mean to, but this is important. Tomorrow we’ll explain all the necessary security procedures and equip you with the proper codes. But until then, you must do as I say.”

“So bottom line, if you’re here tomorrow night at five sharp, then we get started. If you’re not here, I go home and forget this ever happened?”

“Exactly. Got it?”

Alexandra took a deep breath. “I’ve got it.”

“Well then, Agent Callet. Are we ready to call it a night?”

“I guess as ready as can be expected.”

Kevin placed a twenty dollar bill on the table instead of asking for the bill. “Come on,” he said. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

“About tomorrow,” Alexandra said hesitantly. “This may be a dumb question, but what should I wear?”

“Wear comfortable clothes. I’d suggest jeans and a sweatshirt.”