Lincoln said, “We don’t know with certainty. There have been no messages that directly involve him. But his name continues to pop up occasionally. Frankly, it’s the only viable lead we have at the moment.”
“Is Osorio involved in your son’s death?”
“I can’t prove it.”
Art said, “Cory was talking to contacts who gave him information about drugs, human trafficking, smuggling weapons into Mexico, that kind of information, and the day before he was killed, he told me of a whisper of information about a Japanese visiting with Osorio. Cory thought the Japanese man was a member of Aum Shinrikyo.”
The General said, “Aum Shinrikyo faded into the background after initiating the sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway in ninety-five. Most of them have been arrested, some as late as 2012. But it was assumed by Japanese authorities that a few slipped away and were living in foreign countries. This Japanese fellow in Mexico might be one.”
Lincoln said, “We don’t feel this is something we can ignore.”
“What about the Mexican special forces? Or CISEN?”
Art said, “They’re too close, and we know there are some on the Cartel payrolls.”
Hunter said, “Even CISEN?”
“Probably not, but the thing is, if CISEN, or any of them begin digging into this, others will be watching them and will notify the Cartels immediately. You see the problem?”
Art said, “We’ve got to do it because we are outside the loop.”
Hunter rubbed her forehead and said, “When do we start?”
Buck Ward said, “As soon as you and Art can get to my ranch. You can use it as a base of operations. I’ll be there and provide logistics. I have a small boat to take you across the river and bring you back.”
Hunter looked at Lincoln, “This sure doesn’t sound well planned.”
“You can back out.”
His statement irritated her. “And if I do, who does it?”
“Art.”
“He doesn’t know the area.”
Buck pointed at Lincoln and the General, “Hunter, they haven’t told you that the clock is ticking on this. The bad boys have something planned and are on schedule. I don’t know why they held that back.”
Hunter muttered, “God-o-mighty.” She looked at Lincoln Jones, “I’m sorry for the loss of your son, but not telling me everything when it might be my life on the line? That’s a shit deal.” She turned to Art, “Did you know?”
He shook his head, looking at Lincoln the way you look at something unpleasant on the bottom of your shoe.
Buck said to Lincoln, “You know better than this. Hunter’s not a politician you have to keep things from. She’ll be on the front line.”
Lincoln said, “It is important that this is done. If I failed to make that clear and somehow offended you, I apologize.”
Buck said, “That may be as good as you’re gonna get from Lincoln. He has a hard time with that.” He added, ‘But Hunter, it really is important.”
She thought about it, and then said, “I’ll do it. Where do I start?”
Ashton said, “Go to Buck’s ranch. It will all begin there.”
Buck said, “You know how to get there?”
Hunter said, “I know about where it is. Is your gate marked?”
“It will be. Think Lone Star.”
She nodded, “I’ll head back to Marfa in the morning, and come on down, if that’ll work.”