“I understand. Are you taking treatments?”
“I planned to talk to an oncologist in Juarez, but Hiyoki showed up, with the Cartel’s blessing. I was told to stay on site, monitor things, make sure Hiyoki is successful, then I could get treatment.”
“Didn’t they realize time is important?”
“Yes, but not as much as profit.” He sighed, then stood and paced across the hanger and back.
Hunter said, “What is Hiyoki’s mission?”
He has more than one, but I only know of the one he’s doing for the Juarez Cartel. The Mara Salvatrucha are going to try for more power again, and it will be against the Juarez Cartel first, then Sinaloa, plus they’re forming alliances with several of the other cartels.”
“So, we’re looking at all out gang wars again.”
“Not quite. Someone found out that the Maras are going to have a meeting with their allies, about fifty leaders I heard. The plan is to use the drones to kill them while they are assembled.”
“Where?”
“That is the catch. Hiyoki has the drones, but he doesn’t have the location. At least not yet.” He smiled at Hunter, “Many law enforcement agencies in your country would probably like to see Hiyoki succeed.”
“That would only leave different people in control. The Juarez Cartel and Sinaloa Cartel are as bad as MS-13 as far as I’m concerned.”
“Ah, you see the dilemma.”
Hunter thought about it, “Do you know, generally, where the meeting is to take place, and when?”
“It will be within two weeks, but I don’t know the day. As for where, they will meet relatively near the border, within thirty, maybe thirty-five miles. I believe it will be somewhere near Ojinaga. Juarez is too deep in enemy territory for them, and Chihuahua City is too far, and also in Juarez territory.”
“So you think the meeting will be in Ojinaga?”
“Not in the city, but in some place easily protected, maybe on one of the large ranches, where they can watch everything and everyone coming and going.”
“That’s a lot of people to feed, not to mention tables, chairs, beds and stuff.”
Pasqual said, “There are two ranches that I heard mentioned, but they may not be the ones. I wasn’t in every meeting when this was discussed. One is southwest of Boquillas, and the other is five miles south of Ojinaga.”
Hunter said, “That’s somewhere to start.”
One of the new airport personnel and a Presidio County Deputy cracked open the sliding hanger door. The deputy, Alonso Tapia, said, “Raymond is about fifteen minutes out, and Charlie here,” he pointed at the man beside him by moving his thumb like he was hitchhiking, “Wants to know when he can have his hanger back.”
Charlie said, “We have a plane landing in about half an hour that we need to put in here.”
Hunter said, “Sounds like we’ll be gone in fifteen minutes, as long as Raymond is on time. Thanks for letting us hide out here.”
Charlie said, “No problem. Everybody scattered like quail when those things swarmed in, and most folks haven’t come back, including all my help. I’m the sole airport employee at the moment.” He raised his eyebrows like he had an idea, “You all want, you can go inside the Pilot’s Lounge. They made a fresh pot of coffee before the attack, and then everybody left, so no one’s drank any. You can have it, much as you want, no charge. Either that or I’m going to pour out the whole thing in another twenty minutes. You’ll have to pour your own, though, ‘cause there’s nobody working in there.”
Hunter thought they could make it to the lounge since they’d only be outside the buildings for a short time. “We’ll do that. I could use some coffee and you’ll have your hanger. Thanks, Charlie.”
Alonso said, “I watched those things fly across the river and then lost them in them going east of Ojinaga.”
“How’d you see them go that far?”
“When the call came in, I was on a high point above town and had my binoculars with me. I saw the drones as they crossed the river and I watched them as far as I could.”
“That’s good to know.”
“The Federales were notified, but haven’t reported back to us, at least to the Sheriff’s department. By the way, the Sheriff’s coming down and wants to talk to you.”
“Is he already on his way?”