Ike knew that Solomon told Hunter to stay out of Acuña, and that worried him. He said, “Good.”
A black suburban parked near Ike’s Ford 250, and Solomon and his two bodyguards exited, coming straight toward Ramona and Ike. Solomon checked her over, then straightened and told her, “Get in the Suburban. I’ll take you home.”
She started to argue, but instead walked to the black vehicle as one of the bodyguards went with her. Once she was inside, Solomon turned to Ike. “This is your fault. You were supposed to be watching her.”
“You sent me fifty miles downriver to Piedras Negras, remember. Otherwise I would have been here.”
“You always have excuses. And I will have you punished for this neglect.”
Ike’s eyes flattened, “My ass you will.”
Solomon
looked surprised, “What did you say to me?” The bodyguard slid his hand under his coat, but Ike said to him, “David, I’ll drop you if you come out with anything other than five fingers.”
David froze, looking at Ike. He slowly removed his hand. Ike nodded, then said to Solomon, “I said, my ass you will. And I’ll add, I quit.”
Solomon’s face darkened, “You do not quit me. I won’t allow it.”
“Sit back and watch.”
Ike walked away as Solomon said to his guard, “Have someone follow him. I want to know where he goes, what he does.”
~**~
Hunter drove the familiar road to where the boatman crossed loads. She spotted the boat, but it was already on the United States side. She felt a sense of urgency, making a fast turnaround and driving for the International Bridge, hoping to get there before Paco left the area. Hunter felt sure she was right, and that the boatman had Anita.
Her phone rang while she re-crossed the International Bridge. She said, “Hello?”
Ike said, “Where are you?”
“Going into Del Rio on the bridge.”
“We need to meet up.”
“I can’t right now.”
“Is this about Anita’s kidnapping?”
“Yes, and I’m trying to intercept the guy I think did it.”
“Tell me where you’re going and I’ll come that way, give you some backup.”
She told him, and said, “Hurry.” Having Ike with her would be good, she thought. She parked behind the same half-fallen down shed she had done before, and waited.
Ike arrived beside her two minutes later. He exited his pickup and stood by Hunter behind the shed. She said, “What did you do, fly?”
“Hey,” he held out his arms in a what are you gonna do pose.
Hunter smiled, “Good.”
Ike said, “What are we looking for?”
“A vehicle to come up out of the vega down there, out of the cane.”
“Who’s in it?”
“I’m hoping it’s the boatman, Paco, and that Anita’s with him.”