Hunter said, “Did you get a look at them?”
“They wore camo, and night vision goggles, so no. Until I knocked the goggles off the one who shot Marlowe.”
“What did he look like?”
“Hispanic, short haired, maybe thirty. I’m sorry I don’t have more.”
“Do you have any idea why they came after you?”
“Yes, and if I’m right, then I am scared to death right now.”
Hunter’s neck hairs prickled, “Tell me.”
“I think they pinged me.”
“What’s “pinged me” mean?”
“It’s a saying, like in radar when they send sound waves underwater and locate a submarine. The pinging sound. But in radio frequencies it’s not really a pinging sound, it’s just a phrase.”
“Why would they do that?”
“Because of what I overheard the other day. I picked up talk that sounded a lot like a plan to attack someplace, and the transmission came from near Ojinaga.”
“You think one of the Cartels?”
“No. They said something about a holy mission against infidels.”
Sam said, “Damn!”
Mona continued, “And I heard two names, one was Holland, and the other was Asadullah.”
Hunter asked, “Is that Arabic?”
“I think so. I caught other bits here and there, because they were changing frequencies every so often. I finally figured out they switched every two minutes, so after that, I could anticipate the change and keep up with them. Anyhow, I’m sure they realized someone was listening, and they pinged me, then used that to locate where I was.”
“Wouldn’t that take some expensive equipment?”
“Not so much. The technology is out there, and all you would need is someone with training to do it.”
Hunter said, “You need to lay low for a while.”
“I plan to.”
Sam said, “We’ll take care of your livestock. Miguel and I can move them to my place, let them have the run of the ranch until you’re ready.”
“Thanks, Sam.”
Hunter said, “If you need anything, you have my number. I’m off tomorrow. But for right now, I’m going home to Marfa and back to bed.”
Mona watched Hunter leave, then said to Sam, “Thanks again. You two need to get some sleep yourselves. I’ll be fine, now go. Spenser and I are going inside to sit with Marlowe.”
***
Holland crossed the bridge from Presidio to Ojinaga and passed through Mexican Immigration without a problem, then drove through town and out the Chihuahua highway to the ranch on the west side of the Rio Conchos. Guereca was in the yard when he arrived. Holland pulled the rifle from the hidden sleeve in the back seat and carried it into the house as Guereca followed, saying, “We’ve been listening to the police scanners. You sure stirred things up over there.”
Holland grabbed a glass from the cabinet and walked to the refrigerator. He filled the glass with ice, then with the Snow Queen vodka he kept in the freezer. He said, “That was the idea. Take care of several problems at once, and keep law enforcement looking in the wrong place.”
“Do we need to bring on some other people?”