Sworn to Protect (Vows of the Heart) (34 page)

“The last was a text from Jackie was they were tailing them down I-70. We haven’t heard anything since. I’ve had a team go up and down the route twice now. We can’t find them and there’s no sign of a car wreck.”

“Damn it,” Gunther growled. “Lancaster is here, I can feel him. Keep searching the downtown hotels. I know he’s not far away.”

“Yes, sir.”

Gunther pressed the end button on his phone and rubbed his eyes. Okay, he had to admit, Lancaster had played the game better than Gunther thought he would. The only thing he could do is wait for Lancaster to make a mistake. Judging by how quickly he learned, the chances of that grew slimmer by the moment.

“Your move, kid.”

****

In their hotel room, Ethan strode to the window overlooking the marina. “This is the reason why we’re here,” he said and opened the curtain. “In that marina is one of Cordova’s yachts. Once I found out what bolt-hole he was in, I knew how he planned to get out of the country. I know the name of the boat
, but not the berth.”

“Ethan, why don’t we just go public with the names?” Bethany asked. “Once the press broadcasts proof of your innocence the police won’t have a choice but to believe you.”

“I’d love to, sweetheart, but if Cordova makes it out of here then we’ll never stop running. If he reaches Columbia he will simply send assassin after assassin until the job is done.”

“But why? Once he’s in Columbia, he’s home free.”

“Because he can’t stand leaving a job undone. It will look like I chased him out of America and that will impact future profits.”

She sighed and stared at the floor.

“Bethany,” Ethan said crossing the room and sitting beside her. “I want you out of the line of fire on this one for obvious reasons.”

“I know,” she said softly. “I’m just going to go insane with worry.”

“I know, sweetheart. But the three of us are going to bring down Cordova. You, my dear, get to talk to the reporter. You’re the one who did all the research and found the answers to the passwords anyway.”

“I don’t mind doing that at all, Ethan
, but you’re going to need a small army to take down Cordova.”

“I’ve got two Navy SEALS, Bethany, I’ve got all the army I need.”

Nathan chuckled wickedly.

Ethan held out his cell phone to Bethany. “Make the call.”

****

Reporter Steven Wolf sat in his hotel room and clicked off his cell phone, staring at it in shock. He couldn’t believe this. Bethany Kress and Ethan Lancaster had just called, both conversing with him on speaker phone. At first
, he had thought it was just another crack pot, but both Kress and Lancaster had been able to answer questions only they would know.

His faith in Lancaster had paid off. The man was innocent. They had seen his report last night and granted him an exclusive interview. The opportunity to prove his theories had just fallen into his lap. God, there had to be a Pulitzer in this. Barely able to contain his excitement, Wolf dialed a number to the most valuable source he had in his arsenal.

“Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, New York office, how may I direct your call?”

****

Gunther’s cell phone rang. “Yeah?”

“Sir, you need to turn on the television,” one of Cordova’s men said.

“What?” He grabbed the remote “Which channel?”

“CNN – it’s that reporter, Steven Wolf. The only one who believes Lancaster is innocent. He’s broadcasting live.”

Gunther’s stomach dropped and he quickly found the channel. He saw the reporter with Kress.

“We are coming to you live from an disclosed location. Bethany Kress is with us and she has the evidence needed to clear Ethan Lancaster of any suspected wrong-doing. So, Miss Kress, what do you have for us?”

“Shit! Where are they?”

“We don’t know, sir. Every downtown hotel is booked to capacity because of the ongoing
conventions.”

“I’ll call you back,” Gunther said, grabbing his sidearm. He bolted out the door and headed for an ATF van. He made another phone call. “Martinez, we need a location. A reporter is broadcasting live here in San Diego, can we track that signal?” He paused, listening. “Okay get
on it! I’ll be at the van in thirty seconds.”

Fear quickly joined Gunther’s rage. This was exactly what Cordova had not wanted. They were going public with the names. He clicked off his phone as he reached the van. Martinez worked feverishly to find and track the signal. Now what? Kress had been alone with the reporter. Where were the Lancaster brothers and why had they left Kress alone? Shit! Lancaster had lied to Edwards and had changed the plan entirely. He didn’t even have faith in his captain.

“I got it! Holy hell, they’re at the Omni!”

“I thought we checked the Omni.”

“We did, three times. But it’s right next to the convention center. That military convention is huge.”

“Military?” Gunther asked, then his anger roared. “Of course! Why didn’t anyone tell me it was a military convention?”

“We didn’t think anything of it. It’s not like they can join in.”

“The hell they can’t and that’s e
xactly what they did. I bet Lancaster’s SEAL brother called in some favors from his old team.”

“I can’t pinpoint the signal exactly
, but they are in the Omni, I just don’t know what floor.”

On one of the monitors, Gunther turned on the news station and the ongoing interview. “Gutsy move, kid,” Gunther muttered as he dialed another number on his cell phone. “But you just sacrificed your queen for a pawn.”

****

ATF Agent Scott Leonard sat in a van with extensive electronic equipment and video monitors, watching Steven Wolf. He had joined forces with Wolf not long after Lancaster went on the run, knowing the reporter would be able to dig up information. He hadn’t been disappointed. Now Wolf interviewed Kress.

Leonard paced the confined space in irritation as he spoke on his cell. “What do you mean the special ops guys won’t be here for another half hour? We need them. Wolf is in there with Kress. I’m getting the video now. Everything is like we thought.”

“I’m sorry, sir,” one of his agents replied. “Apparently there’s an accident on I-5, traffic is backed up for miles.”

Leonard cursed. “Then bring them in by helicopter. I’ve got to give Lancaster and Kress some sort of backup, not to mention Wolf. I need that team in position!” He hung up the phone, his gaze returning to the video screen.

He saw the list of names and his mouth went dry. Rick Gunther. That explained so much.

The interview continued and Bethany answered Wolf’s questions, but suddenly her face drained of color and her hands shook.

“Miss Kress?” Wolf asked worriedly. “Are you all right? Do you need to take a moment?”

Her breath came in rapid gasps. Something had her absolutely terrified. Leonard blinked as a…shadow…of some sort moved behind her. It looked almost like interference or a film defect, but they were transmitting live and the recording was being made digitally in the news van.

“You need to leave now,” Bethany said, her eyes wild.

“But we haven’t finished the interview.”

“You don’t understand. You’re in danger here.” She rose and drew the Glock she wore on her belt. “Quickly!” She pushed Wolf and his camera man into the bedroom. “Stay low and don’t make a sound.” She closed the door.

The video canted at a strange angle then focused on Wolf. It was obvious they were on the floor.

“Dan,” he whispered urgently and held his fingers to his ear piece. “Dan can you hear me in the studio?”

“We can hear you Steven. What’s going on?”

“We not sure
—”

A thump sounded on the door of the hotel room.

The camera moved off of the reporter. It jerked across the room back to the door. The cameraman opened the door just enough to get a limited view of Bethany. She knocked over a heavy table and darted behind it, her gun pointed at the door.

Shouts echoed. Someone fired a gun. Bethany ducked behind the table and wood splintered. She came back up and fired three rounds. A body fell in front of the camera.

Leonard stared at a video monitor in horror.

More gunshots resounded. Bethany sought cover behind the table again
, but a bullet slammed into her shoulder and knocked her flat on her back. A man came into frame wearing an ATF jacket, he grabbed Bethany and hauled her up. For an instant, Leonard feared they would witness the murder of Bethany Kress on live television.

             
The picture lurched. Men hauled Kress out the door. Dear God, those men were ATF agents, but not on his team...or at least they looked like agents.

Leonard keyed his radio. “Alpha team, go! Go! Go!”

“But sir, we don’t have any backup!”

“Damn it! Go now! That’s an order!” Leonard dropped the radio, drew his gun and sprinted from the van.

He pulled an earpiece from his pocket, “Alpha team, cover the exits, I want that building locked down.”

“Sir, we don’t have enough
—” Gunfire drowned out the team leader’s voice.

“Alpha One, report!” Leonard shouted in the
mic. “Alpha One!”

Static resounded.

“The stairs!” another voice screamed into the radio, followed by more gunfire.

“Agent, identify yourself!”

Again only static.

Leonard sprinted for the stairs, throwing open the door and hesitating only an instant before peering around the corner. A shot zinged off the wall near his head and he ducked back. Looking around again, he lifted his gun
, but held his fire. No target. Nothing. He heard the door above him slam.

“Alpha leader to all agents. They’re on the second floor. Agents report!”

After a long period of static, Leonard heard a lone voice. “This is Alpha Four, sir,” he said weakly. “I’m in the room. Wolf and his cameraman are shaken, but alive, sir. Kress is gone and there are no signs of the Lancaster brothers. Two of the attackers are also dead, sir. They are dressed like ATF agents, but they’re not.”

Leonard cursed, backing away from his position, and taking up a new one in the lobby. They would have to come down to the first floor somewhere. “For God
’s sake, someone cover the back exits.”

Again only static greeted him.

“Sir, this is Alpha Four. We don’t have anyone to cover the back exits. They’re all dead, sir.”

Swearing violently, Leonard charged toward the back of the hotel, exiting a door just in time to see a car screech away. Shots hit the pavement next to him and he dove for cover. He couldn’t return fire in fear of a stray bullet hitting Kress. The car vanished down the street, leaving Leonard swearing futilely.

“Alpha Four, did they get the evidence?” he asked.

“I’m afraid so, sir, they took the file and the laptop.”

Shit! They had to have that evidence to prove Lancaster’s innocence.

The radio crackled again. “Leonard this is Wolf. We’ve got all the evidence on camera. Bethany said Cordova has a yacht in the marina right behind the Omni. That’s got to be where they’re taking her.”

“Got it, Wolf, thanks.”

“Leonard, you’ve got to hurry. Cordova will kill her.”

“I know, but I have to wait for backup to get here.”

“Leonard, these
two are absolutely innocent. Bethany told me off camera she’s pregnant. You can’t let anything happen to her. Neither of them have done anything wrong.”

Leonard sprinted back to his van. Now everything made sense. Kress was never Lancaster’s hostage, she was his lover. No wonder she had refused to leave him. Leonard’s investigation had proven Wolf’s theories. Lancaster was a good man dedicated to his job. Now Cordova was going to take everything from him.

Leonard reached the van to discover Wolf already waiting for him.

“Any word from Captain Edwards?” Leonard asked one of his techs as he closed the door.

“They found his body in his home, sir,” the tech said. “He and his family were shot to death.”

“Damn it!” Leonard growled, dragging his hand through his hair. How many more people had to die before Cordova was brought to justice? When Leonard accepted the assignment from the ATF’s division of Internal Affairs to find the mole in their own ranks, he never expected the depth of corruption he uncovered. Now, Leonard knew Lancaster was innocent. He had to get Lancaster and Kress out alive.

“Where in the hell is my backup?”

In the marina, Ethan located Cordova’s large, fast yacht. He crouched behind cover on the docks as the evening shadows grew in strength. Nathan and Tommy ranged around him, watching the perimeter
, but also selecting positions where they could provide backup. He carried his Colt with plenty of clips and two back-up Glocks. Nathan had his M40 sniper rifle as well as Glocks and Tommy carried a couple of Glocks along with first aid supplies.