Unwitting Alliances - Hunter Blake Series by Peggy Lea Baker

Chapter Eleven

  Los Angeles was transitioning from a bustling city by day into a dazzling city by night. It was late in the evening as Carolyn Allensby sat in her spacious home office staring out a window. Deep in thought, she absent-mindedly tapped a pen on her desk then suddenly picked up the phone and dialed a number.

  It rang three times before a man answered. “Hello?”

  “Randy,” she said. Her voice was taut and unfeeling. “I have another small job for you.”

  “But... but you said I was done,” he protested. “You said that CAMEO job was it.”

  “Yes, but you botched it up and I’m very angry. So now you owe me one more job. Take care of this one and I promise it will be your last,” she stated firmly. “I’ll double the payment to make it worth your while.”

  He didn’t respond right away.

  “It won’t take long.”

  “Yeah, but if I get caught... if I get into any more trouble, the Feds will put me away for good. I just want to get out of the country.”

  “You do this job or the Feds will be the least of your worries. You’re in too deep to say no.” Her tone was threatening.

  She could hear him breathing heavily, but he finally gave in. “Fine, but this had better be the last one... because I’m through. I’m finished with all of this. I just want out.”

  “Of course you do. I knew you’d see it my way. Wait to hear from Dirk. He’ll pick you up.”

  “Dirk,” he repeated uncomfortably. “Yeah, well I’m already in Yuma. I was going to hitch a ride into Mexico first thing in the morning.”

  “This shouldn’t delay you by much. I’ll have Dirk pick you up tonight. You take care of the job, then disappear into Mexico and you’ll never hear from me again. It’s that simple.”

  “So, it’s another hand-off?”

  “No.”

  “What, then?”

  “You’ll get the details when Dirk picks you up. It’s a simple job. There’s something I need taken care of... permanently.”

  “You... you mean... kill someone?”

  Carolyn let out a cynical laugh. “Honestly, Randy, I do wonder about you sometimes.”

  “But I don’t get it,” he said. “I’ve done a lot of things in my life, but I ain’t never killed no one before... not ever.”

  “Then I will triple the payment. Just do the job then you can disappear.”

  He was silent for a moment. “You’ll pay me in the usual way?”

  “Yes. In fact, I’ll pay half up front. Dirk will have your instructions, along with the money. After you’ve completed your task, he will see that you get the balance.”

  He hesitated then nervously replied, “Okay.”

  “Don’t try to double cross me, though” she warned. “Oh, and one more thing, don’t say anything to your old partner. This is strictly between you and me.”

  Randy snickered. “Sounds like you don’t trust him.”

  “Yes, well, just in case he happens to contact you for any reason, you’re not to say a word to him. Do you understand?” Carolyn pressed him.

  “I don’t get it.”

  “Let’s just say, the fewer people who know, the better for all of us.” Carolyn took a deep breath. “I have to go. Dirk will be contacting you in a few hours.”

  She hung up then sat back for a moment before dialing another number. “Dirk,” she said when he answered. “Has the Sinclair woman been taken care of?”

  “Yeah. I left her at the clinic like you wanted. She was just starting to come around. Kelly keeps referring to her as Deborah something. They hope to keep her convinced she has amnesia until you say otherwise.”

  “Did she see you?”

  “Only in the elevator but not at the clinic. I kept out of sight until I left.”

  “But she saw you. That’s not good. We’ll have to take care of her as well. Let Kelly and Zack know. The sooner the better. Grabbing her was a long shot and I don’t think it’s going to work anyway,” she said. By any chance did anyone else see you at the Resort? Anyone who could identify you?”

  “I don’t think so, although her friend caught a glimpse of me while we were in the elevator. But I don’t think she could give much of a description. Seemed too ditzy and chatty to me.”

  “Even so, I don’t want to take any chances. No loose ends. Take of her as well, and what about cameras?”

  “I avoided them. I knew what I was doing.”

  “Okay, good. I just talked to Randy. He’s already in Yuma. How soon can you meet up with him?”

  “Shouldn’t take long, since I’m already down here. An hour or two maybe.”

  “Randy’s hesitant,” she said, “But since he failed to complete his assignment at the CAMEOs, they’re both liabilities and I need to get rid of them. No. Loose. Ends this time, do you understand?”

  “Of course,” Dirk said. “You still think Hamilton is working both sides?”

  “Yes. Without a doubt. Too many coincidences. But even if I’m wrong, I don’t trust him anymore. If Randy hadn’t failed in his task, we’d have already taken care of Ham, but he didn’t. One way or another, I want both of them taken care of... tonight!

  Dirk chuckled.

  “Something funny?” Carolyn demanded.

  “Sounds more like he wasn’t all that interested in your seductive advances.”

  “I could have you dealt with, you know,” she shot back.

  “True. But you and I both know you won’t, don’t we?” Dirk chuckled again. “So, where is Hamilton?”

  “Back in Mexico. One of my contacts confirmed that a few hours ago. That small town just across the border. Once Randy has taken care of him, you know what to do.”

  “Sure, but why don’t you just let me take care of both of them?”

  “Because Randy owes me,” she said. “It’s a matter of principle. This will be his payback... and his reward for being an idiot. Oh, and for the record Dirk, you’re not the only stallion in the stable. I’d be very careful, if I were you.”

  “Oh, I’m careful. I’ve covered myself,” he replied in the same tone. “Photos. You and me. Something happens to me... Gerry gets a package hand delivered.”

  “Just let me know when both jobs are finished!” Carolyn said tersely before slamming down the receiver.

  Randy paced in his small rundown motel room. Even though it was still April, evenings in southern Arizona were pleasantly mild, unless you had unpleasant business on your mind. Randy knew all too well, when it came to Carolyn Allensby, his choices were limited... either comply or die.

  In spite of the presumably short-term contract he had with her, he realized now he’d never be free from her grip. He’d been told his previous assignment, at the CAMEO Center, would be his last and that the conditions of his agreement with her would be met.

  “It weren’t my fault everything got screwed up,” he mumbled to himself.

  The assignments he’d received from her over the past couple of years were in exchange for keeping him under the radar with the authorities. He’d been involved in a string of petty thefts and con jobs, but one in particular had gotten the attention of the FBI. With her connections, his name had never come up. As a result, he was at Carolyn’s beck and call.

  With time to kill before Dirk arrived, he found himself lamenting over various tasks he’d been forced to take on. And although disgusting in many cases, no one ever died, at least not by his hand. But this request was different.

  “Request.” He laughed at himself. “She never requests anything. She just gives orders.”

  Tossing his phone on the bed, he wiped beads of sweat from his wrinkled brow. Standing in front of a discolored mirror with one long crack running diagonally across it, he stared at his weathered and lined face framed in short and thinning gray hair. Years of self-abuse and bad habits had taken its toll.

  His stomach was in a knot and his head began to hurt.
He grimaced. He’d never killed anyone before. He wondered who the intended victim was. Randy decided to stretch out on his bed. “I’m too old for this crap.”

  Staring up at the ceiling, he focused on a lone fly lazily moving about. “Want to trade places?” he asked in disgust, then slowly drifted into a troubled sleep.

  Less than an hour later, he was startled awake at the sound of his phone ringing. Sitting up, he grabbed it and noticed it was a text message from Dirk with instructions to meet him on the outskirts of town. Randy reluctantly pulled on his jacket and stepped out into the late evening air glancing around and dreading what would soon take place.

  It would be several blocks before he reached the rendezvous point. A warm breeze blew in from the west across the desert. A couple of cars passed in both directions but mostly it was quiet at this time of night.

  He checked his watch and picked up his pace for another block before stopping to catch his breath and calm his heart rate. Wiping his brow again, he continued up the street, desperately trying to figure a way out of this assignment.

  Scanning the night sky, he watched and listened. Taking another deep breath, he gazed up and down the now deserted street in this less frequented part of town. A couple more blocks and he’d be at his destination.

  The appointed place was a desolate, dry, and dusty location just outside the town limits... and quiet. The stars overhead were innumerable and for a moment he actually admired the sight, until the sound of an approaching helicopter interrupted the stillness marking the end of his brief moment of peaceful solitude.

  Randy watched the aircraft come in low. He noticed the rockets mounted on either side as Dirk easily set it down in a cloud of dust. Randy hurried to climb onboard. Moments later they were airborne. For the next few minutes, Dirk said nothing. He finally reached into a compartment and withdrew a bulging envelope.

  “Don’t spend it all in one place,” he remarked drily.

  Without checking its contents, Randy shoved the envelope into his jacket, zipping it up. “You sure got here fast,” Randy said.

  “I was in the vicinity,” Dirk replied. “Had some other business to take care of.”

  “Other business? What kind of business?”

  “What do you care?”

  “Just curious.”

  Dirk laughed. “Okay. I kidnapped a woman this afternoon. Took her to the old clinic for safe-keeping.”

  “The old clinic? Is that still being used?” Randy rubbed his right leg absently.

  “For now. We needed a place to keep her out of the way.”

  “Out of the way?”

  Dirk laughed again. “You’re full of questions.”

  “Just making small talk, that’s all.”

  “Okay. Well, she’s one of Blake’s women. Samantha. Although she doesn’t seem his type to me.”

  “Why take her, then?”

  “Bargaining chip.”

  “Oh,” Randy said and decided he’d heard enough. Instead, he asked. “So, what’s the plan? Where are you taking me?”

  “You’ll see soon enough.”

  Randy stared out the cockpit window. “Carolyn said you’d have instructions for me.”

  “I do. She needs you to deal with someone.”

  “I guessed that much, but who?” Randy’s stomach was churning again. “Why me?” he blurted out suddenly. “Why do I have to do this kind of dirty work? I just steal things and act as a delivery boy. I don’t kill people. That’s what you do!”

  “Everything you’ve done for her is dirty work. Why should this be any different?”

  “Because it sounds like I’m supposed to kill someone. I don’t kill people.”

  “First time for everything,” Dirk said. He continued to guide the aircraft eastward through the darkness to the undisclosed destination. Randy remained quiet. Eventually Dirk banked south, which meant they were headed into Mexico. It wasn’t long before he came about and began a gradual descent, finally setting down in the desert. Not too far away were a very few dim lights of a tiny village.

  “Your target’s in town. Find him and take him out,” was all Dirk said, handing Randy a folded piece of paper and a handgun.

  Randy read the instructions then looked at Dirk in amazement. “Wait!” he exclaimed shaking his head. “I can’t kill this guy.”

  “You don’t have much room to negotiate. Just do what you’re told. No questions.” Dirk glared at Randy. “Look at it this way, you’re already in Mexico so no need to bum a ride in the morning.” A smug grin creased Dirk’s face.

  “So...” Randy began with hesitation. “So, does this mean after I do this job I’m finished? The contract is finally fulfilled? I’m free?”

  Dirk merely shrugged. “That’s between you and Carolyn.”

  With a look of disgust, Randy shoved his door open and climbed down, staring toward the village ahead. The air was dry with a mix of familiar desert odors wafting about in a sporadic breeze. He glanced back at Dirk then closed the door. Stepping away, he watched as the helicopter lifted off and flew further south.

  Holding the note, Randy reread the brief instructions in the glow of his cell phone screen then shook his head again. “This isn’t right. What if I don’t kill him? What if I just disappear into the Mexican desert? Half a payment is still worth something, especially in Mexico.”

  Not far away, a narrow highway ran alongside the north end of the village. He watched as a semi-truck ambled through with its running lights beckoning and for a fraction of a second he seriously considered the alternative then shook his head dejectedly. “They’d find me,” he muttered to himself. “They’d track me down and kill me.”

  Taking a deep breath, he began the short hike toward the village mulling over in his mind how he was going to manage to complete his assignment. Approaching a couple of tiny ramshackle houses, he stopped and peered down the dusty road. A lone street lamp dimly illuminated the immediate area. All seemed quiet. He heard a dog bark in the distance, but decided it wasn’t anything to be concerned about. Moving down the road, another dog began barking nearby. Randy hurried along, hoping it would eventually stop making a racket. Further along, he thought he heard something or someone approaching from behind and quickly eased into the shadow of a scrubby tree to watch and wait.

  Beads of sweat lined his brow and he shuddered involuntarily. After a few more minutes he emerged, glanced about then continued on, relying on every sense he could muster. His breathing was rapid and his heart pounded.

  Stopping within another shadow, he squinted at the note one more time. In addition to the name was an address of sorts. Finding the location was going to be a challenge, even with a roughly drawn map and brief description of the house he was looking for.

  He took yet another deep breath, holding it for a moment before letting it out slowly, silently praying he’d somehow be able to get out of this. Moving further along, he recognized one of the landmarks on the drawing and drew closer then suddenly stopped and listened. Someone was coming.

  Unmistakable crunching of footsteps on the dry ground grew louder. In a panic, Randy feverishly looked for a place to hide. Ducking behind an abandoned metal barrel and some well-worn tires stacked next to it, he waited and listened to the rhythmic footfall. It grew closer and he readied himself to accost the passerby if necessary. Suddenly the footsteps halted just short of his view. He froze.

  Waiting and holding his breath, Randy dared not reveal himself. He didn’t want to invite any unpleasant altercation with anyone, especially if it happened to be a local with a gun and no inhibitions of using it. A whiff of cigarette smoke drifted into the shadows where he was crouched creating an immediate reflex to cough. With every ounce of self-control, he managed to keep from doing so as the footsteps resumed and the silhouette of a dark clad figure passed by, seemingly unaware of Randy’s presence.

  Carefully peering out from the shadows, Randy
watched the figure approach the dim glow of another street lamp and turn slightly, revealing his features. Randy was startled as he recognized this was the man he was seeking. Hamilton.

  Hamilton continued down the dusty road. Randy’s heart pounded as he eased out of his hiding place, now in pursuit. His heart raced even more with the realization that in just a few moments, it would all be over. He stealthily followed, keeping to any available shadows, nervously fingering the bulge of the handgun in his jacket pocket, almost wishing it weren’t there.

  Hamilton hesitated at a fenced yard then quickly entered the small dwelling. Randy hurried after him, keeping an eye on the property, approaching it cautiously then stopped to listen. Hearing nothing he slowly moved forward when suddenly a hushed voice from behind spoke to him in Spanish.

  “¿Buscando algo?” (Looking for something?) The familiar voice asked.

  Randy was startled, instantly realizing he’d been clumsy and caught off guard by the very man he was seeking.

  Attempting to recover, he responded. “Mi amigo. Yo estaba buscando para usted.” (I was looking for you).

  “¿A esta hora de la noche?” (At this time of night?) the man asked.

  Randy desperately tried to think of something to say. “Ham... I...” his heart pounded fiercely then he heard a click. “Please don’t shoot me,” he pleaded and slowly raised his hands. He tensed up, waiting for the gun to go off and counted to five then slowly turned to look. He was alone.

  A wash of relief flooded over him and a cascade of thoughts instantly raced through his mind. He’d been discovered but thought it odd that his former partner didn’t stick around to ask more questions. In fact, it was odd that Ham had greeted him Spanish instead of English.

  Shaken, Randy’s first instinct was to retreat, which he did. He hurried back the way he had come, easing in and out of shadows constantly looking over his shoulder and listening. Passing the last small house on the road, he suddenly realized he was stranded. He had no place to go. Dirk had flown away. Pulling out his phone he started to make a call then stopped, uncertain what to do next.

  “You should always have a backup plan,” Hamilton called out to him in English this time.

  Randy whipped around and strained to see him in the shadows finally hearing footsteps crunch on the dry and dusty road.

  “Ham, I just wanted to talk to you, you know... and catch up on old times,” he said nervously. “No need to shoot me.”

  “Old times?” Hamilton asked as he approached.

  “Well, I...”

  “Carolyn sent you, didn’t she? She sent me. She told me to kill you.” Hamilton usually got straight to the point.

  “She what?” Randy was stunned and coughed. “I don’t believe that. She told me to...”

  “Kill me?” Hamilton let out a soft laugh. “I guess she hoped we’d kill each other.” Hamilton waited but Randy remained quiet. “Dirk drop you off?” he asked.

  “Yes,” Randy said.

  “Is he coming back for you?”

  “N-no. He, uh...”

  “Well, here’s the bad news. He’ll be watching us and listening for gunshots. Knowing Carolyn like I do, she’ll want to be sure the job got done. So I guess we’re both in hot water.”

  “But I heard him fly off,” Randy countered. “How could he be watching?”

  “Randy. After all these years working for these people, you really think he was going to drop you here and just leave? Like I said. They don’t like loose ends. So my guess is Dirk landed nearby and he’s headed back this way on foot just like you.”

  “So what do we do?”

  “Well, I think we should follow orders and have a shootout. What do you think?”

  “But... I ain’t killed nobody before. I didn’t want this assignment. She threatened me and made me take it.”

  “I know,” Hamilton said. “I know how she operates.” He looked around then back at Randy. “Well... I suppose we could partner up again, look for Dirk and take care of him instead.”

  “I like that idea a whole lot better.”

  “Me too. But he’s out there listening and waiting.”

  Randy watched Hamilton raise his weapon.”

  “Ham. Wait.” Randy pleaded.

  Hamilton pulled off a shot. Randy flinched and immediately took inventory as the sound echoed across the desert floor. “You missed.”

  “I don’t miss,” Hamilton said. “Now we either trust each other or I really will have to kill you.”

  “I trust you,” Randy said quickly.

  “Good. Hopefully Dirk thinks one of us is dead. So he’ll be coming back to finish his job.”

  “So what are we gonna do?”

  “Wait. Watch. It all depends on how far away he parked that rig of his. Anyway, once we take care of him we can fly out of here.”

  “Maybe he’s watching us already,” Randy said nervously, looking around. “Maybe he’s figured out what we’re up to.”

  “Good point,” Hamilton agreed. “But like I said, it all depends on how far away he parked and how quickly he can walk back here in the dark. My guess is he’s close but not close enough.”

  “So what’s your plan?”

  “Surveillance. We wait and watch. I don’t think he circled around. I only heard him fly in, drop you off, and then leave.”

  “You were watching?”

  “It’s what I do for a living, remember? Hearing a helicopter coming in late at night to a little place like this could mean several things, like moving drugs or people around, or whatever. So I watched and waited and saw you sneak into town. You seemed very nervous so I followed you for a short distance before moving on past. I could have come up a lot more quietly, you know, but I wanted to be sure you heard me coming. I was curious why you were here and what you were planning to do. Then I decided to move on ahead.”

  “Why didn’t you just kill me like you was told to do?”

  “Why would I do that? You’re my partner... or at least you used to be.” He chuckled softly. “Why didn’t you shoot me when you had your chance?”

  “I didn’t want to arouse attention.”

  “In this little out-of-the-way place? No one would have cared. People die here all the time. You’re either part of the drug cartel or not.” He looked at Randy. “Is that the only reason you didn’t shoot me?”

  Randy shifted from one foot to another. “Naw. Like you said, we’re partners... still are. We’ve been through a lot of scrapes together and pulled through.”

  “So, this is just one more mission, then, eh?” Hamilton looked toward the east. “It’ll be a few hours before daybreak. We should find some cover and wait for our friend.”

  “You sure he’ll be coming?” Randy asked, fidgeting.

  “I’m sure. Like I said, Carolyn doesn’t like loose ends, and you and I are both loose ends. My guess is whichever one of us was left standing was Dirk’s to take care of. So, we wait and watch.”

  Crouched in the deep shadows of a solitary and low growing tree near the outskirts of the tiny village, Randy was growing restless. “So how long you been down here?” he asked Hamilton. “I mean, you were chasing me in L.A. just days ago. So how’d you get here so fast?”

  “Could you lower your voice please?” Hamilton asked before answering. “I flew into Arizona then hitchhiked a ways before crossing the border on foot.”

  “Why not just fly all the way in?”

  “It’d blow my cover.”

  “Yeah,” Randy nodded then checked his phone for the second time.

  Hamilton yanked it away. “You have a death wish or something?” he whispered tersely. Every time you check that thing it’s like flashing a beacon.” Hamilton shoved it in a pocket.

  “I hate waiting,” Randy said. “You sure this is such a good idea?” He was growing more impatient by the minute.

  “Stop talking,” Hamilton said firmly. “It h
asn’t been that long.”

  Both men continued to gaze out into the darkness, straining to see even the slightest movement.

  Now in his middle fifties, Hamilton was only a few years younger than Randy, but unlike Randy, he’d learned to pace himself and had developed a heightened sense of discernment and a great deal of patience, both critical skills to staying alive. Even so, as a whole, the unsavory business they both had been part of for years had taken its toll.

  Hamilton straightened up. He gently touched Randy’s arm. “Good things come to those who wait,” he said.

  “What. You see something?” Randy followed his gaze.

  “He just checked his phone,” Hamilton said. “He’s just as nervous as you are.” Staying in the shadows, Hamilton’s keen eye picked up the movement of a shape heading their way. “It’s him,” he whispered. Randy stiffened but remained quiet.

  Dirk suddenly stopped and checked his phone again. Hamilton waited and watched as the glow of the screen momentarily betrayed the owner’s face. Hamilton smiled. Moments later, Dirk shoved the phone back into his pocket and stood gazing toward the small village as if uncertain whether or not to proceed. Barely backlit by the very faint glow of a rising sun, he took a couple of steps and stopped again. Then without warning he abruptly turned around and began to trot back into the desert.

  Although surprised at Dirk’s actions, Hamilton started to move. He grabbed Randy’s arm. “Let’s go!” he whispered.

  Both men stepped out of their hiding place and began a pursuit, hoping Dirk wouldn’t hear their running footsteps. There were no hiding places now, just sand and very minimal vegetation struggling to survive.

  They continued until Dirk stopped. Hamilton and Randy immediately dropped to the ground and lay flat as Dirk turned around long enough to scan the landscape before continuing on. Hamilton and Randy resumed their pursuit.

  Soon, Hamilton could make out the shape of the helicopter in the distance, an unmistakable silhouette against a barely lit eastern sky. They were now completely exposed.

  Picking up the pace, Hamilton wanted to shorten the distance between him and Dirk. He needed to get a clean shot and was about twenty-five yards away when Dirk suddenly spun around and took aim, firing off a shot.

  Hamilton hit the ground with his own weapon drawn and returned fire, but missed. Shooting from a prone position on the ground was never one of his best options. Dirk ran for the helicopter. Hamilton was back on his feet and closing in. He paused long enough to take aim. This time he hit his mark, but in the leg. It slowed Dirk down but didn’t stop him.

  Reaching the helicopter, Dirk attempted to fire another round at Hamilton, but couldn’t keep his balance and missed. He was reaching for the cockpit door when Hamilton pulled off another shot. Dirk lurched, went down to his knees, and finally ended up face down in the desert sand. Hamilton carefully approached keeping his gun leveled at the motionless body covered in blood.

  He turned Dirk over to confirm the kill, but saw no blood on his chest. He looked around for Randy, unable to see him then quickly crouched down, wondering if Randy was going to fulfill his orders after all.

  Instead, he heard a voice call out to him. “Ham.”

  Cautiously, Hamilton retraced his steps and saw his partner down, but still moving. He raced to his side. Randy lay on the ground holding his chest. Blood was oozing from a serious gunshot wound.

  “He got me... I don’t think I’m... gonna make it,” Randy managed to say.

  “Hang in there, pal,” Hamilton said as he applied pressure to try to stop the bleeding. “I’ll get you on the chopper. We’ll get medical attention.”

  “Don’t bother. I’ll... never make it.”

  “Randy,” Hamilton began, but his partner stopped him.

  “Listen to me,” he struggled to speak. “You gotta do something. A... woman... needs... help. You... have to... help her.” He struggled to breath.

  “What woman?” Hamilton asked. “Who is she?”

  “Samantha... Saman...tha,” Randy struggled for air. “Old... clinic.” He closed his eyes and tried to take another breath. “Needs... help...” he gasped for air. “Carolyn...” He tried to squeeze Hamilton’s hand. “Thanks... for... every...thing,” he said. “I’m finally... free.” He went limp.

  Hamilton cradled his former partner’s lifeless body then gently laid him on the desert floor. Going through Randy’s jacket pockets, he glanced at the few items then noticed a bulge. He unzipped the jacket, withdrew an envelope and thumbed through the contents. There were a few hundred-dollar bills on top but the rest was neatly cut paper. “Randy, my friend, you never listened to me.” He pocketed the money but left the worthless paper.

  Hamilton stood up and gazed at the small sleeping village. “Like I said, no one cares about gunshots around here. Everyone keeps their nose out of everyone else’s business.”

  He started for the helicopter walking past Dirk’s lifeless body without stopping. “At least I won’t have to walk out of here,” he said to himself then noticed the mounted rockets. “I guess we are living in a war zone down here these days.” He belted up and began the startup sequence.

  “The old clinic. A woman named Samantha who needs help,” he said as the helicopter came to life. “Okay. I guess I’m going to rescue Samantha, whoever she is, and somehow Carolyn is involved. This should be interesting.”