page82 (1/2)

There were children

Crouching fearfully on stained irls Relief flowed through ic faces and realized that they weren’t my kids

Then the relief disappeared as uys weren’t here, then where the hell were they?

CHAPTER 97

A FIVE-TRUCK CONTINGENT of Mexican federales and military had arrived by the time we raced back to the main house Inside, six or seven Mexican soldiers were standing out in front of the door to the office where Perrine had been secured

“What the hell is going on?” I said to Emily, who had her phone to her ear

“The Mexicans are claiton told us to back off We had to let them”

“Is Perrine conscious?” I asked

“I think so Just barely,” Emily said

“I need to talk to him, Emily,” I said as I walked toward the office “My family wasn’t up at that house They didn’t come in on that second plane I need to knohere they are”

“Calet your chance,” Eht and let the honchos hash it out first This is a delicate situation”

“Not gonna happen,” I said, turning and ”

A crackerjack-looking, silver-haired Mexican soldier in a beret stepped in front of the door with his hands behind his back as I approached

“May I help you?” he said with a smile

“I’ hie “That man has been placed under arrest by me, and I need to speak with my prisoner”