The Beasts of Juarez by R.B. Schow (story books to read .txt) 📗

from running,” he said. “I won’t run, though. You have my word.”

“If you behave the way you say you will, then I will give you another gift as well, one I didn’t think I would ever get the chance to offer.”

“Why would you change protocol now?” Atlas asked.

“Because I see now that this business looks different from the inside, being part of the op, not just overseeing it.”

“How so?” Atlas asked.

“It was hard, scary, invigorating, heartbreaking, flat-out raw, and nerve-racking. For those reasons alone, I have a new appreciation for what all of you do. I want to show you that appreciation.”

“Okay by me,” Atlas said. “But as I said, I won’t run.”

“I believe you,” Leopold said, his word genuine.

“You told me when we started this that you would find Alabama if I would toe the line. At the time, all I cared about was that little girl.” Looking around, he said, “The crazy thing is, I’m starting to care about you guys, too, especially you, Estella.”

When he winked at her, Esty punched his arm.

“What’s with you and hitting people?” Yergha asked. Esty’s answer had been to hit him, too. This time he blocked her shot. Then, with both lightheartedness and laughter in his voice, he said, “Look at you, chica. You’re totally off your game.”

The rest of the group laughed even though most of them felt like there was nothing worth laughing at, not when they had failed to save Callie.

Chapter Forty-Four

LEOPOLD WENTWORTH

When Camden Fox called Leopold, the Congressman told him they were going to be using the FBI at the West Texas Anti-Gang Center to escort the family back into the United States. He said they’d meet them at The Bridge of Americas (TBOA) entrance.

“We have nine people we need to get through,” Leopold said.

Camden paused for a moment. “Our FBI liaison will need either a passport or a current US ID to clear them for passage. Is that going to be a problem?”

Leopold drew a deep breath, blew it out then said, “Yes, Camden, it’s going to be a problem.”

He knew there would be an issue long before this call but he wanted to see if Camden could be forced to be more creative. He also wanted to gauge the honesty and integrity of the Fed picking them up.

“I think I may have a solution,” Camden offered. “As you know, the border is wide open for crossings.”

“First off, no it’s not,” Leopold said, challenging the man.

“You may think that, and much of America may think that, but it’s wide open. Trust me, Leopold. This is what I do, it’s what I stand for, and it’s what I’ve been in the spotlight trying to stop regardless of your political opinion, your feelings, or the news you watch. That’s why I know where you can cross.”

“You’re not suggesting they cross into America with a bunch of undocumented migrants, are you?”

“I’ve been with Border Patrol when they bring these people in,” Camden said. “You have a seven-hour turn-around time right now with the new surge of migrants. They don’t even have to have ID.”

“Bullshit,” Leopold said. “I’m not risking my team on some conspiracy theory you can’t even begin to prove.”

“Please, with all due respect, Leopold—and I have a lot of it for you—shut the hell up. I told you I had a way in and I’m going to get your team through. Or you can leave them in that garbage dump of a city you’re currently stuck in. What’s it going to be?”

“If they get caught or detained, I will kill you, Camden. I will personally wrap my hands around your throat and squeeze the very life from you.”

“I feel good with my intel,” Camden said.

“They can’t get detained,” he said. “Even if they’re not identifying them, my team cannot be detained.”

“That’s on them,” Camden said. “I can tell you where to go, but they’ll need to hire a coyote or a lookout and that’ll cost them. Usually, it’s a grand per person to arrange for crossing. Maybe fifteen hundred if these cocksuckers are greedy. Do you have that kind of cash?”

“Yeah, we’re good.”

“Okay then,” Camden said. “My contact and I will arrange to pick up you, Sydney, and the girls at TBOA. I’ll text you with the details when I have them.”

“Roger that. Oh, and Camden?”

“What?”

“I’m sorry about Callie.”

The Congressman was exceptionally quiet, then, “I can’t even say her name without going to…without going…to pieces.”

“You crawled in bed with vipers and you got bit,” he said.

Leopold now knew what happened. He and the team managed to piece it together. Sadly, the congressman wasn’t even denying it.

“I feel sorry for your family and for what Callie must have gone through, but all of that pain you feel—that crushing heartache that just won’t go away—that’s your penance and I hope it hurts. No offense, but you really screwed the pooch here.”

“I know,” he said, sniffling. “Just look for my text.”

Leopold started to say goodbye when the line went dead. He looked at the phone’s screen and saw that Camden had hung up. Shaking his head, he went to break the good news to Sydney and the girls. They were going home.

Leopold, Cira, Sydney, and the two girls took the Audi to the border. Leopold parked where he could, wiped the car down, and then he and the family walked across the bridge with a large group of migrants. Leopold was the first to see Camden. “There’s your dad,” he told the girls.

When Sydney said they could go, Zoey and Maisie broke into a run, practically bowling their father over with hugs.

While the team had waited for Camden to arrange for the official crossing, Sydney had buzzed her head completely and purchased new