Hunt Them Down(42)

Carter didn’t disagree with Hunt’s assessment, but this was hardly the first time such things had happened. Rogue Afghan and Iraqi soldiers were increasingly turning their weapons against their American trainers. In fact, Carter had read somewhere that this was now the leading cause of death for NATO troops in Afghanistan. How sick was that for a statistic?

“I know,” Carter replied.

“They killed all the marshals, Simon. All of them. I’m the only one who survived the ambush.”

Carter clenched the receiver against his ear and swore under his breath. It pissed him off to no end that so many federal agents had lost their lives protecting a scumbag like Vicente Garcia.

“I’m sorry, Pierce.”

“I don’t think it’s too far-fetched to assume the other assaulters were former members of the Mexican military too,” Hunt said. “They knew what they were doing, Simon. They really did. They used the terrain for cover and concealment, and they exploited their superior firepower to cover their movements and to keep us pinned down. These guys weren’t our regular certified crackheads. They were well-trained operators.”

Carter could only imagine what Hunt must have felt when the motorcade SUVs started to blow up.

“What do you want me to do? I have a few leave days left if you need my help.”

Hunt didn’t reply right away. After a moment, Carter asked, “Are you there?”

“That’s not all,” Hunt said, his voice suddenly only a whisper. “They took Leila. My daughter’s gone, Simon.”

The words didn’t make any sense to Carter. What the hell was Hunt talking about? Didn’t his daughter live with her mother and her mother’s NFL husband?

“What do you mean they took Leila, Pierce? Who’s they?”

“The Black Tosca. She’s behind all of this. Vicente’s death, Leila’s abduction. She orchestrated everything.”

Carter stiffened. He hadn’t expected this, and, for a moment, he was the one who went quiet. He didn’t know Leila well. He had met her only a couple of times, but she seemed like a fantastic kid. Why would the Black Tosca kidnap Hunt’s daughter?

“Pierce, buddy, I’m lost here. Why would the Black Tosca kidnap Leila? What is she to her?”

He heard Hunt clear his throat. “It was a mistake. She was traveling with Tony Garcia’s daughter, Sophia, and—”

“Stop right there. What was Leila doing with Garcia’s daughter?”

“Don’t go there, Simon. I didn’t know about it either, but it’s beside the point.”

Hunt sounded angry now, and Carter wondered what role Pierce’s ex-wife had played.

“Okay,” Carter conceded. “Not my business. When did this happen?”

For the next few minutes, Hunt told him everything he knew about the kidnapping and the Black Tosca’s demand for Tony Garcia’s head. Carter had known Hunt for a long time and was aware of some of the hardships his friend had endured, but it was the first time he felt Hunt wasn’t 100 percent in control. There was a calculated edge to Hunt’s voice that chilled him to the bone.

“I need you to keep feeding me all the intelligence we have on the Black Tosca and her organization,” Hunt said. “I want to know everything there is to know about her. Who she knew growing up, who were her parents, does she have children, what—”

“I get the picture,” Carter said. “Don’t worry.”

“Good,” Hunt said. “Call me anytime at this number. You’re the only one who has it.”

Carter hesitated for a second, wondering if he should bring up the subject of Hunt’s arrest warrant. He decided against it. The man had enough on his plate.

“Copy that. Give me an hour or so. I should have something for you.”





CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Miami, Florida

Hunt placed his mobile phone on the coffee table next to Tony’s laptop. Anna and Tony were both looking at him, their eyes desperate for answers he didn’t have. Anna was seated ramrod straight in her chair. She was barely moving.

“Simon is a good man,” Hunt told them. “He’ll call back soon enough with additional info.”

“So we’re supposed to sit on our collective asses until Simon calls back? That’s your plan, Superman?” Tony stood up, looking like he wanted to fight again.

Hunt hoped it wouldn’t get to that, because the next time Garcia decided to spar, Hunt would put him down for the count.

“You’d better sit your ass back down and listen to what I have to say if you want to see your daughter again,” Hunt said, looking him straight in the eyes and reining in his own frustration.

Hunt could tell that Tony was struggling to swallow his pride, but he managed to sit back down.

“Please, Pierce,” Anna said, always trying to be the peacemaker, “tell us what you have in mind.”

Hunt leaned toward Tony and said, “Are you ready to make a deal?”

Tony blinked, and a furrow appeared between his dark brows. He cocked his head and asked, “What kind of deal are we talking about?”

“I’ll get Sophia and Leila back,” Hunt said. “And once I do, I want you to start converting your illegal business interests into legitimate ones.”