Engaging his Enemy (Shattered SEALs #4) - Amy Gamet Page 0,18
what kind of friend was she?
The car bumped over a pothole, and Moto hit his head on the roof. He was grateful when she reached the top of the hill and pulled to a stop in the dirt, a cloud of dust rising up around the vehicle. “Here we go,” she said, hopping out of the car.
Moto climbed out of the backseat. The air was muggy again, a trio of gulls flying overhead as he surveyed the scene. It was a beautiful view, a bright blue lake and hundreds of miles of land stretching out to the horizon. Moving to the edge of the cliff, he looked down. Just as Laney described, a straight drop ended on jagged rocks and water. “Any evidence gathered up here?”
“Blood on the rock by the car, matches our victim. Tire tracks, multiple sets, none of which match Ben’s car. Basically, we’ve got a whole lot of nothing to prove he was here.”
Ben walked to the edge and stood beside Moto. “And nothing to prove I wasn’t.”
Laney put her hands on her hips. “Except the fact that you wanted him dead. He was a federal officer asking serious questions about your illegal activity.”
“I didn’t want him dead! I didn’t do anything wrong. I sold commercial real estate within the confines of the law. It was just business.”
She scoffed. “Save the bullshit for court. You told me yourself you thought something shady was going on, remember?”
Ben cocked his head. “No.”
“You really shouldn’t drink so much. Whether you wanted him dead or not, you had reason to want him dead. It’s damning as all hell, whether you knew it or not. You’ve got motive coming out of your pores.”
Moto looked from one to the other. They seemed a little too familiar to simply be lawyer and client.
Ben’s phone rang. “It’s Ricky Lorenzo, my contact from DeRegina’s office.”
“Put it on speakerphone,” said Laney.
He did. “Hello?”
“Glad to see you made bail. How are you feeling?”
“Other than being framed for a crime I didn’t commit? Fine.”
“We have some business to discuss. Meet me at the usual place in an hour.”
“No can do. I’m being charged with murder, man. I need to take care of myself for a while.”
“But we have work to do.”
“Sorry, but you’ll have to find yourself another real estate agent. I can recommend someone.”
Ricky’s tone suddenly changed. “That won’t be happening. This is business as usual, do you understand me? I need the waterfront deal finalized by Tuesday.”
“Tuesday! That closing isn’t scheduled for three weeks from now—”
“Tuesday, no later, and you handle the deal yourself, or being charged with murder will be the least of your problems. You understand me?” The line went dead.
Laney raised an eyebrow at Ben. “Looks like your real estate days aren’t over just yet, sweet cheeks.”
Moto’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He had a text from Logan. His brow furrowed. “One of DeRegina’s largest companies, an import/export business over in Savannah, got raided by the DEA yesterday.”
Laney peered over his shoulder at the screen. “What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?”
Ben cursed under his breath. “Could be distribution for drugs. Savannah’s a big port town, just like Houston. Was the place that got raided at the port?”
Moto texted Logan, the answer coming back seconds later. “Yes.”
“Then that’s it,” said Ben. “DeRegina could have been running his whole operation out of there. With Savannah gone, he needs a way to bring drugs into the country. Shit, he’s probably got cargo out on the Atlantic right now, just waiting to dock.”
Moto shook his head. “I don’t follow.”
“The property Ricky Lorenzo is so desperate to close on is a warehouse at the Port of Houston. With Savannah out of the picture…”
Laney’s jaw dropped. “All of DeRegina’s drugs have to come into Houston.”
Ben nodded. “They’re going to move the whole operation right into our town.” He scrubbed his face with his hands. “And I’m going to help them do it.”
“I’m calling in HERO Force.” Moto dialed his phone.
Ben held his palms up. “I can’t afford—”
“We can’t do this alone.” This was his family. Ben was in danger, backed tight against a wall. All Moto’s anger and resentment paled in comparison to the need he felt to fight alongside Ben. “I’ve got your back, brother.”
10
Moto drove along the tree-lined street where he grew up, sunshine dappling the windshield and contrasting with his mood. He was preoccupied with concern for his brother and had a foreboding feeling there was danger ahead. Ben