Into the Fray (Daring Escapes #3) - Margaret Daley Page 0,54

who murdered his wife and unborn child?

“How much longer do we go?” Ramon looked back at him, frightened.

“All the way to the jungle behind Juan’s house. About half a mile.”

Juan and Tory reached the end of the escape route and waited to open the door until Ramon and Guerrero arrived. When they emerged from the dark tunnel, the dense rainforest around them gave them a moment to adjust to the bright sunlight streaming through the broad leaves of the tree above.

The first thing Guerrero did was check if his cell phone was getting a signal. When it did, he quickly made a call. “Bob, this is Rafael. I need you to come pick me up, but don’t let anyone know. There are three others with me.”

“What’s going on?” his ex-partner asked.

“I’ll explain when I see you.” Guerrero gave him instructions. After he pocketed his cell phone, he looked up at Juan and Tory. “He’s the only one I totally trust to help us. We need a ride into town and a place to lay low while we figure out what’s going on.” He turned his full attention at Ramon. “And you better be able to help us, or I’ll throw you to the wolves.”

Juan walked a few yards away and peered through the foliage. “Two more cars have arrived. We’ve got to move. This jungle will only protect us for a while.”

Again, Guerrero took up the rear as his friend guided them through the rainforest. A small army was after them. As he walked, he sent a prayer up to the Lord.

We need Your help, God. The odds are against us. Show me the way. Amen.

* * *

Tory hung back and walked next to Guerrero. With all that had occurred in the past day, the will to fight began to drain from her. He thought the same person who sent assailants to kill Anna were behind what was happening now at her dig site. He had a good motive to continue going after the thugs who murdered his wife. She’d come to Puerto Sierra to prove her theory concerning the history of the site of the Temple of the Stars, partially to prove to her father she would make a name for herself in her field. But not at the risk of more people dying because she began excavating months ago. She felt responsible for Aapo and Fabio’s deaths. The unknown person who had set all of this in motion was still out there, sending men to stop Guerrero and her.

Guerrero’s free hand took hold of hers. “This isn’t your fault.”

She blinked and stopped for a few seconds. “Can you read minds now?”

He chuckled. “No. It’s written all over your expression. The one to blame is the mastermind behind what’s happening and each of his accomplices. They’re not only stealing from you but from the people of this country. It’s their heritage.”

She started forward. “I know Bob was your supplier at the marketplace, but is he aware of what you actually do?”

“I don’t know. We run in different circles now. I’m no longer working for the United States government. In fact, I fell off the radar for twenty months, trying to find who was behind the raid on the museum. I only emerged recently.”

“Yet you didn’t have to say much to him for him to give you all you needed for the site.”

“He was my partner, and a good one. We trust each other.”

“But you didn’t trust that he could help you find the answers if you remained on the job?”

“I wanted to do things my way. I figured I could help people who don’t have someone to fight for them. It’s those victims who gave me the name Guerrero.”

“You were a warrior to them. You’ve been that for me. I haven’t told you enough thank yous for helping me. I don’t think I would be here today if you hadn’t.” She leaned closer and whispered, “I would be dead. I never suspected Ramon would sabotage the site.”

He smiled and lowered his voice. “Don’t sell yourself short. You’re a tigress.”

“I’m going to talk to Ramon as we walk. Let me try to get some information from him. I’ll be the good guy. You can be the bad one.” She winked and released her hold on his hand.

As she hurried forward, she missed the feel of Guerrero’s hand around hers. She couldn’t shake the attraction she had toward him. Over the weeks, she’d fallen for a man who was still mourning