Deadly Games - Cate Noble [95]
“What if someone inside is watching for Rocco’s log-in?”
Dante swore. “When I get my hands on whoever’s leaking info, I’m going to do more than plug holes.”
Travis rubbed his head. He needed to get back to D.C. “I just had an idea for a trap. Tell Catalina I’m going to need her to access Rocco’s account again.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Acapulco, Mexico
October 6, 6:30 P.M.
Rocco had imagined a hundred different ways to kill Clay Watkins, each one more painful than the last.
Where had that bastard taken Gena?
After Clay and his cohorts drove off, Rocco had run down the road searching for the mining office. He’d finally found it, but the place was deserted, didn’t look like anyone had been there for months. There were no phones, no vehicles to steal. Rocco had continued down the road, determined to walk to Acapulco if necessary.
A farmer had come by and given Rocco a lift to Acapulco after he promised a hefty payment. Rocco had lost his gun and cell phone, but at least he had his wallet. He had gotten a room at the first motel he’d found.
Clay had obviously planned to double-cross Rocco all along. The plane wreck had thrown a monkey wrench into Clay’s plan, but it was clear that Clay’s phone must have been working and had a satellite chip.
Rocco wanted to call Rey Salvador but hesitated, uncertain whether Rey had helped set him up. He took a quick shower and then called Dante. Without a passport or proper identification, Rocco would need help getting back to D.C.
He had no choice but to use the room phone. Dante obviously didn’t recognize the number and answered with a gruff, “Johnson.”
“It’s Rocco.”
“Jesus Christ, man! Where are you? We’ve been worried.”
“I’m in an Acapulco motel. And I’m on the room phone. Our plane went down in a storm last night.”
“Are you and Gena okay?”
“No. We weren’t injured real bad, but the man I hired to help protect Gena double-crossed me. He’s got her and wants the same formulas everyone else is after in exchange for her release. The man obviously has connections to Minh Tran.”
“Had connections. Tran is dead. I’ll save the details for later. The real man you hired, Clay Watkins, was found murdered. His ID was stolen. Rey Salvador called me when he couldn’t reach you.”
Rocco sank down on the bed next to the phone. “This could be another setup. How the hell did this imposter know I’d even contacted Rey?”
“Look, I can’t say much since you’re not on a secure line, but Travis says he has it figured out,” Dante said. “And speaking of Travis, he found Maddy. She’s free. They’re on their way back as we speak.”
“That’s some good news.”
“Not completely. Maddy miscarried. I don’t know anything more than that. Also, we found Taz. Erin is unharmed and back with Max, but Taz is in the hospital. It doesn’t look good for him.”
“Damn. Look, I need you to pull some strings to get me back in the states ASAP. I lost everything in the plane wreck except my wallet. I’ll need a passport.”
“You’ve got it. I’ll see if we can get you out tonight. Travis has called for a top-secret meeting in the morning.”
“Good. I need to see him first thing.” Rocco checked the time. “I’ve got less than thirty hours to get a message to the fake Clay.”
“We will get Gena back,” Dante said.
“I know it.” After disconnecting, Rocco called the front desk to hire someone to make a mall run for him. He scribbled a list of clothes and shoe sizes.
He had barely finished when a maid showed up. Her English was poor, but Rocco reviewed the list and gave her money, promising to tip her well if she hurried.
When he was alone, he again debated calling Rey Salvador but ultimately decided against it. Whoever had taken out the real Clay Watkins might have compromised Rey’s communications.
Once more his thoughts drifted to Gena. Sweet Jesus! They’d been through enough. He wasn’t going to lose her again.
Wherever she was, Rocco would find her.
Stay safe, sweetheart.
* * *
Uncertain Location
October 6, Uncertain Time