“No word. Villarreal left Tijuana two days ago. Maybe he dumped her somewhere.”
Ian wondered if Armando Villarreal was capable of killing a woman in cold blood, after making it his mission to avenge his wife’s death. “Did they ever find Carlos Moreno’s body?”
“No.”
That was odd too. Moreno had been inside his house in Salsipuedes just before it blew up. Mexican police had bagged several other bodies at the scene, but not his. Moreno had either been obliterated or he’d disappeared without a trace. They might never know what happened to him. Villarreal certainly wasn’t talking. Neither would anyone else.
This was another mystery that the Tijuana police wouldn’t dare solve.
Ian drifted off on the way to Nogales. When he woke up, it was dark. They were parked outside the Plaza Hotel. He exited the vehicle with LaGuardia, shaking off the remnants of sleep. LaGuardia handed him a zippered bank bag. Ian’s ID and credit cards were inside.
“Keep track of your expenses so we can reimburse you,” LaGuardia said. “You can eat here at the hotel, of course. I booked you a room. But you’re not on the clock, so whatever you do from now until tomorrow morning is your business.”
Ian pocketed his belongings, excitement coursing through his veins. He could take a cab to the hospital and see Maria.
“Speaking of paperwork, are you interested in a permanent position?”
He swallowed his surprise. “You’re making me an offer?”
“If you’re cleared by the DEA investigation, yes. I’d like to have you on my team.”
“Why?”
LaGuardia smiled at the blunt question. “I’m pleased with your performance, Foster. You’ve got good instincts and you can handle yourself in dangerous situations. You’re smart enough to navigate obstacles instead of shooting at everything. Those are admirable qualities.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Your weakness for beautiful women is a problem, but an enviable one.”
Ian studied him for a moment, trying to gauge his sincerity. Ian didn’t have a weakness for beautiful women. He had a weakness for Maria because he was in love with her. But he figured LaGuardia already knew that. The SAC was a puppet-master type. He understood human nature well enough to exploit any situation.
“I’m not sure what to say,” Ian said.
“Say yes.”
Having a job lined up would be a major advantage in the event of a misconduct hearing. Ian wanted to work for ICE. LaGuardia would be a challenging boss, but he wasn’t dirty. And he’d basically given Ian permission to spend the night with Maria.
Just one night.
In the morning, he’d have to return to San Diego. He’d have to face the consequences of his actions as a DEA agent. Even if he was cleared of wrongdoing, he’d have no control over his next assignment. He could be sent anywhere in the world.
But none of that seemed important right now. Because tonight, he could be with Maria.
He shook LaGuardia’s hand, sealing the deal.
