“All right. LaGuardia asked me to act as a liaison between you. I know the details of your assignment, and I have news about the target.”
“What news?”
“There was a carjacking in Playas de Tijuana two days ago. The assailant was shirtless and barefoot, with a bandage around his torso. Both witnesses identified him as Armando Villarreal from a photo lineup. He switched cars in Tijuana, and again in Mexicali.”
Ian rocked back on his heels, stunned. Villarreal was alive, and coming to collect his daughter. “Has he contacted Sarai?”
“We don’t know. Tech hasn’t been able to find any communications between them. We’re trying to hack her cellphone, but we can’t find any social media accounts. The girl is a ghost. She seems to have vanished into thin air.”
“She didn’t get intercepted by immigration?”
“No. They’re still looking for her.”
Ian was surprised that Sarai had been able to evade capture at El Limbo. The ambush had been swift and well executed. Everyone in the valley had been trapped. He’d barely managed to escape with Maria. How had a sheltered Catholic schoolgirl slipped away?
“There’s another complication.”
“What?”
“According to one of my sources in Guadalajara, there are multiple Mexican agencies involved in the search. The story on the ground is that Sarai ran away with an American she met online. He’s the main suspect in the murder of Anita Flores.”
Ian’s hand tightened on the receiver. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“I wish.”
“Do they have a description of this American?”
“Six foot, mid-thirties, brown hair. Armed and dangerous.”
That was definitely him. Mid-thirties was a bit of a stretch, but he felt like he’d aged five years in the last five days. Maybe by the end of this job he’d look forty, with wrinkles and gray hair.
“If you get picked up, we can’t guarantee your safety.”
“Well, no shit!”
Bell had the nerve to chuckle at his outburst.
“What are my orders?”
“LaGuardia wants you to lay low. He’ll send someone to escort you to the border as soon as possible, but it might take a day or two.”
Ian didn’t care for that plan. He’d rather keep moving and stay one step ahead of thefederales.He promised to call back tomorrow and hung up. Then he returned to Maria’s side, slouching in the seat next to her. Although the bus station was crowded with tourists, he felt exposed. He had to stay alert, or he’d end up in custody.
“What did your boss say?” Maria asked.
“I didn’t talk to him. I talked to another agent.”
“And?”
“He said that Sarai didn’t get caught in El Limbo. She just disappeared.”
Maria sipped her soda through a straw, contemplative. “Maybe she stayed on the train.”
“How?”
“I don’t know. There aren’t many places to hide, but she’s a smart girl, and very small. She can fit in tight spaces.”
He found this idea plausible. Maria was speaking from first-hand experience. She’d stowed away in a cardboard box. He dug a few dollars out of his pocket and gestured toward an information booth. “Buy me a map of Mexico, will you?”
