“The victim in that case, Amanda Hudson, was Lakota. As a result, her case falls under the purview of MMIV—the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Victims Task Force, a federal agency operating all over the country. I believe that MMIV’s field officer for North Dakota, Philip Dark Moon, is currently seeking an arrest warrant on Stephen Roper, which, once forwarded to us, we should be able to execute.
“At this time, we also believe that not only is Mr. Roper a suspect in both the Delgado case as well as in Ms. Hudson’s, but that he may be connected to several more as well. That’s why we’ve kept our investigation so close to the vest. We didn’t want him to have any idea that we had him in our sights until we had enough probable cause to search his residence if not actually arrest him.
“My hope is that he can be taken into custody without incident. But as my dad used to say, ‘Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.’ That’s why you’re all here. On the off chance that Mr. Roper decides to either resist or make a run for it, you’re here to stop him.
“Casey, could we have that map now please. First let’s focus in on the area just north of the golf course in Naco.”
While Casey brought up the map, Joanna located a pointer. “Okay,” she said, pointing, “this dirt road leading off to the right from Naco Highway is Country Club Drive. There are five or six residences on the street. Mr. Roper’s is the last one on the right. At the moment he’s most likely still in Naco, Sonora, operating what’s called the Free Store, which he does every other Friday. He usually crosses back into Arizona between two thirty and three. With any kind of luck he’ll do the same thing today and simply go back home. Before he arrives, I want to have surveillance set up on Country Club Drive so we’ll know if he takes off again.
“As I said, he’s currently in Naco, Sonora. While there, Captain Arturo Peña of the local Federales contingent assures me that he has officers keeping an eye on him. In the event that he decides tohead south and tries to flee into the interior of Mexico, the Mexican authorities will intercept him.
“My guess, though, is that if he’s going to make a run for it, he’ll do so on this side of the border. From his residence, there are essentially four ways for him to get out of Dodge—westbound on Highway 92 toward Sierra Vista, westbound on Highway 80 toward Tombstone, eastbound on Highway 80 toward Douglas, or eastbound on Border Road toward Paul’s Spur and eventually to eastbound Highway 80. I want units with stop sticks located at strategic points on all those routes.
“Sunny, you’re to handle Border Road. Just beyond the overpass in Bisbee Junction, there’s a cattle guard followed immediately by a sharp left turn. If you set up there, just beyond the cattle guard, he won’t be able to see you until he comes over the overpass and is right on top of you.”
Sunny nodded. “Will do,” she said.
“Deputy Creighton?”
Bill Creighton raised his hand. “Where do you want me?”
“You’ll be stationed just inside the entrance to the Justice Center to stop him if he heads east on Highway 80. And Terry?”
The jail commander had responded to Joanna’s summons along with everyone else, and he quickly raised his hand.
“If and when we know Roper’s on the move,” Joanna continued, “I want you and Mojo to leave the jail for just long enough to provide backup for Deputy Creighton.”
“No problem,” Terry Gregovich said. “Will do.”
“Deputy Frosco?”
Deputy Richard Frosco was a Bisbee native but a relative newcomer to Joanna’s department.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said.
“I want you set up on Highway 80 north of the tunnel at the intersection of Highway 80 and Old Divide Road.”
“Got it,” he said.
“Deputy Nuñez,” she said turning to Manuel Nuñez.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I want you to set up on the far side of Willson Road on Highway 92. That’s the only backdoor route out of Naco that intersects with 92.”
“Okay,” he said.
“All of you stay tuned to your radios, but remember there’s to be no mention of Roper’s name over the airways. He’s only ‘our subject.’ People listen in on scanners, and I don’t want him alerted to what’s going on. If and when he leaves his residence, as soon as we determine what vehicle he’s in and which route he’s taking, we’ll let you know. If he isn’t coming your way, pack up, leave your assigned post, and head for wherever he’s going. All of you go on ahead now. I want you in position and set up ASAP.”
Hoping one of the departing deputies wasn’t her leaker, Joanna waited until they were gone before turning to Detective Carbajal. “From the moment Roper crosses the border, I want him under surveillance. Jaime, you know the Naco area better than anyone else here. That’s your part of this operation. If he leaves Naco and goes to his residence, let us know. If he heads somewhere else, let us know that, too. As soon as Garth and Deb have the search warrant in hand, they’ll be situated somewhere on Country Club Drive, but I want you parked along the Naco Highway. That way, if and when Roper leaves his residence, you’ll be able to tell us which way he’s going.”
“Got it,” Jaime replied. “Want me to go now?”
Joanna nodded. “Yes, please,” she said, “on the off chance Roper decides to leave Naco, Sonora, earlier than usual.”
Once Jaime did so, Joanna turned back to the people still in the room. “Garth and Deb, you’re with me back in the bullpen. We need to discuss the contents of that search warrant. As for the rest of you? I want you to hang out here until something happens. You’ll be on standby until we know where you’re needed, either to assistwith executing the search warrant or, if we end up with an arrest warrant, in handling the takedown, whichever comes first. Who does what will depend on the situation on the ground. I want all of you here ready to gear up and deploy at a moment’s notice. Is everybody clear on that?”
She waited for answering nods. “Okay,” she said. “Thank you. Let’s get this guy, but be safe.”
