Hill, Gerri: Angel Fire

Cameron’s eyes widened. “Angel?” She slowly shook her head. “He’s not a bank robber, Murdock. He’s a goddamn sniper.”

“I know who he is, but I’m telling you what we know so far. Ballistics isn’t back yet, but we’re pretty certain everything is linked.”

Cameron turned quickly to Andrea. “Angel and I, we were in the military together. He was on my team for a while. He was the second best sniper in the group,” she explained.

Andrea didn’t need to ask who the best was.

“The last I heard of Angel, he was a mercenary of sorts, still in the Middle East,” Cameron said to Murdock. “He was paid well, I assume. Why come back here, to a small city in New Mexico and pull a heist?”

“Maybe he was low on cash. We’re putting together a profile on him now, tracking his whereabouts since he got out of the military.”

Cameron shook her head. “He’s a hired killer, nothing more. There’s got to be something to it other than just a robbery.”

“Well, I do have more, actually,” he said. “The FBI agent who was at the scene, she’s from Dallas. She was camping with three others, all three are with Dallas PD. They were camping in the Santa Fe National Forest at one of the campgrounds there. The woman missing is Samantha Kennedy, one of the three cops.”

“Why do you think it’s a hostage situation? That’s not Angel’s style.”

“He brought a dead girl with him as a decoy, got the women to help him. He coldcocked one of them. When she came to, she was bound at the wrists, tied to the dead girl. The other woman, Kennedy, was missing.”

“What about the fourth one?” Andrea asked.

“She was with the FBI agent.” Murdock looking slightly uncomfortable. “I believe the four of them were…well, I assume they are two…couples. Well, I know they are. Agent Tori Hunter—Kennedy is her partner, as I hear it.”

“Manhunt underway?”

“No. The local authorities had their hands full trying to process everything. They’ve kept the area secure from where we assume Kennedy was taken. He’d taken the family’s car there and stashed it in the woods. Knowing what we know about Angel, my gut tells me he’s on foot. The deputies there don’t seem to be in agreement. They think he may be on the highway.”

“No. Angel would have headed into the woods,” she said. “That was his training.”

“Yeah, I know. But because he’s pretty much shot up their county down there, the locals want him bad. I don’t even have the final death count. Ten or eleven,” he said. “They’ve got roadblocks setup on the highway in both directions. They’re planning on bringing in dogs in the morning to the campsite there. Unless I can convince them you’d do a better job of it.”

“You want me to track Angel Figueroa?” Cameron asked. “He’s good. He’s very good.”

“Yes. He’s a survivalist. Who better to go after him than you?”

“I’ve been out of the military a few years now, Murdock.”

“I’m well aware, Agent Ross. But you’re it. Pack your bags.”

“I’ve got backcountry gear for me, but not Andrea,” she said. “And we’ll need rations.”

“I’ll have gear there for you when you land.”

“Land? What about the rig? What about our truck? What about Lola?”

“Lola? Your cat is not my concern. The rig and your fancy truck are my concern. Someone is on the way right now to your location. He’ll drive the rig and pull your truck to New Mexico. Get to Durango. There’ll be a plane waiting. There won’t be much time to rest, I’m afraid. I want you on-site at daybreak. As you said, Angel is nothing more than a killer. When he no longer needs his hostage, he’ll eliminate her.”

“So where’s the money? Three million is a lot of cash,” Andrea said.

“We’re going over surveillance cameras in Santa Fe and Taos. Since he’s on foot and the vehicles are clean, we assume he stashed the money somewhere in the area.”

“Have you ID’d the accomplices?”

“We’ve ID’d the two bodies found in Taos. Both ex-military, although there’s no obvious link to Angel. Their paths didn’t cross while deployed. Both were honorably discharged last year.” He paused. “Find him, Cameron. Dead or alive, I don’t care. What I do care about is that you bring Samantha Kennedy back safely. This is a rescue mission, first and foremost.”

“Okay, Murdock. We’re on it,” Cameron said.

“I’ll be in touch.”

When the screen went blank, Cameron closed up the laptop. “Not much warning.” She shook her head. “And a hell of a lot happening.”

“Tori Hunter? That name is familiar. Wasn’t she on the Patrick Doe case back in Dallas?”

“Yeah. We spoke with her, didn’t we?”

“I think so.” Andrea sat down beside her and pulled Lola into her lap. “Well, this assignment will be different.”

“Yeah. It’s been a while since I’ve done any tracking like this.” Cameron sighed. “I’m going to miss the rig though.”

Andrea laughed. “You mean you’re going to miss your toys.”

“Yeah. Remind me to lock the computer room up tight.” She leaned forward and kissed Andrea lightly on the lips. “I had a very nice afternoon.”

Andrea smiled against her lips. “Good. So did I.” She brushed the sandy-blond hair away from Cameron’s eyes. “And you really need a trim.”

“I know. Looks like it will have to wait though.”

Chapter Five

Sam sat on the ground where he’d shoved her, contemplating making a run for it. It was the first time she’d been untied from him since they’d left the campground. Her hands, however, remained bound. She watched intently as he got a small fire going. If she did try to run, where would she go? Her hands were bound. He would catch her in an instant. He wasn’t a big man. Not much taller than herself. But he appeared muscular. Fit. His hair was dark and cut very short, military style. His clothes—black—and accessories—gun holster and knife sheath strapped to his thigh—also suggested military.

“Come closer if you’re cold,” he said brusquely. “That’s what it’s for. I won’t let it burn for long.”

She had no idea what time it was, but they had walked for a while after darkness fell, presumably to put as much distance between them and the campground. And Tori. But she was cold so she scooted closer to the fire, holding her hands out to the warmth.

“My…my name is Samantha,” she finally said.

He glanced over at her but made no comment.

“Can I at least know your name?”

“Why?”

“So that when we talk, I can address you,” she said.

He gave a quick smile. “What makes you think we’re going to talk?” His smile faded. “I’m a killer, remember? When I don’t need you anymore…well, you won’t need to know my name.”

She watched him as he opened up an MRE, another indication that he had ties to the military—meals ready to eat. Her stomach rumbled, but when he tried to hand her the meal she shook her head. “I’m not hungry.”

“We’re not eating for pleasure, we’re eating for fuel. We’ll have a long hike tomorrow. Now eat.”

She took the package from him, staring at the brown mess that was supposed to be a beef stew. She grimaced at the taste and quickly chased it down with the water he’d given her.

“Easy on the water,” he warned. “It’s limited.”

She took another bite of the stew. “Why…why did you kill that young girl?”

“We’ll get along much better if you just keep quiet and stop asking questions.”

“I’m sorry.” She met his eyes in the firelight. “It’s…well…I’m…I’m a cop,” she said. “I ask questions.”