“Eventually,” Rio said, “Imelda will send them to the leopard village to recruit for her if they don’t find recruits elsewhere. She’s got money. Most of those living within the forest don’t give a damn, but some of the younger ones will want the adventure.”

“If I don’t get them first, the elders will have them quietly killed before they ever have the chance to speak to the young ones.” Conner looked around at the team. “If you’re all certain it’s a go, then let’s get it done. Do we know what the children look like? How many females? How many males? And be prepared. Imelda likes to use children to guard her compound. She often takes young ones, and puts guns in their hands as her first line of defense. She knows it’s difficult for government officials to kill the children.”

“You think she’ll have children guarding the hostages?” Felipe asked.

“I’m just saying we could run into them and we have to be prepared, that’s all.”

Rio handed Conner a bottle of water and tapped the tabletop with his finger, a slight frown on his face. “Elijah, is it known that most of your operations are now legitimate?”

Elijah shook his head. “No. When my uncle was killed, it was assumed I had him killed to take over the entire operation for myself. I’ve been slowly selling off everything I can that was tainted. I did get out of the drug and gun business. We were never into human trafficking. There are rumors, but I’m considered ruthless.”

“Then rather than change your name and pass you off as security, let’s use your reputation. You’ll have to be there as a friend of Santos,” Rio said. “That will only make her more inclined to think Santos is a big fish.”

“That leaves three of us for security detail,” Conner said. “Will a man like Santos have more?”

“As a rule he has a four- man team and two dogs,” Felipe said. “I didn’t want to put any of his regular team in danger. We wouldn’t be able to let them in on what was going on.”

“And your uncle has agreed to this?” Conner asked. “Does he have any idea who he’s dealing with?”

Felipe nodded. “He knows. And he knows she’s a threat to our people.”

“So who exactly is our client, Rio?” Conner asked. “You say Adan Carpio initiated contact. His tribe wouldn’t know of us. My father wouldn’t ask for our help. So who knew about us and how? I’d like to have all the cards on the table before we go any further.”

2

THERE was a long silence. The men exchanged long glances. Tension stretched taut in the room. Conner broke the hush first. “You don’t know who hired us? You didn’t check them out before bringing us together in unfamiliar territory? At least unfamiliar to all of you.”

Rio sighed. “Adan Carpio has given his word that he stands behind the client, Conner. You said his word was gold.”

“Wait a minute, Rio,” Elijah said. “You didn’t investigate our client at all? You took this mission on faith?”

Rio shrugged and poured himself a cup of coffee. “Carpio contacted me, bringing me half the payment for the rescue along with the things from Conner’s father and specific instructions. I checked out every detail and everything he told me was legitimate, so I went ahead and I contacted the team members.”

“Tell me we weren’t asked for specifically,” Conner said.

“Only the two of us, Conner. They used an old code to find us, but still they knew it.” Rio spun around, leaning one hip against the makeshift counter, and regarded Conner over the steaming cup. “Carpio said the client knew you and knew you did this kind of work.”

The men looked at one another. Conner shook his head. “That’s impossible. No one knows who we are. They asked for me by name?”

“Not exactly. The client described you in detail. Even had a sketch of your face. Of course, Carpio recognized you. Carpio went to your father to try to contact you, and as you gave your father my address for emergencies, he gave it to Carpio.”

“But you don’t know who the client is?” Conner insisted

Rio shook his head. “Carpio didn’t want to identify him.”

“I don’t like this,” Felipe said, clearly uneasy. “We should walk.”

“I thought that at first,” Rio said, “but Carpio appeared to be a man of his word, and he vouched for the client. I investigated everything he said before I called in the team, and Imelda Cortez’s men did in fact kidnap seven children. Your father sent you your mother’s pelt. I agree we have to be careful. Carpio is supposed to bring the client to us here. They should be here soon. Felipe and Leonardo, you can wait outside. Elijah, to the back. Let them through and then check the back trail to make certain they weren’t followed or haven’t left anyone waiting to ambush us.”

Conner shook his head. “We’ve made it a policy to know who we’re working with. No exceptions. Why all the secrecy?”

“Adan said the client wanted to talk to us in person. If at that point we aren’t satisfied, then we can give back the retainer minus our expenses and walk.”

“And you believed him?” Felipe said. “It’s a setup. It has to be. They have a description of Conner, but not his identity? Come on, Rio, someone’s looking to kill him. They drew him out and you’re hanging him out on the line for them to do their best.”