Free No One to Trust by Iris Johansen Page A

all means hurry back to the city.” He opened the door of the gym. “I’ll have to make do with a young man I found among the paramilitary group.” He gestured to the dark-skinned, beefy man who was sitting on a bench by the weight-training machine. “He’s very strong and said to be good with weapons. What do you think, Gomez? Can he take me?”
    “No.”
    “I don’t believe he can either.” He could feel the excitement tingle through him as he walked toward the man who was looking at him with eagerness. He liked that attitude. It boded well for the battle. “But he may make the morning interesting.…”
    “Chavez has gone back to his place in the hills,” Jose Manero said. “It’s business as usual with him.”
    “He didn’t come to the U.S.?” Galen asked. “You’re sure?”
    “Gomez has been the only one stirring. He’s been to Bogotá four times in the last three weeks, and he’s asking questions.”
    “But is he getting answers?”
    “Maybe. I haven’t been able to track him for the last day or two.”
    Galen stiffened. “Could he have left the country?”
    “It’s possible. He’s being very quiet.”
    “Tell me about Gomez. He’s Chavez’s number one man?”
    “If Chavez has such a thing. He likes to be totally in control. Gomez was a hit man in Caracas for four years before Chavez picked him up. He’s not a genius, but he’s canny and he has a healthy respect for Chavez. Chavez would like that. He doesn’t tolerate rivals.”
    “Let me know if Gomez surfaces.” Galen hung up. He didn’t like the feel of this. Forbes had hoped Chavez would come running after Elena and her son, but sending a competent underling made much more sense to Galen.
    Not his business. Call Forbes and warn him and then sit back and forget about it.
    He flipped open his phone and dialed the directory. He was halfway through the dial when he hung up. What could he tell him? That his trap was going to be sprung by the wrong man? He didn’t even know if Gomez was in the country. Manero hadn’t been able to pin him down.
    For all he knew, Gomez could be sitting fat and sassy somewhere in Colombia, not heading for that vineyard and Elena Kyler and her son.
    There was a full moon shining over the hills. Elena leaned against the wall of the courtyard and took a deep breath of the fragrant night air. It smelled different from Colombia. Not damp or tropical or any of the things to which she was accustomed.
    “Is the boy asleep?” Forbes had stopped beside her.
    “Probably. Dominic is with him.”
    “And I take it you’re not out here enjoying the scenery?”
    “Actually, I am enjoying it. I was thinking it was different from Colombia.”
    “But you don’t come out every evening to savor the differences. You go over this place like a sentry on duty.”
    “Habits die hard. I was a soldier from the time I was twelve. I didn’t know any other life.”
    “Strange life.”
    “Galen wouldn’t think so.” Why had the thought of Galen popped into her mind? “You mean because I’m a woman? There were quite a few women in the rebel army. You have women in your army here in the States.”
    “But we poor males are still struggling to keep them away from the front lines.” He paused. “And we don’t send children to fight.”
    She shrugged. “It’s all about what you become accustomed to.” She looked back at the house. “You’re disappointed, aren’t you? You thought Chavez would be here by now.”
    “I hoped he would be.”
    “Perhaps he’s on his way.”
    “No, my informants say he’s still in Colombia.”
    “Then maybe you think I lied to you.”
    “No.” He paused. “But you may have overestimated Chavez’s reaction to you taking his son.”
    “That’s one thing I didn’t do. He’ll come for Barry. It’s only a matter of time.” Her hands clenched. “Though I didn’t think it would be this long either.”
    “You are so sure he’ll find you?”
    “Of course. There are too many