Free Vinny: Alvarez Security Series by Maryann Jordan Page B

east.
    *
    “I gave you the information about the plane and the hotel, I can’t help it if they weren’t there.” The person who had been threatening the airport handler was now in the dubious situation of reporting to their contact. And not liking the feeling at all.
    “What went wrong?” came the cold voice on the other end of the phone.
    “I sent the handler to her apartment and he looked carefully and then said they weren’t there. Then I found out about the plane being delayed in Kansas City.”
    “I know that, you imbecile. That’s what you told me last night.”
    “You must have sent someone in, but they got caught. Police were there and now the girl and that guy she’s with have disappeared.”
    The silence on the phone was ear-piercing. “I pay you to get my stash across the country, not fuck up and get the police involved.”
    Whining, the person objected. “That’s not my fault. I did my part.”
    “Where are they now?”
    “I’m telling you, I don’t know. They didn’t get on the plane in Kansas City.”
    “Then they must be traveling by car. Did you check the rental agencies?”
    “Yeah, of course. But no one with their names got a car. I checked all of them.”
    The man in California closed his eyes in frustration. Not used to incompetence, he growled, “Go back you fucking moron and give them a description. Find that couple and the fucking harp. When you do, let me know and I’ll send someone to take care of them.”
    “I’ll try,” came the fearful response.
    “Just fucking do it!” he ordered before disconnecting. Sitting in his office he wondered how such a brilliant plan had gone all to hell. Rubbing his hand over his face, he knew that failure would not be acceptable. Not to Don Juarez. Don had not risen to be one of the largest drug lords in California by surrounding himself with incompetents. Sucking in a huge breath before letting it out slowly, he picked his phone back up, making his next call.
    *
    The next hour passed in silence, the highway rolling before them. Annalissa was quiet, her face turned toward the window. Her mind was churning once again, the events of the last two days so far out of her realm of experience that she had no idea what to think. Heaving a sigh, she closed her eyes wondering if sleep would come. Or would it be fueled by nightmares?
    “Annalissa?” Vinny interrupted her thoughts. “Where are you?”
    Giving a small smile as she turned toward his smooth voice, she said, “Right here.”
    “Oh no, darlin’,” he replied. “You were a million miles away.”
    “I just have no…idea what to think about…all of this,” she said hesitantly, her hands fluttering as she shrugged in frustration.
    “I know. I know you’re tired and I know you’re scared. We’ll figure it out and keep you safe, I promise.”
    He saw her look down as her hands clasped together once again. She does that when she is nervous. “What are you thinking? You got questions? Go ahead and ask. I’ll answer if I can,” he assured.
    “Well, I know we don’t know who put the drugs in the case or if they were targeting me. But…well…I was…kind of…” her voice trailed off. I hate being introverted. Sucking in a deep breath, she lifted her chin, determined to sound more confident, and said, “Why did we not call the police right away?”
    Seeing her resolve, he nodded, “Good question, and I’ll tell you what I know.” He glanced sideways, noticing her twist in her seat so that she could focus on him. “If we’d called the local police, they would have confiscated the harp and its case. They would have taken us in for questioning. They would have immediately begun investigating you and me, both. All the while, the ones who put it in your case and the ones expecting it would have had more time to cover their tracks. By me calling Tony, we have our agency plus the services of another…uh…security business that we are working with. Friends who have a variety of