Free The Sheriff by Angi Morgan Page A

I don’t suppose you’ll be back for another look at the stars anytime soon. I was sort of looking forward to that second audition.”
    “Yeah, me, too.”
     

Chapter Nine “If you know where this woman will be, why not just let the men shoot to kill?” Patrice Orlando strummed her extra-long nails against each other in a ghastly rhythm. “Homeland Security will surely bring in extra patrols we’ll need to avoid.”
    “I’d like to find out what she knows before we disrupt months of planning.” He disliked repeating himself, especially to the same person.
    He moved around his library, passing the multiple chessboards along one wall. If Patrice would satisfy her thirst—either for his wine or her delusion that she had any part in the decision making of this operation—he could achieve checkmate in three moves with board four. He contemplated his next play on chessboard one.
    “But Homeland is involved now,” she whined.
    He hated whiners, but she was necessary for a major component of his plan.
    “Yes, it does present a challenge that needs a complex solution. And yet I’ve dealt with complicated problems before, if you recall.”
    “Not like this.”
    “My dear, why do you continually doubt my ability? Didn’t you say that the last time we faced an adversary?”
    “Getting rid of two Texas Rangers is not the same as the Department of Homeland Security. Why would they send a man undercover into our operation, anyway?”
    Explaining oneself was the tedious part of working with expendable assets. Yet sometimes it was necessary to ease their minds and clue them in to the big picture, as someone once reminded him. He might be able to see several moves ahead, but he did have a propensity to forget others could not.
    “I’ll begin with your question. One small reminder, Patrice, that Homeland is in charge of our borders. We have outwitted them on several occasions regarding our gun trade. And we are a major drug supplier in the south. Soon to be number one, I might add. Therefore, it makes perfect sense for DHS to weasel an operative into our business.”
    “Can’t you stop talking down to me, Mr. Rook? I get all that. I’m not a dummy.” Patrice guzzled the remainder of the California pinot noir.
    She might not be a “dummy” about certain components of their business dealings, but when it came to wine, she needed a great deal of schooling. After four years of her visits, he didn’t bother any longer. “I meant no offense, dear.”
    “Just spell it out. We’ve been lucky. I just want to keep that trend trending.”
    Luck? Dozens of plans had been considered and one had been carefully chosen, then manipulated into action. There had been no luck involved.
    “The Texas Rangers were out of the picture for almost four years because of one of my simple plans, as you referred to it.” He sat at board number two, wanting the intricately carved pieces to fill his vision instead of Patrice’s continual pacing around the room. “Once they reappeared, they were distracted with their wild-goose chase. Patrice, come sit down.”
    “We’re wasting our time and resources. I don’t want anything to go wrong. What’s the point of capturing this woman who happened to see the crew last night? Don’t we already know she switched at the last minute?”
    “Patrice, Patrice, Patrice.” He rose and placed his hands on her shoulders, patting them like a pet dog.
    He’d never had a dog. He couldn’t abide the shedding, drooling or constant neediness. He’d tried a cat once, but soon disposed of it. He supposed the people who worked for him were pets enough, but he preferred to think of them all as pawns.
    “Why can’t you appreciate the fine chessboard that I’ve set into motion? This is the part I enjoy.”
    “Chess has never been my thing.” She smiled uncomfortably. He saw her reaction in one of the many mirrors he had strategically placed around the room for just this occasion.
    “And still you’ve