Free Strengthen What Remains (Book 2): A Time to Endure by Kyle Pratt Page A

his chin. Great,
not just a criminal gang, a vicious one. Turning to Rand he asked,
“What else can you tell me?”
    “Not
much. They were just getting a foothold in my precinct.” He rubbed his chin. “I
remember from a briefing that membership estimates ranged up to 70,000
worldwide and 10 to 15,000 in this country.”
    “A
worldwide gang?”
    “Most
are in central America and the southwest United States.”
    The
sheriff shook his head. “Apparently the northwest is a new growth area.”
    “He
has a Los Angles address on his driver’s license.” Dr. Scott sighed. “We may
have an even bigger, medical problem.”
    “What?”
Caden asked.
    “The
influenza outbreak I told you about. They may bring it right to us.”
    Caden
looked back at the monitor. “Why here? Why my town?” He sighed and looked at
Maria. “You listen from here. I want him to think he’s talking to a bunch of
English only Anglos.”
    Maria
smiled. “He will be.”
    Caden
grinned back at her. “Okay, I guess that’s true, but you’re my trump card.”
Still smiling he dismissed Sergeant Rand and then turned to Dr. Scott.”
    “Are
we recording?”
    She
pressed a button below the monitor. “We are now.”
    Caden
turned to the sheriff. “Have you got the ear piece for me?”
    Hoover
held out his hand. “Wear it like a hearing aid.”
    While
the sheriff handed the microphone and transmitter to Maria, Caden fiddled with
the earbud.
    “Say
something,” Hoover said to Maria.
    “I
feel like a CIA agent.”
    Hoover
nodded and touched his ear. “I heard you.” He looked at Caden.
    “I
heard. Is everyone ready?”
    Hoover
nodded. “Let’s question the punk.”
    “I’m
going, too,” Dr. Scott said.
    Caden
and Hoover looked back at the doctor.
    “He
may be a murderous thug, but right now he’s also my patient.”
    Caden
shrugged and continued down the hall, past the soldier guarding the room.
Taking a deep breath he entered the room. “Mr Gonzalo Cruz….”
    “Así
que estos gringos pendejos ya aprendieron mi nombre.”
    In
his ear Maria said, “Oh, you stupid gringos figured out my name.”
    “You
know English. I’ve heard you speak it. You’re being held under the provisions
of martial law. Civilian courts and habeas corpus have been suspended. I am
Major Westmore the local military commander. We’d like to ask you a few
questions.”
      With heavy accent he said, “I ain’t telling
you nothing .”
    Ignoring
his comment, Caden asked, “Your driver’s license has a southern California
address. When did you arrive here?”
    Cruz
remained silent
    “Why
are you here?”
    He
looked at Hoover. “Para matar policías.”
    “He
says he’s here to kill police.” Maria advised.
    Hoover
grunted.
    Caden
cast him a disapproving glance.
    “This
would be easier if you spoke English,” Hoover said.
    With
cold calculating eyes Cruz looked at each of the three and grinned.
    He’s wounded and
handcuffed to the bed, but he still wants to convince us he is in charge. Does
he really think he’s ever getting out of jail? Caden had seen the
smug look before. This boldness, or in this case perhaps machismo was the
better word, masked a cold evil. Is it
just bravado or is it more? The gang, MS-13, what about them? Caden turned to Hoover. “We killed the rest of the gang. What can one
wounded man do?”
    “Somos
muchos más y cuando el resto de mis compañeros lleguen de Los Angles, este pueblo, Olympia y Tacoma, todos van a estar controlados
por nosotros.”
    Maria
gave a sad sigh in his ear. “He says there are a lot more of them coming up from
Los Angles and when they get here they are going to run this region.”
    Caden
put on his best concerned parent act. “I recognized Los Angles and the local
towns. Do you have friends or family we should contact in any of those places?”
    Cruz
sneered, “Todos los del sur de California vienen en camino y cuando lleguen los
vamos a poner a ustedes bajo tierra.”
    “He
says that when they