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right. I was that close to—”
    â€œYou didn’t do what I said, Franco.”
    â€œYou said you wanted her dead.” He tried to keep the impatience out of his voice. Salazar had once been a man to respect, but he was getting old, and he’d forgotten you had to take advantage of the opportunities when you were on the hunt. “It would have been over almost before it began if I’d taken her out today.”
    â€œAnd it would have roused an inquiry that might have led to Castino. It has to be done quietly. All I wanted was information. Did you get it?”
    â€œDidn’t I say I would?” He could tell by the silence on the other end that he’d gone too far. “If I made a mistake, I’m sorry. I only thought to please you.” He went on hurriedly, “Eve Duncan was admitted to the ER with a concussion. Not serious. She was released today. The kid is still going by the name of Cara Delaney and has been at the hospital visiting Duncan. After I left the hospital today, I called my contact at the police department, and there’s been no interest in Cara. They’re leaving her in the hands of Child Services.” He paused. “And Child Services has been requested to leave her in the hands of Eve Duncan and Joe Quinn by a Sheriff John Nalchek, who was one of the lead investigators.”
    â€œAnd no doubt the request was granted.” Salazar was silent. “We may be lucky, Franco. It appears that Duncan has no desire for the child to be returned to the loving arms of her father. It may buy us time.” He amended. “Buy you time. Find out where they’re taking the girl and follow them. But don’t touch her until you’re sure you can take Duncan down at the same time. And I want a clean kill, with no bodies.”
    â€œThe kill would have been clean if I’d put the kid down at the hospital. I had it all planned the minute I saw her on that bench. It was just—”
    â€œYou were in the middle of a hospital with people all around you. You were taking a chance.”
    â€œI would have pulled it off.”
    â€œForget it. You made a mistake. Admit it.”
    It hadn’t been a mistake, Franco thought furiously. It had been bad luck, but he had been superb. He had almost gotten away with it, and this old fool couldn’t see it. He had played that kid perfectly. He drew a deep breath and forced his voice to be contrite. “Of course, I made a mistake. I guess I was just too eager to please. I’ll handle it the way you want me to handle it. I’ll call you as soon as I know what’s happening with them.”
    â€œBe sure you do that. I wouldn’t want to have to replace you. As I said, you have great promise.”
    â€œThank you, that means a great deal to me, sir.” He hung up.
    He sat there for a moment, fighting the hatred and the anger. How dare that fool humiliate him like this.
    Keep calm.
    His time would come.
    But first he would have to disarm Salazar by giving him what he wanted. Duncan, the kid, and he might throw in Joe Quinn.
    SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
    It took Joe five minutes to get in touch with Manez at Mexican Federal Police after he, Eve, and Cara arrived at the boarding gate and were waiting for the flight to be called. He quickly gave Manez the information about Kevin Roper and a complete description. “Nice-looking kid and no accent. I need the verification that he’s one of Salazar’s men. Will you get it for me?”
    â€œI will do all I can. We need to talk, Quinn.”
    â€œI’ll be glad to do it later. Right now I have a limited time before I’m boarding a flight to Atlanta. I need you to go over everything you know about Salazar and Castino and any details about those kids Walsh kidnapped.”
    â€œI already briefed you on my take on the matter.”
    â€œIt was all piecemeal. That was okay as long as I was only concerned with finding