Agent Banks

By Al DesHôtel

Agent Banks
A CIA operative who often works deep undercover exploiting her natural talents gets into a bad situation and ends up relying on a civilian to save her life. Little does she realize that over time he ends up becoming her guardian angel over and over again. He manages to get her skills up to what she should have had but didn’t learn in her agency training. Will it be enough though to save her life?
Mature themes. (DLSV). Only suitable for readers over 18.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Al DesHôtel
• Release date: Nov 27, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370251223

Al DesHôtel

Greetings! I started writing science fiction in the late 1980's because I always felt that most science fiction was missing a few things. The routine, every day life occurances always seemed to be glossed over or not mentioned at all in lieu of the high excitement items. While my writings have plenty of high excitement scenes there are also mention of routine things and how they apply from the every day life to the storyline.The Alaytion Archives series started out as an idea of an alien race and how an every day ordinary person with above average intelligence could end up far in the future with them. As it evolved I kept finding more and more of the story to write about and it now currently spans 5 novel length books.Another genre that I've taken up in recent years is action-adventure. From the basic shoot 'em up type scenes to complex interlocking plots of advanced spy novels.Like many authors I weave my every day real life experiences into my work so that it becomes more alive and exciting.-Al

Book preview

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Agent Banks

Copyright 2017 Al DesHôtel

Cover art © 2010 Garry Spoor

Smashwords Edition License

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Author's note: All characters depicted in this work of fiction are 18 years of age or older. All characters are fictional and any resemblances to actual persons living or dead is a coincidence.

Agent Banks

Ok guys. See you there. Jack yelled as the guys opened the door at the end of the hallway. They said something back to him; however he was already too far away to hear. He was waiting on the computer to finish processing his run sheets for the evening so he could hand them to the dispatcher on the way out. It was already 5:45 P.M. and being a Friday evening several of the folks in the office had wanted to go hit the bar for happy hour. Since it was fajita night he figured he might as well. Sheila, his girlfriend of the past few months had gone to Ohio to see her parents for the weekend so he was flying solo.

The little circle kept spinning on his screen. He locked his desk drawer. Having learned from experience of having his personal snack stash and soda machine money stolen by the cleaning crew he took that precaution. Not that it would take that much to get into it anyway, he had picked the lock many a time with a paperclip just for amusement.

Jack looked up as the printer sprang to life with the cooling fan coming on first. Then it started pulling paper and printing out the nightly schedules. The motor freight company he worked at he usually ended up doing double duty scheduling freight and handling purchasing. Usually the stuff needed to make the company run, like trucks and stuff. The office supplies he left to an admin assistant to handle. Clicking on the print queue he saw it was empty so he issued the shutdown command on the computer and the printer finally pulled its last page. Gathering up the stack of paper he stapled it and then grabbed his music player and stuffed that in his pocket. Turning off the light to the office he walked down the hallway and dropped the printout on the dispatcher’s desk. She wasn’t there. Probably in the restroom or something else. She did goof off a lot.

Out in the parking lot Jack fished his car keys out of his pocket and hit the remote unlocker. Tossing his music player in the center console he closed the door and buckled up. Then he grabbed his vest out of the back seat and put that on, feeling the reassuring lump of the .45 auto in the concealed compartment to the left. The car started right up and he backed out into the nearly empty parking aisle.

Ten minutes later Jack pulled up to the Red Iguana bar in the outskirts of San Antonio, Texas. He saw a few of the guys’ cars he recognized out in the parking lot. Backing in he checked his placement and then got out and locked the car. The bar was adjacent to the parking lot and he walked around the fence to the sidewalk. At the end of the block he saw a couple of teenagers messing with a stop sign. Admittedly the bar wasn’t in the best part of town. Neither was the freight company though.

The bar was one of those open air patio things. It was hot outside but being late fall wasn’t stifling. At least not like back in August when the temperatures soared to over a hundred. Still early yet, the bar wasn’t filled up and he saw the group from the office back by the dart boards. There were only two other groups of people there and one group was by the end of the bar. Two barmaids tonight from what he could see. Juan the bartender and Jamie the bouncer. Jamie nodded to him as he came in. Jack returned the nod and made his way back to the far corner.

Two beers later and some of the guys were leaving to go home. The fajitas ran out by 7:30 P.M. and it was now nearly dark outside with the last vestiges of sunlight filtering through the palm trees out on the edge of the sidewalk just before the first row of tables by the sidewalk. For a Friday night this place wasn’t exactly hopping. Probably why they tried to entice the patrons in with the low price fajitas. For five bucks you got a trio of tortillas and a half a pound of meat. Not too bad. And a trimmings section set up at the end of the main bar.

Collecting up his darts he had put them in their protective case. He was ready to call it a night. He hadn’t seen anyone come into the bar in the past twenty minutes or so and some folks had been leaving. Only the tire guy, Raul, was still sitting at the high table.

So amigo, you going to stay a while? Jack asked him as he tucked the dart set into an outside pocket on his concealed carry vest. Not that he was supposed to be carrying concealed guns into a bar in Texas but given the area of town he thought it was worth the risk.

Si. Maybe a few more minutes. Tres cervezas. Maybe a couple more glasses of water. Raul said.

Jack smiled and nodded. Not a good idea to tempt fate by getting pulled over with too many beers in you. He looked across the room and saw a black woman come into the bar. She looked back to her left as she came through the entrance and then quickened her pace to the back of the bar. Furtive glances around she seemed to be looking for something. Jack furrowed his brow and watched her. She stopped scanning the room and headed back towards the back of the bar, where Raul and he were by the dart boards.

She was nearly to the half wall that separated the dart playing area and its six tables from the rest of the bar. At first Jack thought she might be headed to the restroom which was to his right between the dart area and the kitchen entrance. Glancing back she stumbled into a chair and then caught herself and headed in his direction. She looked at him and stopped short, barely three feet away. They locked stares for a moment and he then looked left to see two men coming into the bar. She didn’t break her stare at him when he returned back to looking at her.

Oh I missed you baby. She closed the distance and wrapped her arms around him and planted a big wet kiss on him. His mouth opened and their tongues played with one another. Jack wasn’t going to turn down a free kiss from a pretty lady – even if he didn’t know who she was. He had an eye cracked open and saw three more men coming into the bar. All were Hispanic, no surprise there, this was San Antonio after all.

Finally she pulled back and looked deeply into his eyes and tried to pull his arms around her. He complied. She did feel nice pressed up against him. Then she kissed him again. Shorter this time though.

LISA! One of the men yelled from half way across the room.

İPerra! Another man yelled and they both started coming in his direction.

Shit! The girl screamed and moved behind Jack. He felt her keeping her arms around him and she was positioning herself with him in between her and the approaching men.

Jack looked up and saw the first man reaching into his sports jacket. It probably wasn’t for his wallet Jack thought quickly as he saw the other man reaching behind his back and raising up his shirt. The trio of men still by the door also took notice and turned to head in the general direction of where Jack was standing. In an instant Jack’s left hand grasped the fabric of the vest he was wearing. His right hand in the meantime was searching for the opening in the fabric that held the single snap closure to the concealed compartment with the gun holstered inside.

Feeling the woman’s arms around him he could feel the tenseness of her grip around his waist. The first man had his hand coming out of the sports jacket. Something shiny in his grasp. That was about the time that Jack’s hand found the butt of the gun inside. Grasping it firmly he ripped the gun from the vest and caught the slide in a bear paw grip and racked it and let it slam home, chambering the first round. Too late! The first man had his gun up and pointing in Jack’s direction already. Bringing his own gun to bear he slapped his left hand up under the butt of the gun as his finger found the trigger and squeezed off his round. The assailant’s gun also fired nearly simultaneously with Jack’s gun.

Seeing the flash of the muzzle it was as if everything suddenly slowed down to half speed. Jack could see the empty brass flying up and out of the other man’s gun and caught the glint of his own brass being ejected from his pistol. Swinging just slightly to the left he got off a second shot before the guy with the gun in a small of the back holster had his gun on target. Back to the first target and squeeze off the shot in the box pattern he had been trained to shoot in the tactical pistol class he had taken a few years back and often practiced when at the gun range by himself. The third shot was directly at the first guy’s face.

It was unnecessary though as the first one was square in the center of his chest and his pistol was already starting to droop. Shot four was at the second guys face. It was then that Jack realized that he had three more targets. Shit. What was he going to do now?

One of the three men was ducking down behind the bar. The other two though were bringing their weapons to bear on him. One had a nickel plated 9mm of some sort and was into firing position already when Jack targeted him. The man got off a shot. Jack felt something sting suddenly on the left side of his face. His fifth shot was aimed at Mr. Nickel plated. Shot six caught the other man by surprise as he hadn’t had time to fish the sawed off shotgun out of his pants yet before the .45 ACP round found a home in the middle of his chest. Jack squeezed off another round at Mr. Nickel plate and caught him on the way to the floor. Then aiming towards the bar he saw the guy with a hand on the edge of it. A bar maid was standing there, right in his line of fire.

Reaching into his vest pocket he brought out the second magazine and pushed the button to release the first one. Slamming the fresh magazine home he raced away from the woman and caught her by surprise as she lost her grip on him. He sprinted over the two fallen men in front of him and ran right through some chairs pushing them aside as he attempted to get an angle on the guy behind the bar. There. Finally. The man had his gun out and was peering out from under the edge when Jack opened fire and squeezed off four rounds at him in rapid succession. The man was hit and falling backwards.

Looking down at Mr. Nickel plate Jack saw the hole in the center of his forehead. He was gone. Then Mr. Shotgun was rolling around on the floor and Jack put one into him at nearly point blank to the side of his head. Spinning back to look at the first two men he had jumped over he saw that they were down and not moving. He circled the room looking around. Several people had taken cover here and there. Many though were just standing there with their mouths open in astonishment, still too slow to grasp what they had just seen.

Holding the hammer with his thumb Jack points the gun up and pulled the trigger and eased the hammer down. Well this night was beginning to suck. Pulling the holster open Jack re-holstered the gun and walked back to the dart area, carefully stepping around the two men. He looked over at the bartender, Juan, who was holding the phone to his head.

Raul is just sitting there with a glazed look on his face. He blinks and looks up at Jack.

Jack looks at the girl. She is black. Very pretty too. And starting to shake. He goes over to her.

I… she started to say and then stopped.

Tell me I didn’t just shoot your boyfriend. Jack said.

No, he was many things. Not my boyfriend though. She stood there trembling.

Jack put a hand on either bicep and held her and looked into her eyes. Then he kissed her. She kissed back but he could tell her heart wasn’t in it. Certainly not as good as the first time. The name is Jack.

Uh. Lisa. Lisa Wharton. She said.

And they were going to shoot you why?

Cause I fucked up. She squeaked and grimaced. Then she drew a deep breath and her composure returned. Suddenly she took on an air of business. I’ve got to get out of here.

That was when Jack realized that the entire shootout had probably lasted all of a minute or so but with everything seeming to move in slow motion around him things were going to start happening fast. Why? He looked into her eyes.

Cause I don’t need to be here when the police show up. She tried to wriggle out of his grip. He tightened it on her. Please. Let me go!

No. Jack told her firmly.

You don’t understand. I’ll be killed.

Like you almost were already. By who? The police?

Yes! Now let me go! I have to get out of here. She whined and wiggled more and then ducked down to try to break his grip. He followed her to the floor and pushed her down and lay crossways over her.

Not until you tell me what the hell is going on.

She stopped resisting. I work for the FBI. Now please. I have to go.

Jack held her and looked into her face. She was determined. Worked for the FBI? Why wouldn’t she want to be around when the local San Antonio police showed up? Which would be when – hum. Probably at least a ten minute response in this part of town. Although he did see them patrol the streets around here pretty regularly. Maybe the might make it in five if they were close. Five minutes. He had easily spent a minute of that wrestling her to the floor.

Why Lisa? Why would someone want you dead? He asked her and looked into her eyes. Then it hit him. She was probably working undercover. It made sense. Here she was in very tight jeans and a string top shirt. String was about all he could think of to describe the half shirt she wore. It was one of those front only things with strings on the back and left her entire back bare. Her back which was pushed onto the dirty floor at the moment while he held her down. Then the dawning finally seeped through to the cognitive part of his brain as it registered that if it came to light she worked for the FBI that whatever gang he had just put down would obviously have others who would hunt her down. So yea, she probably did need to get out of here.

I have to go. Please! She begged. Jack loosened his grip on her a bit.

You owe me a big one for this. He said.

Yea. I do. She said.

Jack got up and then reached down and offered his hand. She took it in his and he pulled her up. She gave him a peck on the cheek and let go of his hand and turned towards the front door.

Lisa. Jack said.

She turned back to look at him. He nodded towards the back way. She blinked and looked at him.

They might have a driver in a car out front.

Shit. She took a deep breath. Then she headed for the kitchen.

Jack’s eyes followed her. She was a very nice looking woman. He would definitely tap that if he had the chance. After her form disappeared into the kitchen area of the bar he turned back to look at Raul.

Holy shit amigo. Raul said.

Yea. Damn. Jack pulled out the barstool opposite of Raul and sat down. Might as well get comfortable. This is going to take a while.

Si.

It didn’t take too terribly long for the police to arrive. By Jack’s watch it was about seventeen minutes. The police line tape was up on the front door in less than five minutes after that. Most of the patrons had left before the police arrived. One of the barmaids left too. That left only himself, Raul, the bartender, one barmaid and the cook in the back. The first on scene were two uniformed patrol officers and within minutes the place was swarming with them. The first few minutes they left him alone and were having a conversation with the bartender while Raul sipped his water and Jack worked on a soda, both men calmly sitting there waiting.

Is this your handiwork? The first officer to come into the dart room asked, his name badge said J. Rodriguez.

Yes sir officer. Jack said and studied the officer’s face. He looked at the mess in the main saloon area and then back at the officer. If you have a pen and paper I’ll get started on my written statement if that would help.

Rodriguez blinked. Then a slight smile and a subtle nod. No problem. Sit tight and I’ll get something to you. He then looked at Raul. And you?

I work with him. Raul said and nodded towards Jack. Saw the whole thing.

And your girlfriend? The officer asked looking back at Jack.

Well that may take a bit of explaining. She ducked out the back through the kitchen. By the way, not my girlfriend. Jack said.

Oh? Not what the bartender said.

Well yeah she is a real friendly girl. Said her name was Lisa. They chased her in here. Only I’m not sure what to make of her story. Said she was FBI. Jack said.

I see. The officer said and frowned. That must have thrown a new wrinkle into his investigation. Stay put.

No problem. Jack answered.

So Jack and Raul watched as the police began to canvas the crime scene and started making notes and searching pockets of the five fallen men. An ambulance showed up and after a cursory check of the bodies they went to the corner and rubbernecked for a while. Two men in suits, Jack guessed detectives of some sort showed up and started talking with various officers and then the bartender.

Refill? The barmaid, Sharon, asked Jack and Raul.

Sure. Raul answered and smiled at her. Jack thought inwardly that maybe Raul would take her home given the chance.

Enough for me for a while. Jack said.

Sure? On the house. She said.

In that case bring me another one. Jack answered. She went back towards the bar, stepping around the bodies on the floor. Jack was bemused thinking that she just so casually stepped around a dead body on the floor as if it were a dirty throw rug or something. He had to wonder if this was her first time at this rodeo or if she had been at a bar after a shootout before. Not totally unheard of in San Antonio for bar shootouts to occur.

It took a good half an hour before one of the officers stopped and dropped a pair of note pads and pens on the table in front of Raul and Jack and then wandered off. Jack pulled over the notepad and began writing. Better get it over with now as opposed to later and you’ll get home sooner tonight. Jack told him. Raul watched for a few minutes then did likewise. Half an hour later Jack was done, he had abbreviated a bit and didn’t go into a lot of detail in some places but got most of it down. He signed and dated it and put his phone number for his cell phone on it.

One of the detectives saw he was finished and wandered over. So you did this?

Yes sir. Jack Grey. Jack offered his hand. The detective hesitated a moment then shook his hand.

Detective Paul Winters. Can I see some ID?

Sure. Jack pulled out his driver’s license and concealed carry license from his pocket and handed them to the detective. The detective’s eyebrow shot up.

He then turned to Raul. And you are?

Raul Jimenez. He got out his wallet and handed his driver’s license to the detective.

So you’re just a witness?

Yes sir. I work with Jack at Bar-S Transport, a trucking company a few miles from here.

I see. The detective made notes in his notebook. You done? He took the pad that was in front of Jack.

Sure.

And your weapon too.

Jack reached into his jacket and pulled out his gun, flipped the safety on it and handed it to the detective. The detective checked the gun, emptied it, wrote down the serial number and then put it into his pocket. So you do realize you aren’t supposed to be carrying concealed in here?

Yeah, forgot it was in my pocket. Jack said. He didn’t quite know how he was going to explain this. Technically yes he did break the law by carrying the gun into a bar. He was damned glad he did though or he would probably be dead. Might want to remind them too. He said nodding towards the guys on the ground.

Yeah. Well they didn’t have licenses. Not that they could have got one, they all have rap sheets. He said and looked at Jack. You don’t look surprised.

Looks like a gangster, smells like a gangster and pulls a gun like a gangster. Jack said.

Must be a gangster. Yeah. You’re right. He paused and looked in the room and then looked back at Jack. Right nice shooting too. You took out five of them and all you have is a scratch on your ear. He looked around. Did you touch the bodies?

Nope. And left the brass where it fell too. Jack answered.

The detective’s eyebrow shot up again. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out the magazine and popped out the remaining bullets. He held them and looked at them. Jack reached into his pocket and pulled out the empty clip and held it up. The detective looked up and then nodded as it finally dawned on him that there were more bullets spent out in the shooting gallery than one magazine would account for. Good thing you had that. He nodded towards the clip in Jack’s hand.

Yeah. Jack put it back into his pocket.

These are all different brands. Detective Winters said and looked back at Jack.

Reloads.

Um-huh. I see. He studied Jack’s face for a moment. So I take it you shoot a lot? That would explain why you got the drop on this bunch.

I blow through a few boxes when I hit the range. Usually once a month or so. And unlike the recently deceased I do not shoot with one hand and my gun turned sideways. Jack said.

Yeah. A lesson they obviously could have used. The detective read over Jack’s written statement which ran three pages. He flipped the sheets back down. Looking at Raul, You finished?

No sir.

Well work on it. Then turning back to Jack, And your girlfriend, Lisa he said checking his notepad, Said she was FBI?

That is what she told me. Lisa … yeah, Lisa Wharton. Not sure if that is her real name or not. Kissed rather nice and had a really nice rack. Cute butt too come to think of it. Not sure why they were chasing her but she did mention that she fucked up, end quote. Jack said.

Yeah. I’ll say she did. I wonder. We already looked at the video and you’re right. Nice looking girl. We’ve got an all points out for her now although if she is wise she has hidden somewhere by now. FBI. Boy. That complicates things.

In a way. And then again maybe it was a good thing if she really is.

Well we’ll be done here in a few minutes and I’ll need to take you back to the station with me. You too Mr. Jimenez. Sit tight, I’ll be back in a few. The detective got up.

Gotta hit the can. Jack said standing up. Detective Winters nodded.

After Jack got back from the restroom he saw that Raul had finished his written statement and the other detective was questioning him. Jack sat down in his chair and waited. Finally the other detective introduced himself as Detective Carlson but didn’t ask Jack any questions. Jack had looked around and the two ambulance drivers had left. Still a lot of uniformed officers around and outside on the sidewalk quite a few news reporters with cameras with lights were on trying to get some footage from behind the police tape. There were four officers that he counted standing guard by the tape. He kept behind the column so that they couldn’t get a clear shot of him with a telephoto lens.

After some folks fingerprinted the bodies, took photos of them and then the general area, where Jack was careful to turn away when they were taking a picture of the dart room Detective Winters came back in. You seem awfully calm about all this.

Yeah well pretty predictable at this point, no sense in getting wound up about it, I already figured I wouldn’t be getting home until tomorrow anyway.

Ready to go?

Sure.

We need to go out the back way.

Yeah. Jack said and looked at Raul and nodded.

The three of them went through the kitchen and out the back way. As luck would have it there was one cameraman out there with a camera on. Winters ducked back in just before the cameraman got a shot. Better cover your face. He said.

Jack looked around and saw a kitchen apron and grabbed it off the hook. He handed it to Raul. Then picking up a paper napkin off the stack he unfolded it and poked two eye holes in it and held it up over his face. Winters chuckled at that. Then he opened the door and the three of them went outside with the cameraman shouting questions at them the entire way to the car. Winters opened it and the three ducked inside and he roared off. A block away Jack folded up the paper napkin and put it into his pocket.

So I guess you figured out already that it is probably best that your face not appear on TV? Detective Winters asked.

You could say that. I’m sure that whatever gang it was they’ll be wanting some payback. Jack said.

They were part of the Tapatia cartel. He said and turned down a street. Pulling into a fenced area which Jack read the signs as a non-public access parking for the police station the detective pulled into a spot and shut off the engine. Follow me gentlemen.

Inside the police station the detective placed Jack and Raul in separate interrogation rooms. Jack sat at the table and put a foot up on a spare chair and leaned back. He had glanced at his watch on the way into the station and it was already after eleven P.M., so at least his antics wouldn’t be on the evening news until the next day. Hopefully some other big disaster would take precedence.

The door opened. Detective Winters and a woman stepped in. She was dressed in a sharp business suit. Looked like a lawyer.

Mr. Grey, this is Assistant DA Melissa Lawrence. Detective Winters introduced her.

Mr. Grey. She shook his hand and then sat down, primly tucking her skirt under her. Jack sat down opposite of her. He didn’t want to say anything first, deciding to see what she had to say. I’ve looked over the case and normally at this point I would be pressing charges for homicide against you. However, as they say, extenuating circumstances may trump that. Five to one odds for example, as you might guess it would be hard to get a jury to convict with that fact. She looked him in the eye.

Yes ma’am I suppose it would.

Several of the witnesses say you fired first. Detective Winters said.

I wouldn’t call it first. Together perhaps but certainly not first. He had his gun in his hand already and was pointing it at me. If you want to get down to fractions of a second perhaps so. Jack said, thinking back to the timing. At least his ears had stopped ringing now.

And I am still not sure of your relationship to the cartel. She added.

There is none. I was enjoying a few rounds with the boys from the office when they came in drawing weapons. Jack said.

Because you were in a liplock with one of their girlfriends is the way that I hear it.

Her idea, not mine. Not that I minded. So did you find out anything about her? Jack asked.

If I wouldn’t have seen her on video I would say you were just making her up. Gone like a fart in the wind she is. We’ll track her down. And yes I do have a call into the FBI liaison in Houston. Detective Winters said.

I’ve been thinking about that. If she is undercover they may not admit to it. Jack said.

Already considered. I’ve got a motion in with a federal judge to have them unseal any operational records of her to at least confirm her existence and any involvement with the Tapatia cartel. ADA Lawrence said. This isn’t our first time that something like this has happened.

Jack smirked. So where does that leave us?

Aside from you breaking the conceal carry law by carrying your gun into a bar and shooting five men dead you mean? Well sir, I think you might have that figured out already. She said coldly.

I have. It is called self-defense to an imminent threat to myself and the girl standing behind me from certain death. Five armed, known cartel members pointing loaded guns at me complete with the video from the bar and I would suspect you’ll have a very tough time making much of anything other than the conceal carry charge stick. Jack said.

She inhaled sharply. Then she nodded subtly. I see. So you think that is how it is?

At the moment yes. Are you charging me with something?

Melissa Lawrence opened her mouth to say something then closed it. She looked over at the detective for a moment. Then she nodded to him. As Detective Winters has reminded me you are in imminent danger on the streets and probably more so if we were to arrest you as there are many cartel members in the jails and prisons already. In doing so we wouldn’t be able to protect you and a civil suit would have fairly good grounds to win should you meet some untimely demise while in custody. In the bigger picture you carrying a gun into a bar while not technically legal is actually in the best interest of the spirit of the law rather than the word of the law. A technicality I’m not sure I would really want to pursue before a judge.

Meaning you have bigger fish to fry? Jack asked.

Yes. She had a smirk on her face. Not that I condone you shooting five men dead but given the circumstances I think you acted in good faith and protected the unarmed female standing behind you which is a point I think your lawyer would repeatedly bring up in front of a jury should I bother with the weapons charges. And given who the men were and their past records I’m sure Detective Winters will be able to close out a few files now even though he will be doing paperwork into next year over this.

So now what? Jack asked.

Well as for now what, here is your gun back, wouldn’t want you to be killed by the cartel on the way home. Detective Winters pulled the gun out of his pocket and put it on the table. Then the magazine.

Jack picked them up and checked the magazine. Only three rounds in it. He put it into the gun and flipped the safety off and then holstered it while the ADA and detective watched him.

You know it is faster to keep a round in the chamber. The detective said.

True. However also more dangerous. And without a round in the chamber I don’t need to keep the safety on and have to remember to turn that off. So with it empty I just rack the slide and I’m ready to go. He said and looked over at detective Winters. Worked well enough tonight.

Touché

About your ammunition Mr. Grey. It would probably be better if you shot people with store bought rather than homemade. ADA Lawrence said.

Why?

Some juries might see reloaded ammunition as someone with a murder thought on their minds and you would have to prove that your hand loads are safe. Something you may want to bring up with your lawyer for later.

I don’t recall saying I had a lawyer. Jack said.

Well you better. And soon. There will be a civil suit later once the family members figure it out. It might be a year or two but it will come. She said.

Well there is always the coming to the aid of an officer of the law thing. He said.

That might or might not work. And she hasn’t been found yet. She could have lied to you.

Possible. I’m sure that you will let me know though.

Yes sir we will. I would like to see you in my office along with Detective Winters. First thing Monday morning gentlemen. Nine o’clock. She said and stood up.

Yes ma’am. Jack said and stood. She nodded and then left the room. Winters was still sitting so Jack sat back down. Something else?

Aside from taking out five members of the cartel? No, that should just about cover it for one evening I would think. I’m letting you and Raul go as you have both cooperated in every respect and I do appreciate the fact that I didn’t have to go chase you down like I am having to do with your girlfriend Lisa. Oh. Yeah… he dug into his pocket and handed the driver’s license and conceal carry license back to Jack. You’ll need these.

Thanks.

Well then, I’ll drive you back to the bar so you can get your car. Detective Winters stood up.

Following him out of the interrogation room Jack saw Raul waiting in the hallway. He seemed a bit nervous. Then again who wouldn’t after having spent the evening in the police station? Glancing at a clock on the wall Jack saw it was now 12:45 A.M.

The Detective chit-chatted with Jack on the way back to the bar. Raul was pretty quiet. Once there they went to their respective vehicles and headed home.

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Jack’s sister called him on Saturday and asked him about the shooting in San Antonio as she knew it wasn’t too far from where he worked. So he burned through a charge on his cell phone chatting with her and updating her about the shooting and how he had done it. She was in shock. He asked her to keep it quiet but he doubted that she would.

Saturday night, too tired to care he went to bed early. Sunday looked a bit better and he mowed the grass and then went and shared a few beers with his buddy Micky who lived a few blocks away. They had met at the local home repair center a few years earlier and had become occasional drinking buddies but more so helping each other out when a home repair project called for two sets of hands. After leaving Micky’s house he called his boss and told him about the incident and that he had to be down at the DA’s office first thing in the morning. His boss was understanding and told him it wasn’t a problem and to take his time. He asked about some of the other employees who were there and after Jack updated him on them they disconnected.

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Jack was sitting in the waiting room at the DA’s office when Detective Winters stepped in. He had a small business briefcase with him. They said their morning pleasantries with each other and then the administrative assistant came and showed them both in. ADA Lawrence was in the conference room.

So I watched the news this weekend and although you were mentioned as an unknown gunman no pictures of you on the news. We’ve got the case sealed for now. She said after they had all got coffee and sat down.

Thank you. Jack said. Detective Winters was opening his briefcase. He took out some papers. Handing one set to the ADA he had the other in his hand.

You girlfriend isn’t exactly who she said she was. He put a photo of her on the table.

Oh?

Yeah. She does work for the FBI and that much is true. However she was on loan to the DEA. And you were correct in your guess that she was working undercover.

And they readily told you all that? Jack questioned him.

Well at first no. The order from the judge, thank you Melissa, was faxed over to them before they suddenly became forthcoming. Melissa was head down reading the report, scanning rapidly. It was several pages long. Detective Winters continued, She is on a mission to infiltrate the cartel, the Tapatia cartel to be exact, and apparently her cover was blown. They wouldn’t give me all that many details other than to say she was safe and confirm that she was in fact an FBI employee and then brushed me off saying it was a DEA operation. So I spent most of yesterday on the phone tracking down the proper DEA liaison. I faxed them the order and they tried to play games with me telling me it didn’t apply to their agency. So as of this morning that is where we stand.

No problem. I’ll get the order amended to include the DEA. Melissa said still reading the report. Wow. She said as she flipped the last page over and sat back in her chair. Both men looked at her. The agent under the cover name of Lisa Wharton has been involved in this undercover operation for nearly a year. Since she is on loan the FBI doesn’t know where she is. However the photo here matches the footage of the security cameras at the Red Iguana.

Detective Winters pulled out a print from the security camera and put it on the table. Jack studied her photo from Friday night and then the much nicer, studio quality, photo from the FBI. She was a pretty woman.

So now what? Jack asked.

We keep investigating. Inter-agency cooperation isn’t the best in the world. I’ll get to the bottom of it. Detective Winters said.

"Seems obvious to me. She was