Lorelei shuddered as they entered the clearing. It was one thing killing a man in a movie where everything was smoke and mirrors, and entirely another to see four corpses laying on the sandy soil.

Snake covered them with mylar blankets from their survival kits. "Sorry, Ma'am. They opened fire as soon as they heard us approaching. Eagle took them out. They're Russian. Mooch and Sparks are inside talking to Gerald."

"Who do you have here?" Dawg drawled. His heavy Texan accent made Lorelei smile and then wonder how she could, all considered.

"A pilot who should have stayed asleep," Taron answered. "Another Russian. Igor Malachov."

The slender man took over from Lorelei. "I'll get him taken care of. Splint that wrist and get some painkillers in him. Come on Igor. This way."

"Watch him. He was armed." Lorelei handed Eagle the pistol and knives as well as his identification. "I'm not sure I found everything."

The scowl on Igor's face confirmed her assessment. Dawg nodded. "I'll be patting him down properly." He prodded the muscle bound pilot toward the veranda on the south side of the shelter.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," Eagle jerked his head toward the bodies. "We had authorization, but it's always better to bring them in alive."

"Great shots, buddy," Taron said.

"I hate having to take them. I wish there was another way."

"Them or your buddies? There really wasn't a choice." Lorelei agreed with his attitude but better to stop the guilt now. The sniper was just doing his job.

Eagle sighed. "Yeah. They really were good shots. Over two hundred yards and downhill. I got them all before they could do any damage. Stupid to start shooting before they knew what was coming."

"Yeah, Eagle. Get it straight. It was us or them. Thanks for saving our asses." Snake clapped his buddy on the shoulder.

"Can we go in?" Lorelei interrupted them. Her curiosity was killing her. What was Gerald doing mixed up with a group of Russian mercenary soldiers? She figured she knew the answer, but still, her curiosity was driving her crazy.

"Let me check," Snake sauntered through the arched opening in the thatched wall. He popped back out immediately. "Mooch wants you in there Ma'am. Says he needs info from you. You too, buddy." He pointed at Taron.

<<<<<

Snake's unspoken message, his fingers flashing through words at an insane speed, made Taron wince.

Walking into the open living area of the shelter, he took in the strange scene. Katilynn and Sparks sat at the table, Gus in two halves in front of them. They whispered softly as she pointed to various spots in the inside of Gus's bottom half.

Jonathon sat in the wicker version of an easy chair close to the hearth of the big fireplace. His weak leg up on the soft cushion of the ottoman Lorelei sat on the night before.

Gerald stood awkwardly on toes barely touching the dark tile floor. His hands suspended from the railing of the spiral staircase above his head. A rapid scan of the room gave him part of the story. The head of city planning's pistol was on the table beside his father. Gerald's face was contorted in a scowl.

"How dare you torture me? Who the hell are you? I'll have you arrested for murder. Those men are my security team." His voice strident, he yanked at his bonds as he spoke. The pudgy bureaucrat's shoulders slammed back into one of the risers and he yelped.

"They're more likely your keepers. Russian Mafia, maybe?"

Lorelei's question almost had Taron snickering. He looked down to disguise his grin. She continued. "Your gambling problem isn't your secret. Or didn't you know Fox 7 busted your chops on it a couple of days ago?"

Mooch's grin was feral. "Confirmed by our intelligence gathering as well. Where are the contracts you discovered, Lorelei? And the ledger?"

"Locked in our crashed jet. Who helped you out on that one?"

"Melissa, talk about the blind leading the blind." Gerald spat at Lorelei when she stepped in front of him.

She staggered back, and Taron leapt across the distance between them, wrapping an arm around her suddenly wobbly frame. "Come on, Lore. Let Mooch finish this for you." He guided her over to the long rattan bench inside the entry way.

"So, we can add terrorism and hate crimes to your list of charges." Mooch declared.

"Damn Taron. Should've been eliminated a long time ago." Gerald regained his balance, staying still, until Mooch set him swaying again.

"You're in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, not in the U.S of A right now. Puerto Seguro is an autonomous entity. Ownership belongs to your father. It's in international waters, therefore things are a little different," Mooch informed him.

"You have no say. I have control of the business, the properties, and all family finances." Gerald tried to kick his questioner, and his body turned twisting the ropes binding his hands.

"I never completed the deed transfers, Gerald. It slipped through the cracks." Jonathon shrugged his shoulders. "And I know how you are siphoning funds. The business is a hollow shell. Worthless."

"Yet you are purchasing or attempting to force the purchase of a multitude of properties along the proposed routing of the new subway realignment. Correct?" The team leader continued to bark questions.

"I'm making very generous offers on behalf of the city."

Taron snorted. "Rip-offs and threats of inflated tax bills is more like it."

"Talk to the mayor, she approved it." Gerald grumbled.

"Where are you getting the money for the development you were planning? Think carefully, Gerald. A judge has already ordered an investigative audit of everything to do with Lorelei Engel's finances."

Gerald face lost all color. "I have nothing more to say."

"We'll be taking you back to San Antonio. Austin PD already has a warrant for your arrest."

Taron heard the distinctive thump of a heavy helicopter approaching. Mooch must have called for help. What was Snake's message all about? Must have been something they found out from the casualties in the clearing. Answers would have to wait. Gus' appearance in the limo was still a burning question. Katilynn deserved her answers too.