Fear No Evil

Chapter 65

My last words angered Alejandro’s twin sister.

“Are you threatening my daughters, Dr. Cross? And Marco’s children and wife? Because you are in no position to do so. Your life is in my hands here.”

“I acknowledge that, and I am not threatening you,” I said. “I’m just stating facts that your brother wanted you to know. If M and Maestro have the chance, they will try to kill you, Louisa, and every one of the children the same way they killed General Guerra and your cousin.”

“What would Marco have us do?” she said, flinging her hands out. “Give up? Take no action?”

I took a deep breath and said, “No. Just not the kind of action you have been taking. Stop retaliating against the families of the corrupt agents Maestro exposed and killed. What benefit is there in that strategy?”

Emmanuella looked at me as if the answer were obvious. “It tells others on your side of the border wall not to talk. They know the consequences if they do.”

“But why not focus on M?”

“Believe me, I have not taken my eye off Maestro, not in the least.”

“And you’re close to identifying him? Because of something he did here in Mexico? On your home turf?”

“Why would I tell you this, Dr. Cross?”

“Because the enemy of my enemy is my ally.”

“Not in this case,” Emmanuella replied evenly. “In this case, the enemy of my enemy is also my enemy. If there were not dead U.S. agents involved, maybe you could be an ally. But there are dead U.S. agents involved, dead agents who were of great benefit to my business, so you are my enemy, Dr. Cross.”

I sighed. “Again, I don’t see it that way. Do I want corruption exposed? Yes. Do I think it’s right for vigilantes like Maestro to declare themselves police, judge, jury, and hangmen? Absolutely not. That’s why I’m here. And that’s why I will continue to hunt M and not investigate your cartel. It’s frankly not my job.”

“Helping you hunt M is frankly not my job.”

“But you’ll reconsider retaliating against the families?”

She turned cold again. “I’m sorry I cannot be of more help to you, Dr. Cross. But our visit together is at an end.”

The hood came down over my head. My wrists were cut free and a strong arm supported my elbow. As I was led away, I said, “Thank you for your time.”

“You’re welcome,” Emmanuella Alejandro said.