Page 27 of Jacqueline's Quest

It made sense now why Luca had photographs of the plantation. Murray stared at the photos, engraining every inch of the property into his memory. “Is this where it all goes down?”

“I believe so,” Luca answered. “The walnut farm is run by a faction of the FLDS.”

“Fundamentalist Latter-Day Saints,” Thomas murmured. “Their leader was on the FBI’s Most Wanted list. He’s in prison now for life after being convicted of child sexual assault. There were other members under investigation for the improper use of SNAP benefits, but the cases were dropped due to a lack of evidence. Still, it doesn't explain how they connect to Los Trios."

Luca nodded. “You’re right, it doesn’t. Do you remember when Warren Jeffs compound was raided by CPS and all of the children were removed due to fears of child neglect, child sexual assault, and battery?”

Thomas nodded.

“A tip had come in, then, that there might be more going on in the FLDS compounds than what anyone knew.” Luca placed a subsurface map over the walnut farm. Because GPR had been used to map the underground terrain, all of the tunnels were in ultraviolet shades of green, red, orange, along with some shades of yellow and blue, depending on the depth.

“Shit,” Thomas muttered. “How far north does this go?”

“To the border,” Luca said. “The houses you see on this particular property are for this particular walnut farmer’s family members. The Colonial compound spans about seven thousand acres, which is almost eleven square miles, with a little less than half used for farming. We have calculated over the years, that some drug tunnels can span nearly sixty miles on the Mexico side, while others are about thirty-five miles. The longer passageways have electric rail cars that can go about fifty miles per hour. They also have electricity running to them, allowing people to see as they follow the tunnel.”

“Now you’re heading into El Chapo, territory,” Thomas said.

Luca shrugged. “It is what it is. The cartels are learning—evolving. Anyway, we believe they are using the FLDS El Dorado compound as their stash house and, because the CIA can’t work on US soil, we haven’t mapped the area. However, I believe there are tunnels there as well. They transport the women and men through those passageways and bring them into Mexico.”

“Which dumps them onto the plantation.” Murray sat back and blew out a breath. “From there, they could go anywhere.”

“Precisely.” Luca nodded. “It would also explain why people fall off the grid with such ease.”

“I hate to be a party pooper,” AJ stated, “but, what does this have to do with our current mission? So far, I can’t see the connection between Raul and Los Trios.”

The corner of Luca’s mouth twitched. “So impatient. Fine. The information I have been given says Los Trios is going to kidnap Bexley Alexandria Hernandez Iniguez.”

“Why?” AJ surged from her chair, slamming her hands on the table. “Why do they need her?”

Murray noticed any time the girl’s name came up, AJ was quick to defend her. Of course, he’d read the reports from the job fair at the high school and the abuse Bexley endured during it, but there was more, there had to be. AJ was taking the whole situation personally. He understood the need to protect those who were vulnerable, but sometimes the lines blurred, and people got hurt. He’d have to talk to Thomas about it later.

Luca gave a nonchalant lift of his shoulder, drawing Murray’s attention back to him. “She has information. Tons of it. All stored in her brain.”

AJ deflated. “When do they plan to grab her?”

“That, I don’t know,” Luca admitted. “It’s why I need your help. It seems Raul is wearing out his welcome.”

Murray snorted. “You don’t say. Why?”

“As much as those around Juarez enjoy his proclivities, it is drawing too much attention. It seems someone found out about Bex and what she does for the cartel. They also know about her new accessory and they believe it makes her weaker.” Luca placed his hands in his pockets. “And, well, he who controls the money...”

“Controls the cartel,” Thomas snarled.

“We have to let Asher know,” Murray said. “Mateo is at school with her.”

Luca shook his head. “If we say anything now, it’ll tip our hand. We can’t let them know we know.”

“So, what do you need our help with?” AJ asked.

“Taking Los Trios down.” The way Luca made it sound, it seemed so easy, but Murray knew better. It was easy going at the Nieto Cartel, Raul was getting sloppy in his work. If people were noticing him, especially the wrong people, it wouldn’t bode well for Raul. He gave the man a year at most until someone showed up at his doorstep and blew his head off.

He reminds me of a Sicario... AJ’s words slipped through Murray’s mind as he stared at Luca. He still didn’t see it, but Luca wasn’t just a CIA agent, he was more. He could say with confidence now, the house wasn’t a prop nor was the car he drove. This all belonged to a man who attained his wealth in not so legal ways. “So, we help you out with Los Trios and you help us?”

"I would've helped you anyway because Tex asked me to. Los Trios is me asking you for help, no strings attached."

Murray scrubbed his cheek. “Fine. We’ll help.”

"We will?" AJ prodded. "We would like to go home, you know after we save everyone."

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