Page 17 of Maddox

“Uh-huh. I’m not an idiot. No one in the military or the state department would care about some reporter getting tangled in a mess even though it involves Alfaro. Not unless she’d potentially stepped into a cesspool of quicksand. What else? I don’t buy what you’re telling me is the only reason.”

The man did another check that no one was listening. “It’s possible she has access to information regarding Mercury Fulminate.”

What the hell?

“A compound explosive highly sensitive to friction, heat, and shock.” I know the compound, but it was considered mostly safe. As long as it was used correctly.

“You remember.”

I’d been an explosives expert, which is likely why the aging man was sitting on a barstool in the middle of Luray, Virginia. “Yeah, I remember a lot of things. Why would a reporter be interested in a compound that’s used as a trigger for other explosives?”

When he glanced at Jeff, I did as well, nodding slightly to the man. We both waited until Jeff moved into his office. Whatever Gray wanted to tell me was top secret.

He cocked his head after Jeff moved away. “I don’t need to tell you, but I will. Keep this between us. There are some sources inside the government and military that believe she could have been contacted by someone in El Salvador.”

“For what reason?”

“To do a story on Fernando Alfaro involving his use of the compound. Right now, that’s hearsay as her editor refuses to confirm anything but the story on several orphanages. However, he sent up an alarm that trickled down to me. Alfaro was likely behind the attack on the Honduras president a few months ago, another leader from Brazil, and another cartel leader out of Mexico.”

“Confirmed responsibility?”

He laughed. “No. Just conjecture.”

“Why are you in the middle of this?”

“Let’s just say I like to keep busy. Don’t worry about my connection. Worry about Ms. Douglas and what she’s gotten herself in the middle of. Alfaro is more dangerous than before.”

Yeah, the lady had balls, but did she fully comprehend the possible outcome? Alfaro’s army was far reaching, supposedly growing daily.

“The largest drug lord in the entire continent.” The fucker was as brutal a leader as anyone had ever heard of or seen. A few years back he’d already set his sights on being emperor of the world. He’d killed his own father and older brother to take the throne not long after I’d spent time in the jungles on the western side of the country. Slave trading I could buy; it wasn’t a huge stretch from his drug trafficking, but the choice of explosives was interesting.

Gray’s smile made me feel like I was onWheel of Fortune. “Exactly. There are unsubstantiated rumors that Don Alfaro found a creative method of eliminating his enemies.”

I studied his expression and the way his eyes were darting back and forth across mine. “Some scientist figured out a way to use the compound with cocaine.” Cocaine was still the drug of choice, including in upper echelon circles no one would believe were interested.

He lifted his bottle as if toasting me. “Very good. Potentially other sources as well since he’s branched out into various supposedly legitimate businesses. If that’s the truth and someone supplied our reporter with actual proof…”

“That puts a red-hot target on her back. She’s using the information about kidnapped women and the orphanages as a cover to get close.”

“Exactly.” He studied me before sighing. “Plus, her previous article placed a target on Alfaro’s back and for months, he was forced to lay low.”

Laughing didn’t seem appropriate, but this was more than just a death wish for the woman. “Personal vendetta.”

“Look, the lady isn’t known for her patience or accepting any bullshit. If she thinks something is off, then she will dig through hot coals and dive into quicksand to discover the truth. She’s been arrested twice.” He seemed to find that amusing.

“Arrested for what?”

“First time was for picketing.”

“That’s perfectly legal.”

“Not in a senator’s backyard.”

I almost choked on my beer. “You’re kidding me?”

“Nope.”

“And the second time?”

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