Page 64 of Agent's Integrity

Sosa gestured with his hand to the side. “Done. I can get you transportation there in a few hours.”

I cringed. “Julia’s not going to accept Goliath help. In any form.”

His eyebrow lifted. “She’s one ofthosetypes then.”

“No, no.” I waved my hand to try and remove that notion. “It’s not like that. She knows a mercenary on Esmuna who’s helping us, named Emerson. But he’s in the middle of a job for Archuleta.”

Understanding dawned on his face. “I heard a big shipment was stolen from him the other night.”

“Yes. We’re trying to help him locate it. That’s what I was calling about.”

Sosa pressed his lips together. “I don’t know who stole it. Nothing has come my way about it.”

That wasn’t the answer I was hoping for. “What do you know about Archuleta right now? I’m a bit out of the loop. Catch me up to date.”

“Archuleta is expanding his reach. I’ve heard a lot about that, since his orders have also gone up. The boys have heard a little talk about some unrest in his organization. Some guys have been running their mouths about a regime change. I’m not sure I believe those rumors, but I think after this theft that someone is out to sabotage Archuleta to take over his operation.”

Interesting.“Got any names?”

He shook his head. “No. Nothing has been passed along to me. I can put some feelers out, though. Someone surely knows something.”

I nodded. “I’ll take any help I can get. We need to locate the merchandise, so if you get wind of anything about where someone might be trying to offload it, give me a heads up.”

“Of course. I’ll ask around. I bet Archuleta is losing his mind over this.”

“Yes, I think he is.” I remembered how angry he had been. “Your name saved my life, by the way. Archuleta wanted to kill me.”

Sosa smirked. “The Goliath name still comes in handy for some things. We’re always here for you. Anything you need,rinwayo.”

Hearing him call me brother lifted my spirits. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

“What are brothers for?” Sosa tapped a finger against his elbow. “You’re sticking around to protect thisgalida?”

Annoyance turned in my chest and I bristled.Galidawas a derogatory term for someone who disliked Novem. “Don’t call her that. She isn’t like that.”

“Well, you haven’t exactly told me what sheislike, this Julia.”

Trying to describe her to him seemed virtually impossible. “She’s…independent, protective, and strong. She knows her mind and sticks to it. She isn’t bigoted, and she isn’t agalida.”

Sosa whistled. “She’s youramitulo, isn’t she?” He shook his head. “It’s past time you found someone.”

I shook my head. “Labeling her isn’t that simple.”

“But you care for her. Come on, E, I can see it plainly. We’re brothers. You can’t hide anything from me.”

He was right about that. I never could hide anything from him. “It’s complicated, Sosa.”

“Isn’t it always?” Sosa grinned. “I should come meet her. See if I approve.”

That didn’t sound like a good idea. “She’d probably arrest you.”

The grin disappeared. “She’s a cop?”

I nodded. I hadn’t necessarily wanted to tell him that, but I would never lie to him. “IPF.”

Sosa’s face shuttered. “Drug enforcement?”

I frowned. “She hasn’t said what department.”

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