“Yes, sir, I did.”

“Did you even try to call anyone to gain permission?”

“No, sir, I did not.”

“Your behaviour was cavalier, irresponsible, and reckless. You not only risked your life, but the potential lives of other policemen who may have tried to save you because of the stunt you pulled.”

“Yes, sir.”

“What I am telling you is documented in writing before me. Sign it as acknowledgement you have read it, after which it will be placed on your personnel file.”

“Yes, sir,” replied Jack, taking the document and reading what he had been told verbally. He signed the bottom of the page and handed it back.

“That is all,” said Isaac. “Get out!”

As Jack was leaving the secretary’s outer office, her phone rang and she answered, then said, “Corporal Taggart, please wait a moment.” She spoke into the phone briefly and when she hung up she said, “The assistant commissioner wants you to go back in.”

Jack sighed and went back into the office as the secretary closed the door behind him.

Isaac immediately approached him with his hand extended and said, “Jack! Good to see you! I wanted to tell you I think you did a fantastic job down in Mexico,” he said, smiling.

Jack accepted the handshake as he tried to figure out what was happening.

“I was so pleased to find out you were able to rescue Lily Rae.”

“It made me happy as well, sir.”

“At immense personal risk to yourself, I might add. As a member of the force, I have to say … what you did makes me feel proud.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Isaac handed Jack a document off his desk and said, “I have written a letter expressing my views for the purpose of placing it on your personnel file.”

Jack read the letter and saw it was filled with accolades.

“Thank you, sir. I don’t know what to say.”

The smile disappeared from Isaac’s face and he lowered his voice and said, “I would suggest you say nothing … ever. There is one more thing I want you to know … and it is to be kept strictly between us.”

“Sir?”

“It was not my idea to send you to El Paso. That decision was made in Ottawa.”

Jack felt stunned. Up until this moment he had thought it was only a coincidence he had been paired up with Adams. This was no coincidence … they were after me, too …

“You look surprised,” noted Isaac. “Did you think it was a coincidence you were assigned with Special Agent Adams?”

“Yes, sir, I did.”

“You, of all people, shouldn’t believe in coincidences. I know I don’t.”

epilogue

On April 10th, Jack and Natasha announced the birth of their second son, Steven Thomas.

Drug lord Rafael Aguilar Guajardo was assassinated by his under-boss, Amado Carrillo Fuentes, two years after the author worked on assignment in Ciudad Juarez.

Amado Carrillo Fuentes then died under mysterious circumstances while undergoing plastic surgery four years after taking power. His brother, Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, took over as head of the cartel.

Three years after the author met with Jose Refugio Rubalcava in a back alley in Ciudad Juarez, U.S authorities checked an abandoned car parked on the Bridge of the Americas. In the trunk they discovered the bodies of Rubalcava and his two sons. The cartel left the bodies on the bridge as a sign they believed Rubalcava had been talking to the Americans too much.

Vicente Carrillo Fuentes has been charged with the murders, but despite a $5-million reward posted for his capture by the FBI and a $2-million award posted by the Mexican authorities, he remains a free man.

At the time of this book’s printing, Vicente Carrillo Fuentes continues to remain in charge of one of two major cartels locked in a vicious battle for control of the drug market in the region.

Within the last couple of years, the murder toll in Ciudad Juarez alone has surpassed six thousand. With the increasing appetite of Canadian and American cocaine users, financial support for the cartels is growing … as is the ever-increasing greed of the cartels.

The continued acts of violence and murder involving innocent citizens are also expanding geographically. Recently in the United States, it was discovered Mexican cartels have been paying teenagers on retainer to commit murders, including the assassination of U.S. law enforcement officers.

The cartels are currently viewing Canada like a beach hawker views a new tourist.

Anyone interested in further information concerning the murders of the Rubalcava family, Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, or the impact the cartels are having on Canada, can find it at the following websites:

Amarillo Globe News: http://amarillo.com/stories/2000/ 09/15/tex_cartel.shtml

Corpus Christi Caller-Times: http://www.caller2.com/ 2000/september/15/today/texas_me/4249.html

Denver Post: http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2011 /12/21/in-focus-mexico-drug-war-five-years-later/5151/

Toronto Star: www.thestar.com/article/642966

Wikipedia: http://wapedia.mobi/en/Vicente_Carrillo_Fuentes

Chapter One

Paul Jennings stood in the lobby of the Redbury Hotel, located at the corner of Hollywood and Vine in Los Angeles. It was eight o’clock at night and his office was hosting a Christmas party in a banquet room of the hotel.

The party was well underway, attended by a crowd of about fifty people. Most were enjoying themselves, but not all. Two of the people invited were there to work. They were both professional killers … hired to do what they do best.

Jennings grinned and adjusted the Santa cap on his head when Tom Donald entered the lobby. As Tom walked past the Christmas tree in the lobby their eyes met.

Tom did more than grin back. “What the hell?” he laughed, pointing a finger at Jennings, before giving him a hearty handshake that quickly turned into a hug.

“Maybe it does look a little silly,” said Jennings, adjusting the cap again as he stepped back.

“It’s not the cap I’m laughing at.” Tom chuckled. “I figure you’re probably wearing it so I won’t know you’re bald.” Tom gestured at Jennings with a wave of his hand and shook his head. “It’s seeing you in a suit and tie that looks so funny. I never thought I would see the day.”

“Yeah, I know. Guess I do look a little establishment.” Jennings smiled and patted his cap. “And yes, I am going a little bald, but not as bad as you.”

“Tell me about it,” said Tom.

“Man, it’s great to see you again,” Jennings said warmly. “I couldn’t believe it when you called last night. It was right out of the blue.”

“I was sitting in my hotel room and got to thinking about the old days. I wondered whether you were back to this neck of the woods. I checked the directory and there were only two Paul Jennings. You were the first one I tried.”

“I’m sure glad you did.” Both men exchanged smiles and Jennings said, “Come on, no use standing here. Let’s join the party. We can do our catching up there.”

“You sure they don’t mind me crashing the party? I didn’t know I was supposed to wear a suit and tie, let alone an elf’s hat.”

“Don’t worry about it. You look fine. I spoke to my boss and he said you’re more than welcome.”

“Tell him I appreciate it.”

“And I might be short, but I’m not an elf. It’s a Santa hat.”