On The Border

Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

    Juan Amaya found himself in Mr. Cardoza's office once more.  He limped slightly, his leg still paining him a bit from the ricochet that had found the meat of his calf, but it was mostly healed.  He shifted slightly in his seat, once again enjoying the fine coffee Cardoza's secretary had brought him.  Cardoza looked up from his desk, pushing aside some papers.  "You are a patient man, Amaya.  I appreciate that."

    "You pay me very well, Mr. Cardoza.  My time is yours.  If you wish to pay me to sit here and drink your quite good coffee, I will not object."

    Cardoza laughed.  "You do have an unusual perspective, Amaya.  But I can't fault your results.  You handled the problem quite well."

    "Your man gave me the assistance I needed, and the people provided me in Texas were very helpful."

    "I am troubled about the account of this other person becoming involved.  You have no idea who it could have been?"  Cardoza asked.

    "I never saw them.  They shot from cover, they shot very well, and I decided it would be more beneficial to bring the information back to you than to be another number in his body count."

    "But you were able to finish the job before this other person became involved?" Cardoza asked.

    Amaya had long ago decided that simple and truthful was the best way to deal with his employer.  "They all went down, they were all hit more than once.  We were in the process of confirming their deaths when the mystery man began shooting at us."

    "Are you certain it was a man?" Cardoza asked.

    "No.  I never saw the shooter.  I spoke with Mr. Cavendish after we had cleared the area, and he didn't either.  It could have been a woman.  It could have been a child.  All I can tell you is they were an excellent shot, used cover brilliantly, and were certainly not operating under the rules of engagement police officers of my experience use."  Amaya raised his hands.  "We could speculate all day, but we are operating with no information.  That is not pleasant, nor satisfying, but it is the truth."

    "Well, it has been some weeks, and no survivors have shown up.  I presume a wounded policeman would report to a hospital and then his station, or, with some of them, perhaps the other way around."  Cardoza's lips twisted in a faint smile.  "So, we will consider the matter closed pending further developments.  Are you recovering well?"

Amaya stretched his leg out and rotated his foot slowly.  "Reasonably.  I am sure many have been hurt far worse and come out of it fine."

    "I have no further assignments at the present for you.  We will contact you on the phone you were provided."

    Amaya nodded.  "If you do not object, Mr. Cardoza, until you need me again, I may try and look into this more.  I dislike loose ends.  This shooter troubles me.  I would like to try and see if anyone knows more about this."