76
As Six Flags Over Georgia floated into view on the left of the highway, roller coasters stretching for the clouds, Valdez exited the interstate and made a right off the ramp, onto a busy strip lined with chain hotels, gas stations, and fast food joints. She swerved into the parking lot of a Texaco, stopped near an air pump/vacuum machine, let go of the wheel, and whirled in the seat to face Anthony.
“Okay, the Kingdom Campus is about a half-mile ahead,” she said. “But we need to talk strategy before we get there. Bob told you where you could find the goods, correct? Did he put the data on a flash drive, a disc, or what?”
Mike and Lisa looked to Anthony, too. Anthony shrugged.
“I don’t know,” he said.
Valdez’s eyes dwindled to dark points. “Don’t screw with me, Thorne.”
“I’m being straight with you. The info could be on a disc, or a flash drive, or some other storage device. Bob didn’t tell me.”
“What the hell did he tell you then?”
“I know the info is on the campus. But I’m not sure where, exactly.”
“You’re lying.” Her gaze skewered him. “You don’t trust me.”
“I don’t trust anyone.”
He met her hot glare. She didn’t blink. She looked ready, in fact, to punch him in the face.
“How’s the security on campus, senorita?” Mike asked, breaking the tension.
Valdez sighed, tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Tighter than a drum. They’ve got complete surveillance of every area, foot patrols, cruisers, choppers. Every agent wears Kevlar vests and carries pepper spray, stun batons, and 9mm Glocks.”
“They sound like cops,” Lisa said.
“They’re more dangerous than cops,” Valdez said. “They don’t bother to read you Miranda rights.”
“Response time to an incident?” Anthony asked.
“Depending upon where the threat originates? Three minutes, max.”
“Not much time.” Anthony cracked his knuckles. “We’ll have to move like lightning, then.”
“We’ll have the advantage of surprise,” Mike said. He swatted Anthony’s shoulder. “We can do this, AT. Piece of cake.”
“To hell with that crap, we’re calling back-up.” Valdez flipped out her cell phone. “I need them to bring me that search warrant, and we can use the extra firepower.”
“Hold on, I’m not going to storm in there with the feds,” Anthony said. “You call them, and our partnership ends here.”
“We can’t do this on our own,” Valdez said. “We’re way outnumbered. They’ll shoot to kill.”
“So will we,” Mike said.
Valdez gnashed her teeth. “Freakin’ stubborn jarheads.”
Anthony only smiled at her.
“All right,” Valdez said. “I’ll tell my team to get set, but I’ll hold ‘em off till we get to Bob’s drop.”
“Fair enough,” Anthony said.
Phone in hand, she started to get out of the SUV. Anthony stopped her.
“Make the call in front of us,” he said.
“You’re paranoid, you know that?” But she remained in her seat and punched in a number. She had a terse conversation with her contact, and put away the phone.
“They’ve got the warrant. They’ll stage about a mile from campus.” She read her watch. “Should be in place in thirty minutes.”
“That gives me time to figure out where we need to go,” Anthony said. “Let’s head on in and cruise around.”
“Didn’t you hear me?” Valdez said. “I told you I can’t take anything out of there without a warrant. I’m not working for the church any more. I’ve gotta follow the law now.”
“You’re not going to take anything. You’re only going to drive around so I can find Bob’s drop. Right, guys?”
“Just a look-see,” Mike said, nodding.
“Never hurt anything,” Lisa said. Her gaze connected with Anthony’s, and he thought about married folk telepathy.
Muttering under her breath in Spanish, Valdez slammed the Explorer into gear.