Chapter 92

I woke up early and decided a morning run was in order. I didn't wake Tamara or anyone else. It was still dark when I left my backyard and ran for almost an hour. I could just see the effect of the sunrise on the other side of the Sandia Mountains when I ran up the driveway.

I was doing my morning workout in the backyard when Roy came out and seemed a little upset. "Boss, did you go running by yourself this morning?" He seemed to use the term 'Boss' sarcastically.

"Yeah, I enjoyed the quiet time."

"Please don't do that. I would feel real bad if anything happened to you."

"Relax. I appreciate your concern but with it being early and dark, I decided I'd be safe."

Roy went ahead with his workout and I relaxed at the patio table. He had already started the coffee and I had a cup. Audrey dragged herself out and asked if we would be working out that morning. I told her she could but I was through for the morning. She said good, kissed me, and went back inside.

Mom was the next one to join me. For a retired woman, she didn't stay in bed in the mornings. We talked about her visit to the casino. She said she lost a little; to her that could be a thousand dollars.

I remember when a couple-of-hundred-dollar loss hurt me. Now I don't really know since I couldn't remember going to the casino since I met Tamara.

"So when do you think you and Tamara will tie the knot?"

"Soon. I don't know why I'm in a rush but I think it is more for her. I want her to know how committed I am to her."

"I had a few worries about how your circle, as you call it, would affect you. I can say I have never seen a one-on-one relationship go as smoothly as your circle."

"I can't take the credit. Tamara has orchestrated it from Day One. At first I thought it was great to have multiple sexual partners. But I really do care about each one. I love all of them and would do anything to protect them."

"Speaking of protecting them, why do you keep getting into these fights?"

"I don't know why. The fights come to me and I can't back away and let someone take advantage of anyone because of physical violence."

"Try to be careful. I love you and don't want to have to attend your funeral."

"Have you decided how long you are going to stay?"

"I think I'll go home Monday. I have been traveling for months and I think I need a rest. Besides I have a granddaughter in Houston and I need to spend some time with her."

"Good luck on getting her to slow down long enough to find time for you. However she can drive out to see you since I bought her a truck for her birthday."

"You spoil your kids."

"Like you don't? You've made sure Mike has always had anything he wanted."

"How about them Cowboys?" She always said that when she wanted to change the subject.

Tamara joined us and gave her a real excuse to change the subject. "Where are we staying tonight?" she asked.

"We'll play it by ear. I don't know what was left in the house. We can stay in your parents' cabin if nowhere else."

We finished our coffee talking about Tamara's XLR. Mom said she really liked it. She said she might even like to have one if it wasn't a two-seater. I told her to keep her big Cadillac to use when she needed more passenger room. She said she might think about it.

It didn't take long for everyone to be ready to go to the airport. Sam loaded the bags in the back of the Escalade and we headed to the airport. The trip was uneventful except for the looks my circle got from the men in the terminals. Mom even made comments on how beautiful they were.

Sam took charge of getting the luggage while I picked up the rental. I would have to figure out a way to keep a vehicle in Colorado for these trips.

It was a beautiful drive. It had been a long time since I had driven through Colorado. Audrey and Lena commented that they had made this trip a few times seeing their grandparents' place. Tamara was sitting up front with me and pointed out various landmarks she remembered.

Juan Trujillo was waiting for us when we arrived at our new vacation getaway. As he led the tour of the place for my family, Sam and I walked around by ourselves. Sam pointed out various security issues.

"If someone wanted to get at you, this would be the place. It's open and secluded."

"Do you really think anyone is after me?"

"Several factions want revenge. I doubt the gang from Santa Fe would send anyone here, but there is always McKenzie. He is really pissed that you messed up his deal and landed him in jail."

"He shouldn't be a problem."

"Be that as it may, I'll stay on my toes. By the way, please put this on," Sam said as he handed me my Glock. Instead of the shoulder holster, he had it in a clip on. I stuck it on my hip and we went to find the girls.

Mom and Tamara were in the kitchen of the big house. They were making a list of things needed to make the place livable.

"John! Mom! Come out here" I heard Lena calling from outside the front of the house.

As we walked out, we saw Audrey and Lena mounted on horses. "Isn't this great! Juan saddled them for us. We're going for a ride."

"Be careful!" Tamara called out as they spurred the horses and rode off.

"They look happy," I commented.

"Relax. They used to ride all the time when they were younger. Your mother, Susan, and I are going into town to get some groceries. Do you want anything special?"

"Just you," I said as I pulled her to me for a sweet kiss. "Do you want me to tag along?"

"No. I think we can handle it. Why don't you just relax a little?"

After they drove away, I walked to the barn to talk to Juan. He was in the tack room. I looked at the saddles and they were magnificent.

"Did Mr. Travis mean to leave all the tack?" I asked Juan.

"Si, señor. He said to tell you he really respected you and that everything he left is for you and your family."

"Did he tell you I wanted you to stay on and take care of the place for me?"

"Si, señor."

I discussed money and living arrangements. I asked if he had family. He said there was a woman back in Mexico he wanted to marry. I told him that he could live in the little house with his new bride. He was very excited and thankful.

I walked and talked with Juan as I took a mental inventory of the place. I found out Mr. Travis had left a ten-year-old pickup that Juan used. There were two fuel storage tanks that held four hundred gallons of gasoline. There were two small gasoline generators. The stoves and hot water heaters were propane. The propane storage tank was beside the house. Juan told me he called in deliveries for the fuel when the levels reached a certain level. He said he always had the tanks topped off in September in case snow blocked the roads.

While Juan and I were talking, Sam rode up on a horse. "Enjoying yourself?"

"Absolutely. I haven't ridden for years. I wanted to scout around a bit. I rode over to where George wanted an airstrip built. It needs very little work. I saw maybe twenty trees that would need to be cut down. There is also a nice place to put up a small hangar."

"When did you talk to George?"

"Roy told me about your visit here and suggested I talk to George before we came up."

I was pleased that my advisers looked out for me so well. Juan took Sam's mount to the barn while Sam and I walked back to the house. He told me there were some nice vantage points for surveillance cameras.

"Why do we need them?"

"Security. Dan said we need to beef it up wherever you stay for any length of time."

"Why? Is there something you're not telling me?"

"Dan asked me not to go into any details. He said he would talk to you."

"Now wait a God-damned minute! You guys work for me. I don't like to be kept out of the loop."

"I told Dan you'd feel that way." He handed me a phone to call Dan.

"What's this?"

"It's a satellite phone. It'll work almost anyplace on the globe. Dan gave it to me to test."

I dialed Dan's number and he answered on the second ring.

"I've been expecting your call," Dan said. "Sam must have spilled some of the beans."

"Yes he did and what's this shit about keeping things from me?"

"Sorry, John, but I had too. I had too little firm information. I have a little more now."

"Spill it! I don't like to be kept in suspense."

"I put Jeff on your security detail. He has been checking your communication devices and found your home phone has been tapped. I'm pretty sure your cell phone has been monitored as well."

"Who? Why?"

"At first I thought it might have been McKenzie but we found out he has not been communicating with anyone outside of the jail. In fact, his office in Phoenix closed down."

"Then who?"

"Jeff thinks it has to do with the dead men from the burglary attempt."

"Why would a group of petty criminals want revenge?"

"Jeff told me that one of the men you killed is related to someone running a crime cartel. It seems little brother ventured out on his own and was killed at your house."

"Why have you waited so long to tell me?"

"Most of this information just came in this past week and some of it only yesterday. I didn't want you to get alarmed."

"Dan, let's get something straight right now. I'm not some rich son-of-a-bitch that's on a need-to-know basis. I want to know the moment you know anything that concerns the safety of my family or me." My voice was about two octaves higher than normal.

"Then I guess I should tell you the rest. We have been keeping an eye on Tamara's ex-husband. We have a recorded phone conversation made Thursday; someone asking questions about Tamara. We couldn't trace the call but Mr. Sanger is supposed to meet the caller this morning. Jeff has a man on it."

"What do you think is going on?" I asked.

"I suspect whoever is interested in you wants emotional revenge as well as physical. Someone is going to a lot of trouble to keep tabs on you."

I didn't reply right away. What the hell was going on? I could understand Sam Sanger wanting to get back at me and maybe Tamara, but to put his daughters in danger was a little hard to comprehend.

"John... are you still there?"

"Yes... I'm just trying to sort out some things in my mind."

"I need to make a couple of calls. Let me get back with you in a few minutes," Dan said.

I agreed and disconnected the call.

"Are you okay?" Sam asked me.

"Yeah but let me think for a minute."

Tamara, Susan, and Mom were gone to town. Audrey and Lena were riding around the ranch. Were they in danger? I dialed Tamara's cell phone but got her voice mail. I left a message for her to call me. I hoped I sounded calm.

I walked back to the barn and asked Juan to saddle me a horse. Sam was right behind me and repeated the request. I turned to Sam "Is this why you brought me my Glock?"

"Dan asked me to make sure you were armed. He said there might be snakes."

"Yeah, right."

I walked over to where Juan had a sorrel with a flecked mane and tail tied up. I grabbed a saddle and blanket out of the tack room.

"Does Señor John know how to saddle his horse?"

"Yes, Juan. It's been a while but I still remember."

"Where's the horse I rode earlier?" Sam asked Juan who had a different horse out for Sam than the one he had ridden previously.

"I figured you would like a fresh horse. Besides it's good to have someone riding the horses again. Señora Travis had been sick and Señor Travis just didn't feel like riding much anymore."

I hadn't thought about that and I guess that's why Thaddeus was pleased when I said I would keep the horses. We finished saddling and asked Juan which direction he thought the girls would be. Juan said that we should head east. He point to a knoll and said we could see a lot of the property from there.

I mounted and spurred the sorrel. I had forgotten to ask Juan what was the name of my horse. I felt rather than heard Sam behind me. It took about fifteen minutes to get to the top of the knoll.

"The view is fantastic from here," Sam said as we let the horses take a breather.

I stood up in my stirrups and looked around.

"These might help," Sam said as he handed me a pair of binoculars. I scanned the area and couldn't see the girls.

"Maybe they rode over to their grandparents' cabin," Sam suggested.

I agreed and we headed east. Not wanting to wear the horses out, I didn't run them. It took about thirty minutes to get to the fence that separated the two places. I'd talk to Juan about whether to allow the horses access to both places.

Sam opened the gate and I went through leading his mare. I noticed there were fresh horse tracks and assumed those were the girls. After seeing those, I stepped up the pace. As we topped the ridge, I saw two horses tied up at the cabin. I felt a weight lift of my heart when I saw Lena come out on the porch and wave.

They told me about their ride and wanting to visit the cabin where they spent a few summers. I took the time to really look at the cabin. It would do nicely for Juan. He wouldn't be as close to the horses but I thought I might hire him a helper. Especially after I had found out Juan took care of the farrier duties.

I was standing out on the porch when I felt a pair of arms encircle me from behind. From the angle I was sure it was Lena. I pulled her around me and hugged her tight.

"That felt nice. You haven't hugged me that tight in a long time," she commented.

I couldn't tell her it was pent up emotion from worrying about her and her sister. That reminded me that I should try to call Tamara again. I pulled the satellite phone out and dialed her number. She answered on the second ring. "Hello?"

"Hi, sweetheart," I said.

"What number is this? It didn't come through with your name on the caller ID."

"This is Sam's phone. It's a satellite phone and works here at the ranch. Where are you?"

"We're loading the groceries in the Escalade. We should be heading back soon after one more stop. Your mother saw an antique shop she wants to look at."

"Be careful and don't take any detours on the way back to the ranch."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just don't want you getting lost and if anything happens to the Escalade, we'll know where to look."

I think she knew there was worry in my voice. She said they should be back within an hour.

"Okay... what's wrong?" Lena asked.

"Why do you think there's something wrong?"

"First of all, you came looking for Audrey and I. Second, you told Mom to not take any detours. Normally you wouldn't say anything like that."

Audrey had come out on the porch and was leaning against the doorjamb.

"It seems that someone has been checking on me and my movements. Dan thinks it may be someone related to the burglars that were killed." I didn't think it was necessary to mention their father at that time.

"Do you think someone will bother us here?" Lena asked.

I started to answer when I recognized the sound of an automatic having a round chambered. My hand instinctively went to my hip when I noticed Audrey had her Kahr in her hand.

"Why'd you bring that?"

"I thought I might get to get some target practice in. My grandfather used to let me fire his rifles up here."

I glanced over to Sam who had a smile on his face.

"Did you bring any extra clips and ammo with you?" I asked Audrey.

"I gave them to Sam to bring up here."

"Oh really? Sam... just what else did you bring?"

"Not much... a few boxes of .40 caliber and an extra clip or two."

"Were you figuring on target practice, too?"

"I did promise I would work with Audrey some."

Why did I get the feeling everyone knew more than I did?

The satellite phone rang and I answered it.

"Hi, John. I'll cut to the chase. Jeff called to tell me the party that met with Sam Sanger today asked him about Tamara's parents' place in Colorado. After the meeting the interested party made a phone call on a cell phone and told the person on the other end the place was outside of Westcliffe, Colorado. The person on the other end said there was a crew already in Colorado Springs waiting for instructions."

"How long ago was this phone call?"

"About ten minutes."

"That would put them an hour or so from here."

"That's what I figured. I have a jet warming up. Bobby, Roy, Jeff, and I will be in Colorado Springs later this afternoon."

"Call George and see if he can get the helicopter pilot we used. He can pick you at Colorado Springs airport and fly you straight here. By the way, can you bring the AutoMag?"

"Sure, but we are bringing some pretty potent fire power."

"You better get moving."

When I hung up, I told Sam what Dan told me.

"We have some firepower already here," Audrey mentioned.

She motioned for me to follow her. She went into the bedroom and pulled on the armoire. I assumed it was attached to the wall but instead it swung away. Audrey produced a key and opened the wall panel. I stepped back and couldn't believe what was in there.

"Pawpaw is a survivalist. He had this stuff stashed before the Y2K scare. He told me to show it to you when the time was right."

I called Sam in as I was taking out a few of the rifles. There were several types but what impressed me were the four AR-15's. I handed one to Sam. He looked at it as if he had never held one before.

"It won't bite you. Haven't you ever fired one before?" I asked him.

"No I haven't. To be honest I have never fired any rifle before."

"I'll take care of that," Audrey said. She reached into the closet and grabbed a couple of clips. The ammo for them was military issue. Apparently Harry had connections for military surplus. I did a quick inventory and Harry had been prepared for a small war. I then found something that really surprised me. It was a layout of the house and the ranges to the different landmarks. I stepped out on the porch and noticed for the first time that there was no concealable cover for two hundred plus yards in any direction.

I looked to where Audrey was explaining to Sam the workings of the AR-15. She then shouldered the weapon and fired at the jug hanging from a tree about two hundred yards from the porch. The jug moved as she hit it with the first round. She fired a second round and again the jug danced. Apparently Harry had done a little more training with Audrey than she let on to.

The next display caused me to jump. Audrey shouldered the weapon again and then fired a burst into the jug. The jug shredded as the automatic fire hit it.

"Shit! Hold up!" I walked over and asked Audrey for the weapon. I opened the breach and field stripped it. It had been modified to fire fully automatic, making it the same as an M-16A1. The new versions of the M-16 were A2's and would fire single shot and three round bursts. I assembled the weapon and seated a new magazine. I pressed the slide release and chambered a round. I selected single fire and took aim.

It felt good as the rifle jumped ever so slightly with the recoil. Only the upper part of the jug remained after Audrey's shredding shooting. I made it dance. After firing three times there was nothing but the string remaining.

"I thought Audrey was good but that was even more impressive," Sam said.

"Thanks. It has been awhile since I had one of those in my hands."

"Pawpaw had them converted. He taught Mom, Lena and I to shoot."

Now I was really curious. I turned to see Lena walk out with one of the hunting rifles. It looked like a Weatherby .243. She walked over and asked for me to point out a target.

"Just a second." I went back in the house and took out a couple of the targets I had seen in the weapons closet. I then hopped on my horse and rode out to the fence, which was about 300 yards out. When I returned I told her to shoot at will.

"Who's Will?"

That caused us all to laugh. Lena then shouldered the weapon and fired. I looked through the binoculars and saw that she had hit the target near the black. She worked the bolt action and fired again. This time she hit near dead center. Damn I better not piss them off.

The phone rang. It was Dan telling me the flight plan had changed. The strip at Westcliffe could handle the small jet and Hank would meet them there with a helicopter. I told him to call me once they landed so I would know when to expect them.