Walker signaled we should move away to a more private spot before Agent Heart told them what he knew. Heart nodded in agreement, thanked the paramedics, declined to go to to hospital and walked with us back to Walker's truck.
Once alone, Agent Heart told us his tale. "About thirty two, thirty three years ago, Mendoza was put in charge of a baby smuggling ring and I found one that…" He began to say when he suddenly faltered then began to fall.
Trivette caught him as Walker and I dropped down and drew out pistols. I scanned the buildings that Heart had his back to but saw nothing. Still wary, I stood back up again and when nothing more happened, reholstered my gun. Walker did the same, a grim look on his face as he looked down at the bleeding body of Agent heart. He was quite dead from the bullet hole in his back.
In cold anger, Walker reached in and summoned the corner's and the Federal forensic team. In very little time the body was hauled away while I watched leaning against Walker's truck, the forensic team work the scene.
I stood there trying to puzzle out why Mendoza would pull out all the stops to kill a federal agent over a baby smuggling ring. Heart must have had some really good info to make the hit worth it.
Walker rejoined me by his truck. I glanced at him.
"Looks like they had back up in case their team failed." I observed.
He nodded absently. "Yeah, sure looks that way." He said.
Trivette walked over after talking to the coroner and some of the forensic guys. "The doc says it was a single shot to the heart...a 50 cal...so we're talking a big league gun. Forensics say it had to be someone who really knew how to use such a weapon because the shot was at an almost impossible angle." He reported.
I looked long and hard at him. A suspicion growing in my mind.
Trivette frowned at me in puzzlement. "What is it?" He asked.
I looked from Walker to Trivette for a moment. "I think I know who pulled the trigger. I just hope I'm wrong. Let's get back to headquarters." I said tightly, not willing to say more. I turned away and made for my bike as they climbed into Walker's truck.
When we got back to the office, we were met by Sydney and Gage in the hall. Gage said they had heard what had happened and looked at me expectantly. I just nodded and continued on into the office, their eyes following me, leaving Walker and Trivette to talk to them.
I went to my desk and dropped down before my computer, flicking it on. As soon as it was ready, I began searching through my files. Just as I had finally found the one I wanted, they all trooped in and stood behind me. The screen popped up with a face I knew all too well.
I stared at the picture without speaking for some minutes. On the screen was a chiseled face with long black hair and the tanned skin of his race. Cold dark eyes stared back at me. My memories were full of those eyes being filled with laughter, happiness and warmth before they had been replaced with those colder than ice ones I saw now.
"Something you want to share with the rest of the class Alec?" Gage asked.
I turned the screen so they could see the image on it and as they leaned forward to look at it I explained.
"His name is Sato Yamamoto, a Japanese American immigrant with family in Japan. Made Corporal in the US Army Rangers, dishonorably discharged from the Rangers for conduct unbecoming of a Ranger. He was caught passing secrets to the Yakuza. Presently doing life in a military prison" I said.
Sydney looked at me. "What does he have to do with what happened to Special Agent Heart?" She asked.
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my desk. "He was Sniper, Sydney. One of the best the Rangers ever had and the only man alive that I know who can pull off that kind of shot." I said flatly.
They straightened up and looked at each other thoughtfully.
SOTO
I follow the other black SUV as we drive up to an expensive looking house. I park beside the mirror image of my vehicle except for the fact the other car has its back window shot to pieces.
The guys in the shot up piece of crap, climb out. They are much taller than me and hunky built. Not surprising since these are mercenary soldiers. I don't look like I fit in with this crowd but appearances can be deceiving. I adjust my dark glasses before opening my car door.
I climb out of my vehicle and pull my gun case out of the back seat. We walk up to the marble steps and before one of us can open the double French doors a butler does it for us. We are escorted to the back yard where a massive swimming pool is located.
An extremely fit Mexican man in his late thirties sees us as he stands among a group of beautiful women that surround him. He gestured for the women to stay and moved to another area where a large table sat under a giant lawn tent. He took a seat and signaled the rest of us to join him.
A silent group of waiters hurried out and placed food and drink down before us and just as quickly left us alone.
The Mexican man was named Mendoza. He stared at us a moment. "Is it done? Is Special Agent Heart dead?" He asked gruffly, taking a bite of fruit.
One of the men nodded and answered, "Yeah! Dropped like a sack of grain!" Then laughed.
I snorted at that while popping some fresh berries into my mouth. The one who had spoken looked daggers at me.
"You got something to say, Jap?" He snarled at me.
I held a berry between two fingers and studied it. I didn't look at anyone when I answered blandly, "I just find it quite amusing how you boast at your failed attempt. You were almost caught by two Texas Rangers in your escape from them after you failed to kill him and if I hadn't been stationed on that roof we might have failed all together. Also the way you boast all the time about your so called skill as a fighter, Gomez. I find that most amusing. Especially, when I can take all four of you with such ease." I crushed the berry to make my point. I'm sick of their posturing.
I was ready when the four men jumped to their feet and tried to grab me.
Gomez snarled, "Say that to our faces you Jap..." and grabbed my shoulder.
I simply caught his thumb and pulled it back hard. Gomez yelled and I was on my feet in a flash and sending a foot to his chest then back kicking the man behind me. I quickly side kicked the man to my left then still holding onto Gomez's thumb, I released his hand and side kicked him hard enough to send him flat to the ground.
Gomez wasn't getting up but one of the others did and drew a gun on me. I reached out almost lazily and snatched his wrist of the hand holding the gun then nailed him with a spin kick sending him to the ground. I stared at him impassively as he tried to raise his arm. I walked toward him and sat down on his chest. I take up the arm he's trying to raise.
"You know, over the centuries my family has learned to manipulate the body with a single touch. The trouble is, finding just the right spot," I say turning the man's hand so that the gun points to his own head. I apply pressure with a finger to a section of his arm and the man's pinky flexed up. I snort in annoyance, "No, wrong one." I move my finger a little more to the side and this time the guys trigger finger flexes up. "Yes, that's the one." I remark as the finger squeeze's the trigger.
"SOTO!" An angry voice snaps at me. I freeze. Mendoza is angry with me. I sigh mentally and release the man below me.
I get up and move back to the table and sit.
Mendoza leans over his arms on the table. "Well in some ways, it was worth it to arrange for your early release from that military prison. But I would appreciate it if you would not kill my men. They are loyal to me and its hard to find such men." Mendoza said casually, taking a bite from his plate.
I stare at him a moment. "Then I would suggest you make sure they keep out of my way and not boast about skills they do not have." I say flatly then change the subject. "We may have a problem."
The four men groan as they try to recover. We ignore them.
Mendoza's eyes narrow and look at me sharply. "And what might that be? You already told me you had taken out Heart before he could spill his guts." He said.
I lean forward and growl, "One of the Rangers was my brother and right now, he along with another Ranger named Walker will be our greatest threat."
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