14 - Explanations
Four hours later, Matt and George were walking out of the Hays County Sheriff's Department on Uhland Road in San Marcos. It was now dark out, and both men quickly scanned the parking lot as they approached the truck, the younger fuming over the fact that Varley was now long gone. He had removed the cuffs before the deputies had arrived. Varley had completed the repairs on the truck and was allowed to leave, unlike Houston and McSwain who had to explain that they had pulled over to help the stranded motorist and been fired at by the men in the car. Once ID's were checked as well as records and the car's occupants were revealed to be known gang members with warrants the process moved a little more quickly.
"Good thing Francine made you keep that badge this morning." McSwain closed the truck door. As Matt started the engine one of the deputies flagged him down. "Now what?"
"Mr. Houston, Sheriff Grayson thought you might like to know - the guy from the car just died on the table."
"Appreciate it." He put the truck in gear and backed out. "Damn it."
"He got what he had coming to him."
"No, I'm talking about Varley. Bastard's probably crossing the border about now."
"It's not like we had much choice, Matt. If the cops had shown up and he was cuffed you would have to-..."
"Yeah, I know." He called CJ back. "We're out."
"I lost Varley down around Encinal, hon. It just got too dark. But it looks like you were right on target about him heading for Laredo. Did you find out anything about the shooters?"
"Yeah, they were working for Diego Mendoza, the leader of Las Serpientes." There was no reply. "You still there?"
"Yeah…"
He could tell by the sound of her voice that something was wrong. "What's up, Babe?"
"Well, you know I told you that I was working on your family tree on your mom's side?"
"Yeah."
"Hon, I found it tonight while you were dealing with the sheriff there: Diego Mendoza is your cousin."
"No."
"Yes."
He thought about it. "So...I guess he's the Mexican connection with Barkowski. But why? We've never even met."
"I don't know, baby."
George spoke up. "I think we can catch up to Varley with a little luck."
Matt looked at him as if he had lost his mind. "You do realize how much of a head start he has on us now, right?"
The older man nodded, smiled, and removed an envelope from his back pocket. "I also realize that he won't get too far without this." He opened it to reveal a stash of hundred dollar bills.
"How…?"
"Guess it fell out of his back pocket while he was working under the truck. When the cops let him go and he took off outta there it was laying underneath an old grease rag on the ground. I made like I was picking up the rag to wipe off my hands."
"You sly old son of a gun!" Matt was beaming and began laughing, but stopped when he noticed that CJ was once again quiet.
"Hon, considering what happened earlier, don't you think you need to just come on home?"
"Well…" He looked to George who raised his hands and shrugged. "Babe, this may well be the last chance I get to snag Varley."
"And it may be that Mendoza is waiting for you."
"How about this? I've got a couple of folks that I know down at Border Patrol in Laredo. What if I call them and see if they can hold Varley for me?"
"And you would be going straight to their office?"
"That's my plan." There was a moment of silence and he held his breath waiting for her reply.
"Oh, alright. But you better be careful down there."
"Yes, ma'am. Love you."
"I love you. Call me."
"You know I will." He listened as she disconnected the call. "Phew." He pulled into the parking lot of a convenience store and looked through his contacts then placed a call to Captain Mauricio Prospero. The conversation was short and Matt was assured that so far Varley had not passed through the border checkpoint and if he did he would be detained. The pair went into the store, both keeping a close eye out for any signs of further attack, and picked up some coffee and snacks for the trip down to Laredo. After filling up the gas tank, they hit I-35 and headed south.