The Surge - 03 (8 page)

“Where are you staying?” Zach asked, now concerned about the lady. She was trying to be brave, which warmed his heart, but he was still worried.

Chey told Zach the name of her hotel. “I’ve rescheduled today’s photoshoot for in the morning, and then I’ll be checking out and heading to Dallas. Let me know what you think I should do.”

The two rangers watched her leave, both silent in their thoughts.

Zach set the contract aside. The ranger was clearly troubled. “This runs a lot deeper than we thought. I’m not sure whether Mr. Carson was more offensive as a pervert and potential serial killer or as a pimp. Either way, we have to take this guy down.”

Sensing what Zach was thinking, Sam tensed. “You can’t use her to get at this Mr. Carson. It’s just too dangerous, Zach. We all know that if Chey crosses Texas’s southern border, no one will ever see her again. They’ll use her up in a few months and then kill her,” Sam stated with a slight shiver.

“It’s more than that,” Zach said with a dismissive wave. “If there is foreign involvement of this sort with our banks, then we’ve got serious issues that no one is aware of. We need to talk to the major about this.”

Zach strolled into ranger headquarters on a mission, his partner struggling to keep up with his lengthy stride. The place was bustling more than usual, the men and woman of the organization seeming to walk with a bit more purpose, their expressions and greetings shorter than normal.

“Everyone here seems to be wound up tighter than a $3 watch. I haven’t seen so many grim faces since the president announced that the rangers were going to let females join the ranks,” Sam noted after the elevator door had closed.

“If they’re running into the same brick walls that we are, I don’t blame them,” Zach replied.

They exited into another busy corridor, Zach motioning toward an unmarked door down the hall. “Let’s see if our legal consultants can make heads or tails of Chey’s loan agreement. After that, we’ll go visit the major.”

“You’re the senior officer,” Sam nodded. “Lead and I will follow.”

“Yeah? What if I have to go to the men’s room?” he quipped.

Ignoring the question, Sam made for the door and entered a small reception area. A middle-aged woman sat behind the government-issued desk. “Good morning. How may I help you?”

“We’re here to see Tony,” Zach answered with a polite smile. “I have an agreement I was hoping he could review.”

“And you are?” the receptionist asked.

“Rangers Bass and Temple,” Zach replied, flashing his ID.

The screener reached for the large, multi-buttoned phone beside her. After a quick, hushed conversation, she pushed back her chair and rose. “Please follow me.”

The two lawmen were escorted through an inner door, finally arriving at a small office that seemed completely overwhelmed with papers, folders, case files, and at least three laptop computers. A small, balding head appeared from behind the mess, examining the two rangers through thick glasses.

With a smile and extended hand, a short man traversed around the canyon of documents. “Ranger Bass, how are you?”

“I’m doing well, Tony. Let me introduce you to my new partner, Ranger Temple,” Zach said, watching the two exchange a polite greeting. He then continued, “Sam, Tony is one of the best legal minds around. He’s actually with the Attorney General’s office, but graces us gun-toting primitives with his brilliance often enough that the colonel gave him an office over here.”

Tony waved off Zach’s compliment but didn’t offer any verbal argument. “What do you have for me, Zach?” the lawyer asked. “I don’t mean to be short, but we’re completely buried right now with everything that’s going on.”

“Aren’t you always trying to fit a size 10 head in a size 8 hat?” Zach teased, producing Cheyenne’s loan agreement.

Pushing his spectacles up his nose, the attorney ignored the remark and began reading the contract. Sam noted the man didn’t invite them to sit, and then realized it was probably because all of the chairs were occupied with paperwork of one form or another. The lady ranger had little doubt Tony wasn’t a man known for social graces.

It soon became obvious, however, that the lawyer could read like a demon.

Sam watched as he flipped the pages at an astounding pace, the pudgy fellow’s lips mumbling in a low whisper as he consumed paragraph after paragraph of the legal gobbledygook.

A few minutes later, Tony peered up and gave Zach a wide-eyed, blank stare. “This is very good,” the attorney commented.

“How so?” Zach inquired, not expecting such a reaction.

Again, pushing his constantly wandering bifocals back up his nose, Tony responded, “A real pro wrote this.” Then, thumping the pages with the back of his hand, he continued, “From a purely legal perspective, I’m actually a little jealous.”

Sam was puzzled. “So you’re saying there’s nothing in that agreement that violates the Republic of Texas banking laws?”

“What banking laws?” Tony grunted, handing the contract back to Zach. “All of the old U.S. FDIC rules, banking regulations, and consumer protection acts have expired. They’ve not been replaced by the legislature … just yet.”

It was Zach’s turn to sound surprised, “So a bank can do whatever it wants?”

Tony shook his head, “No, not
anything
. As a state, Texas had reasonably defined volumes of business and contract law, as well as a significantly detailed history of court decisions and interpretations. All of that case law is still on the books, and it applies to banks, as well as car dealerships, and even verbal contracts between two individuals. What our legislators haven’t implemented are the regulations and codes that apply specifically to financial institutions or their interactions with the public at large.”

“So any bank in Texas can fleece its customers, and there’s nothing that can be done about it?” Sam asked, her voice sounding incredulous. 

Tony pointed to the documents now in Zach’s hand. “The bank’s note is a masterpiece of legal doublespeak, shadowy clauses, and dependent requirements. I’m not sure how much could have been done even if the old rules and regulations were still in play. Regardless, I don’t see anything in there that warrants the attention of the Attorney General. Sorry, Rangers, but that’s just the way it is. The people of Texas wanted less government. There’s a price to be paid for having fewer regulations or agencies to enforce them.”

Zach went on to explain Mr. Carson’s offer for services to be rendered.

“Now, you’re going in a completely different direction. Like the loan agreement, you’re venturing into some very complex legal waters. Prostitution is still illegal in the republic, but it doesn’t sound like you have a clear-cut case of an offer to engage, an agreement to engage, or actual engagement in sexual conduct in exchange for a fee.”

“So
we’re
this ones getting screwed?” Zach stated, a look of disgust on his face despite the pun.

Tony sensed the frustration in the ranger’s voice. Pulling a pen from his pocket, he scribbled a name and phone number on a sheet of scrap paper. “Call this number and ask to speak with Cecil. He works for the comptroller’s office, auditing the banks for tax purposes. He might be able to shed more light on Trustline or its affiliates. That’s about the best I can offer with what you have right now.”

A minute later, the two rangers were back in the corridor, both of them frowning over what they had just learned. “That sucked,” Zach offered.

“No shit,” Sam spat. “What were you saying earlier about moving to the United States? I don’t know which is worse – machine guns in the street or banks that can rip out your heart without fear of repercussions.”

Nodding, Zach’s next statement deepened the issue. “So now, the real question is do we go to the major with this?”

“It doesn’t sound like we have a lot to go on. Other than Mr. Carson’s mention of Mexican clients, there’s not a whole lot of justification for our sticking our noses in. There have to be thousands of wealthy individuals matching the banker’s description who aren’t part of some criminal apparatus.”

Rubbing his chin, Zach deliberated, “Still, the part about Carson’s client coming to town is one hell of a coincidence. Don’t you think? My gut says we need to dig a little deeper into our friendly financier's affairs.”

Sam shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not. Is this one of those situations where it’s better for us to follow our instincts and ask for forgiveness later?”

Zach didn’t seem to have an answer. “We got in a lot of trouble for not requesting backup on that last case. Not to mention the fact that Buck ended up dead. On the other hand, if Major Putnam orders us to cease and desist, I’ll be leaving Chey hanging and ignoring the only possible lead we’ve got right now.”

“You’re the senior officer,” Sam repeated. “Lead and I will follow.” 

Shaking his head, Zach sighed. “Somehow, I feel like I’m taking you someplace a whole lot worse than the men’s room.”

The two rangers left Austin, Zach eyeing the phone number Tony had provided.

“Are you going to call?” Sam inquired from the passenger seat.

“Sure. Why not? How can it possibly make things any worse?”

Zach dialed the number, putting his cell phone on speaker so Sam could hear. “Texas Department of Treasury. This is Cecil. How may I help you?”

After identifying himself, the ranger quickly explained the reason for his call as well as Tony’s recommendation.

Cecil was more than familiar with Trustline. “This isn’t the first I’ve heard of Mr. Carson and the branch in Abilene. I’ve spoken with police officers from both El Paso and Lubbock in the last year. If you hold on a minute, I’ll get you their names.”

Zach threw his partner a questioning glance, not really sure where the bank inspector was going. A minute later, Cecil was back on the line, reading the names of two police officers and rattling off their phone numbers. Sam jotted it all down.

“What was the nature of those other two cases?” Zach asked.

“I’m not sure I am at liberty to discuss those matters, Ranger Bass. I wouldn’t want to violate a confidence or interfere with an on-going investigation.”

Shaking his head, Zach let it go. “I understand, sir. Let me ask you this; is Trustline in compliance with existing regulations? Are they financially sound? Is there anything you can tell me about the bank that might help me?”

“I can only tell you that they pay their taxes. I would suggest, however, that you contact those two law enforcement officers. I’m sure they can shed additional light on the subject at hand.”

Zach could spot a government bureaucrat from the next ridge. Frowning at Sam, he thanked the man and disconnected the call.

The detective sergeant in Lubbock was out of the office. With building frustration, the Texan left a message.

It was with no small amount of relief that his next call to El Paso was answered on the second ring. “Detective Monroe.”

Again, Zach introduced himself and provided his badge number.

“No offense, Ranger, but you understand I have to verify you are who you say you are. Let me put you on hold.”

With his grip tightening on the steering wheel, Zach waited for over three minutes before Monroe came back on the line. “How can I help you, Ranger Bass?”

When Zach mentioned Trustline, the El Paso lawman’s response was instantaneous. “Horseshit and bull feathers. Not another one?”

Zach liked the man instantly. “What do you mean, Detective?”

“We had a missing person case six months ago. A young lady … apparently a nice girl … just vanished into thin air. Her parents filed the report and claimed that Trustline had been threatening their daughter over a bad loan. I could never pin anything on the bank or tie their collection activity to the disappearance in any way.”

“What made you think the bank had anything to do with the case?”

Monroe grunted, “We found on-line posts on the victim’s social media accounts that were … err … harsh to say the least. We interviewed her co-workers, and they told us stories about collectors visiting the missing girl’s place of employment. According to several eyewitnesses, these guys got very, very nasty with her.”

Zach was seeing a pattern that would be obvious to a blind man. “When I first got you on the line, you said, ‘Not another one.’ Are you aware of other missing person cases associated with Trustline?”

“Yes, there was a woman out of Lubbock about five months before my case. I spoke with the sergeant over there a few times, and he described a similar set of circumstances with Trustline. We were both convinced that the bank had something to do with the missing women, but we couldn’t prove a damn thing. Last I heard, both files are now cold.”

Zach continued to question Monroe but learned little else. He ended the conversation with the detective’s promise to email the file.

No sooner had the ranger disconnected, than a call came in from the sergeant at the Lubbock Police Department. The story was nearly identical. Missing person. Pretty girl. Bad debt. Vigorous collection effort.

“I wouldn’t ever borrow any money from Trustline,” the sergeant stated. “Even if Mr. Carson and his bank had nothing to do with the missing women, I saw what they were doing to this girl. Brutal is the word that comes to mind. Yet, according to the experts I spoke with at the prosecutor’s officer, there was nothing illegal about their activities.”

“Thanks for the briefing,” Zach responded. “I’ll keep you in the loop if our digging uncovers anything regarding your case.”

Zach and Sam exchanged troubled glances. The predatory nature of the bank’s operation didn’t fall into the realm of the ranger’s responsibility. Normally, such cases were left to the local authorities. This case wouldn’t be the first time a loan shark set up operations disguised as a reputable banking institution.  Probably wouldn’t be the last.

Mid-level bankers had some percentage of perverts and predators, just like any other occupation. According to Monroe, the El Paso vice squad had storerooms stuffed with the files of such individuals. Banker Carson, however, had been “clean as a whistle.”

The two rangers were back to the fuzzy recording taken by Cheyenne and the mention of the word, “Mexico.”

They continued driving for some time, Zach’s exaggerated sigh signaling the ranger had formulated a course of action.

“We have to bring Chey into this,” he stated in a monotone.

“No, Zach. That’s a bad idea,” Sam protested. “We both know that if this thing gets away from us, she’ll end up like those other girls … probably resting in some shallow grave south of the border.”

“I don’t see any other choice?” he countered. “Considering how the other two cases developed, there is just no doubt this situation is going to escalate and get very nasty. Even if we don’t bring her in, she’s already vulnerable to these parasites. Plus, we’re getting nowhere on any other lead. We’ll keep an eye on her … a really close eye.”

Crossing her arms, Sam made it clear she was preparing to fight like a wildcat. “No. There has to be another way. Cheyenne has already been kidnapped once because of her ill-advised association with you. You can’t ask that girl to endanger herself again.”

Shooting his passenger an angry scowl, Zach spouted, “
Ill-advised
? Now where the hell did that come from? Besides, Chey called us – remember? If any other citizen of the republic had approached us with this situation, asking them to wear a wire to a meeting wouldn’t be completely out of bounds.”

“I don’t know about how the rangers operate, but that would be extremely rare in most law enforcement organizations. Chey called you because she trusts us. And I used the word ill-advised because obviously you are not putting her safety first. What kind of friend even thinks of such a thing?”

Zach flashed hot, and for a second, Sam thought she’d gone too far. After a few more miles, the senior ranger mumbled, “We have a unique relationship.”

Sam’s response was softer this time. “That’s none of my business. That’s between the two of you. What is my business is how we conduct this investigation, and I will not support getting Chey involved at this point. There have to be other courses of action we can take.”

“Such as?”

“We can lean on Carson … subpoena his call records. We can get a court order to audit the bank. We can put the bank’s employees under surveillance … lots of stuff.”

Zach shook his head. “Our chances of getting a court order are about the same as my being on Chico’s Christmas list. You heard Tony. Besides, going after this guy via the long road means getting Putnam involved. I thought you decided that wasn’t the best course of action right now.”

“Then let’s go talk to Carson. You can use that wonderfully persuasive personality of yours. I’ll even dress up like a stripper again if it will help.”

Again, Zach disagreed. “I’m sure the Lubbock PD and Detective Monroe worked our banker friend over reasonably well. He’s obviously a pretty cool character under pressure. All that we would accomplish is giving ourselves away, and then he’d go down a rabbit hole for months or years. As far as your dressing like a stripper … well….”

“Well, what?” Sam interjected, bracing for a full assault.

“No comment. I wish to remain silent, Officer. Exercise my Fifth Amendment right.”

“Smart man.”

“Look,” Zach started, clearly wanting to change the subject. “We should, at least, talk to Chey about this. How about we leave the decision up to her?”

Sam was skeptical, “What decision? What are you going to propose?”

“I just want her to contact Mr. Carson, set up an appointment with his client, and wear a wire. He said the mystery man was going to be in Texas. We can protect her here.”

The lady ranger didn’t like it. Not one bit. “That sounds extremely risky, Zach. Seriously. You’re going to have her meet, in person, with a potential mafia goon or cartel enforcer … a person who probably has more security than the president? What if he decides he likes Cheyenne … a lot? What if he decides just to kidnap her and tote her off south of the border?”

Zach nodded, “Yeah. I know. I don’t like it either, but there’s always a risk. Hell, that girl is in peril just driving to work in that little buzz-wagon she’s piloting. But damn it, Sam, we’ve got missing persons, a banker that’s out of control, and only one half-assed clue to solve the massacre. Besides, she asked for our help.”

Sam didn’t respond for a bit, her gaze focused out the window as Zach continued motoring down the highway. Finally, the female ranger retorted, “Okay. You win. Call her. I just pray that girl has enough sense to tell you to go jump in a lake.”

Cheyenne’s reaction didn’t surprise Zach. It did, however, disappoint Ranger Temple.

“Sounds exciting,” she stated without hesitation. “Besides, if that’s what I’ve got to do in order to get these bloodsuckers off my neck, then sign me up.”

The trio sat over cups of coffee and tea, a cloud of apprehension suspended above their corner table.

Sam’s tone turned motherly. “Don’t underestimate how dangerous this is. If Zach and I are right, Mr. Carson is in cahoots with some of the most dangerous men on gawd’s green earth. Cartel bosses have zero mercy or concern for their fellow human beings. None.”

“Ahhh … that’s very sweet of you, Samantha, but I’m a big girl. I know things could go wrong … very wrong. On the other hand, these people are going to ruin my reputation, my credit … and maybe even get me fired. If they have anything to do with those other girls disappearing, then I want to help.”

Sam’s cell phone jingled, a quick check of the caller ID creating a deep furrow across her brow. “This is my mom,” she hissed. “I’ll be right back.”

After the lady ranger had wandered out of earshot, Zach took his turn at trying to make sure Chey understood what she was getting herself into. “We don’t know where this meeting will take place. We have no idea what kind of security Mr. Carson’s client will have surrounding him. You know we’ll do everything in our power to keep you safe, but even the Texas Rangers can’t make any guarantees.”

Cheyenne giggled, brushing her hand softly along Zach’s chin and flashing the Texan a longing, seductive look. “Oh, I think I can motivate you to keep me safe, cowboy. You have to know I’m the sort of girl who would show her appreciation at being rescued from the evil villain’s clutches. Where I’m from, heroes deserve the most
intense
rewards imaginable.”

Zach shifted uncomfortably in his chair, trying to retain a professional demeanor and failing badly. “Please don’t open that gate right now,” he whispered. “It’s been a long week, and I’m trying to stay focused on business.”

With a wink, Chey removed her hand just as Samantha reappeared at the table.

“Everything okay?” Zach asked, not liking the look on his partner’s face.

“Yeah. It’s cool. Mom was watching President Clifton’s news conference from Washington. She overreacts to those things.”

Zach raised an eyebrow, an invitation for his partner to continue. Sam didn’t take him up on it, instead returning her attention to Cheyenne. “So, are you still game?”

Now the senior ranger was really worried. Sam’s entire attitude seemed to have changed since the call.