Page 77 of Shadow Redemption
With a nod, Ben answered the call. “It’s Ben. You’re on speaker with Shadow.”
“Enjoying the weather in sunny Mexico?”
“Sure, if you call roasting in the sun while listening to a photographer with an ego the size of New York yell and scream at models fun,” Trace drawled.
The tech wizard chuckled.
“What do you have, Z?” Nico asked.
“Bridget ran the plates Ben gave us. The car is a late-model Lexus registered to Maria Gutierrez.”
Ben frowned. “That’s equivalent to Jane Smith in the US. There must be thousands of women by that name.”
“This Ms. Gutierrez is 80 years old with no family. Never married, either.”
His heart sank. “Let me guess. The lady reported her car as stolen?”
“You got it. She lives outside Juarez.”
Nico’s expression grew grim. “Juarez is three hours from here.”
Ben’s hand fisted. “Is Juarez in the area where you’re looking for Davidson?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“No question, then?” Nico asked Zane.
“None.”
“What about the driver?” Standing by the French door, Joe glanced over his shoulder. “Were you able to ID him, Zane?”
“His name is Ernest Gorman. Goes by Ernie.”
“He’s American?” Trace frowned.
“From Texas.”
“What’s he doing in Mexico?” Nico folded his arms across his chest.
“The last anyone knew, Ernie was still in Texas. He went off the grid six months ago when he hooked up with a religious cult.”
Would his past never die? Davidson and his cronies were honing in on Ruth, looking for a way to use her to hurt him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Ruth glanced at her reflection in the mirror. A shower and fresh clothes couldn’t eliminate her obvious fatigue. Great way to impress the man you loved. She needed several hours of uninterrupted sleep, but first came food. Her lunch salad was long gone. As many calories as Ben and the others burned on a regular basis, they must be starving.
She grabbed her purse, opened the door and walked into the living room. Members of Shadow turned with smiles or nods, but she didn’t see Ben. Did he leave?
“Feel better?” Trace asked.
“I do. Where’s Ben?”
He inclined his head toward the balcony.
Ben stood at the railing, staring into the darkening twilight with his hands braced on the flat surface. His body language indicated distress. “What happened?”
“Zane called.” Nico pinned her with his gaze. “His news wasn’t what Ben wanted to hear.”