Love's Dream Song Read Online Free PDF Page B

“One you don’t mind, no?”
    Yes, he minded. It was torture to see her and be reminded of what they had had together. “We’ll get the evidence this time.”
    “I understand.” Enrique dropped the teasing and became serious. “She may be innocent, my friend. Then you can settle the unfinished business between you.”
    If only it were true. “If she’s even remotely connected with that ring, I don’t want any part of her personally.”
    His hostile tone stopped Enrique and he swung around. “It’s been years since my sister died, Barron. You can’t live with hate forever.”
    Enrique’s words struck like a blow. He’d loved Enrique’s sister, Maria Valdez. They’d been engaged to marry. But the violence of drug smugglers had put an end to their dreams.
    He’d been at war ever since.
    “It’s more than that. Her phony attitude toward Hasteen Nez and…”
    Enrique laughed. “Excuses, my friend. You think you’re fooling me?”
    Jess eyed the dark features of the man beside him. They’d known each other since childhood. Their fathers had been business associates, trading stock across the border. Valdez would transport cattle to the feed lots, where they’d be fattened for market. With the railroad crossing through Eagle Heights Ranch, it made for a profitable exchange. In return, Valdez would take the prize stock horses that were a Barron specialty with him to Mexico.
    Their family business relationship still flourished, but it was also a cover for their collaboration on cracking dangerous drug rings that plagued both of their countries.
    Jess clapped his friend on the shoulder. “Watching O’Neill won’t be as hard on me as that blonde you tailed last spring.”
    “ Aaiii! ” Don’t remind me. She was one mean barracuda.”
    Enrique had almost lost his life in their last assignment. The blonde’s ex-boyfriend hadn’t been pleased that she was feeding information to Valdez. Especially when he observed how the blonde flirted with the lean and handsome agent.
    “Almost convinced me to turn in my resignation.” Enrique slicked back the dark hair dropping across his forehead.
    Surprised, Jess eyed his friend. It never occurred to him that Valdez might quit. “There has to be more to it.”
    “Has it occurred to you how much time we spend traveling, how little we know people—other than those in our government files? I’m getting old, compadre . I want a wife and kids.”
    “We’re only in our early thirties. You sound like we’re over the hill.” Jess kicked at the gravel underfoot and shifted his weight. He didn’t want to explore this sudden wave of edginess because it had taken seed when he’d met Autumn.
    He understood what the man was saying, but he didn’t want to hear it. Enrique was a good friend. Without him, the international task force wouldn’t be the same.
    Enrique must have sensed Jess’s discomfiture because he changed the subject back to their present case. “Have there been any more shipments?”
    “A big load hit Phoenix yesterday and they found connections to the reservation.”
    Enrique let out a long whistle as Jess rattled off the figures. “Someone’s making good use of this dig as a cover-up. Most of the law in the area is here. They could be landing planes anywhere in this expanse of country.”
    “Which gives our man—or woman—a big break.”
    “You still think O’Neill’s the likeliest candidate?”
    “So far. She’s got connections with the outside. And it seems strange that she never had contact with her Navajo relatives until a year ago. She arrives on the scene and the drugs begin to appear.”
    “Makes sense, but how about the ranger, Riker? He could be in on this.”
    “He doesn’t have the brains for it.”
    “I like that about you, Barron.” Enrique slapped Jess on the shoulder. “You never mince words. Always to the point.”
    “Come on, amigo .” Jess ignored the compliment, if indeed it was one. “We have work to do.” He