"It's possible. He's being very quiet."

"Tell me about Gomez. He's Chavez's number one man?"

"If Chavez has such a thing. He likes to be totally in control. Gomez was a hit man in Caracas for four years before Chavez picked him up. He's not a genius, but he's canny and he has a healthy respect for Chavez. Chavez would like that. He doesn't tolerate rivals."

"Let me know if Gomez surfaces." Galen hungup. He didn't like the feel of this. Forbes had hoped Chavez would come running after Elena and her son, but sending a competent underling made much more sense to Galen.

Not his business. Call Forbes and warn him and then sit back and forget about it.

He flipped open his phone and dialed the directory. He was halfway through the dial when he hung up. What could he tell him? That his trap was going to be sprung by the wrong man? He didn't even know if Gomez was in the country. Manero hadn't been able to pin him down.

For all he knew, Gomez could be sitting fat and sassy somewhere in Colombia, not heading for that vineyard and Elena Kyler and her son.

There was a full moon shining over the hills. Elena leaned against the wall of the courtyard and took a deep breath of the fragrant night air. It smelled different from Colombia. Not damp or tropical or any of the things to which she was accustomed.

"Is the boy asleep?" Forbes had stopped beside her.

"Probably. Dominic is with him."

"And I take it you're not out here enjoying the scenery?"

"Actually, I am enjoying it. I was thinking it was different from Colombia."

"But you don't come out every evening to savor the differences. You go over this place like a sentry on duty."

"Habits die hard. I was a soldier from the time I was twelve. I didn't know any other life."

"Strange life."

"Galen wouldn't think so." Why had the thought of Galen popped into her mind? "You mean because I'm a woman? There were quite a few women in the rebel army. You have women in your army here in the States."

"But we poor males are still struggling to keep them away from the front lines." He paused. "And we don't send children to fight."

She shrugged. "It's all about what you become accustomed to." She looked back at the house. "You're disappointed, aren't you? You thought Chavez would be here by now."

"I hoped he would be."

"Perhaps he's on his way."

"No, my informants say he's still in Colombia."

"Then maybe you think I lied to you."

"No." He paused. "But you may have overestimated Chavez's reaction to you taking his son."

"That's one thing I didn't do. He'll come for Barry. It's only a matter of time." Her hands clenched. "Though I didn't think it would be this long either."

"You are so sure he'll find you?"

"Of course. There are too many ways he can get to people. Drugs, money. He'll find me."

"Then I suppose I should be flattered by your trust in my ability to keep you safe," he said ironically.

"I needed whatever help I could get. It's better to have you and a DEA team than to be on my own. The odds are stacked too high against me. I have to put an end to Chavez. I don't want to live like this, staking Barry out like a sacrificial lamb."

"I'd say you're the sacrifice. You stole the kid." He held up his hand. "I mean in Chavez's eyes."

"That's exactly how Chavez will see it. Which is why he'll come."

He hesitated. "I don't know how long I can keep a protective watch on you without proof there's need."

She stiffened. "You're going to leave me alone?"

"Not if I can persuade my superiors that we have a valid chance of catching Chavez."

"But you doubt that they'll go along with you."

"I'll do my best."

She had known this might happen, but she hadn't thought it would come this soon. Get over the shock. Think of a way to survive. "Will you still get false ID for Dominic, Barry, and me?"

Another hesitation. "I'm a federal officer and you're in this country illegally."

"And the deal is off if Chavez doesn't come calling." She lifted her chin. "I understand."

He stared at her for a moment and then muttered an oath. "You'll get your ID. Just don't tell me where you're going to go." He started to turn away. "But we won't worry about that yet. I'll see if I can buy more time. Coming in?"

"Not yet. I have to do some thinking."

"I guess you do. Sorry."

"Forbes."

He looked back at her.

"Thank you. You're a fine man. I won't forget you helping me."

He shrugged. "I like the kid. I don't want Chavez to get hold of him."

"He won't."

He smiled and strode back into the house.

He was a decent man and probably sticking his neck out for her. If bureaucracy worked here in the U.S. as it did in Colombia, the government would generally tie hands and punish initiative. The DEA was not going to help her. But, dammit, she'd had no one else to turn to. Chavez was in control of a massive operation, and people weren't standing in line to help a woman Chavez wanted dead.

Well, she was better off than she had been a few weeks ago. She was in the United States and soon she would have fake ID. She couldn't count on them catching Chavez, so she would have to go on the run. She was alone, but she was used to being alone.

What about Dominic? She had brought him here because she thought he'd be safer. Now he was as exposed and vulnerable as she. He would be better off away from her.

But then she would never be sure if Chavez was tracking him. Another problem.

Damn Chavez to hell. Even by staying his hand and doing nothing he'd managed to create torment.

"Chavez is still at the compound. The Delgados are paying a return visit to him. He gave a party for the Brothers Grimm and their wives three days ago," Manero said. "Gomez did not attend."

"Then where the hell is he?" Galen asked.

"No word."

No word. The answer repeated in Galen's mind after he hung up.

Manero was a good man and his sources were excellent. If he couldn't unearth information about Gomez, it meant that Gomez was planning something and was making sure no one got wind of it.

What was he up to? Where was he?

The immediate grounds were secure. Now for the fermenting room.

Bill Carbonari was standing at the rear door of the house when she rounded the corner. "It's okay, Ms. Kyler. I checked it." He smiled. "What am I saying? You'll do it anyway."

"No offense."

"None taken." She could feel his gaze on her back as she walked down the path toward the fermenting shed. Carbonari appeared fairly alert and he was pleasant enough. She could sense a little resentment in the other three agents. She supposed it was a blow to their self-esteem that she didn't trust them.

She swung her flashlight from side to side as she walked lown the aisle between the huge vats.

Nothing.

Nothing but the wooden cylinders and the sound of her own footsteps.

She stopped short, her gaze on the darkness behind the last vat. She had caught sight of something out of the corner of her eye.

Something gleaming, metal.

Shit.

Aluminum ladder.

There hadn't been any ladder in this room since that first night when she'd asked Forbes to check the vats.

There was one now, propped against the last vat.