“He was humbled,” I allowed. “And he has spent the past year reflecting on his life. But in no way would I characterize him as broken.”
“Who are you to him?”
“I’m the guy who ended his year of silence. I spoke with him, got him books, a radio, one hour of exercise a day, and one hour a week of sunlight.”
Alejandro’s sister blinked and her features softened. “Marco sees the sun, then.”
“Once a week now. I had to pull a lot of strings to get it done.”
“He gave you the phone number?”
“And the contact method. He wanted me to talk to you.”
Emmanuella laughed scornfully. “No, he wanted you to talk to Claudio or Salvatore or Juan. Am I right? Marco never in a million years thought it would be me, did he?”
I shook my head. “I guess he underestimated you.”
“He always has. But in just one year, Claudio has become my ex-husband, Salvatore has unfortunately died, and my reckless younger brother has sampled too many of our products.”
“There was no one else to lead, so you stepped in.”
Not boastful but matter-of-fact, Emmanuella said, “Men tried. Salvatore among them. They all failed.”
“Underestimated again.”
“Yes. Now, why did Marco send you to talk with the cartel’s new leader?”
“To warn you,” I said. “Maestro intends to destroy the cartel and your family, Emmanuella. M intends to kill you all, rub out your bloodlines completely.”
“Not if I kill him and his men first,” she said coldly.
“You know who they are?”
“I am close to knowing. They made a mistake when they challenged us on our ground.”
“What mistake was that?”
Emmanuella said nothing for a moment. “Who do you think M is, Dr. Cross?”
“Your brother thinks M is the leader of Maestro, a group dedicated to exposing corruption and ending your family business once and for all.”
“They will fail, whoever they are,” she said dismissively. “We are an infinitely funded business. Even if Maestro manages to kill every last one of us, there’s too much money to be had feeding the cravings of addicted Americans. Another cartel will rise.”
I let that slide. “How are Marco’s children? His wife?”
“Louisa is taken care of. So are his kids.”
“Two boys, thirteen and nine. Two girls, fourteen and five. You have children?”
“Three girls. Eleven, nine, and eight. Why do you ask?”
“Because they’re in Maestro’s crosshairs too. Both your brother and I believe he wishes to break you, and your children will soon be targets.”
Chapter
65
My last words angered Alejandro’s twin sister.
“Are you threatening my daughters, Dr. Cross? And Marco’s children and wife? Because you are in no position to do so. Your life is in my hands here.”
“I acknowledge that, and I am not threatening you,” I said. “I’m just stating facts that your brother wanted you to know. If M and Maestro have the chance, they will try to kill you, Louisa, and every one of the children the same way they killed General Guerra and your cousin.”
“What would Marco have us do?” she said, flinging her hands out. “Give up? Take no action?”
I took a deep breath and said, “No. Just not the kind of action you have been taking. Stop retaliating against the families of the corrupt agents Maestro exposed and killed. What benefit is there in that strategy?”
Emmanuella looked at me as if the answer were obvious. “It tells others on your side of the border wall not to talk. They know the consequences if they do.”
“But why not focus on M?”
“Believe me, I have not taken my eye off Maestro, not in the least.”
“And you’re close to identifying him? Because of something he did here in Mexico? On your home turf?”
“Why would I tell you this, Dr. Cross?”
“Because the enemy of my enemy is my ally.”
“Not in this case,” Emmanuella replied evenly. “In this case, the enemy of my enemy is also my enemy. If there were not dead U.S. agents involved, maybe you could be an ally. But there are dead U.S. agents involved, dead agents who were of great benefit to my business, so you are my enemy, Dr. Cross.”
I sighed. “Again, I don’t see it that way. Do I want corruption exposed? Yes. Do I think it’s right for vigilantes like Maestro to declare themselves police, judge, jury, and hangmen? Absolutely not. That’s why I’m here. And that’s why I will continue to hunt M and not investigate your cartel. It’s frankly not my job.”