That was more than likely. Cav knew it was the dry season in Costa Rica, but in the rainy season La Fortuna must turn into a mud pit. There was no greenery on these slopes to stop the erosion of the soil from filtering into the town. He saw cars and dust eddies on certain streets of the town as they approached it.
Tanner called in on Cav’s earpiece, directing everyone to follow his lead to the location of the burned-out school. They made a turn, heading down the center of town, which surprisingly featured an asphalt road.
“We’re going to the school,” Lia told him, clearing her throat, her voice still thick and drowsy.
Cav glanced over at her. “Are you awake enough to talk a bit?”
“Sure.”
“Part of a PSD is getting the client to trust the contractor.” He gave her a warm look. “That’s me and you. When we stop, you don’t just automatically get out of the vehicle. I’ll look around first and make sure things are okay. Then, I’ll get out, walk around the van and check things out further. Only then will I come over and open the door for you. Agreed, Lia?”
“Okay,” she said.
“If I ever tell you, ‘Down,’ I need you to hit the deck instantly. Don’t question me. And when you do, I’ll be stepping in front of you and aiming myself at whatever the threat is. Don’t get up or do anything unless I instruct you. Okay?” Cav drilled her with an intense look.
Swallowing hard, Lia nodded. “You’re putting yourself between me and a potential knife or bullet?” She didn’t want to hurt Cav for any reason. Yet, she knew he’d been hurt. It was there in his strong, lined face, with that harsh presence reflected behind his penetrating hazel eyes.
He shrugged. “That’s why we get paid the big bucks. Don’t worry, okay? I’m not intending to sacrifice you or me if it comes to a threat. What I need to know is that you’ll follow my orders instantly and not question me. I can’t have you hesitate. You move as fast as you can, all right?”
In response, she began, “The night Medina’s men hit here…” and gestured toward a huge, burned out building standing in deep black and gray rubble.
“Yes?” he waited expectantly.
“I heard the gunfire and I ran. My house has two exits and I took the back door and ran as hard and fast as I could for the jungle.”
Cav slowed the van as Tanner’s SUV came to a halt in front of them. He saw the jungle about a hundred yards away from the school. “Did you ever see their faces?”
She shook her head, feeling that old fear rise up within her. “No, I just heard the roar of the fire and men’s voice yelling at one another. I saw some shadows but that’s all…”
“It’s a long sprint to that wall of jungle,” Cav said, calculating the distance from the house.
“And I never thought I’d make it,” she acknowledged. “I was expecting to take slugs in my back every minute.” Her voice quavered a bit as the painful memories resurfaced.
He heard her terror, but his eyes were on Tanner and his men, who were dismounting from the SUV. They would first do a walk-around while everyone remained in their vehicles. Lia’s gray eyes had grown dark as she stared at the destroyed school, and he wanted to slide his arms around her hunched shoulders. If only he could.
“But you made it to the jungle,” he said firmly. “What did you do then?”
Lia didn’t answer. She wiped her brow, trying to will away the headache behind her eyes as she watched the four men armed with M4 rifles move with silent precision around the area, looking for a threat. She saw none.
The school and their three small homes sat on a dirt plain close to the jungle wall. One could see someone approach from a half mile away in three directions, and she wondered if Medina’s men had come out of the jungle instead.
Cav watched Tanner and his men while he listened to their short, abrupt conversations. The group thoroughly scouted the area, with Tanner standing a head taller than the others.
“This place is so open that I think Medina and his men came out of the jungle,” Cav told her. “That way, they could do the damage, fade away, and never be seen.”
“That’s what I think, too,” Lia said hollowly, watching Tanner order his men to the three small stucco homes surrounding the burned-out school. She was impressed with the way they approached each house, opened the door and then disappeared inside. She didn’t like them inside her home, but she understood they were clearing it, just in case.
Still, her small home was her womb, her safe place. But five nights ago, it hadn’t been safe at all. She lifted her chin and met Cav’s warm gaze on her. “I’m glad you’re here,” Lia said, her statement taking him by surprise.