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“Three.”
Joe looked back at the man writhing in his grip. “Call them off!”
Joe let go of Juan Pablo’s throat, grabbed his shirt and shoved him forward so he could see through the door and down the alley. Joe dug the barrel of his gun into the guy’s kidney. He whimpered and arched up onto his toes to avoid it. But Joe kept Juan Pablo in place with an arm wrapped around his neck. “Tell them now. Give the order.”
“¡No puedo!”
“Why can’t you?”
Juan’s eyes rolled up to meet Joe’s. “We work for the same boss. They are his men. Not mine. We were warned that Americans were coming to take over our operation. They are here to stop you.”
“We don’t want your smuggling business. Who the hell told you this?”
“Marcus Delaney.”
Joe wanted to roar, but kept control. He should have killed that spineless bastard when he’d had the chance.
“He lied. Who did you sell the mummy to? This is the last time I ask.”
“No lo sé. Por favor. Es la verdad. Es un inglés pero no sé su nombre.”
“An Englishman with no name.” Like Joe believed that. Unfortunately, his time for wringing the information out of the dealer was over. “Bet you have contact details or bank details or something on the guy.”
“Sí, sí, todo está en la computadora.”
“You got his computer?” Joe asked Julia. “He says the info is on there.”
“I have everything,” Julia said.
“Is there a back way out of this place?” Joe shook Juan Pablo.
“No, señor, sólo la puerta principal.” He pointed a shaky hand to the store’s only door.
Joe cur
sed as he lifted his gun hand. With a sharp downward strike, he knocked the Bolivian out. He didn’t bother to soften his fall. As soon as Juan Pablo crumpled to the floor, Joe stepped over him and went to stand with Ed.
“We’ve got two minutes at best,” Ed whispered. “Less when they spot their colleagues.”
“There’s no back way out.”
Ed stiffened. “Then we’re gonna have to hit first.”
Joe felt a tug at his shirt and turned to find Julia staring at him. “What is it, baby?”
“We can go up.” She pointed to the rusted ladder halfway up the wall at the end of the alley beside the cluttered exterior of the shop. It was bolted to the brick. An abandoned fire escape for the buildings crowding in on them.
“Four men,” Ed said from the doorway. “Make that five. Seven when the guys we knocked out come around.”
Joe ran a hand through his hair. He’d never get the women past that many men. He looked at the ladder. He wasn’t even sure it would hold their weight.
A voice rang out. The unconscious men had been spotted.
“Time’s up.” Joe scoured the store. They needed a diversion and they needed it fast.
Joe’s eyes hit on some supplies near the door.
“Ed,” he called. “It’s time to go MacGyver on their asses.” He pointed at the stock. Ed followed his gaze and smiled.
