The Law and Dan Mesa by Dan Sears Read Free Book Online Page A

as I said to Mr. Williamson, I really don’t know anything about you.”
    Dan turns toward Scott and smiles meekly.
    “Okay, buddy,” he says, “what you want to know?”
    Scott looks at him and smiles, saying, “Go to hell.”
    Suddenly, the tension eases.
    “Dan,” Nadia says, “at that rest stop when they attacked, weren’t you afraid? I watched you, and every move you made was as if you had rehearsed everything ahead of time. Son, you are not ten feet tall and bulletproof. You’ve been shot once, and from what you told me, there is a lady in Yuma who was shot and almost killed in your presence. How do you do what you do? Has life made you so hard? I love you like you are my son, and Jonathan feels the same, but we find that we don’t know you at all.”
    Jonathan is watching Mesa as Nadia speaks and sees how each word is like a lightning bolt to his soul. He knows the pain Dan Mesa is feeling. He knows it quite well, having been there himself, but that is another story.
    “Mom, I am a ranger. That is who I am and what I am. I am good at what I do, and I like what I do. I don’t intentionally make myself a target. I want to live to be an old man and to see Devlin have children. I love that boy dearly, and I don’t plan to get myself killed. You and Dad are my responsibility, and I won’t let anyone hurt you. Ranson is my responsibility, and I plan to get him to Tucson in one piece. Speaking of Tucson, I should call Captain Johnson and let him know what happened.”
     
    The phone rings at ranger headquarters in Nogales.
    “Ranger Headquarters, Sergeant Savalas speaking.”
    “Savalas, Mesa here. May I speak to the captain?”
    Savalas sticks his head in at the captain’s door and says, “Sir, Sergeant Mesa is on the phone and wants to speak to you.”
    Captain Johnson takes the phone and says, “Dan, how are things and where are you?”
    “Sir, we are heading west on I-40 in Texarkana, Arkansas. We stopped at a rest stop and were attacked by what I assume to be assassins sent by Carlos Meana. We are unhurt, but there is a traitor in the rangers either there in Nogales or at the colonel’s office in Tucson. How else would they know what direction we are going and what highway we are taking? I am afraid I had to use some deadly force on the attackers. One was killed; the others are only banged up.”
    “Sergeant, do whatever you have to do to protect the prisoner and yourself. I will notify the colonel, and he can notify the Arkansas state police. I know we ask a lot of you, Sergeant Mesa, and this one is above and beyond. I want you to know that it is appreciated. Oh yes, the colonel sent down a commendation for the work you did in apprehending Jackson. Call me at home later on tonight and tell me what route you are taking.”
    “Thanks, captain,” Mesa says. “Sir, have you heard anything from Sonia?”
    “No, Dan, nothing of late.”
    “Thanks, sir.”
     
    When Dan terminates the call, he turns to Jonathan and says, “Dad, when we get to Dallas, we are going to change directions. We will take I-35 south to San Antonio and then take I-10 west to Tucson.”
    “Son, about this traitor in your organization, do you have any idea who it may be?”
    “Dad, I know everyone in Nogales; I don’t believe the leak is there. I believe it is in Tucson at the colonel’s office. The person who is leaking the information has to have access to everything we do. I will call Captain Johnson tonight and bounce it off of him.”
     
    In Amado, Sonia is preparing for work when the phone rings. It is Captain Johnson.
    “Hello, Miss Perdenales, this is Captain Johnson of the rangers calling. How are you doing?”
    “Captain, I am well, and I hope all is well with you. Has something happened to Dan?”
    “No, Dan is okay. He is on assignment to Virginia and should be returning within a few days. He asked me if I had heard from you. He still cares about you, you know.”
    Sonia works to regain her composure and