Читать книгу 1 Law 4 All - Vegas - Billy Angel - Страница 21

Jimmy answered Sugar's text, 'we're in Phoenix & should be back in time'. "That's my first text from a helicopter," Jimmy said grinning.

The helicopter flight to the outskirts of the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge went smoothly. The three exited the copter and introduced themselves to BLM's man, Chase Cartwright and Border patrol agent, Todd Wagner.

Chase looked like a pencil pusher with long skinny limbs, slicked back, dark hair and black, horn-rimmed glasses. Todd sported a healthy tan on his five foot, eight inch muscular frame. Both Chase and Todd dressed in active-wear, field clothes. Todd pointed the group in the direction of his green and white, Border Patrol, SUV.

"Thanks guys for meeting us," Sheriff Lenard said.

"Glad to be of service," Todd answered. "All the agents I know admire the work you're doing fighting illegal's and their drug trafficking. Anything we can do to help. We're here for you!"

Chase joined in, "Sanchez is a friend of mine. He's visited the Refuge several times. We both wonder what the buyers are going to do with this God forsaken, border land."

"It sure is hot and bright. Maybe they want to dry grapes into raisins!" Jimmy said trying to lighten up the conversation.

They drove southward for about forty minutes into the Refuge and stopped on a knoll overlooking the Rio Grande river. They got out and walked around, stretching their legs. With their backs to the a river bed, they admired the wide open vistas to the north.

Todd motioned the other four over to look at the ground. He pointed out what looks like cow tracks. "Smugglers," he says, pointing to the tracks leading into the U.S. "They put cow-shoes on so they won't leave footprints."

"Cow-shoes," Jimmy smiled. "I really am a city-slicker. I have no idea what cow-shoes are."

"Don't feel bad. I didn't either until my assignment here," Todd said.

Rizzo asked, "Are cow-shoes like horse shoes except for cows?"

"Don't look at me. I'm just along for the ride," Chase said.

Sheriff Lenard knew where Todd was taking this, so he played along. "Are they shoes made from cowhide?"

Todd was enjoying this. "Cow-shoes were used by Moonshiners during prohibition to disguise their footprints. A footprint trail would lead Elliot Ness and his Untouchables directly to their illegal operation. They used cow-shoes to trick the feds so they wouldn't find their country stills."

"You mean smugglers read history books dating back to the '20s?" Rizzo asked.

Jimmy heard a something whizzing by his head. Todd and Lenard saw the puff of dirt come off the ground ten feet behind and to the right side of Jimmy. Their cop instincts kicked in. "Gun fire. Duck behind the SUV."

Rizzo pulled his Glock 30S pistol as they dove. Two more puffs of dirt and the five were pinned against the SUV.

"That won't do you much good," Todd said. "Those guys have scoped, Heckler and Koch G36's compliments of our government."

"Are we talking Fast and Furious?" Jimmy asked.

Todd scornfully nodded his head, yes. "These drug cartel idiots use us for target practice. Lucky most of them jam their rifles after a few shots. We find rifles on the trails, jammed and broken all the time."

"You think we can wait them out?" Lenard asked.

"Do we have any weapons besides our hand guns?" Rizzo asked.

"Funny you should ask," Todd answered as three more rounds hit the side of the SUV. "They gave us new Barrett 50 cal Airsoft rifles with scopes and rocket bullets to test."

"Test?" Jimmy questioned.

"Yea, you know, shoot at cactus or bottles. Our captain wants us to show the politicians our marksmanship next week at the annual district shootout."

Two more bullets whistled over their heads. They looked at each other wondering when these bozos would jam their guns and leave.

Todd said, "Usually a couple of warning shots means they're clearing the way for a smuggling run. But this is getting serious." Four more bullets hit the SUV and two hit the ground to their right.

Rizzo asked Todd if he had any high-powered binoculars. Todd started to move towards the SUV door. Then Rizzo said, "While you're in there, get the Barrett, too."

Todd hesitated for a few seconds. Then six more rounds peppered the ground and the SUV. Sheriff Lenard gave Todd an ok nod feeling in rhythm with the shooter's load and shoot pattern.

Todd climbed through the SUV's back door. He pushed the Barrett and two cases towards Rizzo's position. He crawled back out and closed the door.

Rizzo turned to Jimmy and said, "Want to have some fun? You spot and I'll shoot." He handed the binoculars to him after taking a long look about with them first.

Todd, Lenard and Chase played their bureaucratic roles. They explained their jobs may be at stake with any kind of shooting incident. Jimmy said, "I'm an attorney. I will defend you for free!"

Rizzo assured Todd and the others. "I spend six months in Marine sniper school. Then decided, I didn't have the patience to wait hours, sometimes days, for the shot." He looked at Todd, "So, what's this about rocket bullets?"