Samuel, the senior marshal, hesitated for a moment before responding, "We do have some resources—after all, there are inmates in federal custody with connections to the Zapotec cartel. But mapping out their entire local drug network in a short time is going to be difficult."
Jack noticed Samuel was tempted by the plan and decided to give him another push. He had already made some arrangements before the Marshals arrived, including enlisting additional help.
"This is Special Agent Jane Banner's contact info. She's on a Gulfstream right now," Jack said, glancing at his watch. "She should land within half an hour."
Jane Banner had been doing well at the Austin FBI office, where Jack had introduced her to Texas Ranger Walker. Their joint operations had been highly effective in combating both illegal immigration and drug smuggling. Initially, Jack had reached out to Banner just to gather intel on Maldonado and the Zapotec cartel. However, she had more resources than expected. The detailed drug trafficking route Jack described earlier had come directly from her. Recently, the Austin office had collaborated with the Rangers to dismantle the "Northern Nation" gang (Chapter 154), a key partner of the cartel.
Eager to help capture Maldonado, Banner had insisted on joining the operation. Since a Gulfstream was still stationed in Austin after another mission, Jack had sent it to pick her up. He figured it was justified as part of the job—New York's office would cover the fuel costs anyway.
Jack's initial plan was to have Banner lead a local sweep of the cartel's network. But with the Marshals' task force now present, manpower wouldn't be an issue. He looked at Samuel's eager team and offered a strategic suggestion.
"Finding a secure drug processing site will be tough. Those are usually hidden well. However, distribution points, which involve more people, might be easier to locate. Maldonado holds a high position within the cartel. Even while in prison, he maintained control over the group. After his escape, he'll need to reconnect with his subordinates for protection. A well-staffed distribution site would be his best bet.
"Since he's been incarcerated for three or four years, he probably doesn't know the current contact details for lower-level operatives. He'll have to seek them out personally, and that's where we can catch him."
Samuel's face lit up with understanding. He gestured to his men to get ready and gave Jack a knowing glance. "That DEA agent, Galeson, found us first before we came here together."
Jack nodded slightly, understanding the subtle gesture of goodwill. He even helped smooth things over by saying, "Well, he's working solo, so he's doing his best."
Samuel chuckled, shaking Jack's hand before gathering his team and heading out to meet Banner's plane.
When Jack returned to the temporary command center, he saw Galeson standing silently in front of the evidence board Jubal had prepared. The young agent seemed deep in thought, staring at photos of Maldonado and Simic. Both fugitives had distinctly Latino features, though Simic's appearance leaned more toward African American.
Maldonado was 60 years old with graying hair but relatively few wrinkles. However, his face was marked by scars and pockmarks, with a prominent black mole near his nose and sharp, intimidating eyes. His long, angular face had rounded slightly with age, giving him a rugged, almost stereotypical drug lord appearance.
Simic, on the other hand, had the typical features of an African American—broad nose, thick lips, and dark skin. The only physical similarity between the two was their messy mustaches.
With his forensic training, Jack quickly determined that the two shared no close familial ties. Seeing Galeson lost in thought, Jack asked casually, "Has the DEA found any connection between them? Why would Simic throw away his entire life to help Maldonado—going so far as to kill his own wife?"
"Huh?" Galeson jolted, startled by the question. "Uh, no. We investigated but found no evidence of any connection to the cartel."
Weird, Jack thought, noting the agent's nervous behavior. Before he could press further, Alice entered the office, slightly out of breath.
"I've got the coordinates from the helicopter's navigation system. It's a small airfield near Scranton. They probably prepared a second plane there," she reported.
Jack checked the map and quickly called Aubrey and JJ, who were already on their way back from Simic's house and were closest to the location. "Head to Scranton and meet us at the airfield. We might catch whoever's behind this escape plan."
Jack then turned to Galeson and motioned for him to follow. As they reached the door, the prison warden hurried over with urgent news.
"State police found Miller Rontree and his wife dead at their home. Their silver Nissan SUV is missing," she said, visibly shaken.
"Who's Miller Rontree?" Galeson asked, confused.
Jack's eyes narrowed, a theory forming in his mind. Without answering, he gave instructions. "Have the state police lock down the airfield. Go meet Aubrey and JJ. Find that plane. I'm going to check the scene myself."
Leaving the puzzled DEA agent behind, Jack grabbed Captain Roland from the state police tactical unit. The two quickly boarded a Suburban and sped toward Rontree's house. On the way, Roland called his officers on-site, instructing them to secure the area. Meanwhile, Jack called Jubal at the prison to update him.
After explaining the situation, Jack said, "Rontree's house is near the crash site. I think Simic and Maldonado went there to change clothes and steal a vehicle. It would've been a logical stop since Simic knew Rontree."
Jubal confirmed that the interrogation of the prison guards had revealed some useful information. "Apparently, Simic and Rontree were close. Their families even spent last year's Fourth of July together."
Jack frowned. The thought was chilling: Simic had not only murdered his own wife but also led Maldonado to kill his closest colleague and his colleague's family. What kind of twisted person does that?
(End of Chapter)
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