The Cartel Enforcers (The Bill Dix Detective Series Book 2) by C.L. Swinney Page A

Pedro was somehow involved and needed to die. Nevertheless, he was smart enough to know he should not mention killing Pedro to El Hefe.
    He nodded and looked at El Hefe. “Ok. I understand what needs to be done. I will begin working people close to the warehouse, develop a plan, execute the plan, and get your money back.” As he made the statement, he was not entirely sure how this would actually get done, but he was pretty sure he needed to make it happen or it would be his head on the next silver platter.
     
     

 
    Chapter 14
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    Dix asked Sullivan for lunch suggestions. She picked out a little burger shop not too far from the office that was superb. It was an old trick Dix had learned many years ago, if you keep people fed, they tend to be much happier and work better. However, the body language Dix picked up between Sullivan and Romero was obviously going to be a problem. Instead of beating around the bush, Dix decided to nip the problem now.
    “Listen you two, there’s obviously a problem between you. You want to put it on the table now?” Dix anticipated the issue being large and personal and felt this might not work. He nibbled on his fingernails waiting for one of them to answer. However, Sullivan and Romero just looked at each other and said nothing.
    Dix continued, “Ok, Petersen and I are lead on this. If you two don’t want to hash this out right now, I’ll call the brass and you both will get removed, simple as that.” Dix was sure this would get the conversation going, he noticed Petersen point at his fingers and he quickly stopped chewing his nails and was slightly embarrassed.
    Sullivan said, “I can remain professional and do a good job. Romero and I were engaged, but he decided to have sex with one of the District Attorney’s down town a month before we got married.”
    Dix was not prepared for her comments and actually wasn’t quite sure what to say next.
    He was saved as Romero replied, “I totally deserved that. She’s right fellas, I messed up big time.” Romero looked over toward Sullivan, “I never got over how I hurt her and how I ruined the best thing that ever happened to me.”
    Petersen looked over at Dix and gave him the what-the-hell-are-you-doing look. Dix was actually thinking the same thing. Skeletons like these needed to be treated delicately or all types of fallout could be expected.
    A tinge of jealousy forced Petersen to comment. “You two obviously have a rough past. If you think you can move past it to deal with this case, you’re both in. If not, grab your stuff and leave. We won’t have any hard feelings.” He really hoped Sullivan would stay. He was intrigued by her and wanted to learn more about her.
    Sullivan looked at Romero and they both looked at Dix and Petersen and said, “We’re in.”
    Dix chuckled. “Ok, we have work to do. Romero, you come with me to check out what we can see at Pedro’s hospital room. Steve, you and Sullivan get with the local cartel experts and see if they can point us in the right direction as to whom they think is calling the shots.” Dix had a feeling he and his team were headed for a very long day.
    The group split up and headed out to their cars. Romero said he needed to make a call prior to leaving.
    “I’m going to use the head real quick, I’ll be right out.”
    “Don’t get lost in there,” replied Dix.
    Romero made his way to the restroom and ensured everyone was out of the room before calling Jose Calderon.
    Calderon felt his cell phone vibrating in his pocket as he crossed back into the United States. He retrieved it and noticed it was Romero.
    Calderon entered the pass code on the phone and answered, “What’s the update?”
    “I’m assigned to a small team trying to figure out who keeps trying to kill Pedro. The two guys helping with the case are better than most cops. We may have to deal with them as well as killing Pedro.”
    After digesting the statement, Calderon said, “The hit on Pedro is off