They entered and were pointed to two chairs off to the side. Frank was sitting behind his desk, and Oscar was in another chair, facing the two Agents. A third man was relaxed in another chair. It was the Attorney they saw getting out of the helicopter.
Hunter whispered to Raymond, “He travels fast, doesn’t he?”
Raymond hid a grin with his hand.
“Something funny?” Frank said.
“No sir. Nothing at all.”
“Agent Kincaid, Agent Flores, this is James Goldstein, attorney for the Harts.”
Hunter checked him out closer. He had salt and pepper hair, a South Florida tan, an immaculate Armani suit, top of the line. His shoes gleamed like mirrors.
Hunter thought she’d see if he had a sense of humor, so she stuck out her hand to shake and said, “Nice to meet you, Jimmy.”
Frank looked like he swallowed a golf ball.
Goldstein was quick, and shook her hand, “So, you’re the one,” He said.
Raymond said, “One, what?”
Oscar butted in, “How about we get to business here.” His eyes twinkled for a second when he glanced at Hunter, but then went all business.
Goldstein said, “Very well. Agents of the Border Patrol have been captured on security video and on game cameras situated on the Hart ranch properties. Mr. Hart is concerned about this, especially since he showed you, Agent Kincaid, and your partner, Mr. Flores such courtesies recently. For that reason, I have asked your Chief Patrol Agent to reprimand you both, and to ensure it doesn’t happen in the future.”
Raymond said, “That part of the ranch is within twenty-five miles of the border.”
Goldstein said, “I know, and the Supreme Court decision of Taylor vs. Fine allows you to go there without a warrant, but let me remind you, that is for the purpose of apprehending undocumented immigrants, not for snooping, and the videos clearly show you were not hunting for undocumented immigrants.”
Before Hunter could talk, Frank said, “You two are officially reprimanded, with three days off without pay starting tomorrow. You will stay off the Hart property unless given permission to enter. Is that clear? This is from the Chief.”
Raymond was mad, “Clear.”
Frank looked at Hunter, “Clear?”
“What if, oh, some cartel assassins come over and are on the Hart ranch and we know they’re there because of one of our airplanes, and they are hunting Mr. Hart to kill him and the secretary, and the cook. Do we still have to call for permission to go on the ranch? That wouldn’t be hunting undocumented immigrants, but more like snooping or something. We want to do the right thing here.”
A vein in Frank’s temple pulsed as his face reddened.
James Goldstein said, “In that case, Agent Kincaid, you have the Hart family’s permission to come in and save them.” He gave her a quick wink.
Hunter liked this guy.
Goldstein said, “If there is nothing else, I will be going.”
Hunter said, “See ya.”
Frank walked him out as Oscar said in a whisper, “You and Hunter get the heck out of here while I cool him down. He’s about to have a stroke.”
Raymond led the way and they made it down the hall and out the building before Frank returned.
Hunter said, “Let’s go to the hospital and check on Adan. We need to finish the paperwork on him anyway.”
Raymond drove, “How do you think he’s doing?”
“I talked to one of the nurses earlier, she said he’s bouncing back fast, and from serious hurt. She said ‘That boy is tough as rawhide.’”
“I’m glad he’s not dead. He was this close.” He held his thumb and forefinger a quarter-inch apart.