Abducted:Reconnaissance Team (Texas Rangers: Special Ops) by Tarah Scott, Evan Trevane

woken with morning sunshine pouring into the room to find him seated next to her hospital bed. “Liz was kidnapped,” he said. “ She’s the victim.” 
    “That’s right,” the captain replied. “And we’ve already communicated that to the Mexican government. However, I wanted to make you aware of the warrant.” 
    “This is ludicrous,” Liz said. “I know Mr. Sanchez is a powerful criminal, but how did he get the police to issue a warrant for my arrest? There’s just too much proof to the contrary.” 
    “Not the police,” Captain Medina said. “We know the chief of police, Ramon Loyola. He’s a good man and isn’t connected with the charges. The warrant was issued by the Juarez district attorney. Keep in mind, at this point, it’s not as much about the evidence as it is your word against theirs.” 
    Her heart thudded. “Are you saying there’s a chance I might actually go to prison?”  
    The captain shook his head. “No, ma’am. The Mexican authorities can’t enter the US and arrest you. The Juarez district attorney would have to initiate an extradition order, which would detail the evidence against you. The US district attorney would then have to find that the evidence held water. That’s not going to happen. All this warrant means is that you can’t return to Mexico. But taking you to court isn’t what the warrant is about. This is a strategic move on Sanchez’s part. He’s going to figure that you told us that he ordered Ben to kill you and that’s got him worried. So, if he throws mud first, that’ll make you and Ben the criminals, which casts doubt on your statements.”  
    Liz’s head whirled. “I don’t understand. Adam—Mr. Hunter—said the man is a notorious human trafficker. Isn’t he a wanted criminal?” 
    “He is, and we believe that if we can lay our hands on him, we can put him in jail. His discussion with Ben concerning your murder is solid evidence.”
    She didn’t like the words ‘we believe,’ but released a slow breath, then said, “Of course I’ll testify.” 
    Captain Medina’s expression hardened. “He’s not getting away from us, Ms. Monahan.”  
    “So this Sanchez is sending Liz a message,” Richard said.
    “That’s right.” 
    She snorted. ”What message, I want to kill you? I already know that.” 
    “Yeah,” the Captain replied. “But I want to kill you isn’t the same as I am powerful enough to kill you . That’s a message that would scare anybody, and people who are scared make mistakes.” 
    She frowned. “What kind of mistakes?” 
    “Running,” he answered. “That would put you out in the open.” 
    Fear tightened her stomach. “Is it possible he knows I’m here, in the hospital?” 
    He gave her a reassuring smile. “I talked with admissions. You’re listed as Cheryl Jones.” 
    “And we moved you to a different hotel,” Richard said. Liz jerked her gaze onto Richard. “Per the captain’s suggestion,” he said. “Brenda packed your things.” 
    Liz looked at Captain Medina. “Things are that bad?” 
    “I read Ranger Hunter’s report. He says the Remmeys introduced him to Sanchez. Sanchez is going to figure they doubled-crossed him. Moving you to another hotel allows them to tell him where you were staying. That keeps Sanchez thinking they’re giving him honest information. There is a method to our madness. Trust us on this one.” 
    “Am I Cheryl Jones at the new hotel?” 
    “No ma’am. Debbie Adams. It’s best Cheryl Jones doesn’t leave a trail.” 
    “Is Mr. Sanchez really that powerful?” she asked.
    “We estimate Sanchez’s organization to be worth about twenty million dollars.” 
    Liz gasped in unison with Richard’s, “My God.” 
    “He owns many law enforcement officers in Mexico,” the captain said. “I can assure you, that’s not the case here. But we’ve never had a bona fide run in with him before, so we can’t know who he might have on the payroll.” 
    Liz