“Not exactly. The client described you in detail. Even had a sketch of your face. Of course, Carpio recognized you. Carpio went to your father to try to contact you, and as you gave your father my address for emergencies, he gave it to Carpio.”

“But you don’t know who the client is?” Conner insisted

Rio shook his head. “Carpio didn’t want to identify him.”

“I don’t like this,” Felipe said, clearly uneasy. “We should walk.”

“I thought that at first,” Rio said, “but Carpio appeared to be a man of his word, and he vouched for the client. I investigated everything he said before I called in the team, and Imelda Cortez’s men did in fact kidnap seven children. Your father sent you your mother’s pelt. I agree we have to be careful. Carpio is supposed to bring the client to us here. They should be here soon. Felipe and Leonardo, you can wait outside. Elijah, to the back. Let them through and then check the back trail to make certain they weren’t followed or haven’t left anyone waiting to ambush us.”

Conner shook his head. “We’ve made it a policy to know who we’re working with. No exceptions. Why all the secrecy?”

“Adan said the client wanted to talk to us in person. If at that point we aren’t satisfied, then we can give back the retainer minus our expenses and walk.”

“And you believed him?” Felipe said. “It’s a setup. It has to be. They have a description of Conner, but not his identity? Come on, Rio, someone’s looking to kill him. They drew him out and you’re hanging him out on the line for them to do their best.”

“I don’t think so,” Rio disagreed. “Adan Carpio was not lying to me. I can smell lies.”

“Then they’re using him. Whoever it is, the client found the connection between Carpio and Conner and used it to draw him out.” Felipe sounded disgusted. “We need to get him under cover. Now.”

Rio glanced at his watch. “They’ll be here soon, Conner. All of you can stay out of sight while I interview them.”

Conner shook his head. “I’ll stay with you. If it’s just two of them, we can kill them if we have to. Anyone following in the forest the others can handle. I’m not leaving you exposed with no backup. Someone wants me, let them come for me.”

Felipe shook his head. “I’ll stay with Rio, Conner.”

Conner pinned him with a steady, focused gaze. “My leopard is close to the surface, Felipe. I’m edgy anyway. My reflexes are going to be fast and instinctive. I appreciate that you’d take the risk for me, but it’s my risk and my cat’s ready for a fight.”

Felipe shrugged. “We’ll let you know if there’s anyone on the back trail.”