The water was warm.
It was after midnight, and they were naked. They were not the only naked men crossing the river that night-the moonlight illuminated the river and the human beings holding their possessions aloft as they waded across-but they were the only naked men heading south into Mexico.
"Governor," Jesse said, "I am willing to die to save her. Are you?"
"She's my wife."
"I did not ask if she were your wife. I asked if you are willing to die for her."
"Yes. I'm willing to die to save her."
"Good."
"Why's that good?"
"Because we are going to."
"Save her or die trying?"
"Both."
"I can live with that."
The doctor chuckled. "I like you, Governor."
"Oh, that's swell. Now I can die a happy man."
"Happy or sad, it is of no consequence. You will die, and I will die with you. But she will live."
"You love her that much?"
"I do."
"Does she love you?"
"I hope."
"I should probably be mad about that."
"Be mad later, after we save her."
"You just said we're gonna die."
"Oh. Yes, that is true."
They had waited until midnight and then driven to town and to the river. Directly across the water, only one hundred fifty feet away, a large white structure rose tall above the river.
"That is El Diablo's headquarters and home," the doctor said.
"So everyone knows where to find him?"
"Oh, sure."
"Why doesn't the Mexican government take him down?"
"Because he is beloved in Nuevo Laredo, as you are in Texas."
"I'm just a politician."
"You give the people what they want, as he does."
They crossed downriver of the white compound. They arrived at the other side of the river, and Bode tossed the duffel onto the bank. They climbed out of the Rio Grande and stepped onto Mexican soil. They dried off then got dressed. Bode opened the "tan in a can" and smeared the cream on his face.
"A large Anglo might attract attention on this side of the river," the doctor had said.
Bode pulled a knit cap over his blond hair then put on a hunting coat with big pockets. He loaded the spare ammo in his pockets, stuck one six-shooter in his waistband and handed the other to the doctor, and secured the Derringer to his right wrist with a rubber band. He slung the dangerous game rifle over his shoulder.
"Probably won't get a second glance in Nuevo Laredo."
The doctor held the gun as if it were a contagious disease.
"And do you know how to use these weapons, Governor?"
"I do."
The doctor stared at the pistol in his hands. "I have treated many gunshot victims, but I have never before shot a gun."
"Well, Doc, you're fixin' to make some victims tonight."
They sat quietly for a moment. Bode knew that his forty-seven-year career called life had come down to this one big play: saving his wife.
"Harvard Med School did not prepare me for this," the doctor said.
"Nothing prepares a man to die."
They stood and climbed the embankment, fighting their way through thick juniper and brush. They broke through to a four-lane east-west roadway, then quickly ducked back into the brush as cars sped past.
" Bulevar Luis Donaldo Colosio," the doctor said. "It leads directly to El Diablo's compound."
"Let's go."
"No. There is too much traffic on this road. Federales and cartel patrols. We must take the side streets."
He looked both ways.
"Now!"
Governor Bode Bonner and Dr. Jesse Rincon jumped from the brush and ran across the four lanes and into Ciudad de Nuevo Laredo, determined to save the woman they both loved. Or to die trying.
And one of them would.