The Border Patrol trucks slid off the hard road and onto the long dirt drive that led to Colt’s family ranch. The sirens and flashing lights left no doubt that the federal helicopter had radioed for ground units to respond when the Huey went into the river. Colt and Goat were the only remaining members of the rescue team still on the property. They began to ready themselves for the arrival of federal officers when they crossed the fence line onto US soil. Colt still had ties with many members of the Border Patrol. He had worked closely with the agency when he was a district chief, but that was many years ago and the circumstances under which he prematurely retired caused a divide with many of his friends who were forced to choose between friendship and a future in their law enforcement career. Colt hoped that his name and reputation would still procure some sort of professional courtesy, but he didn’t expect much.
Colt and Goat heard the fast-approaching emergency vehicles as they sat in the living room of the home. They sat peacefully; they knew that whatever wasn’t done at that point was not going to get done. The rest was up to them. They saw the lights from the trucks flash in the window as they pulled up to the house. The morning Texas sun absorbed most of the chaotic lights bouncing about, but some of the red and blue beams pierced the living room window and reflected on the walls. Colt looked over at the boy and smiled. His confidence and coolness calmed the boy. He knew everything would be fine.
The footsteps of six leather work boots echoed into the interior of the home from the front porch. They stopped abruptly at the door and a series of loud authoritative knocks began. Colt got up from his easy chair in the living room and slowly walked to the door. The knocks were followed by a more formal announcement of “federal officers.” Colt opened the door and was greeted by three Border Patrol officers, two males in front and a female standing behind them. One of the males stepped into the doorway and assumed the officer in charge duties.