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Combs rolled into the yard minutes behind Gonzales and the rest of their team. He climbed out, and hurried to the front of the ramshackle diner, meeting one of the officers stationed at the front door. On the way here, they’d gotten confirmation that Tee’s cell phone was nearby. “Anything?”
Gonzales shook his head. “They’re still looking, but no vehicles in the vicinity. Appears to be deserted.” He nodded behind him. “Except for all those chickens.”
“Roosters. Fighting cocks. Sort of pretty, except when strapped up with razors and slashing each other to death.” He’d never understand the attraction, how anyone could enjoy watching. Money fueled the blood sport through gambling—always accompanied by drugs and illegal guns. As soon as law enforcement squashed one, two more operations sprang up.
Combs squinted and stuck another stick of gum into his mouth. He took in the nearby barn and a lean-to shed. “We need to go over the outbuildings top to bottom. If we can’t find Tee, they have her and the sting’s still in play.” He hoped so, because if she’d been made, they’d dump her body somewhere they’d never find. “We’re chasing ghosts,” he muttered.
His cell phone rang, and he answered without looking at it. “Combs. What’ve you got?”
“I don’t have my granddaughter, that’s what.” The deep voice shook with anger and fear, and it took a beat for Combs to recognize Lia’s grandfather.
“Mr. Corazon? I’ll have to call you back. I’m in the middle—”
“You were just on a date with Lia. My buddy saw you at the bank. So you should care what happens to her. She just took off and I’m afraid I...” He cleared his throat. “Some harsh words were spoken. I’m worried, she got a ride with someone—”
“You’ll have to excuse me.” They weren’t dating. His ears burned. Small towns loved gossip, and he’d had enough drama dealing with September’s adventures, not to mention her mother.
“Dammit, boy, she went off with that Antonio Kanoa character. Wouldn’t trust him as far as I could toss a horseshoe. He’s crooked as a crik.”
Kanoa? Why did that name ring a bell? “Okay, hold on. Lia got in a car with this guy? What make car?” He made a note. Finally, a lead he could get his teeth into. “Will get back to you soon.” He hung up before the man could make any further protestations or demands.
Combs couldn’t resist a satisfied smile. Lia wouldn’t believe it. But the concern he’d heard sure didn’t sound like someone who hated and disowned their blood kin granddaughter.
One of the officers waved from the barn, and Combs held out his hands with a “what’d you find?” gesture. The headshake made him want to spit with frustration. They were too late. If Momma Ruth and Tee had been here, they were long gone.
He turned to walk up the steps to check the inside of the diner, and noticed a bloodstained rope sticking out from under the porch overhang. Combs bent to look closer and saw the hot pink gloves.
Lia’s gloves.
She was here, too, or had been! And, he’d be willing to bet, so was Tee.
He reached for the glove. Low growls turned to snarls and stopped him dead in his tracks.
