Alone in the interview room, Viv contemplated her situation. A bodyguard…for me? That's a first. All because I got involved with a desert crime family. Damn you, Rex Redondo.
Holding her hands in her lap, Viv’s anger rose. I don't deserve to be treated this way by a couple of youngsters who wave guns and kill people. And then as suddenly as the anger erupted, Viv calmed again. Don't forget, Viv, she said to herself. Susan Farrah thinks I helped capture a murderer.
The door behind her opened. She looked over her shoulder. A tall, handsome man entered. He wore black jeans and a black polo shirt under a faded jean jacket. Probably in his early fifties, she assumed. Nice brown eyes.
"Are you the bodyguard?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am," he replied smartly. "Officer Farrah said I'm to escort you back home. And then hang out for a couple of days to make sure you're safe."
To give him credit, he didn't seem to mind his assignment. He smiled at Viv and offered to shake her hand. "My name is Fernando Gutierrez."
Viv grasped his hand. "I'm not happy about this," she said. "But it's not you. I want that to be clear. It's the situation."
He let go of her hand politely and came closer. He pulled an extra chair from the corner to sit down, then leaned in. "What's making you so unhappy? Don't forget you helped the police catch a killer. That's a good thing."
"I was just telling myself that. But Officer Farrah assures me there will be repercussions and that I've messed with the mob, so to speak."
Before Fernando could respond, a commotion came from the other side of the closed door. Face impassive, he rose to his feet.
"We're here for Vivienne Rose," came Rex's strident voice.
"Try that door, boss," Sutton suggested.
Fernando pulled out his weapon. Holding it in one hand chest-high, he used his other hand to turn the knob.
Rex crashed into the room. "Who are you!"
Face-to-face, Fernando lowered his weapon. He shoved it in his belt. "You got the wrong door, buddy. Do I need to cuff you?"
"For what?” Rex's face turned red. "I'm here to pick up Vivienne Rose. Are you holding her hostage?"
Fernando reached up to grab Rex's arm, pulling him farther into the room. But before he could close the door, he caught sight of Sutton. "Hello," he said calmly. "How can I help you?"
"Let go of him right now." Sutton pointed to Rex.
"Why don't you come with him? I have chairs for both of you," suggested Viv's bodyguard.
He shoved Rex into the empty chair. "Sit there while I deal with the lady."
Rex looked relieved to see Viv. "What happened?" he asked.
She rolled her eyes.
As Sutton pulled out another chair, Officer Farrah showed up holding some papers. She glanced briefly at those assembled. "Joey Baker is now under arrest. Oh, and we also got his accomplice.
"Plus we searched the house where they were holed up and found valuable evidence stashed in the back room. Cash. I think we have a very good chance of bringing down the rest of this thieving family.
"Actually, I'm not even going to call it a family." Farrah shrugged. "They may be related, but they're not the kind of people anyone would want to pull a wishbone with at Thanksgiving dinner. Anyway, this woman here," she pointed to Viv, "is a crime-solving warrior."
Viv was shocked. It was one thing to tell her she had helped out, but Farrah was convinced that she'd actually been an asset in solving a crime.
Farrah kept talking. "This is the biggest bust in Palm Desert history."
Viv felt herself flush. Okay, maybe I did do a good thing. A really good thing.
Rex cleared his throat. "Does that mean I can take the crime-fighting warrior home? If she wants to leave, of course…" He smirked at Viv.
"I am tired," Viv admitted, standing. "Maybe I can come back tomorrow to finish up with any loose ends. Like the paperwork." She pointed to the stack Farrah had deposited on the table.
"Not quite yet you don't. I'll get you coffee. I can't afford to let you out of my sight. The family may find you, and let's just say you could disappear. So you need to stay put. I need you to sign the paperwork so that we can file with the court."
Viv turned to look at Fernando. He stood in the corner, his face expressionless as he surveyed the room.
Viv settled back in her chair. Then she turned to Rex. "Even though you've already met, I'd like to introduce you to my bodyguard. This is Fernando Gutierrez."
Fernando nodded, his eyes looking Rex up and down.
Rex's jaw dropped. "Is that really necessary? Sutton and I can take care of you."
Farrah pointed toward the door. "Gutierrez. You can wait in the break room for now."
Once the door was shut, Sutton spoke to Farrah. "I've got information on everyone on the HOA board that you might be interested in."
Then she turned to Viv with a look of admiration. "May I just say for the record that I totally underestimated you, Vivienne Rose. A doula. I mean, how can a woman who works with mothers and babies know anything about crime? But now I see who you are. And just so you know, you've got game!"