Lucas pulled into the parking lot right before six, excited about his meeting with Dennis. Hopefully, the man could provide him with more ammunition to use against Benevides. He needed Benevides put out of business and behind bars. Shutting down his operation might become his top priority, especially after he’d heard about his harassment of Jill. His over-the-top behavior bordered on stalking, but the guy apparently knew how close to the line he could get without crossing into prosecutable. Lucas felt in his gut this probably wasn’t the first time Benevides had pulled his would-be hero-in-disguise act on another unsuspecting woman.
He spotted Dennis standing by his car, surprised to note he wasn’t alone. Lucy from the club leaned her hip against the hood, her posture suggesting she might not be happy to be here. Sliding into a spot a few feet away, he climbed from his car.
“Evening, Dennis. Lucy.”
“I hope you don’t mind I brought Lucy along. She knows more about the ins and outs of Benevides’ club than anyone. As long as you keep her name off the record, she’s willing to answer your questions.”
“You don’t need to talk for me. I’m capable of answering Mr. Stewart’s questions without an interpreter.”
“Come on, Lucy, you know I didn’t mean anything like that. I—”
Lucy suddenly grinned. “You are so easy. Dude, I’m busting your chops. Lighten up.”
Lucas’ eyes widened at her words. This was a completely different person than the polished and sophisticated Lucy he’d met at the club last night. This woman was witty and funny, her smile brightening her face.
“I appreciate you’re joining us, Lucy. I take it Dennis explained what we talked about last night?”
“He didn’t give me a lot of details, just he was meeting somebody who wanted dirt on the club. When he mentioned you by name, I’ll admit my curiosity was piqued. So, tell me, what’s your deal?”
“My name is Lucas Boudreau, and I’m an investigative reporter, working on a story about gaming clubs running illegal gambling through the state. I want to focus on a couple of individuals, highlighting their struggles, the impact these illegal gambling places have not only on them but how it affects their loved ones. The families picking up the pieces when things go wrong—which they inevitably do.”
He watched her eyes close as she swallowed, agony written upon her countenance. Whatever she’d been through hurt her on a gut-deep level. He tried to imagine what she endured, having to go into the belly of the beast, work side-by-side with the people who’d torn her life asunder. It boggled his mind, and he wanted justice for people like Lucy, Dante, and Dennis.
“Telling a story is all well and good, but it doesn’t shut the doors. The money flows into the hands of people like Emmanuel Benevides. If you only knew…”
“I want to know. If there’s a way to shut him down permanently, I’ll jump all over it. I should tell you in advance, my brother is the sheriff of Shiloh Springs. Another brother is an FBI agent, working out of the Austin branch. A third brother is the district attorney for Shiloh Springs. I don’t want you walking into this blind, or thinking after the fact I tricked you or attempted to coerce you into talking. I’d rather you be fully informed, so there’s no misinformation, no hidden agenda. I don’t make up falsehoods for my stories. I work in tangible facts. If I can produce the kind of evidence that’ll put Benevides and his ilk behind bars, and stop the flow of money to the cartels, the human traffickers, and the drug deals, I’m all over it. I’ll gladly share my info with law enforcement, unless I’m sworn to secrecy. Do either of you have a problem with what I’ve told you?”
Dennis chuckled and held his hands up in front of him. “I can’t speak for Lucy, but I’ve been gathering my own intel on Benevides for months. Wanted to have enough to take to the feds, but this might work even better.”
Opening the back door of the car, he reached inside and pulled out a large manila envelope and handed it to Lucas without a word.
Lucas studied it for a moment before asking, “What’s inside?”
“Everything I’ve gathered on Benevides’ operation. People I’ve seen him meeting with. Dates and times. Dollar amounts when I could get ’em. I buddied up to Junior about a week after I started visiting the club, got real chummy. That meant after a while, he started trusting me, and got more lenient about what he said and did when I was around.” He shook his head. “That boy thinks he’s a player, but he’s nothing but cannon fodder. Benevides will use him, and then spit on his corpse when his usefulness is over.”
“Which might be sooner than you think.” Lucy pushed her dark hair over her shoulder, eyes narrowing as she continued to study Lucas. “Junior’s getting sloppy. Benevides hasn’t been around as often as he used to, because he’s got some special project he’s working on. Whatever it is, it’s about a woman, that’s all can tell you. When Junior asked him about her, Benevides backhanded him hard enough to draw blood.”
“Benevides doesn’t strike me as the type to let a woman distract his attention from business.”
Lucy shrugged. “I wouldn’t think so either, but he’s been distracted for weeks. Whoever this Jillian person is, I pity her, because Benevides never takes no for an answer.”
Every muscle in his body froze. “Did you say Jillian?” He could barely contain the flare of rage surging through him. Guess he sounded scary, because Lucy took a step back, her hip bumping against the car.
“Lucas, back off.” Dennis took a protective stance in front of Lucy, and she shoved at his back. “Tone it down, or we’re outta here.”
“You said Jillian. Did Benevides mention a last name?” Lucas could barely contain the anger and adrenaline coursing through him. The combination was a heady cocktail, fueling his desire to head straight for Benevides and rip his head from his shoulders. Yeah, that could work, then he’d never bother Jill again.
“He didn’t, but it sounded like Junior knows this Jillian. Mentioned that she was a total prude, which is when Benevides clocked him.”
“When did this happen?”
“Couple of days ago, why?” Lucy’s steely-eyed gaze raked him from head to toe. “Let me take a wild guess. You know this Jillian, right?”
“Yes.”
“Takes things to a whole different level. Makes your story take on a different slant if it hits you from your own personal perspective.” Lucy looked at Dennis’ back, and gave him a gentle push. “Okay, you were right. I trust him. Let’s get this interview over with. I want Benevides nailed to the wall. His head on a pike. I’ll personally bring the horses if you want to draw and quarter him.”
“Bloodthirsty wench.” Dennis’ voice held affection and something Lucas was pretty sure was love. He’d heard that exact tone around his place often enough over the years it was unmistakable. Lately, as his brothers fell like dominos, he’d heard them use the same tone.
He started to speak when his phone alerted the text tone. When he saw Shiloh’s name, he quickly displayed the message.
“I need to take this. Why don’t you head inside and get a table, and I’ll be right behind you.”
Lucy shrugged and started toward Juanita’s front door. Dennis jogged to catch up, and Lucas re-read the text.
SHILOH: I’m in Portland. Checked out Elizabeth Reynolds’ apartment. It’s empty. Manager said he didn’t know she’d moved out, but he saw her yesterday. Something spooked her, or else she found out somebody’s looking for her.
ME: You missed her by one day? I can’t believe we’re so close to finding Renee. I’m in the middle of a meeting, but I’ll call you tonight. Shoot me an e-mail with anything you’ve got.
SHILOH: Will do.
ME: Thanks.
Shoving the phone in his pocket, he entered Juanita’s, and spotted Dennis and Lucy sitting in a corner booth. It was early enough the place wasn’t packed wall-to-wall, like it was on the weekends.
“Sorry, I had to take that. It was my brother.” He scooted into the booth and laid the manila envelope onto the seat beside him. “He’s looking into a personal matter for me, and wanted to update me on what he’s found.”
“Hope he had good news.”
“Thanks, Lucy. Things are looking hopeful.”
The waiter came and took their orders. Juanita’s was one of Lucas’ favorite Tex-Mex restaurants. The owners opened the place over twenty years ago, a husband and wife duo who ran the place and did all the cooking. Though DFW had some good Tex-Mex places, none of them held a candle to Juanita’s in his heart.
“Lucas! I didn’t know you were home.” Juanita bustled over to their table, a bowl of guacamole in one hand and warm tortilla chips in the other. Lucas stood, giving the older woman a hug. She was like a favorite aunt, one who kept him in carne asada and guacamole whenever he hit town.
“Juanita, my lovely, you look younger and more beautiful every time I see you.” Lucas pulled her into a hug. “Decided to run away with me yet?”
“Flattery will get you extra guacamole and salsa, mijo. But my Carlos will burn your supper if he hears you flirting.”
“Carlos would never burn anything, but I’ll take my chances, because you are a sight for this lonely boy’s eyes. I hope everything is good.”
“Can’t complain. Business is doing well. Our daughter, Carolina, is around with our first grandbaby.”
“That’s wonderful, Juanita.”
“Best news we’ve had for a long while. Carlos is over the moon, happy about becoming an abuelo.”
“Where are my manners? My mama would have a fit if she found out I brought guests and didn’t introduce them. Juanita, this is Lucy and Dennis.”
“Welcome, welcome. Lucas’ friends are welcome anytime. Now let me get back to Carlos, tell him you’re here.”
“It’s good to see you, although I’m heartbroken you never say yes. We can elope, run away where nobody can find us.”
She patted him on the top of his head like a schoolboy. “One of these days, I’m going to say yes. Then, we’ll see how fast your legs will carry you out the front door.” Chuckling, she headed for the kitchen.
“Guess you come here a lot.” Lucy dug a chip into the guacamole and stuffed it into her mouth. Her eyes widened and she grabbed another. “I totally get it, if the food is anything like this. Wonder how I missed finding out about this place.”
“I’ve been coming here forever. My folks brought us here, and I visit Juanita and Carlos every time I’m back in Shiloh Springs.”
“It’s a nice place. Owner seems to like you.” Dennis swallowed down a large sip of his beer.
“You guys want to eat first, or go ahead and start?”
“Might as well get it over with,” Dennis groused. “You might want to take a look at the info I gave you, in case you have any questions, we can get them out of the way first.”
“Good idea.”
Lucas picked up the envelope, and pulled out page after page of meticulous notes, detailing everything Dennis had overheard and observed at Benevides’ club. He had to give the other guy credit: his information read like a police report, right down to the handwritten pages pulled from a small spiral notepad and stapled to the written summaries. Impressive.
He’d also printed out copies of photos he’d taken. Men meeting with Benevides, coming out of his office. Leather pouches changing hands, which he could only assume were stuffed with cash. A few of the names he recognized, some he didn’t. But one photo among the rest had him straightening in his seat.
Reining in his growing excitement, he shoved the page at Dennis. “This! When did you take this pic?”
“Look on the back. I pulled the date and time from the metadata on my phone and documented it.
“Do you know who this is?” Lucas couldn’t hold back his grin. He recognized the man instantly, because he’d written an article outlining every aspect of human trafficking across Texas and the surrounding states. Sex workers and slave laborers moved through the U.S. on a regular basis, the majority of them processed and delivered on the orders of this man.
“No clue. I remember security being pretty tight the night he showed up. Dude brought his own security people, and Benevides amped his personal guards up, too. I figured he was a big shot from the way everybody acted.” Dennis studied the picture intently, as if trying to memorize the face.
“I’ve seen him at the club twice,” Lucy added. “This night and one earlier in the year—maybe end of February?”
“Would you guys mind if I invite my brother, Rafe, to join us? He really needs to hear about this, the sooner the better.”
Dennis rolled his eyes before grinning at Lucas. “Which brother is Rafe? The sheriff, the fed, or the D.A.?”
“Sheriff. Rafe Boudreau is the elected sheriff of Shiloh Springs. I’m positive I recognize the man from the picture, but I want corroboration in case I’m seeing things I want to see, know what I mean?”
“I don’t have a problem with your brother coming. Saves me having to tell my story more than once.”
“I agree,” Lucy added before taking a sip of her margarita. “You know, guys, I’d come here for the margaritas alone. Best one I’ve ever had.”
“I’ll be sure to let Juanita know. Her cousin, Hector, is the bartender.”
“So this place is pretty much a family affair.”
“Yep.” Lucas whipped out his phone and quickly texted Rafe, who responded back almost immediately, saying he was close by and would meet them ASAP.
“Rafe should be here soon.”
The waiter stepped up to their table, his hands loaded with plates. The aroma of the grilled meat, cheese, and spices filled the air, and Lucas felt his stomach growl, only then realizing he hadn’t eaten for most of the day. His mouth watered and he grabbed his silverware. They dug into the food, the taste hitting his tongue in a symphony of delights. Almost half his meal disappeared in a matter of minutes, and he spotted Rafe walk through the door. He waved him over.
“You sounded excited, bro. What’s up?” Rafe nodded to Dennis Lucy.
“Sit down and I’ll fill you in. You want anything before we start?”
“No, thanks, I’m meeting Tessa after we finish up here.”
“Take a look at this and tell me what you see.” Lucas passed the photo across the table, and watched Rafe’s eyes widen the minute he spotted the two men in the photo.
“When was this taken?” Rafe’s voice hardened with command, and Dennis began chuckling.
“Oh, yeah, he sounds like your brother.”
“Rafe, sorry, forgot to introduce you. This is Dennis and she’s Lucy.”
“Pleased to meet you. Now answer the question, Lucas. When was that picture taken?” Rafe’s frown was pronounced, gaze glued to the photo.
Lucas grabbed the picture and turned it over, watched Rafe’s eyes widen at the date. “I didn’t know he’d come across the border. He’s got nerve, I’ll give him that. Williamson is gonna have a hissy fit when he hears about this.”
“Will somebody please tell me who the dude in the picture is? The suspense is killing me.” Lucy’s balled-up fists landed on the table and she glared at Lucas. “The way you both reacted to the picture, I’m guessing Mr. Slick’s bad news.”
“This,” Rafe flicked the edge of the photo, “is Javier Escondido. Runs the Escondido cartel, south of the Texas/Mexico border. Everyone, and I mean everyone, wants a piece of this guy. FBI, DEA, local and state cops all want to take him down.”
“The bigger question is what’s he doing with Emmanuel Benevides? Of course, Benevides might be funneling his money through Escondido’s cartel.”
“Probably true, bro. But this,” Rafe tapped the edge of the paper, “seeing them together gets me one step closer to nailing his hide and tossing him behind bars. Anybody know where this was taken?”
Lucy grinned, raising her hand. “I know!”
“Gonna share with the rest of us?” Lucas watched Dennis bump Lucy’s shoulder with his in a kind of go-ahead-and-tell-them motion.
“That’s the back alley, behind the club. Emmanuel tends to do business there with the men he doesn’t want to be seen with. Of course, he’s not exactly subtle, and pretty much all the club’s employees know what happens out back.” Lucy pointed to Escondido’s pic. “I got some really icky vibes from him. Man has dead eyes, if you know what I mean. Acted like he owned the world, and we’d better fall in line or he’d make us disappear.”
Lucas and Rafe exchanged a glance, and Rafe nodded once. They’d talk once they were in private, because this case had turned on its head with the introduction of Javier Escondido.
“Anything else either of you know about how Benevides runs the two gaming clubs, something we might be able to connect him? Anything at all can help.”
“Sheriff,” Dennis met his eyes straight on, “I’ve been keeping tabs on Benevides for months, ever since my brother’s death. I can’t prove anything, but I think—no, I know—he was behind Jimmy’s suicide. I gave Lucas copies of everything I have.”
Lucas held up the manila envelope. “Dennis’ father was a cop, and these notes are documented concisely. From what little I’ve looked at, it’ll go a long way toward building a case against Benevides, and if we’re really lucky, Javier Escondido, too.”
“You said these are copies?”
“Yes, sir. I have the originals locked up tight.” Dennis sat up straighter, adding, “There is a safe deposit box in Austin. Only ones authorized to open it are me and Lucy.”
“Good. I’ll take these and—”
“No. I’ll scan and e-mail you copies, but I’m keeping those.” Lucas slid the picture of Escondido and Benevides into the envelope. “Soon as I’m done here, I’m heading over to Jill’s. Benevides has an unhealthy attraction to my girl, and I’m planning on watching her like a hawk until he’s out of the picture.”
Rafe chuckled. “Sheesh, bro, you’re starting to sound like the rest of our brothers, going into overprotective mode. When are you going to admit you’re head-over-heels in love with her?”
“Like you were any better with Tessa? The family was taking bets on how long it would take you to propose.”
“I’ve had Dusty and Jeb doing drive-by checks of her apartment and the bakery. We’ll keep a close watch on her, at least until we determine our next step.”
“Thanks.”
“Get me those copies tonight, bro. Dennis, Lucy, it was nice meeting you. I need to head in and make a few calls. Austin FBI office needs to hear about Escondido showing up in Shiloh Springs. Twice. It’s time to rattle a few cages, because Border Patrol was supposed to take him into custody the second he stepped onto U.S. soil.”
“You’ll get ’em as soon as I leave here. I’ll call if we come up with anything else.”
Rafe nodded and headed for the door, giving Juanita a brief hug on the way out.
“You guys ready to get started?” At their nods, Lucas placed his cell phone on the tabletop and hit record, and wondered how many other surprises Dennis and Lucy might uncover as they talked.
Lucas wanted this ended, once and for all, because any hint of danger toward Jill needed to disappear—and it would. He’d make sure of it.