A line of traffic funneled into the huge parking lot of the Casino del Sol south of Tucson, past a lighted digital billboard advertising the night’s entertainment, the Desert Slam Fight Out. Julius’ frowning image filled the screen, his fists posed in an aggressive stance.
“Julius said to call him when we get to the box office. He’ll have someone come get us.” Cait parked and they got out. Jack pushed his back-up Glock under the passenger seat and locked the door. His department weapon was still in Albuquerque in his supervisor’s office, turned over by the University Medical Center when Jack had been transported semi-conscious to the emergency room.
Now Cait eyed the crowd streaming toward the amphitheater. “They sure look like boxing fans.”
“A little rough, huh. It’s not the Tucson Symphony or the Santa Fe Opera,” Jack said. “But Julius is making good money with the titles he’s racked up. I just hope he’s not snorting or shooting it all away.”
“I thought he turned into a straight arrow. That’s what your parents said.”
“They’ve always resisted seeing reality when it comes to Julius. They don’t want to admit he might not change.”
“What do you think?” Cait asked.
“Boxing has brought up his self-esteem and disciplined him. But he’s still too connected to the old gang, and that means drugs and who knows what else. He recently broke up with a nice girlfriend who wanted to marry and have kids. He drives me crazy.”
“I didn’t know they split up. That’s too bad.” Cait walked at Jack’s side as they navigated through the crowd toward the box office.
He tapped his cell phone screen and held it to his ear. “We’re here.”
Soon a beefy man dressed in black approached them. “You Jack Gallegos?”
Jack nodded and touched Cait’s arm.
“This way.” The security man motioned for them to follow. They passed through a turnstile and traipsed past aisles of tiered seating toward a boxing ring set up in the center of the amphitheater. A long walkway on the far end ascended to a stage. They passed through a gap in a curtain, out an exit, and down a hallway with doors on either side.
The man in black knocked on a door. Rap music spilled out as he opened it and stepped aside for Jack and Cait to enter.
“Big bro. Welcome to my world.” Julius Gallegos held his arms wide and lunged at Jack, hugged him and slapped his back.
“Hey, man. You’re looking good.” Jack hugged Julius back and gave Cait a sharp look. “We’re excited to see you in the ring.”
“Catalina, you look hot tonight.” Julius did a little dance step and bussed Cait’s cheek.
“The name’s Cait.” She quirked her eyebrows at Jack, who rolled his eyes.
“This is Lita, my taco queen.” Julius turned a shoulder toward a sullen woman with mocha skin, bleached blonde hair showing natural black roots. She wore a halter top and skin-tight jeans and slouched on a couch in back of the room.
Lita fluttered a hand with long purple nails and stared back with kohl-lined raccoon eyes.
“How’re you doing? Are you in the restaurant business?” Cait smiled at the woman, thinking she had seen lizards that exuded more warmth.
“I have a food truck. Near the Kino Sports Complex.” Lita gave her a stony look.
“When do you go on?” Jack’ turned his attention to Julius.
“Thirty minutes. I got you guys prime seats, right up by the ring.”
“Thanks so much.” Cait knew Julius was trying to be nice. Still, she wondered how Jack and his brother could possibly share the same DNA. Five years younger than Jack, Julius must have given their parents early gray hairs and heart palpitations. As a teenager, he had taken up with the wrong crowd. Somehow he had managed to stay out of prison, unlike many of his friends from high school and the Lobos Negros gang he had mixed with.
Don’t judge so much, she reminded herself. The man was making money legally in a livelihood he enjoyed.
“So who’s watching out for our parents? You know Para tracked me to Tucson. I’m really worried.” Jack turned serious.
“You’re a worry wart, bro. I’m handling things. Sammy, Pedro and Gilbert are taking turns keeping an eye on the place. You can trust them.” Julius put his hands on his hips and bounced on the balls of his feet.
Cait took a step back, put off by his wide-eyed look. Adrenalin and testosterone oozed off him like waves of steam.
Or maybe he was on something. When she first met Jack, he had complained about Julius acting erratic and aggressive, getting into fights at the drop of a hat. Maybe he’d slid back into his old drug-addled ways.
She met Jack’s gaze. He was thinking the same thing.
“We’ll let you get ready.” Jack moved toward the door. “Get in your groove and focus.”
“Suit yourself.” Julius seemed annoyed they were leaving. “See you around.”
The sharp-eyed escort led them to plush, reserved seats up by the ring. People continued to stream in, laughing and talking as the arena filled up.
Cait and Jack sat and looked around. A three-foot metal barrier separated them from a narrow area circling the ring, the canvas elevated and surrounded by padded velvet ropes. High above, huge signs with digital readouts hung suspended from the ceiling. Loudspeakers blared country music and Mexican rock that vied with crowd noise as the place filled up.
“Do you think he’s having a hard time handling success? He’s come a long ways from small matches in Albuquerque.” Cait leaned close to Jack so he could hear.
“Julius doesn’t deal well with his feelings. He’s bright but immature, not emotionally grounded. He’s like a moth that flits from light to light. He’s smart in some ways, but he’s also gullible and easily influenced. I’m sorry he ditched his old girlfriend. She was a good influence. Now he’s hanging out with bimbos like Lita. And probably doing steroids and worse.” Jack nervously crossed and uncrossed his legs.
“I don’t know about staying for the whole show. I hate boxing. It seems so barbaric. Would he notice if we got the heck out of here?” Cait snuck a look at people around them.
“He’d be hurt if he knew we left. Can I get you a beer or something?”
“Nah. I’ll just try to relax.” She rested her head on his shoulder and tried to tune out the pounding music and loud voices.
The music faded as a tuxedoed announcer climbed into the ring and sauntered around the canvas.
“Ladies and gentlemen, boxing aficionados, get ready for an evening of not-stop, whirlwind action. Casino del Sol is proud to present Desert Slam, an elite knockout event featuring some of the most talented, bad-assed fighters on the circuit.
“This guy needs no introduction. Everyone knows Tucson’s own Cesar Delmondo, ranked thirtieth in the world in the welterweight class. Cesar won a Golden Gloves title before he turned pro two years ago.”
The crowd bellowed its approval. “Cesar is up against Julius Gallegos, the Duke City Demon from Albuquerque, New Mexico.” Derogatory hoots rose from the stands.
The announcer retreated as Cesar appeared, his image magnified on a wall of huge video screens as he strutted down an elevated walkway to the ring. He swaggered, pumped his fists and waved at the audience, who screamed and chanted “Cesar, Tucson” over and over.
Cesar bounded over the velvet ropes onto the canvas as Julius appeared on the walkway and marched toward the ring. The audience’ applause was subdued and mixed with catcalls, although Julius raised his arms in a victory gesture and grinned.
“So he’s not from here. Big deal. This is why I’m not a sports fan. People carry on like idiots, whether it’s football or boxing.” Cait muttered as she scrunched around in her seat.
“My sentiments exactly. But it’s my brother up there and I’m rooting for him. I just won’t scream and throw things.” Jack slipped his arm around Cait. “You have to admit he’s done darn well.”
“Wow. He’s going for it.” Cait flinched as the match started. Julius charged like a bull, planting a right jab on his opponent’s nose. A primal roar erupted from the crowd.
“I thought they used head gear.”
“Not in professional boxing.” Jack’s eyes were glued to the action.
“Not good, getting hit in the head like they do. He’ll have dementia by the time he’s forty.” Cait leaned forward, elbows on her knees.
“Julius is good at fighting. It’s all a game for him. I wish he was a teacher or a biologist. But it is what it is.” Jack squeezed her shoulder.
Each short round was punctuated by a minute break. The fighters circled around the ring, face to face, Cesar darting and throwing punches, Julius weaving and dodging.
Cesar managed to land a left-handed blow to Julius’ shoulder, then a right hook that punched the air. A master at reading his opponent’s intentions, Julius avoided damaging hits.
Suddenly he powered at Cesar with left-right blows, leaving the boxer reeling toward a corner of the ring. Cesar sagged against his handler, who toweled off his face and urged the man back into the fight.
Another round began. Cesar mounted a valiant offense, throwing punch after ineffective punch at Julius, who evaded most blows and bounced back from those that connected.
The Duke City Demon went for the kill. Julius aimed a roundhouse clout between Cesar’s eyes, knocking him out and ending the match.
The referee held Julius’ gloved hand high and the audience went wild. People jumped to their feet, some screaming and hurling trash at the ring. Cait turned to Jack and pointed at the exit.
They made it to the parking lot ahead of the surging multitude. “I hope he doesn’t party too hard after his big win.” Cait put the key in the ignition.
“Hold a moment.” Jack put a hand on her arm. “I’ve decided to leave tonight to see my parents. I won’t sleep anyway, so I might as well start driving. Can you take me to the airport so I can rent a car? You should stay and help out the Bushes. They’ll have to find a place to live after they get out of the hospital. Plus, if the wrong people find out I’m in Albuquerque, I don’t want you involved.”
“Your parents should stay with my folks in Zuni until this whole thing blows over. It’s a lot more remote. Strangers on the rez asking about them or snooping around would draw lots of attention. What do you think?”
“I’ll talk to them about it, but they’re stubborn,” Jack said. “So I need to do what I can to make their place safer.”
Cait leaned against him. “Don’t take any chances and go looking for Para by yourself.”
He ran a hand through her hair. “Self-preservation is high on my list. This trip is about my parents. The same goes for you. Don’t go chasing after Rod Stone.”
After a long kiss, they stayed in a loose embrace.
“When this is over, we have some plans to talk about,” Jack said.
“I just want our life back. Is that too much to wish for?” Cait’s smile was wistful.
“One day at a time. We’ll get through this.” Jack kissed her again. “I know we will.”