Jack stood by the headstone of his fallen partner, Russell Connor, in the Santa Fe National Cemetery off North Guadalupe Street. A light rain fell under arctic-colored skies. Someone had left fresh flowers by the stone marker. Probably Russell’s wife, Amy. It had been about a month since Connor had been shot to death on a popular trail along the east side foothills, not far from his home.
Before he and Cait had left Albuquerque, Jack had visited Amy Connor to pay his respects. He hadn’t kept in touch, and he didn’t think he could offer her any solace. Anguish washed over him. He’d lived while Connor, an Army veteran and father of two kids, had died.
The only thing he could do for Amy was hunt down the monster who had ordered Russell’s killing. Make sure Sonny Para rotted away in prison. Or in a grave.
As he returned to his SUV, the cell in his pocket buzzed. The caller was Miranda Reyes at the Golden Crown.
“Didn’t expect to hear from you so soon.”
“She just walked in the door. Got to go.”
Jack landed in the driver’s seat and started off. It took him little over an hour to shoot down the I-25 to Albuquerque and make it to the Golden Crown on Mountain Road. Miranda had said that Elana Tafoya often spent an hour or more there, but he was anxious he would miss her.
As he pulled into the parking lot, a Mercedes SUV caught his attention. He parked alongside it. The wife of a gangster boss wouldn’t drive any of the other rides in the lot—a two-door import sedan, an older SUV, a mini-van, a primered pickup, and a sun-faded hatchback.
He entered and headed for the front counter, waited as a man paid for coffee and a bag of freshly made tortillas.
Jack’s turn came, and he was face to face with Miranda. She pursed her lips, indicating someone seated at a table behind him.
He had already deduced that a woman by the window was Elana Tafoya. Willowy, statuesque, black hair in a stylish pixie cut, oversized sweater, tights and ankle boots. She watched from behind large sunglasses as Jack approached.
“Elana?” He carried a coffee and sat opposite her. “Don’t be afraid. I’m a friend. Can we talk outside?”
“What about?” She tensed like a coiled spring and reached into a large leather purse.
Jack figured she was going for a gun. “I’m not here to hurt or threaten you. Please forget the weapon and put your hands back on the table.”
Elana took her glasses off. She was model pretty, except for a black eye and fresh bruise on her right cheek. Her vibe was sharp as a knife blade. He needed to do some fast talking to convince her to open up to him.
“What do you want?”
He kept his voice low. “We both know who did that to your face. You don’t deserve that. I don’t treat my woman that way. Of course she’s not the type to put up with abuse.”
That comment sparked a reaction in Elana’s eyes, but she stayed silent.
“I’m a cop, a detective. Just let me explain. The way I see it, and I think you know it, you’re expendable. One day your husband will decide to get rid of you out in the desert. You know that time’s coming. I can offer you a way out, to a safer, better life.”
Her chin quivered. “Why should I believe you?”
Jack told her his name. “Sonny tried to kill me. He took out my partner. I don’t play games, and I’m true to my word. I know what your husband’s like. I don’t want to hear that something happened to you. What I need is information on Los Brutos. In return, I’ll protect you.”
“You can’t do anything. Adios.” She stood up, purse in hand, and headed for the door.
Jack trailed behind her. A few customers glanced at them.
Outside, her boots crunched the gravel. Hand on the door of her vehicle, she turned and gave him an icy look. “Leave me alone. I don’t need your pity.”
“Call me if you change your mind.” Jack held out his card. “My cell number’s on it.”
“Go to hell.” She took the card, got in and slammed the door.
Jack watched her race off. Would she come to her senses before it was too late?
***
Cait walked the Ricos to their old sedan in the parking lot. She left a “call me ASAP” message for Jack, then got hold of his parents. The Gallegos insisted she bring the couple to their place.
She drove to Central Avenue, the Ricos right behind. After a winding detour through downtown Albuquerque, she was satisfied no one was shadowing them. When they reached the Gallegos’ house, Jack’s dad waited by the gate.
He directed the Ricos to park in back of the house, out of view from the road.
“Bienvenido.” Eloy Gallegos smiled as Como and Zeno got out of their car. “Welcome.”
Jack’s mother held the kitchen door for them, and Cait brought up the rear. Once everyone was settled in the living room, Lorena played hostess. “Are you thirsty or hungry?”
The Ricos declined, so Lorena joined them on the couch. “You’ve had a rough time of it. We hope you’ll stay with us.”
“Thank you,” Como Rico said. “You are too kind. But this is dangerous. If the Brutos find out we’re here, you bring trouble on yourself.”
Eloy drew himself up. “You’re our guests. Don’t worry. We don’t scare easy. My conquistador ancestors survived the Jornada del Muerto trail south of here. These Brutos scum are nothing compared to the perils of that desert.”
Cait almost smiled. It was a matter of perspective. Way back when, her Zuni ancestors had viewed Spanish explorers as a menace. Her cell vibrated—Jack. She went outside to update him about the Ricos.
“Good work. Now we just have to keep everyone safe, including you.”
“How’d it go with your boss?”
“Spitzer’s a good guy. But this case is wearing me down. We got a tip about one of Para’s top people, a guy named Joe Tafoya who uses his wife as a punching bag. I met the lady, hoping she might want out of her situation. But it was like cornering a bobcat. Long on temper and short on common sense.”
“Some people refuse help when they’re afraid. Maybe she’ll come around. You coming home soon?” Cait longed for a quiet night with Jack, without trouble or complications.
“On my way.”
The Comos were now seated at the kitchen table while Lorena bustled around and fussed over them. “More tea and biscochitos? Dinner is ready.”
The pair had little to say as they ate, as if they were still in shock over their rescue. Cait took a seat. “Tell me about the guy who threatened you at the shelter.”
Como put down his fork. “I recognized him. His nickname is huesos, bones. He worked with Joe Tafoya at that warehouse. I don’t know how he found us. He started joking about our house burning down. We got the heck out of there.”
The sound of a vehicle outside brought Cait to the front window. Jack drove through the gate and parked. In the kitchen, he greeted the Ricos.
“We meet again, eh?” Como looked embarrassed and avoided meeting Jack’s gaze.
Jack joined them at the table. “I’m sorry for all that’s happened to you.”
Zena Como gave him a shy look. “I try not to look back, just put one foot in front of the other.”
“You heard from Jason Gonzalez?” Jack addressed Como.
“He’s called a few times, but won’t say where he is. I think he’s hiding under a rock too, trying to stay alive. The fire happened in the middle of the night, a few days after Jason and I met with you. If it wasn’t for a smoke detector, Zena and I would be dead. All we had time to grab was the car keys. Thank goodness we still have wheels.”
“I’m sorry.” Jack paused. “Do you know much about the Tafoya family?”
“Some. It’s Joe who’s the problem, I think. He’s always been a bad seed. Some families don’t want to admit one of theirs is trouble.” Como stared at his plate.
“I’m trying to find out if any of the Brutos have any commercial property. Or some big place they could use instead of that warehouse you worked at,” Jack said.
“Tafoya’s aunt runs a hair salon near Lomas Boulevard, but it’s small. Now Sonny Para’s family, they had money. His grandfather was a big rancher near Los Lunas, I heard.” Como blinked, his eyelids heavy.
“I heard about that spread,” Jack said.
Lorena stepped in. “You two must be exhausted. Let me show you your room. I’ll get you some towels and more blankets. Anything you need, just ask.” The Ricos meekly followed her down the hall.
“What are you thinking?” Cait looked at Jack.
“I’m going to take a drive to Los Lunas.”
“Not by yourself.” She stood and pushed her chair in.