A cop? Skylar almost laughed. It was common knowledge that one of her mother’s best customers at the Downtowner Hotel cleaned money for the cartel in Texas. He was always looking for ways to invest in people, restaurants and properties—anything to bury his dirty money, turn a profit, and stay alive. Yeah, Skylar knew the ugly side of the business all right. More than any child in Las Vegas should’ve known.
“One last thing,” Kaufman said. “I understand you know who Mateo Gonzales is…”
“Yeah. What about him?”
“He was found dead in his cell around 10:30 this morning by a correctional officer doing a routine security check.”
She drew a sharp breath. “Do they know how he died?”
“No, but I’m sure we’ll be hearing soon.”
Skylar wondered if his death had anything to do with her idea of using him. But then she had only shared that with Diaz and Barillas, and they were on the right side of the law. Well, as far as she knew anyway.
“Would you mind if I grabbed some coffee?” Kaufman asked. “If I take the next detour, there’s a spot just up the road. I’ve been running on steam for the last two hours and could really use a cup.”
“Sure. Go ahead.”
There was a sign with an arrow leading them straight to Lynnie’s Diner. Kaufman pulled up in the same spot where Dylan had parked after discovering Volkov missing. Although it was only fourteen miles from Dylan’s house to the restaurant, it felt much further with the detour Kaufman had taken. Oddly, with all the backroads Dylan had driven, it was double the distance and twice the worry, while looking for a place to dump Volkov. Skylar would have laughed at her analysis if it wasn’t so freakin’ crazy.
Kaufman cracked his window and turned around. “Should only take a minute or two. Can I get you anything while we’re here? Coffee? Donuts? Maybe a soda?”
“No, I’m fine,” she said, although she was far from it. Ethan would be waiting at the Aerocon shop, wondering what was keeping her so long. And then there was always the possibility that The Chaplain would send someone before she got there…before meeting with Dylan. And she hated to think what that meant.
Kaufman’s minute became ten and Skylar found herself checking her watch every few minutes. She was about to go find him when she spotted him coming across the parking lot with a carry-out cup in his hand.
“Sorry,” he said. “They had to make a fresh pot, which always takes longer than you think. Anyway, while I was waiting, I ran into an old friend…Charlotte Hampton. We grew up in Florida together and moved here around the same time.”
He’s friends with Charlotte? The woman who was dating her grandfather? Wasn’t he the most corrupt man in Reno? Interesting. She wondered if Kaufman was shady too.
He took a sip from his cup. “Everyone used to call her Flo because she just goes with the flow. Nothing fazes that girl, I swear. Not even working in this dump. With her new job at the El Cortez Casino, I guess I won’t be seeing much of her anymore.”
The radio in his car suddenly came to life. “Thirty-three, we got a 211 at 615 North Claremont. Back-up needed.”
Kaufman spoke to his dispatch radio, sounding official. “I’m listening. Go ahead.”
“I’m showing shots fired. Olivares, Diego, date of birth three five seventy, Hispanic male, five ten, one-eighty, black and brown, break—”
“Go ahead.”
“Out of Vegas. Failure to appear on domestic violence, assault, weapons charge. Ten-thousand-dollar bond, break—”
“Go ahead.”
“Also, a second warrant out of Fresno, same charge, fifteen-thousand-dollar bond. Time served, ten years. Los Vitas member.”
“Copy. Confirm both.” He set his cup into the holder and shifted into reverse. The dispatch operator continued to rattle off details, but the only thing Skylar cared about was the fact that Kaufman was now driving in the opposite direction—away from the airport and toward the east side of town.
“Where are you going?” she asked. “I need to get to the airport!” The last thing she needed was to be in the middle of a shootout, especially if it involved Los Vitas gang members.
“Sorry, but I don’t have time to drop you off. Buckle up and stay put, okay?” Kaufman jumped on the freeway going north and increased his speed, cutting in and out of traffic. Swerving around corners, he threw her from side to side in her seat.
As they neared the scene of the crime, she noticed the street sign on the corner. Claremont. Was this the same place where Dylan delivered her envelope? The warning for Sophia Capellan? Christ, almighty! How much trouble could he have possibly gotten into?
Skylar shifted nervously in her seat, wondering if the phone she had planted was still in Dylan’s pocket. When they finally arrived, the scene was littered with flashing lights of every kind: police cars, an ambulance, two unmarked vehicles, and a white news van.
Kaufman left his vehicle and joined a group of men huddling between cars. Skylar rolled down her window and listened to a reporter on her phone.
“That’s right,” she said. “The police were called at 10:30 A.M…about fifteen minutes ago. Female…early-twenties…involved in a shooting. Three times at close range. Yes, that’s what I said.” She paused. “She’s being taken to Saint Mary’s with sirens, but it doesn’t look good. One of the officers I spoke with identified her as Angelina da Rosa…Sophia Capellan’s twin sister.” The blonde reporter glanced around then said, “Oh, there he is! The other witness.”
Skylar glanced down the sidewalk and took a double take. Dylan? What the hell is going on here?
“Claims he didn’t see anything,” the reporter hurriedly said. “But I’m gonna take a shot at getting a statement.”
No, no, no! Skylar climbed out of the back seat of Kaufman’s car and ran toward Dylan. “Get back in your car! Right now!” She whisper-yelled then slipped into the passenger seat of his car next to him. “Get down,” she directed.
Although he looked confused, he slid down out of view, waiting until the reporter walked by. “What’s going on?” he asked.
“That’s what I want to know.”
“This is so screwed up! I parked at the end of the block and walked here. It took me a few minutes to find the right house. I handed your envelope to a woman who answered the door. She said she’d give it to Sophia but that she was headed out for a few minutes. I thanked her and was walking back to my car when this low rider pulled up next to her. As far as I could tell, there were four guys inside. It seemed suspicious, but I thought they could be asking for directions or something. Then gunshots exploded, and I stayed low for thirty seconds or so. That’s when people came rushing out of the house. Mrs. Capellan was out of her mind screaming. Apparently, it was her twin sister they shot.”
Skylar looked down at the floor mat, cursing under her breath. “Do you think the shooting had anything to do with the envelope I gave you?” The idea was far-fetched, but she felt compelled to ask anyway.
“There’s no telling with all this shit going on.”
“Wait a minute. You said you saw them. Could you identify them?”
A black car pulled up behind them, blocking them just enough to be annoying. Inspector Barillas stepped out, looking as smug as usual. He walked up to the driver side and knocked on the window.
Dylan shot Skylar a puzzled look before rolling it down.
“So, Mr. Haines,” Barillas said, “I hear you have a story to tell…”
Dylan glanced at Skylar and shook his head. “No, not me.”
She could see a nervous twitch on the side of Dylan’s neck and wondered if Barillas had noticed it too.
“Really?”
Dylan kept his eyes straight ahead. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Is that right.” This time it was a statement. “Then why you here?”
Dylan shift in his seat.
Skylar put her hand on Dylan’s arm and looked up at Barillas. “I was headed to the airport with Kau
fman when he got the call for this mess.” She waved in the general direction of the crime scene. “Dylan offered to drive me to the airport and I agreed. So we’re headed there now.”
Barillas leaned in. “Is she telling the truth?”
“Why would she lie?”
“Exactly.” Barillas stepped back from the car and stretched his back. “Then you better get going, Mr. Haines. Time’s a wasting.” He slammed his hand down on the car roof, making Skylar jump. Then he walked off.
Dylan turned to Skylar. “Just tell me one thing. Does Sophia Capellan work at the newspaper?”
Skylar racked her brain for an answer. “No, I don’t think so. Why?”
Dylan dropped his forehead into his palm. “The next time you need a favor, ask someone else.”
“But the envelope I gave you had nothing to do with this drug business or your part in any of it.” Skylar looked away, gritting her teeth. She couldn’t make this right by saying she was sorry, and she couldn’t earn his trust by telling him the truth. What the hell was she supposed to do?
“Yeah, right,” he mumbled under his breath.
“I’m telling you it had nothing to do with any of this.” She hesitated before adding, “It was just something I needed to do.”
His eyes narrowed. “Well, this shooting was quite the coincidence then. I shared everything with you three days ago and then come to find out my house has been bugged. They probably put cameras in every room too.”
Skylar just sat and listened.
“Maybe even a tracking device on my car. Christ, I don’t know where it’s safe to shit anymore.” Dylan’s cell phone rang. It looked like he was going to ignore it, but right before the caller gave up, he answered. “Ethan. What’s up?” His eyes darted around as he quietly listened. “Really? Okay. Well, just don’t say anything till I get there. We’re on our way.” Dylan put the car in reverse and swore under his breath when he saw Barillas’ car. It took a few tries to get out of the driveway unscathed.
“What’s going on with Ethan?” Skylar asked.
“Diaz…Barillas’ partner. He was asking for you. He has something important to show you. Apparently, something you need to explain to all of us.” He glanced over at her. “Know what he’s talking about?”
“No. I haven’t a clue. What’s going on?”
Dylan scowled at her. “Julian’s brother was driving the car with the shooters in it, which means The Chaplain was involved.”
“I don’t understand. How do you know that?”
“Yeah, I guess that makes sense. How would you know? Anyway, get this. Julian Delacruz was Inspector Diaz’s half-brother. Apparently, everyone thought they hadn’t spoken in years. But I know better.”
“How so?”
“They were in the car that picked me up. The one with Ethan in the back seat. I told you that an undercover cop was involved, and I couldn’t go to the police. I just failed to mention Diaz’s name. So there! Now you have something for Barillas.”
Her eyes searched his face. “Is it possible that not everyone in this town is corrupt. I mean maybe Barillas or that DEA agent he was talking to—”
Dylan gave her an ‘are you kidding’ smirk. “I don’t know what makes you think you’re prepared for any of this,” he said. “You really have no business being involved.”
Skylar sank back in her seat, ruminating. He was right. She was the last person in the world to save anyone, including him. So why in the hell was she here then?
Dylan avoided the roadwork up ahead by taking a second freeway onramp and quickly reached and surpassed the speed limit. “I didn’t mean to sound harsh,” he said. “I just think it’s best if I handled everything from now on.”
Skylar realized the more time she spent with Dylan the less she knew about him. She stared through the passenger window, wishing she could escape to her imaginary planet right now. She remembered the AI app on her phone asking, “Are you homesick?” She snorted a soft laugh. Boy am I ever. What I wouldn’t give to get out of here.
Dylan cast a look in her direction. “You okay, Sky?”
“Sure,” she answered. “What else could go wrong?”
“I don’t know, but something tells me this is just the beginning.”
Although she wanted to disagree, she was confident trouble and worry would mess with them on every level.
15
Jeopardy
“Observation is the beginning of knowledge.”
— ANONYMOUS
After parking a few blocks away from the Aerocon building, Dylan climbed out of his car and adjusted the pistol tucked against his lower back. Skylar joined him, striding quickly past brick-covered buildings lining both sides of the road. Nature had been taking its toll on their red formidable exteriors. All the past glory was still there, just covered with graffiti and enormous amounts of pigeon poop.
After walking through the unlocked front entry, Skylar wrinkled her nose. The building’s interior smelled of dust, mildew, old lumber and engine oil—a close match to the mechanic shop she’d left behind. Without slowing down, they followed a long hallway to a set of rickety stairs leading in two directions.
“We came in on the second floor,” he told her. “The main shop where Ethan is waiting is at the far end of this building on the same floor, but it’s difficult to reach right now. They’re doing repairs and major renovations on this building, and the middle section is sealed off until Monday. So watch your step and stay with me.”
Just as they reached the third level landing, Dylan stopped. The sound of footsteps and a click came from below them—from the floor they had just left seconds ago. Dylan motioned for Skylar to get down. He took a quick look over the railing and dropped to the floor next to her. The soft thew-thew-thew of a silencer came as the wood beams splintered above their heads.
Holy shit! How did he know that would happen?
They were both edging up the stairs to the top of the third floor, when the mysterious assailant let off two more shots, hitting the wood support beam and floor beneath them. Running footsteps and a loud thump sounded, then the exit door on the second floor slammed shut with a loud bang.
Dylan extended a hand, guiding Skylar toward an open closet where a few tools were being stored. He pulled out his gun and sucked in a deep breath. “Stay here,” he ordered. He handed her a folded pocket knife and shrugged his shoulders. Then he ran down the rickety staircase to the second floor.
She looked at the small weapon in her hand and almost laughed. What the hell am I supposed to do with this?
Before she could defend herself, someone came up behind her and put a knife to her throat, causing her to drop the small knife. His other arm expertly hooked around her elbows, holding her arms behind her, leaving her defenseless.
Skylar let out a small cry. Oh man, oh man, oh man. What now? “Let go of me,” she growled as she struggled to get free.
He chuckled. “And why would I do that when I could have so much fun?”
She turned to get a look at her attacker and he sneered at her, or was it a smile? He pressed the knife into her throat, in case she forgot it was there. For a brief moment, she considered negotiating her way out of this deadly embrace, but she had never been the one to side step a good fight. She made a futile attempt to twist and turn out of his grasp, but the man tightened his grip, making it hard to breathe.
“You’ll never get away from me, Pajarito,” he said with an air of confidence. The Spanish word brought a harsh memory to mind. Little bird. It was the name Roxy’s father had called her. His passive aggressive way of insulting her whenever he saw her with Roxy.
Cesar Capellan, is that you? She was sure of it!
He pressed into her back and breathed into her ear, “He thinks he needs you, but not me. I would finish you off right now…if he would let me.”
Who was he talking about? Skylar knew that asking would be pointless, so she decided to fight him instead. She snapped her head back, smashing his nose with
her skull. He groaned and recoiled from her painful blow. But in doing so, he dragged the blade across her shoulder. Skylar stumbled out of his reach and looked around for her escape before feeling the pain in her arm. She touched the wound and withdrew blood-covered fingers.
Holy shit!
By now, he had taken several steps back and was holding his nose. “You fucking bitch!” he yelled. The sounds of multiple engines coughing to life drowned out the rest of his insults.
Skylar snarled. “I know who you are and I’m going make you pay for everything you’ve done…or will ever do.”
He pulled back his knife, preparing to strike, but suddenly, the staircase beneath them heaved and buckled. The floor gave way and she dropped into thin air, arms pinwheeling. Her body broke through ceiling material and slammed into the white tiled surface. Dust and rubble crumbled around her and her chest heaved in pain. All the air had been forced out of her lungs. She felt her panic rising as her body tried to inhale but couldn’t. Agonizing seconds passed before instinct took over, allowing her to relax. She pulled shaking breaths into her lungs and looked around. Capellan was gone, and she was now on the second level in the middle of the construction site, looking up at the broken staircase above her.
“Skylar! What happened?” Dylan rushed to her side and helped her back onto her feet. “Are you okay?”
“I think so.” She touched her shoulder, confident that the bleeding had slowed down. “He got away?”
“Yeah. I managed to get a shot off but I’m pretty sure I missed him. At least he didn’t get to you.”
She shook her head. “When you disappeared, he came up behind me with a knife. He had me by the throat.”
Dylan looked shocked. “How’s that possible?”
“I broke his nose and got a good look at him.”
“So you’d recognize him in a lineup?”
“Who needs a lineup? It was Cesar Capellan,” she said confidently. “No question about it.”
Dylan kept his gun out and reached for her elbow.
“He said he wasn’t supposed to hurt me. Whoever he’s working for wanted him to keep me alive.”
High Flying Page 15
