by Rayna Morgan
“Neal sounded happy and relaxed. He told his father everything was fine and that he was on his way to a concert. It's the last time Harold spoke to Neal before—"
Liz choked and her eyes filled with tears. "It was hardly a meaningful exchange for a final conversation with his son."
Maddy reached across the table placing her hands over those of the distraught woman to quiet the fingers folding and unfolding the napkin. "It will take time, dear, but Harold has you and Joan."
"I should get back to him now. Let's go to the store so I can get my car." Turning to Lea, she apologized. "Sorry, I'm not myself today but hopefully, we'll see each other again soon under better circumstances."
"Of course," Lea responded, retrieving her package as she stood. "Talk to you tomorrow, Maddy."
Lea watched the two women walk away. Does Tom know about the late hour visitor to Neal's office the night before he was murdered? Had that person offered a resolution to Neal's problem, the source of Neal's good mood the next day?
She considered the bigger question. How can I pass this information on to Tom without Paul finding out what Maddy and I have been up to?
CHAPTER TEN
Tom was at his desk when a call from the Chief of Police was patched through to him. The smile on his face told the other detectives it was good news. He called them over to his desk. "They caught two of the brothers at the entrance to the border crossing. I called a couple of days ago to confirm the border patrol had received the APB on the brothers since Mexico was their most likely destination. Sure enough, they showed up ready to walk across the border and the authorities took them into custody."
He pointed out two officers leaning against the wall. "Nelson and Jones in the Burglary Unit are going to get them and bring them back here, but we’ll get a crack at them in interrogation to find out what they know about the Henderson murder."
"Where's the third brother?"
"The brothers weren't cooperating with the officers who detained them, but initial questioning indicates he never left the County. He told his siblings not to worry; he'd get his hands on money and anything else they needed, and meet them in Mexico. The other supplies he mentioned may refer to weapons, so we need to include an armed and dangerous alert on the APB."
"Any ideas on where he's headed for money and supplies, sir?"
"I want to make sure we cover all the bases. I've divided the unit into pairs covering all the possible places he might go. You can get your assignments on the way out.
One team will go to the last known address where the brothers were living and visit their family. Another team will check with the brother's parole officer to determine when that officer last had contact with Roberto. Be sure to get any addresses and contact numbers the parole board has on file. I'll go back to the vic’s office and condominium in case the brother left something in Neal's possession he wants to retrieve."
Tom walked briskly toward the door. "Hopefully, the APB will result in the third brother's arrest before the day's over. If not, let's meet back here before the end of shift to coordinate our findings. Stay safe out there. Remember, this guy could be armed by now. He's headed back to prison once he's caught, so he's got nothing to lose."
• • •
Maddy was scheduled for the evening hours at the furniture store. She had plenty of time for an aerobics class after her dental appointment.
"I shouldn't stop at Maria's on the way. Her donuts will offset all my hard work exercising. On the other hand," she rationalized, "a little reward is motivation."
Entering the shop, she encountered a visibly distraught Maria muttering under her breath as she put a tray of pastry dough into the oven.
"Maria, you look angry. What's wrong?"
"I've got no patience with men who show no respect," she explained, waving her hands in the air.
"Who's been showing you no respect?"
"Roberto Ramirez came in this morning, and he sure wasn't here to buy no donuts. He was ranting about how his brother Miguel saw me talking to the police. He wanted to know why the police came around and what I told them. I asked him why he was so worried about the police. Then I told him what I said or didn't say was none of his business."
"Wow! Did that make Roberto mad?"
"You bet," she grinned, "but that bad temper of his has never scared me. He wanted to know if the cops asked about him and his brothers. Or if I told the police where they live."
"Did they? And did you?" Maddy asked, breathlessly.
"I don't even know where the brothers live. That's what I told Roberto. Those boys have shifted from one place to another ever since their uncle kicked them out when he discovered they were selling drugs."
"Maria, do you know the police are looking for all three of the brothers? They're suspected of being the ones who have been doing all the burglaries. There was a blurb on the news last night saying anyone having any information about them should call the police but to avoid contact with them at all costs."
Maria's eyes widened, and she swallowed hard. "I never have time to watch the news. Maybe I shouldn't have been so cheeky with Roberto. Should I call the cops?"
"Yes, right away. I've got to go." Maddy hurried toward the door. "Call the police now, Maria."
"Don't you want a donut?"
"No time. I'll come by tomorrow."
Maddy felt guilty skipping her class, but she had other plans. Hitting a number on her cell phone, she waited impatiently for Lea to answer. Relieved the call hadn't gone to voice mail, Maddy broke in before Lea could say hello. "He's in town."
"Who's in town? What are you talking about?"
"The oldest of the burglary brothers. The one who got out of prison. I know Tom told Paul he thought the brothers were headed for Mexico but I was just at Maria's. Roberto was in her shop earlier this morning."
"What were you doing in the donut shop?" Lea interrupted. "I thought you gave up sweets."
"Never mind that. We've got to do something."
"Whoa, what do you mean we've got to do something? Maria's the only one who needs to do something. She needs to call the police right away and tell them exactly what Roberto said."
"I know, I know. She's probably on the phone to them already, but Tom's got his hands full with everything else. We could at least take a drive by the place where the brothers are staying to see if Roberto is around."
"Are you crazy?" Lea responded incredulously. "Didn't you pay attention to the newscast last night? The brothers are considered to be possibly armed and dangerous. Besides, no one knows their whereabouts or the police would have arrested them already."
"I'm sure Roberto wouldn't be dumb enough to go back to where he and his brothers were holed up,” Maddy said, “although he does sound more than a little loco. But if we could eliminate that spot for Tom, he wouldn’t have to use his resources checking it out."
"There's still the problem of not knowing where the brothers are,” Lea reminded her sister.
"Actually, that's not an issue. Maria told Roberto she didn't inform the police where he lives because she doesn't know, but she wasn't entirely truthful."
"Oh, oh; I don't like the sound of this."
"You remember the rancher we met at Maria's,” Maddy asked, “the good-looking one who looks like a model for Stetson hats?"
"The one Maria called Scott,” Lea affirmed.
"He told Maria the Ramirez brothers may have camped in the flat area of land next to the river which flooded when we had the heavy rains."
"How does he know?"
"That land is adjacent to his property,” Maddy explained. “He apparently scouts the property to make sure partying teenagers or drug addicts haven't left food to attract coyotes or other animals onto his property. He saw tents that looked like they were for more than overnight use.”
“Did he let the police know?” Lea asked.
“He hasn't reported it to the police because he hasn't seen any sign of the black Ford truck the Ramirez brother
s drive. He'd recognize the vehicle if it were there. The brothers painted red flames on it to make it stand out."
"If they're driving a truck painted with red flames, it will stand out to the officers responding to the APB, too."
"That's what I'm thinking. I told Maria to get hold of the rancher to make sure he calls the police with the information about the campsite and the truck if he hasn't already. In the meantime, I think we should drive to the campground to see if they're still there."
"Don't bother. Paul got off the phone with Tom half an hour ago. They caught two of the brothers at the border. The only brother still on the loose is Roberto. You said Maria is calling the police about his visit today. Given the information the rancher supplies about the campsite, the police will be sure to check it out."
Lea's reasoning skills surfaced. "Besides, it seems unlikely Roberto would have reason to return to the campsite with his brothers gone. It sounds like he's after something other than their camping supplies. It's doubtful they would have left money at a campsite. He must have a different target in mind."
In the ensuing silence, Lea could almost hear Maddy's brain churning. She was relieved to hear her sister concur with her reasoning. "You're right, Lea. It's none of our business. If I hurry, I'll still make my exercise class. Talk to you later."
Lea was right, she thought. But looking at her watch, she elected to follow her own intuition. There’s no way I can get to class on time. The instructor hates it when someone disrupts the warm-up routine by walking in late. Missing class gives me more than enough time to take a little detour before I have to go to work. I'll just take the long way home by driving past the river instead of on the freeway.
Maddy exited the freeway onto the unpaved frontage road that ran along the river. The river carried water from the mountains all the way to the ocean making the plains fertile with silt and providing the basis for the rich agriculture of the area.
There were few homes in this area because of the likelihood of flooding from the river during the rainy season, but flooding was of no concern to Maddy at this time of year. Typically bare through early spring, the river bed itself was only now beginning to show signs of vegetation.
Not far from the exit, Maddy passed the RV campground. A few spots were occupied but in another month, the entire campground would be full and booked through the summer.
As the road narrowed, she was surrounded on either side by large groves of willows, cottonwoods, and alders, ideal spots for picnics or camping. Springtime rendered perfect weather for camping increasing Maddy's hopes of finding signs the brothers had a campsite along the river.
Lowering her window as she drove past thickets of wild rose and blackberry, she heard the warbling of multiple bird species common to the area. But it was the sounds of campers she was listening for.
Her hopes diminished as she realized she was getting closer to the State Park. It was unlikely the brothers would have stayed there since they would be required to register, furnish identification, and pay daily fees.
She was contenting herself with a 'nothing ventured, nothing gained' attitude when she spotted it. A black truck with trailing red and orange flames painted on the side.
It was parked under a huge oak tree next to a wooden picnic table at the top of the riverbank. There were no tents or other camping paraphernalia visible, but a nearby grove of willow trees could be shielding a campsite. She turned onto the graveled road leading to the picnic table to get a better look.
Won't Lea be surprised? Not only have I probably found the brothers' campsite, but Roberto could be at the camp this very moment. Dialing Lea's number, she muttered. Darn it. I'm not getting cell phone reception; I must be out of the coverage area. I'll have to drive back closer to town until I can get a signal.
Before turning around to return to the frontage road, Maddy decided to snap a couple of pictures. I'll email these to the police so they can pinpoint the exact location.
She stepped out of her car and studied her cell phone, trying to adjust it to camera mode. The unexpected sound of a gruff male voice caused her to jump. "Bird watching, Miss?"
The words sent shivers along the fine hairs on her arms and the back of her neck. Turning abruptly, Maddy knew she was looking into the eyes of none other than Roberto Ramirez.
There was no question the man standing in front of her was the older brother of the two men she and Lea had seen at Maria's donut shop. He had the same dark hair, black goatee and mustache, and tattoos covering his arms from neck to wrists. A scar in the pattern of miniature railroad tracks jagged from the tip of his right ear down his cheek to the corner of his mouth. This older version of the Ramirez boys was more muscular. There were age lines etched on his face. Maybe from hard time in prison, Maddy thought.
She quickly collected her thoughts, hoping her voice wouldn't reflect the terror she was feeling. "Oh, hi. I'm looking for a great spot for a picnic. My family is having a reunion in June. They want me to find the perfect place. If I don't take pictures and label the different locations I'm scouting, I can't remember which spots I like best. Have you camped around here? Can you recommend something?"
Roberto scanned the woman's face suspiciously. "No, I come here to do a little fishing. How did you find this spot? It's pretty far from the freeway."
She reminded herself not to underestimate him. "The way I always find great places for a picnic. I turn my car onto a back road and go until I see something I like."
His lips drew back in a snarl. "So you're out here all alone?"
Maddy's heart skipped a beat. The palms of her hands were moist. She made a show of looking at her watch.
"I had no idea I'd been here so long. I've got to get going, or I'll be late for work." She turned quickly hoping she sounded more convincing to him than she did to herself.
She was fumbling with her keys to unlock the car door when she felt a rough, hairy hand on top of hers. She trembled. He grinned broadly from ear to ear.
"You know, lady, you’re about to learn the hard way you shouldn't drive back roads by yourself. So this may not be your lucky day, but it could be mine." He grabbed her cell phone, pulling her roughly down the path toward his truck. "I think I just found me a get-out-of-town card."
Realizing his intention, Maddy knew she had to get away before he got her in his truck. Her lies had apparently not distracted him. It was time to lay out the facts.
"Hold on, Roberto. I know who you are." Her lower lip trembled, but she kept her voice calm.
He twirled abruptly, towering over her. She could see the cords in his neck tighten. Clasping her hand tighter, he twisted her wrist until tears came to her eyes.
"Maybe you better tell me who you are,” he demanded.
"It doesn't matter who I am," she responded tersely. “What’s important is that my sister Lea is on her way here right now."
Obviously relieved, he laughed scornfully. "Oh, now I'm really scared. Two women are after me. I better run for my life."
Seizing her last chance before they reached the truck, Maddy threatened him in a calm, quiet voice.
"She stopped at the police station on her way to give them this exact location. You may not be concerned about my sister and me, but you should be worried about the full force of the Buena Viaje police force coming down on you."
The last comment got his attention but not in the way Maddy had hoped for. His face became red, distorted by rage. She screamed as he jerked her so hard she thought her arm would pull out of its socket. Her car keys fell from her hand as he pushed her in front of him.
"All you need to be worried about is what I'll do to you if you don't do what I say. We need to get out of here fast. I'll take the back roads across the mountain to the interstate. Don't try any funny business or you know what will happen to you. You're a better hostage alive, but dead or alive, you're leaving town with me."
With that warning issued, Roberto pulled a roll of duct tape from the glove compartment and secured Maddy'
s hands behind her. "Now we're going to get on your cell phone and call your sister. Let's see if you've got her on speed dial. What's her name?"
"None of your business."
Roberto's open palm whipped across her cheek so fast and so violently she momentarily saw stars.
"Lea," Maddy whimpered.
"That's more like it," he sneered, scrolling through the numbers on her phone. "Yep, there she is."
He gave instructions, juggling her with one hand and her phone in the other. "When she answers, I'll hold the phone to your mouth. Tell her you got to the site and found nothing, so the cops don't need to come out here. That's all she needs to know right now. Once we're far enough away, we'll call back to let her know you're with me and what they need to do for me to get you back."
A moment later, he raised the phone and scowled. "We're out of cell range. We'll have to wait until we're over the hill."
Roberto dropped the tailgate and hoisted her onto the flatbed of his truck. At least I landed on top of the tents. They should provide a cushion from bouncing around.
"Is this necessary?" she complained.
"There's no room for you in the front. I wasn't exactly planning on a passenger." He laughed gruffly like he was enjoying her discomfort. "But let's make sure you aren't able to make noise and attract attention back here."
Leaning over the side of the flatbed, he wrapped duct tape around her ankles and pressed a strip across her mouth. The worst part for Maddy was the dusty blanket he threw on top of her to hide her from view. Just what I needed. The dust will set off my allergies. She wiggled her nose, trying to stop the tickling sensation. I've got to sneeze. Not an easy thing to do with duct tape on my mouth.
After a last inspection of the campsite area, Roberto got into the truck and they started their journey, not toward the freeway as Maddy had hoped where there would be a greater chance of their being spotted but up the narrow back road that led over the mountain. Maddy despaired. I'm in for a long, bumpy ride.
