by Val Welch
“I know. I’ve gotten comments from some of my patients since the news hit about Shelby getting Eden out of jail,” Doc said, slowly shaking his head. “Well, I’ve got rounds. Call me if you hear anything.”
“I will.” Gabe stood and walked him to the door.
Helen looked up at Gabe as Doc walked out the front door. “What was that about?”
“Someone dropped hate mail addressed to Shelby on his doorstep. I’m going to take it over to the county crime lab. You can get me on the radio.” He took his hat and coat from the rack and headed toward the door.
“Gabe, hold on a minute,” Helen said. She took a step toward him. “You should know … there’s a lot of talk going around town. Even calls to the mayor. You might get a phone call from him. Maybe, you should call him first.”
“Yeah, I know it’s bad when Carla at the diner won’t even look at me. I’ll call him from the road,” he said over his shoulder as he walked out the door.
The entire last week had reminded him of the controversy around town when the Malone family were released after the big DEA bust. He knew he was in for a wild ride the next few weeks. Last time, Mitch Timmons, the mayor, had been damn understanding. He’d even given Gabe a month off to help Eden get clean. He hoped he’d have his support this time too.
He picked up his phone and called the mayor’s office as he pulled out of the parking lot. His call was immediately patched through to the mayor’s car. “Hello, Gabe, I guess you know the fur is flying around here about Eden Malone’s release.”
“Yeah I know. That’s why I’m calling. I wanted to fill you in on the situation.”
“I had a long talk with a buddy down in the attorney general’s office. I think I have a good feel for the situation. Sounds like one of the FBI agents went out on a big limb and sawed it off.” He chuckled. “Hell Gabe, we’ve known each other for a long damn time. I think we can be honest with each other. This could get real bad, it being an election year and all.”
“I know, Mitch. Let me know what you want me to do. I have some vacation time banked if you want me to use it.”
“Let’s not do anything rash yet. But if this keeps up, we may have to think about that.”
“One other thing, Mitch. Doc Ryan found an envelope on his front door that I’m running over to the county crime lab. It looks like some sort of threat against his daughter, Shelby. She’s the agent that sawed off that limb.”
“Damn, I didn’t know it was Doc’s girl. How’s he taking it?”
“Pretty good, he agrees with Shelby that Eden was getting a bad deal. You know it was her brother William that got her into this whole mess. She was just trying to help him.”
“Yeah, that brother of hers has always been bad news. Let me know what the lab guys come up with and take it easy, Gabe.”
“Thanks, Mitch, you do the same.” Gabe hung up, and made the decision he’d been struggling with all week.
Eighteen
Shelby glumly stared out the car window as she and Carson drove to Pine Ridge late Friday afternoon. They’d been arguing the entire drive through the winding mountain roads from Phoenix and her head was pounding.
“I don’t understand why you’re being so difficult about this. It’s really just a simple thing,” she said, turning to look at him.
Carson took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “A simple thing does not end your career, and send you to a federal penitentiary where every guy on the cell block calls you sweetie.”
She laughed and slowly shook her head. “I’m amazed that you’re actually shutting me out. When did I lose control of this relationship?”
“Shelby, I can’t risk running the facial recognition software. I know you care about Eden and Gabe, but trust me; you have to let it go, at least for the time being. Can’t we take a break from the case this weekend?”
She sighed. “Yes, we can. I know you’re right. It’s just hard to believe my life has changed so drastically. I’m just Joe citizen now.” She turned back to the window and the view of the twilight shadowed forest beyond.
“Hey you.” Carson reached over, took her hand in his and kissed it. “I know you’re going through a lot right now … maybe we should put the baby off for a couple of months until you decide what your next step is.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “No, not the baby too. I couldn’t deal with that.”
“Okay, it’s just a thought.” He smiled. “Should we stop at Doc’s first, or go straight to Lydia’s for dinner?”
She dug into her bag for a tissue. “Doc’s meeting us at Lydia’s. And don’t be surprised, it’s a big Navarro family dinner to celebrate their engagement.”
“How do you feel about Doc getting married again?”
“I’m happy about it. He’s been very lonely since Margie died and Lydia’s always been a great friend.”
“So, in some instances the institution of marriage is acceptable?”
She laughed. “Okay. I admit that in some instances, the archaic institution of marriage is acceptable.”
He kissed her hand again. “And maybe even desirable?”
She smiled at him. “Was that a proposal?”
He shook his head. “No. I’d do a much better job. I’d say something romantic that swept you off your feet and left you breathless. Not an offhand comment at the end of a two-hour argument.”
“Ah, I see,” she said. “To answer your question, yes, in some cases it’s desirable.”
“So, you may even consider it as a desirable part of your life?”
Her eyes met his. “My entire life is in revision right now. I’m not ruling out anything.”
He grinned. “Okay, I can live with that.”
“Okay.” She tried to hide her smile as she turned back toward the window.
The sun was setting when they arrived at Lydia’s country club home. They drove down the street looking for a parking spot in the long line of cars already parked along the narrow, tree-lined street.
Carson paused at the end of the driveway and looked up at the sprawling stone and timber structure. “That is some house.”
“I know. Doc is going to love living right on the golf course,” Shelby said as Gabe approached them from the driveway. “Here’s Gabe.”
She rolled down her window. Gabe bent down and looked into the car. “Hi Shelby, Carson. Just pull in the driveway behind my truck. I won’t be leaving for awhile.” He gestured over his shoulder toward his SUV and moved back so Carson could make the turn into the driveway.
They parked and Gabe opened Shelby’s door for her. “This is a beautiful home,” she said as she stepped out of the car and found herself in his arms.
He kissed her full on the mouth, his hand slowly caressing her arm. She froze, shocked by his behavior and worried about what Carson’s response to it would be. Then the almost overwhelming odor of alcohol hit her and she realized he was drunk on his feet. She put her hands on his chest and gently pushed him away as she stepped back.
He gave her a quizzical look, swayed on his feet and motioned toward the house. “Yeah, my mom loves that house. My dad built it for her just a couple of years before he died.”
Carson came around the car and slipped his arm around Shelby’s shoulders. He glanced down at her and she shrugged. Gabe reached out and shook Carson’s hand. “Hey Carson, it’s good to see you, buddy. Come on in, the family’s all here.”
“That’s all family?” Carson asked looking back down the car-lined street.
“Oh yeah. My dad had seven brothers and sisters and they all had lots of kids. Then the kids had kids. Hell, you know the deal. There are four generations of Navarros in the house,” Gabe explained as they followed him up the steps to the front door. He put his hand on the heavy wrought iron handle of the intricately carved wooden door and smiled over his shoulder at Shelby. “I’ve been waiting for you. I didn’t want you to have to walk into a rowdy Basque party alone.”
Carson took Shelby’s hand as Gabe open
ed the front door and they walked into the house together. They stood in a large entry way overlooking a step-down living room filled with people of all ages and sizes talking, eating and laughing.
“See, I told you,” Gabe said, as they stood surveying the scene below. “Come on, Mom and Doc are in the kitchen.”
They slowly made their way through the room as Gabe stopped and introduced them to various family members. They were repeatedly hugged, kissed and welcomed to the family. Shelby felt as though she had run a gantlet by the time they made it through the living room into the less formal family room at the rear of the house. The family room was crowded as well, but with a more sedate, older group. Beyond the family room was a massive kitchen. That’s where they found Doc and Lydia standing together at the large center island.
They made their way through the crowded family room to them.
“Hi,” Shelby said, smiling and hugging Doc and then Lydia.
“Welcome to my home, Shelby and Carson. It’s very nice to see you. How was your trip?” Lydia asked, wrapping her arm around Shelby’s waist and peering up into her face. “Are you tired? Do you need to lie down?”
Gabe laughed. “Watch out, Shelby, she’ll mother hen you to death if you let her.”
Shelby kissed Lydia on the cheek. “I’m fine. I could use some food and a tour though. I love your home.”
“Come with me to the buffet. After you’ve eaten, we will have a tour,” Lydia said leading her away.
* * * * * *
“Carson, buddy, I think your date has been hijacked,” Doc said, patting him on the back.
Carson laughed and watched Shelby cross the room. “It’s okay. She needs some mothering right now. It’s been a rough week for her.”
“She’s having second thoughts about resigning, isn’t she?” Doc asked, handing Carson a beer.
“Oh yeah, she didn’t even get out of bed for two days.”
Doc shook his head. “That’s always a bad sign with her. Did she call Richard?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Who’s Richard?” Gabe asked, following the conversation while turning to get another beer from the refrigerator.
Given the unit’s suspicions about Gabe, Carson didn’t want him to know how well connected Shelby was. He caught Doc’s eye and slightly shook his head before he told Gabe, “He’s her stepfather. He used to be with the FBI. Right, Doc?”
Doc looked hard at Carson and nodded. “Yes, I just thought he might be able to help her understand there’s life after you leave the bureau. He’s done very well in the private sector.”
“I feel real bad about what happened. What can I do to help?” Gabe asked, looking across the room at Shelby.
Carson had been watching Gabe watch Shelby from the minute they’d arrived and Gabe had manhandled her in the driveway. Gabe was drunk and Carson was trying to stay cool, but he’d had just about enough of it. “Gabe, don’t worry about Shelby, that’s my job.”
Gabe ignored him and glanced at Doc. “Have you told Shelby about the letter?”
Doc shook his head. “No, I was waiting for this weekend.”
“What letter?” Carson asked.
Doc poured a glass of wine and set it on the counter for Shelby. “Someone dropped a letter addressed to Shelby on my doorstep.”
“Something tells me it wasn’t exactly fan mail. What did it say?” Carson asked.
Gabe gestured across the room. Shelby and Lydia were coming back with plates of food. “Here she comes. I’m sure she’ll want to hear it.”
“Oh yeah, Shelby needs to know,” Carson said, taking the plate Shelby handed him.
Shelby took a seat at the kitchen island. “I need to know what?”
Carson sat next to her. “Someone left a letter at Doc’s house for you. Gabe is just about to tell us what it said.”
Gabe pulled a folded sheet of paper from his pocket. “Here’s a copy of the letter. No prints or DNA. It was in an envelope that said, ‘Shelby Ryan Beware.’ The lab guys said it was printed on a HP inkjet printer and impossible to trace.”
Shelby unfolded the paper and read it aloud. “Shelby, be careful. Many want you dead for releasing that drug addict terrorist back into our town.”
“I’ll need the crime lab to send the original to Quantico. This could be connected to the attempt on her life,” Carson said.
“Okay.” Gabe said. “I’ll have them overnight it out on Monday.”
Shelby picked up her fork and began eating. Lydia sat down next to her and asked, “Shelby, are you not upset by this?”
Shelby shrugged. “No, Lydia, I’m not really surprised. From what I understand, a lot of people are out of work because of the bombing of the power plant. There has to be some hard feelings.”
“Oh that is very true. We have all been told that Gabriel and you are insane for freeing Eden,” Lydia said. She looked across the kitchen at Gabe who was lounging against the counter drinking his beer and looking at Shelby.
Gabe smiled at his mother, shrugged and quietly said, “Mom, it’s no longer a problem. Eden is not coming here.”
“What do you mean?” Lydia asked.
Gabe put his beer down. “She’s going back to work at the shelter in Tucson,” he paused, looking directly at Shelby. “She and I are done.”
“When did this happen?” Lydia asked.
“Today. After I dropped the letter at the crime lab, I drove to Phoenix and told her there is no future for her here,” Gabe told them, while looking at Shelby. Shelby grabbed Carson’s hand and squeezed it.
Carson glanced across the family room as Gabe’s spitting image walked into the room. He nudged Shelby and nodded across the room. She followed his gaze and then sharply looked at him.
“Gabe, I didn’t know you were a twin,” Shelby said, gesturing across the room.
Gabe laughed and waved the newcomers over to the kitchen. “I’m not. That’s my cousin Joaquin. Everyone makes that mistake.”
“What an incredible resemblance,” Carson said.
“Joaquin and Gabriel are only a few weeks apart in age. Even as babies they looked identical,” Lydia explained, standing to greet her new guests. “Joaquin and Rebeca, welcome. Please meet Doc’s daughter Shelby and her friend Carson.”
Carson stood and shook their hands. Joaquin was definitely the man in the video. He could see the subtle differences in their facial bone structure as he stood next to Gabe. His wife, Rebeca, was in her late thirties with dark hair and eyes and was very pregnant. “Hello, it’s nice to meet you both.”
Shelby shook their hands and smiled at Rebeca. “When’s the baby due?”
“Yesterday,” she said, sadly looking down at her stomach. “He just won’t come out.”
Carson gestured to his seat at the bar. “Please, sit down.”
She gratefully sank onto the stool and smiled up at Carson. “Thanks. Just walking up the driveway was exhausting.”
Lydia patted Rebeca’s shoulder. “I’ll get you a plate,” she said, leading Joaquin toward the buffet table.
Shelby swiveled her barstool toward Rebeca. “Is this your first baby?”
“He’s our third and final. We have two daughters who are ten and eight years old,” Rebeca said, still shyly smiling at Carson.
Carson looked at Rebeca and grinned. “Shelby and I are trying to have a baby too.”
Gabe visibly flinched in reaction to that little bit of information and it did Carson’s heart good.
Rebeca turned toward Shelby and smiled. “Children are wonderful. Being pregnant isn’t so bad either. This baby is just very big and very lazy to come out.”
Doc smiled at Rebeca. “Who’s your doctor?”
“Dr. Wilson. He’s going to induce labor on Monday if no baby by then.”
“Rebeca, I love your accent. Where are you from?” Shelby asked.
“I’m from Barcelona, Spain. I met Joaquin on holiday in New Mexico fifteen years ago. We lived in Albuquerque until recently whe
n we moved here to be closer to the family.”
“Do you like it here?”
“At first, not so much, but now the girls and Joaquin are much happier.”
“A friend of mine owns one of the local construction companies. Joaquin works for him. He runs the heavy equipment they use to build roads,” Gabe said. He opened another beer and added his empty bottle to the group of several on the counter behind him.
“I think I saw them put dessert on the buffet table. Carson, buddy, do you want to scope it out with me?” Doc asked, nodding toward the buffet table.
“I’m in. Shelby, do you want anything?”
“No thanks, I’m fine.”
* * * * *
After Doc and Carson left for the buffet table, and Rebeca excused herself for a trip to the ladies’ room, Shelby was left alone with Gabe. He was very drunk and had been blatantly looking at her all night. She knew Carson and Doc were both watching him very closely and she worried that things were going to get out of hand. There was an uncomfortable silence as she avoided looking up at him.
Gabe sat down next to her, took her hand in his and said, “Shelby, there are some things I need to tell you. Please meet me tomorrow.”
She looked up. His dark eyes were wet with tears and she fought the almost overwhelming urge to gently stroke his face. She finally won the battle of wills and broke her gaze to look past him and across the room at Carson. “Gabe, I can’t,” she whispered, removing her hand from his.
“Shelby, please just hear me out. One o’clock at my house,” he said as Carson and Doc came back from the buffet.
After dessert, the party broke up. Shelby and Carson left along with the other guests. As soon as they closed the car doors, they looked at each other. “That was unbelievable. He dumped her,” Carson said.
Shelby shook her head. “What an about-face. I wonder how Eden’s handling this. And what about Joaquin?”
