phone though; and when Dwight called it, Miguel Diaz
told them where they were working. The site was a new
development off Ward Dairy Road near Bethel Baptist,
less than fifteen minutes away.
He was waiting for them at the entrance of the new
subdivision, and Dwight tried to take his measure as
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HARD ROW
Diaz got out of his truck to meet them. A clean-shaven
man with light brown skin and straight black hair.
Without that black Stetson and the workboots, he’d
probably stand five-nine or five-ten, just a shade taller
than Mayleen Richards. Regular features. Slim hips and
a slender build that conveyed strength and confidence.
Hard to read his face because he wore mirrored sun-
glasses this bright sunny morning.
Dwight introduced himself and they shook hands. In
lightly accented English, Diaz asked how he might be
of service.
“We’re looking for Ernesto Palmeiro,” Dwight said.
“We’re told you went to court for him last week and
that he works for you now.”
“Did work,” Diaz said easily. “No more. He left for
Mexico on Saturday. At least that’s where he said he was
going. Is there more trouble, Major Bryant?”
“Didn’t you guarantee he’d repair the yards he plowed
up?”
“They’re finished. We put the last yard back with new
bushes Friday night. I let him work for me during the
day, then work on the damages in the evening, and I
kept his pay till it was finished, just like I promised the
judge.”
He seemed puzzled by the three cars that still flashed
their emergency lights. “All this for some flowers and
bushes? I can show you, Major. It’s all fixed.”
“Not flowers and bushes,” Dwight said. “You’ve
heard about Buck Harris? Palmeiro’s boss? Owner of
the farm where he used to live and work, and where he
stole that tractor?”
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MARGARET MARON
“He was killed, yes?” He shook his head. “A bad busi-
ness. Very bad.”
“Ernesto Palmeiro did it.”
Impossible to gauge his reaction behind those reflec-
tive glasses. Diaz did not exclaim or protest, but he did
let out the long indrawn breath he had taken.
“You don’t seem surprised,” Dwight said grimly.
“Did I know he was the butcher? No, Major. But
