The Cain Casey Series

family. After their bags were in the limo, Remi shook hands with Dallas.

“It was a pleasure meeting you, and I’m sure we’ll see each other soon. I understand you have an apartment in the city, but I thought you’d enjoy a few nights at the Piquant.”

“Thank you. It’ll be convenient since that’s where the reception is tonight. I didn’t think there’d be an available room, with all the studio brass in town.”

Remi laughed and bent her head to whisper something to Dallas, fully aware that Bob’s eyes were trying to bore a hole in her skull. “I wouldn’t want to give you the impression that all Gemini employees are slackers,” she teased.

“I’m sorry again,” Dallas said. “I know you said not to apologize, but the name-calling and Bob in general got out of hand. I don’t want you to think I agree with him.”

“I’m sure Dick will learn the error of his ways sooner than you think, Ms. Montgomery. That’s an oath I’ll personally keep in the near future,” Remi said while still holding her hand.

Dallas stared at her, obviously just noticing the unique color combination of her eyes. “Will I really see you again? I’d like to treat you to dinner to make it up to you. Please call me Dallas, and thank you…”

Remi ignored the way Dallas had dragged out the word you, as if hoping for her to fill in the blank of her name. “You will and thank you. It really has been a pleasure, but if you’ll excuse me, I have people waiting.”

Remi let Dallas go, heading for the three waiting Suburbans and getting into the lead vehicle. She could figure out the mystery that was Dallas Montgomery and her traveling companion later. There was definitely a story there, and she was dying to hear it.

*

“Mano,” Remi called from the open window. Ramon, Remi’s twin brother, stood in front of their parents’ home waiting for the vehicles to roll to a stop. From the time they had started talking, Remi had called him Mano, an abbreviation of hermano, meaning brother in Spanish.

“Remi, you’re looking good. Vacation agrees with you.”

After getting out of the truck Remi hugged and kissed Mano hello, then turned to the rest of the group exiting the remaining vehicles and pointed to the house in a silent request for time alone with Mano.

Remi was involved in, and usually responsible for, the daily operations of the family business not mentioned in their annual reports. She also controlled the muscle that kept those operations running smoothly. She did the job well, and Mano readily followed her lead, but that side of the business was seldom discussed outside the family.

Mano put his arm around Remi’s shoulders and led her into the house. Their mother would have to wait for her kiss hello.

As they entered the large study reminiscent of an old Cuban plantation with its muted and tasteful mahogany furniture, Remi was reminded of the tradition that had been an important part of her upbringing. The tall, imposing man behind the desk, who stood when his children entered, embodied the lessons of who she was and what her family stood for.

“Papi, como estas? Papi, how are you?”

“Muy bien, hija. Very well, daughter. You look good. Dwayne and Steve aren’t with you?” Ramon asked while wrapping her in a hug.

“In a minute. I have a favor to ask before we turn our attention to the Biloxi business.”

The three took a seat, and Remi described the trip home and the unexpected guests. “Mano, dig until you find something, but I know Dallas Montgomery doesn’t stay with that dickhead out of love and devotion. There’s a reason, and I want to know what it is.”

After she finished, Ramon and Mano glanced at each other. “This is new. Why do you care?” Mano asked.

“I just want to know.” She didn’t often get upset with her family, but this was no time for Mano’s teasing. “In case you forgot, she hasn’t signed on for the sequel that starts production in two months. Call that my motivating factor.”

“Mano, I’ll help you with this one. Consider it done,” Ramon said, which stopped the discussion. “It’ll be good to get out again before your mother finds something else for me to do. Speaking of which, go tell her hello.”

“I’d appreciate it, Papi.”

The three walked out to the large balcony that overlooked the pool and immaculate gardens. “Mami, the good- looking one has returned,” Remi said as she picked Marianna up off the ground and kissed her.

Marianna held Remi for a moment before squeezing her face between her hands. “Any luck on your trip? I’m not getting any younger and I want more grandchildren.”

“You could ask how I am first, you know.”

“I can see by looking at you that you’re fine, but I can’t so easily detect if there’s a woman in your heart. Now answer me.” Marianna tapped her foot and waited.

“I’m still in the sampling phase, but don’t worry. I’m ticking them off as fast as I can.”

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say your father carried you for nine months, you’re so much like him,” Marianna said, dripping sarcasm. Behind her, Steve, Dwayne, and their wives were laughing at the expression on Marianna’s face.

“Hopefully that’s true.” Remi kissed her mother’s forehead. “After all, he kept at it until he got it right, didn’t he?” She knew what was coming, but didn’t duck the cuff to the head her mother delivered.

“One day you won’t have your poor mother’s arm to pull, Remi. Then what will you do?”

“That’ll be a sad day indeed, but remember one thing. It’s leg, Mami, leg.” This time Remi did dodge the little hand flying toward her head, seeing Marianna had swung with more intent.

The Jatibons’ maid escorted Cain and Muriel out to the balcony while they were still laughing. “Still giving your mother a hard time?” Cain asked.