“I don’t think there’s any chance of that,” Dallas said to Remi. They spent the rest of the trip in each other’s arms.
*
“If you were hoping for the easy answer and an even easier target, you’re out of luck,” Muriel said as she dropped the list of passengers that had arrived the day before. “Juan isn’t on the list. Well, the name Juan is on the list, but only because it’s as popular as John is in the States.”
“Then your Jorge arrived early and his welcoming committee put a bullet in Rick’s head,” Cain said in return. She flipped through the pages and dropped them on her desk in disgust. “It’s either that, or new players have joined the game and no one gave us a heads-up about it.”
“I talked to Katlin and she’s trying to find out. If there’s something to know, somebody on the street will tell us eventually.”
“Eventually might be too late.” Cain stretched before standing up and waved Muriel into her chair. “Make some more calls and see if we can’t speed up the process before we end up planning someone else’s funeral.”
“Where are you headed?”
“To visit Rick’s mother and to see a man about a fake ID,” Cain said, waving as she left.
The first visit was short, but Cain sat with the grieving mother as long as the woman could keep her emotions in check and went willingly into Cain’s arms when she could no longer keep her tears at bay. She’d lost her son, but Cain promised that her daughter could stay in college, and they wouldn’t lose their home now that Rick was no longer the main breadwinner. Lou had only been able to shake her hand and step back to the doorway, unable to say anything. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to pay his respects, but Cain knew Rick’s loss had made Lou feel guilty.
As Cain started to leave, a young woman in her early twenties stopped her at the door and asked to speak to her. “You’re Cain Casey, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am, and you must be Sabana. I didn’t know your brother long, but he did a good job of describing you.” Cain held out her hand but, from the angry set to the redhead’s mouth, didn’t expect her to take it. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“My father worked for yours when he was alive.”
“I remember him.” Cain brought her fingers together and dropped her hand when Sabana ignored it. “He died too young as well.”
“After my dad died, getting cancer was Rick’s biggest fear, since everyone always said how much alike they were. I guess he should’ve worried about getting killed doing something he really liked.” As Sabana spoke, she sounded as if her throat was closing with emotion. “Can you promise me something before you go?”
“I’ll try my best.” Cain accepted the hand that Sabana now held out.
“I know you talked to my mom and you’re not going to forget about us. But you don’t have to feel like you’re responsible for this, because you’re not.” She held Cain’s hand in both of hers. “I know you can make this right. I want you to get justice for Rick.”
“Help your mother through this and call me if you need anything. Leave the rest to me.”
She pulled slightly on Cain’s hand as if she were desperate for her to listen to what she was saying. “I know you think I’m too young or too naive to know why this happened, and the FBI has already sent a couple of guys over here to see if me or Mom would roll on you, but I’m not and we didn’t.”
“Your mother didn’t mention that,” Cain said, trying not to sound surprised.
“I stopped them before they got to the door. Rick always told me they’d be the first ones over here if something happened to him, since those maggots are always looking for a way in, no matter what’s going on.”
“If they bother you again, will you call me?”
“I’ll call if you consider something else.”
Cain had to smile at this girl’s grit. “What’s on your mind?”
“I promised Rick I’d finish school, but when I’m done I want to work for you. I’d have asked sooner, but I gave him my word I’d graduate first.” Sabana let go of Cain and stood up straight. “Before you give me your list of reasons why I can’t, remember this has nothing to do with what happened to my brother. If I’m with you, though, I can help you catch whoever did this.”
“I’m not turning you down, but I expect you to honor your commitment. When you’re done, call me and we’ll see what we can work out.”
“This isn’t a brush-off, is it?”
From the inside pocket of her jacket Cain took out a card. “A brush-off consists of me saying something close to what you want, then going on my way. I want you to finish like Rick wanted, because by then you might’ve changed your mind. But if you don’t, I’ll see where you fit in with us.”
“Thanks, Ms. Casey, you won’t be sorry.”
“I’m sure I won’t, but remember to call sooner if your new friends come back.”
“They didn’t stay long, so I’m sure they won’t be back.”
Cain nodded and was about to leave when it struck her that Rick hadn’t worked for her long enough for the feds to have picked up his scent.
“Just one more thing, Sabana. Who did the feds send to talk to you?”
Cain waited while Sabana went into the other room and a minute later came out holding up a card. “Only one of them did the talking. The other guy stood there and scanned the yard because I wouldn’t let them in the house.”
The name on the card was Shelby’s, so it wouldn’t be hard to narrow down who she’d brought with her. “What did she ask you? Try to remember the exact words.”
“She told me what had happened to Rick and asked if I knew he worked for you. No matter what she said I
