unperturbed.
Carlos ran over the torching of the van in his mind.
He thought he had destroyed the vehicle sufficiently to erase all the evidence. Would De Leon hold him responsible for the oversight?
He would find out soon enough, and although the thought of fating De Leon anger chilled him, he knew better than to try to run or hide.
Carlos switched his attention to the three men in the plane. He wondered what plans the patron had for them. Hopefully, they were coming to Santa Pc only to kill Kerney. But De Leon could also use them to mete out punishment. Carlos needed to remain mindful of that possibility.
The wheels thudded over the runway, and for the first time during the flight Carlos looked out the window.
The bright lights of the small control tower were a welcome sight. He let go of the armrests and grunted in relief only when the plane touched down and the pilot applied the brakes. nita lassiter stood at the railing on the second floor of the state police headquarters and watched Kerney walk slowly up the stairs. With his head lowered, he didn't see her. She had noticed Kerney's limp previously, but now it seemed much more pronounced; he was almost dragging his right leg up each step. He saw her, masked a small smile, and picked up his pace.
'I see you made bail,' Kerney said as he reached the top of the landing.
'Yesterday,' Nita replied. Dressed in blue jeans, a blue cotton shirt, and work boots, Nita held a brown leather bomber jacket in her hand.
Her arm was no longer in a sling.
'What can I do for you, Ms. Lassiter?' Kerney asked, concentrating on her worried expression. Even in casual attire Nita looked feminine and elegant.
'I'm here about Robert,' Nita replied.
'He's been severely beaten. He wants you to visit him at the hospital.'
'What happened?'
'He won't talk about it. He has a fractured arm, a broken rib, and he lost some front teeth.'
'Who found him?'
'A deputy sheriff.'
'Where?'
'Near the Shaffer Hotel in Mountainair. He was lying in the courtyard of the old motor lodge.'
'What hospital is he in?'
'The university hospital in Albuquerque.'
'How did you find out about it?'
'Robert carries my business card in his wallet. The hospital called to see if I was his next of kin.'
'No wonder Robert thinks of you as his sister.'
'He really has no one else,' Nita answered with a slight shrug and small smile.
'Will you go and see him?'
'Of course I will. As soon as I finish up here.'
'Thank you.' Nita dropped her gaze as Kerney's blue eyes studied her.
'I wish you wouldn't look at me like that.'
'Like what?'
'If you have another question, just ask it.'
'You don't seem to like my questions,' Kerney replied.
'I'm not going to apologize for being upset when you came to take me to jail.'
'Why should you? I've watched hard cases break down and cry when the jail door slammed shut behind them. You held up very well.'
'Is that a compliment?'
'You bet it is.'
'Why do I get the feeling you don't think of me as a criminal?' Nita asked.
'Extenuating circumstances make some people less guilty than others.'
'Your compassion surprises me.'
Kerney grimaced at the sarcasm.
'I sound like I'm spoiling for a fight, don't I?' Nita said.
'You're angry.'
'Mostly with myself. That doesn't mean I have to take it out on you.'
Kerney extended his hand.
'I hope things work out for you.'
'So do I.' Nita slipped her hand into Kerney's and didn't let go.
'You're a rare breed, Mr. Kerney. Under different circumstances, I think I would enjoy knowing you.'
'I share the feeling,' Kerney replied.
'Take care of yourself.'
Nita smiled and let go of Kerney's hand.
'I plan to.
Addie is about to have her baby. She went into labor an hour ago. I'm on my way to Socorro.'
'Will you tell her the truth about Paul Gillespie?'
Nita shook her head.
'There's no need. She's agreed to put the baby up for adoption.'
She walked down the stairs with her back straight and her head up, and Kerney fought off the unpleasant image of Nita dressed in prison garb, locked in a cell. He wondered if there was anything he could do to help her. *** 'How did it go?' Andy asked from behind his desk as Kerney entered his office.
'Nobody seems to know where De Leon is, but I did learn that he now has a diplomatic passport and he's buying into legitimate businesses along the border.'
Kerney sat, gave Andy the details, and finished up.
'I've got an informant injuarez trying to scour up some more facts.'
'By the name of Juan Diaz,' Andy noted.
'He called looking for you.'
'Did he leave a message?'
'It's not one you're going to like to hear. Carlos Ruiz laid some heavy muscle on him after your visit. Ruiz roughed Diaz up and forced him to snitch you off.'
'How the hell did Carlos get on to me?'
'You were probably tailed as soon as you crossed the border,' Andy ventured.
'I never should have let you go down there.'
'If De Leon knows I'm looking for him, it might force him out into the open.'
'What an optimist you are. De Leon has any number of resources he can use to kill you, without exposing himself.'
'Should I go into hiding?' Kerney asked sharply.
'Don't get testy on me,' Andy answered gruffly.
'But until the dust settles I've put Fletcher's house under a close patrol, and Sergeant Martinez will be your partner. Where you go, he goes.'
Kerney opened his mouth to protest and Andy cut him off.
'No arguments, Kerney.'
Kerney clamped his mouth shut and nodded.
'Has Gilbert made any progress while I was gone?'
'He's got his team working hard on the Amanda Talley connection, and he's searching records on the companies that own Rancho Caballo property to see what might be lurking behind the corporate veil.'
'No breakthroughs,' Kerney summarized.
'We're running with one foot nailed to the floor,' Andy groused in agreement. He pointed to the open door to the conference room.
'But if it will make you feel any better, there are a shitload of inconclusive field reports you need to read
