Rob’s hand curled into a fist. “And put her in danger.”
“I didn’t twist your arm, Libby. When I told you what I suspected, you were more than eager to help.” Troy skimmed a hand over his head. “I don’t know the details, but it seems like you had a particular reason to bring down this guy if he was involved with the cartels. You have no love for the cartels, Libby. You made that clear.”
A crease formed between Libby’s eyebrows. “Did you get the impression it was personal with me? Some hatred beyond what any decent person would feel for the cartels?”
“Oh, yeah.” Troy drummed his fingers on the table. “Don’t ask me, though, ’cause I don’t know, and now I guess neither do you. What I don’t get?”
“Yeah?” Libby met his gaze, and Rob placed a hand on her thigh beneath the table.
“How did EGV know you were on to him, and why did you have those goons on your tail on your way up here? This was supposed to be an informational meeting. You told me you had something to show me. Next thing I know, you blow off the meeting, don’t acknowledge me in the street and Paradiso is thick with cartel members looking to kill you.”
Libby’s hand jerked and her tea sloshed over the edge of her cup.
“Sorry.” Troy patted her arm with a clumsy hand. “I suppose you don’t have your phone, do you? I got the impression what you had to show me was on your phone, but you didn’t want to send it to me.”
“I’m assuming it burned up in the car along with my purse, my ID, my suitcase, my life.”
Rob asked, “What about your phone? You said in the parking lot you had text messages between you and Libby for proof. I’d like to see those messages, see what she texted you before the accident.”
“I have it...” Troy dug in his pocket and withdrew a phone with a pink sparkly case. “Damn, I don’t have that particular phone on me. I have a lot of burner phones, and I swap them out just in case.”
“Right.” Rob snatched up Troy’s phone from the table. “Passcode?”
Troy rattled it off, and Rob accessed his phone. He scrolled through enough text messages to see that Troy did have clients, and he had Libby’s number saved. He called the number just for the heck of it. It rang and rang and rang.
“Libby’s phone was probably destroyed in the car fire.”
“I know that now. You don’t think I’ve been trying it?” Troy slumped in his seat. “I guess it’s back to the drawing board unless you get your memory back and can tell me what you had.”
“Back to the drawing board for you. Libby’s out of it.”
“Lawman, she ain’t gonna be out of it until she starts remembering. There are more Pablos out there, and they have orders to make sure Libby’s gone before that happens.”
* * *
LIBBY SAT IN Rob’s truck, pressing her fingers to her temples on both sides of her throbbing head. “What do you think?”
“I think Troy Paulsen is a blowhard, and just listening to him tired me out.”
“Do you believe him?” Rob must’ve believed some part of that story because he gave Troy’s weapon back to him. “Because I believe him.”
“I don’t know why he’d lie about working for April Archer. That sounds like something her brother would get up to, and maybe she figured she’d go along with it to see if Paulsen could come up with something.”
“Why do you think April didn’t mention it to us when she came over? I realize she didn’t know I had come across the border to meet with Paulsen, but El Gringo Viejo came up in the conversation and she even admitted that she suspected he was her father.”
“I can give you one reason.” Rob wiped his brow and started the engine. “Her husband. I’d bet my last dollar Clay doesn’t know a damned thing about this investigation, and he wouldn’t be happy about it if he did. April wasn’t about to tell me.”
He backed out of the parking space and pulled out of the lot.
“Why didn’t you want me to tell him about the dead body from my memory?”
“You were spilling enough. No need to give him everything. I’m going to run him. If he checks out as legit, maybe we can schedule another meeting with him and you can tell him about the dead man. He might know who he is.”
“Why would I have it in for the cartels?” Libby shoved her hands beneath her thighs to keep them from trembling.
“Why wouldn’t you? They’re a law unto themselves down there. They wreak havoc and pain up here. I’ve got it in for them. I would even if it weren’t my job.”
“Troy said I had a personal issue with the cartels.” Libby gnawed at her bottom lip. “What if that dead body is someone I know? Someone I love?”
Rob’s knuckles blanched as he seemed to tighten his hold on the steering wheel. “Troy made it sound like you had an issue with the cartels from before and that’s why you didn’t hesitate to help him. Don’t you think you fled because of the dead body on the lawn?”
“I don’t mean a husband or boyfriend.” She trailed her fingertips along Rob’s tensed forearm. “I think Troy made it clear I didn’t have a significant other in the picture.”
“Did he?” Rob dropped one hand from the steering wheel to his thigh. “He said you didn’t have a husband.”
“Okay, forget I said that.” She kicked off her sandals and wedged her feet on the dashboard. “A loved one could be anyone, not just romantic love.”
“Let me check out Troy, and if he’s on the up-and-up, tell him about the dead body. Maybe he has some ideas. If his intel down there was any good, he should have an idea about who’s in that complex with EGV.”
“We should probably tell April we met her PI.”
“Not a good idea. It doesn’t sound like Troy was going to make himself known to her, so it’s none of our business.”
Libby’s jaw fell open. “None of our business? We could put our heads together on this, and we could hand EGV to the FBI or the DEA. Isn’t that important to you?”
“Keeping you safe is more important to me than catching EGV.”
She stared at his profile, her mouth in danger of dropping open again. “You’re kidding.”
“Why would you think that? Haven’t I upended my entire life since the day I picked you up?” He tapped the clock on the dashboard. “In fact, I’m going to be late for work.”
“Um, you didn’t seem that interested last night.”
“That was sex. Wanting to protect you is something else, and turning you down, while it wasn’t easy, is another way to protect you.”
“That’s nice to hear, Rob, but it’s as much about protecting you.”
“Me?” He jabbed a finger in his chest. “I know who I am. I know I’m not married or attached or even dating.”
“Which means you’re free and clear...” She whipped her head around. “You’re not even dating?”
“Went on a few online dates in Tucson, but I’ve been busy. Then I bought my house. Next, I want to get a dog.”
“Priorities.” She raised her eyes to the roof of the truck. “What I was saying is that you’re free and clear to fall for someone...fall for me. And if that happens and I turn out to have a husband and four children, where would you be? I know you’re protecting yourself, protecting your heart, and I don’t blame you, but, damn, we’ve got a thing here.”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “Does having no memory give you free rein to say whatever comes into your head?”
“Pretty much.” She punched his rock-solid bicep. “Do you deny we have some heat between us?”
Idling at the stop sign, Rob threw the truck into Park, leaned over the console and pressed his soft lips against hers. Her mouth opened, and he slid a hand into her hair and deepened the kiss.
Someone honked behind them, and they sprang apart.
Rob pulled away from the stop sign, the truck lurching as much as her
heart, and touched his fingers to his mouth. “I do not deny any heat. In fact, my lips are on fire.”
She traced her own tingling lips with the tip of her finger and sighed. “If we can generate that much passion with a quick kiss at a stop sign in a truck with our seat belts on, why the hell are we wasting time?”
Rob aimed his truck toward the on-ramp and punched the accelerator as he merged onto the freeway. “I’ve been through that before, Libby. I dated someone a few years ago who lied about her marital status. I’m just not doing that again. It was...messy.”
She raised her eyebrows at him. “This wouldn’t be like that, Rob. I wouldn’t lie to you. I’d never lie to you.”
“You’re not in a position to know whether or not you’d be lying, and that’s even...messier.”
She puckered her lips, still feeling the stamp of his kiss on her mouth. How could something so messy feel so right?
They spent the rest of the ride to Tucson avoiding conversation about their feelings—and that kiss. They made good time, and Rob made a U-turn to drop her off in front of Rosita’s.
As she reached for the door, he grabbed her arm. “Be careful. Don’t go anywhere by yourself, including the restrooms. Use the ladies’ room when it’s crowded, during the lunch rush.”
“I’ll be fine. Are you going to look into Troy Paulsen’s background?”
“I am, and there’s something else he said that got me thinking.”
“He said a lot that got me thinking. What did you pick up?”
“Your phone.”
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure that burned up in the wreck. It wasn’t on me and I didn’t see anything in the husk of that car. That’s why you didn’t even get through to the voice mail when you called it.”
“I didn’t see anything, either, but Paulsen mentioned you’d been texting him. I’d like to get your phone records and take a look at your texts, if we can get them. Those could tell us a lot. I wish Paulsen would’ve had the phone he used with you. Those texts could’ve told us something.”
Libby’s heart skipped a beat. “Well, you have his card. You know, I never even thought about that. Just because the phone is destroyed doesn’t mean the phone’s records disappear.”
“Exactly.” Rob rubbed his chin. “I may not be able to get those records right away, but they’ll definitely shed some light on your thoughts and actions before you hit the road to Paradiso.”
“See? Troy was good for something.” She kissed her fingers and pressed them against Rob’s cheek. “Too messy?”
He slapped his hand against his face where she’d placed her fingers. “Just right.”
Libby scrambled from the truck and got to work as soon as she entered the restaurant, her mind wandering to Troy’s words during her busy shift. Why would a mild-mannered artist agree to infiltrate the compound of a suspected drug broker? Why would she put herself in danger like that unless she had a strong motivation?
Could that dead body be her motivation? Rob was right. If the dead body prompted her flight from Rocky Point, that person couldn’t have been her impetus for getting involved with EGV in the first place.
It must’ve been something...or someone prior to that.
At the end of the lunch rush, Libby stood in the kitchen and ate a quick taco.
Rosie poked her head inside the window. “Rob is here to pick you up. He looks anxious to see you, practically hopping from one foot to the next.”
“I didn’t even know he was coming to get me.” She called to Sal, “Sal, can you make a burrito for Rob Valdez? Carnitas, I think.”
Sal grinned. “I know what Mr. Rob likes.”
She wished she did.
Libby smoothed back her hair and traipsed into the dining room, walking in on a few patrons finishing up their lunches. She waved to Rob. “I ordered you a burrito. Did you find out anything about my phone?”
“I did.” He pulled her into the nearest chair. “When I called Paulsen, he told me he fired up the phone he’d used with you and read some texts from you that are important.”
“What is it?” Libby gripped the edge of the table she’d just cleaned.
“He wouldn’t tell me over the phone. He’s heading over here, but he doesn’t want to be seen with us in case someone’s watching you.”
Libby glanced over her shoulder at the door, a chill claiming the back of her neck. “What’s the plan?”
“He’s going to come in here, place an order and leave his phone on a table, opened to the text he wants us to see. That’s it. No other communication. All joking aside, the guy’s spooked.”
“I know how he feels.”
Sal brought Rob’s burrito to him personally in a paper bag. “Didn’t know you were eating in, boss.”
“How are the grandkids, Sal?”
“The oldest is up at U of A.”
“Already? You need to retire, hombre.”
“The wife and I have a little place on the Gulf. Going out there in a few weeks.” Sal saluted and returned to the kitchen.
Rob pulled his burrito out of the bag. “I suppose I should pretend to eat this.”
“Sal would be very disappointed if you didn’t.” She grabbed some napkins from the dispenser and shoved them at Rob, her gaze tracking over his shoulder. “Don’t look now, but Troy just walked in.”
“Keep an eye on him.”
“He’s ordering.” Libby dabbed a napkin on the table. “He has his phone out. He’s talking to Rosie.”
Rob rolled his eyes. “I don’t need a play-by-play.”
“You asked.” Libby scooted her chair back from the table. “He’s walking this way.”
Troy strode past their table on the way to the restrooms without a care in the world.
Libby kicked Rob under the table. “He left his phone at the counter.”
“Go talk to Rosie and get his phone. Bring it back here.” Rob’s head swiveled back and forth. “I don’t think we have to worry. Anyone left in here is a customer from before, right?”
“Yes, but how do I know one of them isn’t spying on me?” She pushed back from the table and hung over the counter. “Hey, Sal, can we get some more salsa?”
She covered Troy’s phone with her hand and slid it into her back pocket.
Rosie appeared from the back, carrying a dish of salsa. “The hot stuff.”
“Thanks, Rosie.” Libby carried the salsa back to the table. Before she sat down, she pulled Troy’s phone from her pocket and tapped it.
A set of text messages in alternating gray and blue popped up under the heading of LJ, which must be Libby James. She read them aloud to Rob in a low voice.
“‘Where are you now?’”
“‘Just crossed the border. I should turn off my phone and get rid of it.’”
“‘Why?’”
“‘I think I’m being followed. Maybe they’re tracking my phone.’”
“‘Info on the phone?’”
“‘Yes, but I have something else to show you.’”
“‘You’re gonna toss your phone?’”
“‘Have a place to drop it off. It’s like a desert campsite for RVs. Unofficial. It’s not far.’”
“‘Go for it. Be careful.’”
The text messages between Troy and LJ ended, and Libby spun the phone on the table. “That’s it. I left the phone at some campsite. How are we ever going to find that?”
Rob had stopped eating his burrito and held it midway between his mouth and the bag on the table. “I know exactly where it is.”
“You do?”
Troy came barreling out of the bathroom, rubbing his hands together. “Is my order up?”
“Another few minutes, sir.” Rosie greeted another couple coming through the door, and Libby swept the phone off the table. She cupped it between her hands.
She held up the salsa with one hand and slipped the phone back onto the counter with the other. “Here you go, Rosie.”
“You hardly touched it, Rob.”
“I’m gonna wrap this up and take it home for later, Rosie.”
As Libby sauntered back to the table, Rob folded the yellow wax paper around his food and stuffed it in the bag. He glanced up at her. “Ready?”
“Ready for anything.”
When she got to the door, she waved to Rosie, who was handing Troy a bag of food. “Bye, Rosie. See you tomorrow.”
“Day off tomorrow, Jane. We’re closed on Sunday.”
She and Rob slipped out the door and made a beeline for his truck. Troy wouldn’t want to run into them outside.
Once inside the truck, Rob started the engine and took off down the street, back toward his house.
“Are you going to tell me where my phone is?”
“There’s an RV campsite, and I use that term loosely, between Paradiso and the border. It’s unofficial and unregulated. Lots of lowlifes there, so I’m not sure how you knew about it and why you’d leave your phone there.”
“Are we just supposed to bust in there and ask for a phone?”
“If you left it there, you left it with someone. You must know someone there.” He cranked up the AC and wiped his brow. “Believe me, strangers do not just waltz onto this property and ask nicely if they can stash their cell phones. A man was murdered there last month, a baby kidnapped.”
Libby covered her mouth. “Is it safe?”
“Not really, but as much as I’d like to, I can’t barge in there myself. You have to come along and hope someone recognizes you and hands over your phone.”
“Almost as important as the phone will be this person who knows me. Finally, someone who knows Libby James.”
“But why there?” Rob chewed on the side of his thumb, and Libby slapped his hand.
“Stop that. I’ll be okay—as long as I have you by my side. That’s one thing Libby James does know.”
Unraveling Jane Doe (Holding The Line Book 3) Page 15