Rafael (The Santiago Brothers Book One)
Page 29
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Diego suffered a punctured lung. The doctors were amazed he was still conscious after the amount of blood lost. Rafa chalked it up to the unshakable will to live. Diego had a sister whose life had been threatened. Rafa thought of his own brothers. What if one of them was in danger? He hadn’t spoken to either of them in a long time. Did they think about him? Rafa resolved to reach out to both Alejandro and Ricardo as soon as he wrapped up this case.
When she heard her brother was in the hospital, Flores insisted on seeing him. She now slept in a recliner situated in the corner of her brother’s room. If they killed Maribol and Consuela for just being at the restaurant, then Flores was also in danger. She needed to be protected as well.
Rafa nodded a greeting to the guard stationed outside Diego’s room and walked down the hall to a small area with vending machines. Genie stood before them, jingling coins in her hand, undecided on what to buy. He rested his hands on her shoulders, standing so close that whenever he breathed in, he could smell that light floral scent of her hair.
“Honestly, I don’t want anything,” she said.
“Then why don’t we go to the waiting area and sit down.”
She nodded and followed him out to an area where a few drab-colored couches and plastic sitting chairs were arranged for visitors. They sat side by side on one of the couches, shoulders touching. Rafa studied her face. Small bags had formed under her eyes. “How do you feel? Did you get a chance to sleep?”
Genie yawned and looked at her watch. “Actually, no. I was on the phone when Diego knocked on my bedroom window.” She added quickly, “But, I’m okay.”
He placed a hand on the back of her neck and gently turned her face to see her eyes. “Are you sure? Maybe we should get a room so you could lie down. You were just here a few hours ago.” He kneaded her tense neck muscles.
She smiled at his suggestion and then closed her eyes, her muscles relaxing underneath his fingers. “Thank you, but I’m fine right here,” she murmured.
“Oh, because I’m here?” he teased.
Genie blushed to her roots. “No. Not because you’re here.”
The butterflies in Rafa’s stomach made him warm all over. “Liar,” he countered softly.
“Agent Compton has been called off his surveillance and will be here shortly to brief us on Diego’s protective custody arrangement.”
“I can’t believe I have to work with that guy.”
Genie laughed.
“Didn’t realize two murderers running loose is a joke.”
Agent Compton stood in the doorway. All amusement died away.
“Agent Compton.” Genie stood.
Drake sniffed, tilting his nose a bit higher in the air. “I have the necessary documents to take Mr. Cera into protective custody. I’d also like to discuss with the two of you a task force with the IRS.”
Rafa stood. “Compton, we’d like to know if there are any new developments into the whereabouts of Jorge Huera and Nicolas Montenegro.”
Drake met him with a challenge in his eyes. Rafa’s gaze did not waver.
“No leads. Our sources haven’t been able to deliver any concrete information on where they’re staying. If in a hotel, they are undoubtedly using aliases.”
“Undoubtedly.” Rafa’s agreement was laced with sarcasm. Genie’s eyes widened at him and he smirked at the warning.
“In any case, the task force will stand up tomorrow morning and we’ll all meet to discuss the next move.”
“The next move needs to be the capture of Huera and Montenegro.”
“Detective Santiago, I’m not sure if you’re at all familiar with how a task force works, but allow me to educate you,” Compton stated lazily.
Rafa crossed his arms, his jaw working. “There might be only one way to draw Huera and Montenegro out. As assassins for the Snakes, they won’t stop until the job is completed. We may need Diego Cera here.”
“You mean use him as bait for a trap,” Genie spoke.
“Exactly.” He met her eyes. He saw a shade of doubt there but the longer their gazes held, the more it faded.
“Are you sure?" Genie asked. “I made a promise, foolishly I know, but I promised he would be kept safe.”
Rafa’s gaze traveled from Genie to Compton. “Well, I’m not sure. I’m just a humble city detective, but perhaps the FBI can school us on how to run a simple operation. You can run one, can’t you, Compton?”
Drake’s eyes stormed over. “This isn’t my first assignment,” he grated, fists to his hips.
“We need to run it by Diego first,” Genie stated, stepping in between the two. “If he’s unwilling, then we have to think of another way.” She handed Compton her paperwork. “I’d still like to see Flores taken into the Bureau’s protective custody and you’ll find my reasons listed on my proposal. The most obvious being Springfield PD’s lack of manpower. Almost every essential personnel has been called to run leads on Huera and Montenegro.”
Drake glanced over the documents. If he agreed with her plan, he made no effort to verbalize it.
Genie sighed and ran a hand through her loose hair. She was exhausted, but Rafa admired her fortitude. When she looked at him, he could see her willingness to go the distance before allowing her body to rest. “Detective Santiago and I will go speak with Diego now.” Rafa followed Genie out of the room, but not before seeing Compton pull out his cell and dial a number. Rafa hoped he was calling his boss to get the approval on the plan. If not, he was fresh out of ideas on how to stop the killers.
Chapter Thirteen