“That’s great. You said she doesn’t go to Durango High. Where is she going to school?”
“She’s being homeschooled. She had problems at Durango High and decided learning at home would be better for her.”
“What kind of problems?”
“Teasing.”
“Because she’s in a wheelchair?”
“Partly.”
“What do you mean?” Cody bit into his dinner, watching the play of emotions flit across his son’s face.
Kyle’s expression settled into anger. “Some guys were making fun of her because she’s in a wheelchair, but I think they were also motivated by her heritage.”
“Do you know the guys?”
Kyle nodded. “Aaron Taylor is their leader.”
“Your friend?”
“Not anymore. I see how he and his pals have made Serena feel. She left high school because of them.”
“I’m sorry to hear that about Serena. Bullies are a problem in school but also other places. They lead people to do things they normally wouldn’t. Like your friend not going to high school.”
With his forefinger, Kyle drew a figure eight over and over on the countertop. “I never thought about how others would feel. I didn’t stop to think about their feelings. When Serena talked about what happened to her, it made me sick for the times I ganged up on someone different. It made me realize how much words can hurt.”
“Has Serena always been in a wheelchair?”
“No, she fell from a cliff when she was hiking with her family. Part of the edge gave way. She almost died, but she figured the Lord kept her alive for a reason. She was in the hospital for months when she was twelve.” Kyle looked at him. “You know she’s so upbeat considering all that has happened to her. She gives herself goals. She’s determined she’ll walk one day, and I think if anyone will, it’ll be her.”
“Sounds like you admire her.”
Kyle cocked his head to the side. “You know I do. She’s special. When she’s working out, we talk about all kinds of stuff I’ve never shared with a girl. She makes me feel like I’m really helping her.”
“Sounds like you’re being a good friend.” Cody ate some more of his sandwich, studying his son who continued to doodle on the counter. He might never have a better moment to talk with Kyle about Nate. The words formed in his mind but stuck in his throat. Lately, he’d faced a barrage of bullets striking all around him, and he wasn’t as afraid as he was now. He didn’t want to mess up with his son again.
“I guess I’d better go finish the rest of my homework. At least Serena helped me with my Algebra II assignment. She’s good. She explains it better than my teacher.”
Cody cleared his throat. “Stay a moment. I have something I need to tell you.”
His son’s eyebrows slashed downward. “What’s wrong? I thought you got the guy who attacked you.”
“Yes, we did and he’s helping us with solving the smuggling ring case.”
“He’s in jail, isn’t he?”
“Yes.” Cody waited until Kyle sat back on the stool before saying, “This is about Nate and the reasons I took the Durango assignment.” He coughed, trying to dislodge the lump in his throat. “I actually asked for the assignment when I heard about it.”
Kyle’s mouth dropped open. “But, I thought you had to come here.”
“That’s true. I did but not because someone made me. I came because I owed Al.”
“I know that.”
“But what you don’t know is the other reason, the one that made it impossible for me not to take the job. Nate is under investigation for his activities with The Nation First Group, a white supremacist organization. They have been linked to a number of hate crimes. I didn’t want you to be involved with him. I don’t like what the man stands for.”
“Like what?”
“One of their mottos is ‘Violence Begets Change.’ The group feels violence is the way to get their point across. I’ve seen more than my share of violence, and it isn’t the answer.”
“But Nate loves me. He’s . . .” Kyle hopped down from the stool. “I’ve got work to do.”
“Kyle,” Cody called out, but his son disappeared down the hallway.
The slam of his door attested to the conflict Kyle was going through concerning Nate.
Cody hung his head. I’ve messed up again. How do I fix this? I need help, Lord.
Kyle stared up at the ceiling in his bedroom, his dad’s words concerning Nate rolling around in his brain. He wanted to deny what his father had said, but thinking back to some incidents he’d witnessed when he was with Nate, he couldn’t. Nate belittling a Hispanic worker at a store, then reporting the man to the manager for something he hadn’t really done. Nate openly laughing at a person of a different nationality when he stumbled and fell. More times poured into his mind, filling it with one episode after another until Kyle slapped his hand against his forehead.
“Stop!”
Nate loves me. He cares for me. He wants me to live with him.
A picture of the tears in Serena’s eyes as she told him about the guys making fun of her at school took hold and wouldn’t leave his thoughts. Whether it was because she was in a wheelchair or because of her heritage, she didn’t deserve it.
But Nate loved Mom. He was good to her. She was happy.
I’d be betraying Mom and Nate. I can’t just stop caring.
Nothing made any sense. Kyle snatched his iPod from the bedside table and stuck his earplugs into his ears. He turned the music up loud until he could hardly think.
13
Cody drove toward Cesar Álvarez’s massive house, a sprawling two-story stone and glass structure that blended in with the terrain surrounding it. The recently painted black fences outlined the pastures with horses and cattle stretching as far as he could see. In the midst of an arid climate lay a lush green landscape.
A low whistle emitted from him. “This ranch is impressive.”
Liliana shifted around from staring out the side window of his SUV. “I haven’t been here much, but each time I’m stunned by the beauty of Señor Álvarez’s ranch.”
“What’s your take on the man?”
“He’s done a lot for the town.”
“Where’s his money come from?”
“He inherited a fair amount and over the years has grown the ranch and businesses he runs.”
“What kind of businesses?”
“Banking and oil mostly.”
Cody parked in front of Álvarez’s house. “Do you think he’s doing anything illegal? That he knows what happened on his property?”
“I’ll tell you my opinion of the man after you meet him. I want you to form your own impression. Not be influenced by mine.”
“Fair enough.” He exited his vehicle and approached the ten-foot high entrance doors. The wooden doors were intricately carved and held beveled glass.
A short man with dark hair and eyes opened the door. “Ah, Detective Rodriguez, it’s good to see you again.” He swung his attention to Cody. “You must be the new Texas Ranger for this area. Come in.”
Cody shook Señor Álvarez’s hand. “Cody Jackson.”
“I’ll miss Al, but after what happened to him, I can certainly understand him retiring. Let’s go into my office.” Álvarez gestured toward a hallway that led to a large room with a beautiful view of the mountains and cliffs off in the distance. “Have a seat.”
Cody folded his long length onto the brown leather couch while Liliana took the other end of the sofa. Álvarez, dressed in jeans, long sleeve white shirt, and boots, sat opposite them in a wingback chair.
“How can I help you? I want to fully cooperate with you in this investigation. I can’t believe a smuggling ring was operating on my land.”
“I want to show you some pictures of the men we caught in the cave transporting guns across the border. Let me know if you recognize any of them.” Cody rose and passed the photo array across the coffee table to Álvarez then ret
urned to his seat to watch for any kind of reaction in the man’s expression as he flipped through the pictures.
When Álvarez finished studying each photo, he lifted his head. “No one looks familiar but I have to confess I don’t have much to do with the running of the ranch. I have a capable foreman that I depend on for that. When Alfredo Flores retired a while back, Bart Collins who has been working here for the past six years, the last two assisting Alfredo in his job, took over as foreman.”
“We’ll need to talk with him and your other hands.”
“Done. I’ll call down to the barn and inform Bart of your visit.”
“What is that land used for in the southwest part of your ranch? I didn’t see any cattle out there.”
Álvarez looked directly at Cody. “I’ve been thinking about giving part of that land to the state for a park. The land would be better utilized that way than lying dormant. I gave some of it to Alfredo when he retired. He’d always wanted a small ranch to run some cattle. When he asked to buy it, I gave it to him instead. Too bad his health has interfered with working his ranch. He’d worked for my father and had been with our family for thirty years.”
“So you haven’t gone out to those canyons recently?” Cody watched for any small change in his facial features.
The only thing was Álvarez chuckled and shook his head. “I wish I had the time to enjoy this ranch like my father did. I’ve just finished buying ten new banks. Don’t have much time right now for anything but that.”
“The caverns under the Rio Grande will be blocked off.”
“Good. I offered to pay for that when I talked with the governor this morning. We can’t have people smuggling guns into Mexico. That only helps the criminals, not the people—my family’s people.”
Cody stood. “Thank you for sparing us some time. If you’ll let Mr. Collins know we’re coming down to the barn to talk to him and the hands, we’ll leave you to that work.”
“Yes.” Álvarez walked with them back to the front door. “Just a thought, I’ve been looking at my maps of the ranch and part of that cave system is on my neighbor’s land. You might
want to talk with him, too.”
“We will. Thanks.” Cody stepped out of the house.
Álvarez took Liliana’s hand and smiled. “Tell your mama hello for me. I haven’t seen her in months. The last time was when she accompanied Samuel and your sister to the Christmas party for the bank.”
“I will.”
Back in the SUV Liliana asked Cody, “What’s your impression of Señor Álvarez?”
“Straightforward. When he was looking at the photos, there wasn’t any indication he knew any of the men. Not a flicker or twitch. But that doesn’t mean he might not be involved. He could be an incredibly gifted liar. I’ve encountered a few in my career.” He slid his glance to Liliana. “It sounded like Álvarez knew your mother.”
“They were elementary school sweethearts. But she wouldn’t have anything to do with him once she met my father in junior high school. He married later and had one son who died of a rare blood disorder.”
“Where’s his wife?”
“After their son died, she moved away and lives in Dallas. They’re still married, but I don’t think they see each other much. I’ve always felt sad for him. It seemed like the light went out of him after that.”
“How long ago?” Cody pulled up to the barn.
“Five years ago. Señor Álvarez used to be very involved in his ranch. Now he isn’t. He threw his life into making more money.”
A tall, rangy man with a brown cowboy hat appeared in the doorway of the barn. As Cody approached the man, he noticed blond, almost white hair stuck out from under the Stetson.
“Señor Álvarez said you needed my help.” Bart Collins shook both his and Liliana’s hand. “Not all the hired hands are here right now. But Slim is rounding up who he can find,” he said in a deep, gravelly voice, slurring his words together as if he were talking with a couple of pebbles in his mouth.
“While we’re waiting, I’d like you to take a look at these men and tell me if you have seen any of them around town or here.” Cody passed the photos to Collins.
He pressed his lips together and flipped through the pictures, shaking his head as he progressed. “Nope. I haven’t.” He handed the photos back to Cody. “Sorry I couldn’t be of any help. Maybe one of the others will recognize one of them.”
But half an hour later, Cody and Liliana left with no leads. Not one of the ranch hands knew any of the men in the photo array. Gray hair and bowlegged, Slim paused on the picture of Dave Bond, frowned, then moved on. When Cody asked him about Bond, the older man had shrugged and said, “I thought I might have. In town a couple of weeks ago. Not at the ranch. Hard to tell. It was at a distance.”
“That leaves talking with Álvarez’s neighbor.” Cody turned onto the highway that led to the ranch next to Álvarez’s spread.
“I think we need to talk with Alfredo Flores again, too.”
“I want to be back for the interview with Bond this afternoon once the lawyers work out the deal for him. The middleman might lead us to who hired Bond.”
“I can interview Alfredo later today or tomorrow.”
“Sounds like a plan. When I get the tape from Bond, I’m taking it to the lab. I want it processed as quickly as possible. Plus nudge them about the DNA.”
Leaving the lunchroom, Kyle bumped into Manny. “Sorry. Wasn’t looking where I was going.” He’d been too busy rehashing the news his dad had told him the night before.
“It’s okay. That happens.” Manny started to walk past Kyle.
“I wanted to tell you congratulations on winning the baseball tournament. The team is really doing great. I hear you’re one of the main reasons they are.”
“Nah. It’s a team effort.”
“That’s not what I’m hearing around school this morning. Your home run in the eighth inning cinched the game for us. I’m gonna have to come out and see your next game.”
“You like baseball?”
“Used to play some in Houston. I was on my high school’s team last year.”
“If you stay around, you should try out for our team.”
Kyle grinned. “I just might. I played shortstop.”
“I’m going to get my lunch. Want to eat with us? Some of the guys from the team are sitting over there.” Manny motioned toward a stone table in the courtyard where six teens sat or stood talking while chowing down on their food.
Kyle began to say no but stopped. He spied Aaron staring at him with a narrow-eyed look. “Sure. Why not.” The cold shoulder Aaron and his pals had given him this morning in the hallway and class only reinforced his decision to stay far away from him.
Liliana stood at the two-way mirror and watched the interview with Dave Bond unfolding. Her mind saturated with so many clues and bits of information concerning what was happening in Durango. As though their town had split apart and evil infused every crevice—almost overnight.
The large man, shackled to the table, focused on Cody and said, “Miguel Salazar was the middleman who brokered the deal.”
She closed her eyes and released a long sigh. Someone she’d known for years had helped bring this trouble to Durango. They still hadn’t found his wife and child. Had he killed his cousin after all? Had Carlos been tied up in the smuggling ring? Or was this something else—tied to Anna and the baby she carried?
She massaged her temples and tried to ease the pounding behind her eyes. But it persisted.
“Where’s the recording of El Jefe?” Cody asked.
“In a safety deposit box at Durango City Bank.”
“We’ll take a little trip for you to retrieve it.” Cody rose and towered over the man.
“I’ll accompany you.” Chief Winters strode toward the door to the interview room and opened it.
Liliana headed out into the hall to catch Cody before he left. He hung back while the chief and Bond with Officer Vega made their
way into the large room.
“While you’re doing that, I’m going to interview Alfredo again. He is Miguel’s wife’s uncle and may know where she went.”
“He could be involved. He’s connected to Miguel.”
“Yes. What if someone took Miguel’s wife and child? We need to consider that, too.”
“It’s possible, but I think things were heating up in Durango and Miguel decided to get them out of town. Maybe with relatives in Mexico.” He started forward. “I’ll take the tape to San Antonio. I’ll be back as soon as possible. El Jefe may be leaving town as we speak.”
Liliana went to her desk and grabbed her purse, spying a new report placed on top of a pile of folders. When she picked it up, she noticed it was from the Mexican authorities where Anna had lived. The throbbing beat in her head increased as she read. There was a connection between Carlos and Anna. A couple of her relatives mentioned she was coming to the United States to be with him, the man who was the father of her baby.
She walked toward the back door, trying to put together the three murders a week before. Anna was killed first. Why? Who was the cowboy with the evil eye? Then Ruiz was murdered— tortured first. Why? Did he know something that the killer wanted? Was it Ruiz who brought Anna to the United States? Was Ruiz involved in the gun smuggling ring too? Then there was Carlos. Was he killed because of Anna or the smuggling ring?
Opening the door, she emerged from the police station attached to the Durango Courthouse and came to a stop. Juan, seated on a concrete block behind the building, stared off into space, tears shining in his eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Liliana closed the distance to him.
“You don’t have to ask Rafael to talk to José. My nephew has skipped town. He’s supposed to go before the judge this week. I don’t think he’s coming back. He’s going to be a fugitive.”
She took the cinder block next to him and covered his hand on his knee. “I’m so sorry. I’ve been so busy with the smuggling ring and murder cases I hadn’t heard.”
“No one knows yet. He called my sister this morning and told her he was okay, but he wasn’t coming back to—I can’t repeat the words he used to describe Durango. It breaks my heart. I had such hope for José. But he’s full of so much anger and doesn’t know what to do with it except self-destruct. He wouldn’t listen to me.”
Shattered Silence: Men of the Texas Rangers Series #2 Page 23