The Devil Be Damned

by Ali Vali

  “If he knows that, then he either heard from the police or his new boss. Either way, he’s a liability now,” he told her, making Gustavo smile before unholstering his gun and fitting a silencer to the barrel. “Before you pull the trigger, though,” he said as Gustavo’s finger tensed white, “you might want to find out how he knows Rodolfo met his maker after you unleashed a pack of ants on him.”

  Santos rambled on for a few minutes, tears rolling down his face. “Carlos put out the word this morning, and before you ask,” Gracelia said quickly, “Carlos found out from Cain Casey.” As soon as the name left her lips Lorenzo jumped back, but not in time to avoid Santos’s brain splattering all over his jacket and pants.

  “You keep killing people before we finish talking to them and it’ll make this process that much harder,” Jerome said, not to Gracelia or Gustavo in particular. “So much for no one finding him until DNA testing could be done,” he added, not being able to hold back.

  “Anything else insightful to add?” Gracelia asked through her teeth.

  “Only one point,” he said, pointing at Gustavo. “Granted, Santos has been around you a lot. He didn’t recognize your face, but he made you by your voice, so you might want to be careful in the future. It would be a shame to let all your mother’s hard work go to waste.”

  “Any suggestions on how to fix this?” Gracelia said.

  “All a sudden he your answer man,” Gustavo said in his accented English so he’d get the message as well as his mother.

  Come on, Gracelia, this is your chance to let me think you’re building confidence in me, he thought as she stayed silent.

  “You’re right,” she said, moving Gustavo’s hand toward his gun holster. “Take care of it, since Jerome and I have more things to discuss.”

  “Like what, the weather?” Jerome asked. “You two are doing great on your own, so have at it.”

  He made it through the door before Gracelia or Gustavo could stop him. It was time for him to take a walk and weigh his options before his life expectancy became shorter than a fruit fly’s.

  “I wonder if Carlos is hiring,” Jerome muttered.

  *

  The late-afternoon sun filtered through the thick glass of Cain’s study and she couldn’t think of anything except how disgusted she was that she was still tired. When they got home Emma had allowed her only a few hours in the office, and she’d used the time making phone calls.

  So far Remi dominated her thoughts but hadn’t answered her call. That didn’t concern her yet. Ramon had supposedly flown to Miami for a day trip, and the larger Snake Eyes jet took off for Biloxi. Surveillance on them didn’t seem too concerned since the chatter concentrated on Ramon.

  Remi was either still in the air or had her phone off so she wouldn’t leave an electronic trail. After they took care of Bob, Cain had honestly thought Dallas would be free to live her life, and Remi had asked her to drop the subject. She’d taken the hint, thinking Remi would take care of any loose ends.

  “I promise it won’t ruin your reputation if you take a nap,” Emma said, sneaking in.

  “I’m tired,” she said, her admission making Emma smile and sit in her lap. “But I’m more tired of sleeping, if that makes sense.”

  “It does,” Emma said, bending down for a kiss. “When I walked in, your eyes were droopy and I glimpsed the future when we’re old and gray. Hopefully all we’ll worry about then is our dozen grandchildren.”

  “Considering I’ll be retired, you’re right, but when I don’t have anything but time on my hands, you’ll have to worry about me chasing you through this house.” She moved her hand gently over Emma’s breasts, ending on her middle. “I hope you know, my love, how much I enjoy my life with you.”

  Romantic declarations always made Emma tear up, and this was no exception. “Likewise,” she said, and this time their kiss lasted so much longer. “Do you think Dallas will be okay?” Emma asked, fitting herself closer into her chest. “And I changed the subject because if I hadn’t, I’d drag you upstairs, and I’d feel wrong doing that while she’s in danger.”

  “Remi will find her, and depending on when, Dallas will have plenty of people ready to help her heal.” There wasn’t a hole deep enough for someone like Dallas’s father, because what he’d put her through was even worse than what Juan had tried with Emma. “It’ll be easier for her to get better if she knows the sick bastard is dead, and Remi will take care of that.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Marianna Jatibon said, entering with Ramon. “I’m sorry to intrude, but Katlin said it was all right.”

  “Any word?” Cain asked Ramon.

  “They landed and Sabana rented a car, so they’re on their way to Sparta. Remi said it’s about a five-hour drive from the airport they picked in Kentucky. It’ll take the Feds a while to come and check out such a small place, if they’re that curious.”

  “If you talk to her again, tell her to drive somewhere else afterward and meet the plane there, because our friends are always that curious,” she said, regretting the loss of Emma’s warmth when she got up. “How are you holding up, Marianna?”

  “The world fears them,” she said, spreading her hands out. “To most, ‘snake eyes’ is a myth, but they’re my children. My heart hurts that they have to deal with things like this.”

  Because Emma was so sensitive about Hayden being in that position one day, Cain was surprised when she answered. “But aren’t you glad you raised them with the honor to take care of things like these? When Hayden’s in this position and doesn’t have another option, my heart will bleed for my boy, but knowing that the threat against him and the family is gone will ease anything I feel.”

  “You know this girl better than we do,” Marianna said, looking at Emma. “Is she in love with Remi?”

  “You don’t approve?” Emma asked, giving Cain some insight into some of their talks over lunch.

  “I didn’t say that, but it’s hard to form an opinion when someone acts like a frightened rabbit all the time.”

  “Maybe she thinks you’re the big bad wolf protecting her child,” Ramon said jokingly, making Marianna slap his arm.

  “She’s very much in love with Remi, and at the risk of getting hit too, I think Ramon’s right. You’ve wanted love for Remi for a long time, but you never thought you’d question it when it finally came along.” Emma sat on the edge of her desk and smiled at her old friend. “Remi’s taking this chance because Dallas is the one you’ve been waiting for.”

  “Then I’ll believe you and try to put my fangs away when she gets back,” Marianna said, smiling in return.

  “Dallas’s story isn’t mine to tell,” Emma said, glancing at Cain for what she assumed was reassurance, so she nodded. “But your approval will be crucial if this man does something to her.”

  “And the Feds have the nerve to call families like ours barbaric,” Marianna said.

  “Cain,” Katlin said from the door. “Sorry to interrupt, but we have a situation.”

  “Go ahead and tell us,” she said, waving her hand around. “We’re among friends.”

  “We put up the surveillance you asked for at Emma’s and the pub, and we got something.”

  “Not another box?” she said, thinking someone was totally crazy if she was right.

  “Yep, and our men grabbed one of the delivery guys before he could make it back into the car.”

  “Who was in the box?” she asked, Ramon looking just as interested.

  “They haven’t opened it yet, but a note on the outside was addressed to you and your new partner Carlos Santiago.”

  “That son of a bitch,” she said, slamming her hand on the desk, her tiredness disappearing as the mystery of the first five suddenly and resolutely solved itself, with the help of the idiot who was stupid enough to try this shit again. Juan was back, so she was right that Gracelia wasn’t in town alone. “Any of the guys recognize who was left behind?”

  “No, but I got a picture on one of the throw-
away phones.”

  “Show it to Carlos. I need a name before we have a chat with the guy they caught. And tell me they got plate numbers of whatever vehicle they used.”

  “That was my next thing. They used a van like the others, but rented, and the picture we got from the ID he used was of the guy we’re holding. Though I highly doubt his name is John Wayne.”

  “Lass, I promise I won’t strain anything, but I’ve got to go.” Cain stood and cinched the belt of her robe. Sometimes things came hard and sometimes they came easy, and this seemed too good to be true. She tried not to think about it as she went upstairs to change, not wanting to jinx herself.

  “Juan, I hope you’re hungry,” she said to the clothes in the closet. “You’ve got a reservation for tonight and your dick is on the menu.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “Are you sure this is the way?” Remi asked from the front seat. She was so hyped to get to where they were going, she could peel her skin off. “That damn thing is wrong sometimes, you know.” She pointed to the GPS Simon had brought with her.

  “No way he beats us there, and your father hasn’t found anything to suggest he stayed in New Orleans. If he drives all night he won’t be here until at least early tomorrow morning.”

  “It’s the possibility of him stopping that worries me,” Remi said, not being able to let her mind accept that scenario. She took the prepaid cell phone out and called her father again, but they hadn’t found an exact physical address for Johnny. “We have to stop and ask someone,” she said after she hung up. They had crossed the state line an hour ago and the back roads didn’t have a lot of signs. The last one they’d seen put them at less than a hundred miles from Sparta.

  “Remi,” Muriel said, as soon as Remi answered the phone. “Your dad lent me his phone.”

  “I’d love to talk, but can it wait until I get back?”

  “I’d love to have lunch with you, but that’s not why I’m calling. My client told me where you are and what you’re after. I hired an old school chum to do some title searches in that area. Looking through some tax records, I think he found the vacation place you’re interested in.”

  “Thanks,” she said, writing down the address Muriel gave her. Hopefully Johnny owned only one property. They drove until the GPS put them within two miles of the house and she had Mano pull over.

  The road was narrow. If someone was at the house they’d be on the phone to Johnny, and Dallas and Kristen would be lost to her forever. Their father, and she had a real problem using that term, was the type of guy who would probably kill both of them rather than give them up again. When she got out and Mano turned the engine off, she was surprised how dark and quiet the area was.

  Thick woods were never her thing, and that’s what lined both sides of the road. This was paradise for the outdoors type, but at the moment all she could imagine was a million hiding places if she didn’t find a position that would keep them on top of anything Johnny had in mind.

  “Anything wrong beside the obvious?” Mano asked, getting out and standing beside her.

  “When Dallas told that story, she said he made money as a moonshiner. Cain told me that generations ago her family did the same thing in Ireland.”

  “Hard to compare her to this guy, even if we’re talking about what they do for a living,” he said, combing his goatee downward.

  “That’s not why I said that. Cain would rip her own heart out before she would ever think of doing this to her family, especially her children.” She peered into the woods as she spoke, trying to spot what she was positive was there. “A good bootlegger doesn’t live too far from where he works. You have to watch the still once you get it going.”

  “I’d think you could have something like that and work it when you want.”

  “Not if you want to make money. She also said that Johnny had a few friends as sadistic as he is, and I’m guessing they’re out here somewhere. You go up to the house with the others and I’ll take a look.”

  “No way we split up,” he said, grabbing her wrist. “That’s not how we work and you know it.”

  “I can’t have one of these assholes warn him. You know that. I have to find them before they make us.”

  “Simon,” Mano said, making her and Sabana open the back doors. “Drive up to the house and look around. If anyone’s inside and they come out, Sabana, you be the one to ask for…” He took the GPS and punched in a few things, coming up with the name of the closest restaurant, showing Sabana the name. “Ask where this place is,” he told her, making sure she saw it again.

  “What exactly do the two of you plan to be doing?” Simon asked.

  “Looking for Johnny’s most prized possession, aside from his girls,” Remi said. “Trust us, Simon. We don’t have time to argue. Look at this place,” she said in a harsh whisper. “Do you honestly think he’ll stop anywhere for a taste when he can enjoy it to his heart’s content here with no house or business for miles?”

  “Be careful,” Simon said, getting into the driver’s seat.

  Remi and Mano studied the GPS one more time to see what side of the road the house was on, thinking the still and any backup would be nearby. Remi shook her head, smiling when Mano stepped into the darkness first. Technically she was the oldest, thus the head of the family, a job Mano really didn’t want, but he still tried to take care of her when he could.

  Not that far into the ancient-appearing trees, the sparse moonlight disappeared, which made any light for what seemed like miles jump out as guides. It was easy to spot the fire burning a distance farther into the trees, and the quiet helped amplify the conversation taking place between what sounded like two men.

  “Boone, you heard that?”

  “Yeah, maybe Johnny comin’ home.”

  “Or could be somebody who don’t belong here.”

  They weren’t talking loud but Remi made out the words, wishing Dallas had mentioned more names than Timothy Pritchard. Not that it would make a difference, but considering various options helped keep her mind sharp as she tried to move closer, keeping her steps as quiet as possible.

  “Johnny?” the smaller man said when she was about a hundred yards away. Perhaps noise did carry more out here than she imagined, and she tried to make out Mano’s profile in the darkness but couldn’t. Not that she was scared, because she wanted to open fire on these guys who were wasting their time watching liquid drip out of a copper tube. She wasn’t familiar with a still, but this thing looked bigger than she had pictured.

  Better to stop and let them get engrossed in what they were doing again, just watch and wait for an opening so she and Mano could take these guys down without too much effort. The men walked the perimeter of where the firelight was strongest, but obviously grew tired quickly because they sat back down and passed a jar between them. They didn’t talk much after they started drinking, and less than an hour later the small guy got up and fooled with the fire but didn’t make it bigger.

  “That’s another four gallons for tonight, so let’s get going,” the larger man said, standing and stretching. After the other one had done what he’d asked, he picked up a kerosene lantern and started walking in the direction Simon and Sabana had headed. Once the fire started to burn down, the light died fast and the lantern the guy was using resembled a firefly on a black canvas.

  When they were far away enough she heard Mano whisper her name. She opened the simple cell phone she’d had Juno buy her before they’d left. “I think we have the right place,” he said. The glow of the screen helped him find her and they decided to walk back to the road instead of trying to follow the fools who probably could make the trip blindfolded. When someone knew the terrain that much better than you, it was easy for them to lead you into a trap.

  “You think there’s more than these two?” Mano asked as they jogged slowly down the road, not wanting to get too far behind them but not pass them. “I’d call Simon and the others but there’s no signal out here.”

  �
�That’ll be good because it means they can’t call anybody either, and Simon could’ve done this alone.”

  He laughed and put his hand on her arm again. Someone was talking again to their left. “Who’s the kid?” Mano asked as they slowed down. The men talking far to their left in the woods weren’t making the only noise in the area, and what or whoever it wasn’t coming from the house since that wasn’t visible yet. Whatever it was moved fast toward them and they stopped in a defensive posture, straining to decipher what it was.

  The large dog seemed to explode out of the woods and was on Remi before she had a chance to really set her feet. It was snarling and snapped a few inches from her face, though she held his neck with both hands. She couldn’t make out the breed but the damn thing was big. One minute he was trying to take her head off, and the next he yelped and ran for the woods on the other side of the road.

  “What the hell?” she said, wringing her hands out.

  “No guy likes to have his balls lit up,” Mano said, holding out his cigar lighter. “A little hint of heat and he was off to the races.”

  “And when Sylvia hears about that, you’ll be making a huge donation to the pound,” she said, talking about Mano’s wife.

  “Why do you think I didn’t kill him, even though he was about to chew your face off? All I did was maybe singe a couple of hairs.”

  “Yogi,” one of the men yelled, his voice sounding like he was standing right next to them. “Damn dog. Yogi,” he yelled again.

  “Leave that mutt and come on, I’m hungry.”

  “I feel like a spy or something with all this cloak-and-dagger crap,” Remi said, getting up and brushing off her pants. Usually when they did something like this, she and Mano went in the front door and did what was necessary to turn a problem into an opportunity. That was the extent of their creativity when it came to the darker side of their work.

  “Let’s go see what we’re up against so we can sit and wait,” Mano said, stepping back into the woods when a large but poorly maintained house came into view. A porch ran along the length of the front and three lights were pointed at the yard. They watched as the two men stepped into the clearing and immediately raised their rifles and pointed at Simon and Sabana until the young woman got out of the car.