“Hell, how do I know? It was a gift, you know. She leaves it with me, and then blasts my guys to bits and disappears.” He pounded his palm on the desk in frustration, then sat back in his chair and took a deep breath, visibly making an effort to calm himself.
The room was very quiet, the ticking of the lovely old grandfather clock on the far wall sounded strangely loud. Dr. Nose was twitching with nervousness, using his white handkerchief to dab at the perspiration now rolling down his neck. Phil, hands clasped behind his back, rocked gently back on his heels, his eyes staring at the wall above Manny’s head. Manny was staring with unseeing eyes at the reports sitting in front of him, as if the answers would just come to him. Finally he stirred.
“Thank you, Dr. Nose. I’ll do my best to get some more of that for you to work with. You can go.” He nodded at Phil, confident he would understand he was to stay.
He got to his feet slowly as if he had suddenly aged. “Sit down, Phil. I need a drink. Can I get you something?” He touched a section of the bookcase and a door slid open revealing a bar. He took down two glasses, looked over his shoulder at his lieutenant and seeing his nod, poured a generous splash of whiskey in each. He walked back to the desk, sat one glass in front of Phil and took the other with him to the other side. Both men sat for a moment savoring that first taste.
Manny shook his head. “What was with that broad..., woman..., lady...? Hell, I don’t even know the correct word to use for her, but I sure know she’s not a lady.
“Jerry, Pancho and Willie just blown away? For what? For Christ sakes, I had to tell Jerry’s wife!” He looked at Phil, his pain was obvious. He took another restorative sip of the whiskey.
“I mean it’s a business, like any other business, you know? What was she thinking? Maybe she’s seen too many of those Hollywood blockbusters. Sure, sometimes we have to rough someone up to get a point across, but just blow them away, for no reason?” He shook his head gloomily.
“I tell you Phil, I’d like to do business with the little lady. I mean you heard Dr. Nose, the stuff is pure. And she said she would guarantee a consistent delivery. It would be just what we need to get the charts flowing the right way, but I just don’t think I can trust her. I think the lady is a loose cannon. I’m not sure we dare do business with her no matter how pure her product is.”
Phil was being very cautious. He hadn’t survived as Manny’s lieutenant by being stupid. Manny worked so hard at making people think he was just another brilliant businessman he almost forgot how he made his living. He moved into this grand house in Houston’s premier neighborhood. He attended all the big charity events where he mingled with the elite. He insisted his staff prepare reports as if he was running a big corporation. But in reality, he had no qualms about sending his men after a pretty young woman, who had a source of product they needed. He was still a thug.
And Phil figured Manny knew the girl had out-maneuvered him. She had ordered his men taken out before they had a chance to get to her operation and help themselves.
Sure Manny was upset. After all, Jerry had been with him since the beginning and was married to Manny’s cousin. He was family. But really Manny was just pissed because the girl didn’t do what he expected. She wasn’t operating according to his rules. And, he hadn’t been able to contact her since that night.
So now Phil carefully kept his face serious and nodded. He agreed wholeheartedly with Manny on this. KC Ramosa was dangerous. She was obviously smart, she wasn’t afraid to be bold and she just might lead to Manny’s destruction.
CHAPTER 4
It was a lovely morning. Claire and Jack were on their way to the library, but weren’t in any hurry. So the fact that they were at the moment heading in the opposite direction didn’t seem to bother them. They strolled along side by side holding hands until other pedestrians or broken pavement made the going difficult and they were forced to separate and walk single file. When they got to the fruit lady, selling a luscious selection of fruit on the corner of Canal and Hernandez Macias, they turned right, now they were headed in the general direction of the library once more. Bellas Artes was across the street and it looked interesting, but they decided to forego exploration of it for another day. The jewelry in the window of a shop they were passing caught Claire’s eye.
“Jack, wait. I want to look in here. I think this must be the shop of the woman we met the other night. Isobelle, remember? Let’s go in.” She was already tugging on his hand as she opened the door.
“Good morning,” Isobelle greeted them. “Oh, hello. I see you found me. Come in and look around. How are you enjoying your visit?”
“We’ve been having a wonderful time. Although I’m afraid we’ve not seen much as we seem to have really slowed down.” Claire smiled. “We tell ourselves we’re on vacation, so that’s our excuse.”
She left Jack chatting with Isobelle about the restaurant they ate at last night, while she examined the jewelry in the cases on the far side of the room. Isobelle was a very talented jeweler Claire decided after seeing the selection of unique pieces offered. She was especially drawn to a pair of earrings and a necklace of onyx and amber set in silver. Not only was it stunning, but it would set off the outfit she planned to wear to the party tonight, turning it into an ensemble. She couldn’t resist asking to try it on.
While Isobelle was showing Claire those pieces, Jack found another set he thought she might like. Isobelle showed her a couple more. They were all beautiful, but in the end Claire decided to splurge on the set that first caught her eye. And of course, Jack insisted on paying for it.
When they left the shop and headed toward the library once more Claire told Jack, “I love the jewelry and I love that you bought it for me, but truly, I’m used to buying things for myself. Now I’ll feel like every time I admire something you’ll think I want you to buy it for me.”
“Claire, I know you could buy it yourself, but I wanted to buy it for you. Don’t you understand how men love to shower their ladies with jewels? It gives me pleasure to think you’ll remember me each time you wear them.”
She saw how earnest he was so she smiled shyly, nodding. “Thank you. I do love it. And you’ll see tonight how perfectly it will match what I’m going to wear.”
“And of course, I’m extremely grateful it wasn’t a set of very large rubies or diamonds that caught your fancy,” Jack joked ending the discussion.
They continued down the street smiling until they came to Insurgentes, where they turned right, strolling past the businesses and shops and unmarked doors that were probably leading to second floor residences to finally reach the library. They walked through the dim tunnel-like entrance which spilled them directly into the courtyard. The brilliant sunlight almost blinded them until their eyes adjusted and they saw a fountain splash musically in the center and a few umbrella tables with chairs sitting in the sunshine. Around two sides of the perimeter were arcades, deeply shaded, furnished with bookshelves which lined the walls and library tables and chairs sat on the tile floor beside them. It was a restful, cool place to read, as several people demonstrated.
They took their time to wander through each door opening off of the arcades. They explored the various and usual sections of the library; they found the pleasant Santa Ana Café and the lecture rooms behind it. They went up stairs and inquired about procedures for using the computers. Jack signed up for a temporary library card. Then Claire settled down to check her e-mails, and Jack decided to browse the shelves for a book to read.
When she finished her turn at the computer Claire found Jack slumped in a chair under the shade of one of the umbrellas in the courtyard.
“Aren’t you warm?” She asked pulling out the chair next to him.
“Yeah, it’s wonderful. I’m having a hard time keeping my eyes open.”
“Well, I’m done. Thankfully there was nothing urgent. Mrs. B says Tuffy-Two is happy as a clam with her, but Theroux has reverted to his old routine of refusing to leave the bookshop at night
.” She laughed. “Theroux is just mad he doesn’t have your lap to sit on all night.” It was true, the cat spent every moment possible curled up on Jack’s lap while he was convalescing and was probably annoyed that the lap had disappeared.
“And now I’m hungry, why don’t we find somewhere to eat and then head home for a siesta. It looks like most of the people here have already done that.” It was true; there were very few people still sitting at the tables around the courtyard.
Jack nodded. “We could eat here, the menu looked interesting, or if you want we could try that enchilada place on Teddy’s list. I think it’s just around the corner.”
“Let’s try the enchilada place. After all we’re in Mexico and except for the Margaritas we haven’t had Mexican food yet.”
La Enchilada was just around the corner. Just a tiny door in an eclectically painted wall announced it even existed. If Teddy hadn’t recommended it, they wouldn’t have dared go in. It looked like a hundred other local restaurants, just what they had been warned to watch out for lest they catch the dreaded tourist malady. It was a tiny place; each wall was painted a different, but bright color, the chairs and tables were also painted with bright contrasting colors. Most of the tables were full, but the waitress quickly cleared off an empty one near the windows. They sat and looked at the selections offered. The menu was simple, listing only enchiladas, cheese or chicken, in red, brown or green sauce.
Jack ordered them both beers and then one order of chicken enchiladas of each type of sauce. “We can share, okay? That way we can decide which one we like best.”
The waitress looked a little puzzled at three orders for only two people, but complied, delivering three bowls of the accompanying soup and salads. Jack looked slightly askance, but then rallied. “We only have to eat what we want.”
When the waitress delivered three steaming plates of enchiladas with beans and rice she picked up the leftover soup and salad bowls without a comment. One of each hadn’t even been touched.
“Well, we’ll certainly have enough to fill us up.” Claire laughed, taking a bite of the enchiladas in green chili sauce. “Yum, this is delicious.”
Jack just nodded, too busy at the moment eating the enchiladas in brown sauce which turned out to be mole, the spicy sauce made with chocolate. Finally, he offered that plate to Claire and started on the plate with the traditional red chili sauce.
“These are great; let me have that plate with the green sauce, please.” Jack caught the waitress’ eye and ordered them each another beer.
“I was thinking I should have bought something for my daughter, Karen, when we were at Isobelle’s. I think she would really like a piece of her jewelry.”
“Oh Jack, of course you should. We can go back.”
He nodded, thinking. “Not today, but before we leave. If I don’t see something else that catches my eye, maybe I’ll get her that set with the carnelian stones.”
Claire nodded. “How was she?”
Jack had finally felt well enough to call her before they left, but they hadn’t discussed his conversation with her.
“She says she’s doing great. She loves her job and she recently got a promotion and is now called an Administrative Assistant, whatever that means.” He smiled. “You know, for a young girl in New York, life can be exciting. I got the distinct impression she has someone special in her life, but she didn’t seem ready to talk about him, so I didn’t pry. But I’m thinking after we get back to Bayside I might take the time for a quick visit to New York. That way I can check for myself.”
“Jack, she’s a grown woman now, not your little girl,” Claire admonished.
He looked sheepish. “I know, but it’s a big, cruel world out there and her mother is far away. I’d feel easier if I met her friends and saw where she lives. You know?”
“I imagine she’s pretty self-sufficient. After all, her mother has been in South America for a couple years now and most of the time you’ve been unreachable. She seems to have managed fairly well.”
Jack frowned, nodding. “I know, but it wouldn’t hurt to visit her.”
“No, she’d probably love it, especially if you don’t grill her friends and snoop around her apartment.” Claire laughed, and after a moment Jack joined her.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
They had definitely slowed down, now just occasionally reaching out their forks for another taste, when several people came noisily down from the upstairs section.
“Well, hello.” Steve Carter spotted them. Detouring from his friends he came over to smile down on them. “I see you’ve found our best kept secret. Teddy must have blabbed.”
Jack stood and shook Steve’s hand. “He did and we’re glad. What a meal. We tried them all.”
Steve laughed. “I can see. I always think I know just what I’m going to order, but when I get here I can’t decide. Maybe I should try your solution the next time.”
“I’m embarrassed you caught us being pigs, but we can’t get enchiladas like this at home.” Claire said, “Please don’t tell on us.”
Steve laughed again. “Never. I suppose I’ll see the two of you tonight at Teddy and Jeff’s?” At their nod, he smiled and moved toward the door where his friends were lingering, waiting for him. “See you later. Enjoy your afternoon.”
“I’m stuffed. I’m glad we tried them all, but I’m still not sure which one is my favorite. Every time I think I’m sure I take a bite of one of the others and get confused again. Next time we should try the cheese enchiladas too.”
Jack had a horrified look on his face. He shook his head. “I ‘m not sure we’ll be able to eat six orders.”
Claire laughed. “Agreed, maybe she can fix us up a combo plate?”
Jack paid the very reasonable tab, and they struggled to their feet. Once on the street Claire suggested they take a taxi; then just as quickly shook her head. “No, we need to walk some of this lunch off. I intend to nap when we get home and I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep feeling this full.” She headed resolutely up the slight incline toward the Jardin and eventually their house.
* * *
Claire was up for a party. She had brought a skirt she found on sale last fall thinking she might want to dress up one night. It was slightly gathered, long, almost to her ankles and simple in cut. The material was a bold print of large black flowers silhouetted against a white background with little touches of warm yellow in the centers of the flowers. She wore a sleeveless black silk blouse and a black silk blend cardigan sweater to finish it off. Her new jewelry was perfect with it. She knew she looked good because Jack told her so, but it was that look on his face when she walked out into the patio that made her heart race. There was no doubt how he thought she looked.
The taxi let them off halfway up the hill behind the Jardin on a street populated by walls and industrial buildings. This address was boldly marked on doublewide doors for vehicles to use with a small door beside it. Jack pressed the doorbell and a young man opened the door wide for them to enter. They found themselves on a flagstone parking area with a double garage to their left and the high wall of the industrial building on their right. Straight ahead was a path leading to the house. The house started from the garage and seemed to stretch in a long line to the back end of the property. Between the house and the industrial building was a lawn, a pool and a garden area too far away in the growing dusk to define.
“Oh, Claire, Jack, welcome to our home. I’m so glad you came early. I wanted you to see the house before it’s all filled with people. Jeff, Jeff, come see who is here.” Teddy was waiting for his guests in the formal living room. The large room was furnished with large comfortable pieces of furniture, a grand piano, and pieces of sculpture which could only be Jeff’s. Half of the wall facing the garden was open, apparently rolled into the other part of the wall giving the room the feeling of being part of the outside.
Jeff arrived, shook hands with Jack and gave Claire a hug. “Good, you did come early. Teddy alway
s goes crazy waiting for the first guest to show up. Thank you for assuring him someone is coming. As many parties as we’ve had, he still worries no one will come.”
Teddy laughed. “Can you imagine how horrid that would be? I’ve never even been to a party like that, but then I guess if I had, it wouldn’t be one where no one came, would it?”
“Oh, Jeff, is that one of your pieces?” Claire pointed to the sculpture sitting in the far corner. When Jeff nodded, she said, “It’s just wonderful.” And she moved closer to get a better view.
“You’ll see lots of his work around, and many pieces made by other local artists. And I see, Claire, that you found Isobelle’s shop, because I know that piece you’re wearing is one of hers. It’s stunning.”
Claire put her fingers up to her necklace, pleased with the compliment as if she had made the jewelry instead of just choosing it.
“Come on, I’ll give you a quick tour, then Jeff said he wanted to show you his studio. People will start coming in droves pretty soon, at least I hope they will, so I’ll have to stick close to the front.”
Teddy led them through the dining room, where servers were filling the massive table with platters of food. The dining room led into the large kitchen, and they couldn’t do much but glance in, as it was filled with busy workers. Teddy led them straight through to the family room, or perhaps it was a den. The bar was set up and ready so they paused long enough for Jack to get a beer and Claire a glass of white wine. These four rooms were all in a row, like the railroad flats Claire knew from San Francisco. The difference here was each of these rooms had one side almost entirely open to the patio-pool-lawn area. Teddy explained he designed it with sliding walls, to take advantage of the mild weather they enjoyed most of the year. The few occasions it was chilly, they just closed the sliders and had windows across that side of the rooms.
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