Sky High Stakes (Pacheco & Chino Mysteries Book 2)

by Ted Clifton

  The sheriff handed Ray a typed note inside a clear plastic bag.

  I have done things that are wrong. Because of what I have done, people have died. I’m sorry. This is all because of drugs and greed. I wanted to make money so I could be independent of my wife’s family and be able to leave this state. I’m sorry for what I have done and the people I have hurt—most especially my wife, whom I love very much.

  I started the drug dealing business with Sheriff Rodriguez. We got our drugs from a connection in Mexico who shipped the drugs in the horse trailers. My stable manager first told me he could do this if I was interested—I should have fired him and told the Sheriff, but I wanted the money. I talked Rodriguez into to helping me, and he brought in Tito.

  My wife was never involved and didn’t know.

  Please forgive me for the harm I have caused. I have no choice but to take my life. I love you Isabella.

  Dick Franklin

  “Not much of a confession, did Franklin have Marino and Rodriguez killed? We know he didn’t kill the stable manager—at least not on his own—because he was there with us when it happened. Nothing is solved by this note.”

  “Yep.”

  “Let’s say this is a real suicide note and confession. If he had killed Marino, Esparza the stable manager, Rodriguez, or taken that shot at Tito, wouldn’t he admit it? So if it isn’t a real suicide note, and the real killer shot Franklin, why wouldn’t he include in the fake suicide note that Franklin killed all of those people?”

  “Beats the fuck out of me Ray, but I’m telling you I don’t believe Dick Franklin committed suicide.” Tyee seemed angry.

  “Looks like the only thing this note does is clear Isabella—maybe that was the whole idea.”

  Home Alone

  Neither Ray nor Tyee was in a good mood. They even skipped breakfast at Bud’s, heading home first thing in the morning. Skipping the joy of breakfast at Bud’s was a strong indication that the trip was going to be long and quiet. Ray wasn’t happy with the situation, but Tyee was truly pissed about the whole mess. And Ray was sick and tired of driving to Ruidoso and needed a break from everyone involved.

  They were headed out of Las Cruces before they attempted a conversation.

  “Once we get in I’ll call the Governor and give him an update. I think our focus should be on getting more information about Isabella’s father. He seemed like he might be a little unhinged. Maybe you could do some research on the computer and see what you can find. My plan is to remain in T or C for a while and let things settle down. I’m going to talk to Sheriff James about putting some kind of alert out on Isabella, but other than that it looks like we’re in the waiting game again.”

  “I can do the research as soon as we get back. I agree that we need to stay out of this Jeep for a few days—I think you’re starting to get on my nerves.” Tyee smiled. They both knew a little space would be welcome.

  As they pulled into the driveway and parked, they were greeted by the best greeter in the world—a dog. Happy jumped and wagged with great doggie joy, both Ray and Tyee gave him a good rub. Tyee said he’d see Ray later, then headed toward the outbuildings where he lived and worked. Ray went into the cabin with Happy following.

  “Hello, anyone home?” No sound. They were probably a few hours earlier than Sue was expecting. The early departure and the very few stops along the way had gotten them back in record time. Ray went into the kitchen and decided to fix a pot of coffee and just relax. The phone rang.

  “Hello.”

  “Hello, this is Chuck, Beverly’s husband. I’m waiting at the Lone Post Café, but no one’s here. Is there something wrong?”

  “This is Ray Pacheco and I just got back into town, so I don’t know exactly what’s going on. Were you expecting to meet Beverly at the Café?

  “Yes. She and her cousin and somebody named Big Jack were supposed to meet me. I am expecting that I’ll be able to take the kids back to Denver.”

  “There’s no one at my place, so I’d guess they may be on their way into town to meet with you.”

  “Okay. Thanks.” He hung up.

  Interesting development. Ray debated about calling, or even driving into T or C to see what was happening, but decided he could use the peace and quiet.

  He sat down with his newly brewed coffee and glanced through the mail. Sue handled all of the household expenses, so he skimmed through the pile and put it aside without much interest. His life had always been about working. Getting up on a schedule, going to work on a schedule, eating on a schedule—the few months when he’d tried to break those habits by retiring and doing nothing hadn’t been enjoyable. He craved the structure of his routines. But since his marriage to Sue, he’d wanted to spend more time just being with her, so now the schedules and the demands of his new career were starting to annoy him. Had he made a bad decision starting this business? He wasn’t sure.

  Of course some of this attitude could come from being tired after all of the driving they’d been doing, as well as being upset that they hadn’t been able to nail things down better. Everything still felt unsettled, and Ray didn’t like that. He got up and went outside with Happy. Maybe a walk with the dog would help him unwind.

  There was no walking with Happy—he liked to run. Watching the dog get such joy out of simply running started to make Ray feel better. He’d done that when he was a kid—just taken off running for no purpose other than the joy of doing it. What happens to people that they lose the joy of being alive? He started jogging a little. Before he knew it he was running—not as fast as a kid or a dog, but running, and smiling. He thought, you old fool, you’re going to fall and break your neck. But that didn’t stop him, and soon he was laughing.

  On the way back to the cabin, both Happy and Ray walked slowly—they were tired. In sight of the cabin, Ray sat on an old log and started tossing a stick for Happy to fetch. This went on for some time—he hadn’t felt this relaxed in a long while.

  “Looks like some of the tension is gone.”

  “Yeah. I even ran some with the dog. This is a great place to be.”

  “Old man running with dog sounds like trip to hospital.”

  “Don’t tell Sue, okay?”

  “Sure. Didn’t take long to find out lots of stuff about Mr. Ortega. Andres Ortega was by all accounts once a member of organized crime in Mexico—some call it the Mexican mafia, later known as the cartels. Ortega was a leader of a huge crime family that had operations in Mexico and the U.S. from the 1950s through the 1970s. The FBI says that he was suspected of running the vast empire from his hidden hacienda in New Mexico. Sometime in the ‘70s he was overthrown by younger toughs, who expanded the drug business and increased the level of violence. But Ortega was still honored because of his age and history. The FBI and DEA files indicate that they don’t suspect him to have been involved in anything illegal since the ‘70s, and that they haven’t monitored his activities closely since that time.”

  “A big time international crime boss living in isolation in the hills of New Mexico—who would have thought? Any mention of his wife or Isabella in the records?”

  “More or less just footnotes. His wife died about five years ago. The files mentioned that his daughter is involved in his care. My contact at the FBI said he was once considered to be the top dog in all sorts of illegal activities, but today they don’t believe he’s involved at all.”

  “Guess even drug lords get old and retire.”

  They both absorbed this, imagining what it might mean—if anything.

  “Tyee, I think I need to apologize for being on edge lately. I like what we’re doing and I want to keep doing it, I just need to set better priorities around being at home with Sue. This running all over the state is making me nuts.”

  “White man must fish more—chase evil men less.”

  “Let’s go fishing tomorrow, how about it?”

  “Perfecto.”

  Sue was anxious about going to the meeting between Beverly and Chuck Evan
s. She’d learned a lot over the last few days of having Beverly and her kids living with her. She knew that Beverly was an unaware mother who was totally absorbed in her own life and took her great kids for granted. Ray had told Sue there had to be a better parent involved for those kids to have turned out so well-behaved and mature, and of course Ray was right. As soon as she talked to Chuck on the phone, Sue knew that he was the source of the kids’ composure.

  Chuck’s concern was one hundred percent about the kids. He said that if the kids were better off with Beverly, that’s what he’d want—but he hadn’t seen that in many years. He told Sue that Beverly was going through a mid-life crisis and didn’t need the responsibility of children at this point. He was candid with Sue about his “mistake” in having an affair with the young woman who used to be the kids babysitter—but as he explained it, there were a lot more extenuating circumstances than Beverly had told her.

  Chuck and Beverly had been separated for over a year when he started his relationship with the other woman. He said Beverly had had at least two live-in boyfriends during that time. During the majority of the separation, Chuck had complete custody of the children. He was even concerned about Beverly. He told Sue he was sure that she was having all sorts of identity issues, and that this was compounded by the fact she had gained so much weight. He thought that Beverly should concentrate on getting herself together and not worry about the children until she was better prepared to deal with them.

  After Sue’s conversation with Chuck, she immediately confronted Beverly, who broke down and cried and asked for sympathy—but never once took responsibility for anything. Sue told her she should grow up and that she should get the kids back with their dad where they belonged. They didn’t talk for the rest of that day.

  That evening, with the aid of Big Jack, Sue was able to talk to Beverly and convince her that it was in everybody’s best interest to work out a deal between Beverly and Chuck for a divorce—and that the kids should be with him until Beverly was better able to handle them. Big Jack was sympathetic to Beverly, but also firm. He discussed the legal realities and told her she could win custody, but probably couldn’t move out of Colorado without the court’s permission. After about an hour of discussion on the various points, Beverly’s position changed and she decided that it was Chuck’s responsibility to take the children.

  Once they’d reached that conclusion, Sue had called Chuck and asked him to meet them in T or C. He had immediately agreed and said he’d be there by the afternoon of the next day. They agreed to meet at the Lone Post Café.

  Now they were driving to the meeting. Thanks to Beverly they were about thirty minutes late, but Sue was sure that Chuck—who had driven ten hours—would be there waiting.

  “Kids, I bet you didn’t know that I used to work at this restaurant we are going to.”

  “Really, were you the cook?”

  “No. I waited on tables.”

  “Wow.”

  That was the great thing about kids—they were so easily impressed.

  “Once we get inside I’m going to get you two a special booth and have the cook fix you one of the best green chili hamburgers you’ll ever taste—how about that?”

  “Great. Great.”

  They parked in front and everyone got out. Big Jack was supposed to meet them there, but Sue didn’t see him. They went inside. Sue was greeted with hugs by what seemed like everyone on the staff. She got the kids situated and saw Beverly talking to a tall, thin man in the back. She headed that way.

  “You must be Chuck?”

  “Yes. And you must be Sue, nice to meet you.” They shook hands.

  Chuck said that he wanted to go say hi to the kids and left. Beverly stood there, frowning. About then, Big Jack walked in and Beverly’s mood changed completely for the better. Big Jack was busy glad-handing everyone in the room and slowly making his way back to where Sue and Beverly were seated. Big Jack came to Chuck and gave him his standard please-vote-for-me greeting. Once they realized who they each were, they stepped aside and had a few words, then they joined the ladies at the booth. Big Jack slid in beside Beverly—something of a challenge—and Chuck sat next to Sue.

  “Chuck, I’m pleased to meet you and I want you to know that while I’m an attorney, I’m not here in that capacity—I’m here as Beverly’s friend. She and I have talked extensively, and I believe candidly, about what would be best for everyone for at least the next few months. So, if I may, I’d like to address the issues and make sure everyone is agreeable.”

  “Please, go ahead Jack.” Chuck seemed to be as well-mannered as his children, possibly not a coincidence.

  “Beverly, I’m going to say some things that you may have said to me in private, so if it upsets you then please ask me to stop, okay?”

  “Yes.” Beverly didn’t want to be at this meeting.

  “First, the children. I have never met more polite, well-adjusted kids in my life. Beverly may not have ever said this to you, but she gives you all of the credit for that. She’s told me that you’re a much better mother than she ever was.” Beverly frowned, Chuck grimaced.

  “With that in mind, it’s critical that the children return to your care at once. I know that’s why you’re here, to pick them up, but I think it’s important to say some of these things out loud. You are to be congratulated on an excellent job raising your children.” Once again no one said anything, although Chuck did nod.

  “Second, you two need to be divorced. The separation may have had a purpose at the beginning, but now it’s just getting in the way of you both moving on with your lives. I think this can be a simple process with no confrontation. We can put together a list of things we would like to happen related to financial matters, and we will try to keep it reasonable. Regarding the children, Beverly agrees that you should have primary care, but that she should have visitation rights. Unless there are hidden assets that I haven’t been told about, there’s no reason this can’t be an agreement of only a few pages and you can get it signed and done in a matter of weeks. On a very personal note, and I have already said this to Beverly, you two should decide to be friends as best you can so that you don’t impact your children. I think in this case that would be mostly about not being nasty with one another. Many marriages end in divorce, believe me I can attest to that, but that’s no reason for there to be petty bickering after the fact. You both care about your children so act like it.”

  Big Jack had said his piece. Everyone was quiet.

  “I agree with what you’ve said Jack. Beverly, I’ll do my best with the children and I’ll try and be a good ex-husband.”

  Sue was so impressed with this guy—she thought that given the opportunity she might just slug Beverly.

  “I have a lot to learn, Chuck. I know I need to grow up. I do love our children, I’m just a lousy mother. You’re a good man Chuck.” Beverly lowered her head and cried. Maybe they were genuine tears.

  Everyone stood, ready to move on. Big Jack and Chuck exchanged contact information and discussed logistics related to the divorce papers. Beverly, to her credit, went over and hugged her kids. She told them she’d see them soon—they said they’d like that. The kids came over and gave Sue a big, loving hug. Sue was touched, and teared up a bit. Everyone said goodbye.

  Outside, Beverly left with Big Jack. Chuck left with the kids. Sue was ecstatic to be going home alone.

  Sue and Ray spent the evening and some of the night getting reacquainted. Just what they needed.

  Dinner Party

  Sue decided to have a dinner party, inviting Big Jack and Beverly along with Tyee. When she asked Beverly if they could come, she was surprised that Beverly insisted on cooking the meal.

  “Look Sue, at this point I owe you more than I’ll ever be able to repay. Please let me cook the meal. We can do this at your place, but let me get all of the ingredients and cook a meal for you and your guests.”

  “Sure, if you really want to.”

  Sue set the date for Sat
urday night, one week away. She wasn’t completely sure about letting Beverly fix the meal, but she was reluctant to turn down any offer from Beverly. She told Ray, but he wasn’t too interested—he hadn’t invested the time in Beverly that Sue had. Ray did ask an interesting question, though—was Tyee bringing a date? Suddenly Sue had a new project.

  Sue and Ray attended another beer bash on behalf of Big Jack’s mayoral campaign. Ray questioned the logic of holding it since it looked like the same people showed up as at the last one. But there was no question that Big Jack and Beverly loved this environment. One thing that had changed since the last event was that Beverly had set up a taco tent, and the smells coming from that direction were wonderful. Even more impressive were the lines of people waiting to get their tacos. They were free, so you’d expect demand, but the crowd was more enthusiastic than might be expected—Beverly actually got a standing ovation from her customers.

  Sue prodded Ray toward the tent—she had to try a sample of Beverly’s wares. As they got closer, they could read the menu, which included tacos filled with smoked chicken with chipotle sauce, Korean barbeque, mushrooms, grilled steak with bourbon sauce, and honey mustard chicken. So far so good. They finally made it up to the counter, where Chester was taking the orders with a big smile.

  “Hello Chester.”

  “Well hello, Mr. and Mrs. Pacheco. Nice to see you.”

  “What best on the menu, Chester?”

  “We’ve probably sold—well, I mean given away—more of the steak than anything else, but my favorite is the smoked chicken.”

  They ordered one steak and one smoked chicken, and both smelled wonderful. When Sue caught a glimpse of Beverly, it seemed like she was having the time of her life. They found a spot to sit and sampled the food.

  “Wow. This is some good stuff.”