by P. Thompson
“Hey, did you know she could whistle whip-poor-will and sound just like one?”
“I do believe we have used that one a time or two. What made her use that for you, Roy?”
“I would rather not say,” was Roy’s reply.
“Me thinks you did a bit more than drive by said house.” Jeff said with his head cocked to one side and a question on his face. “I noticed that some heavy fire power was missing from the gun safe, would that have anything to do with your little drive by?”
“Could be.” I told him, not committing myself to anything.
“You guys need to be careful out there. Not only Diego, but the Feds are not playing any games with this. I’m not sure what all they have going at this point, but I assure you they don’t want you messing it up.”
“We went by to see Carl Harris at his girlfriend’s house before coming back here. He told us that Raymond had a girlfriend named Tia Cortez who seems to be missing. The blood on the knife or from the bathtub is not Lisa’s so maybe they took Tia Cortez out for some reason. She’s an illegal so we don’t have anything on her as of yet. Where do you want us to go with this?” I asked him.
“Go back to the neighborhood and take Officers Lyle and Dean with you. Tomorrow is plenty of time. Talk with the neighbors and see what they know on the girl.”
“That’s all well and good, but the last time we were there no one would answer their doors. Not since Mr. Alvarez shut up his store and took Tonya home. Not sure they’ll open them this time either.” I threw at him.
“Doesn’t matter, it has to be done even if you have to beat on the doors till they open. We need to find that girl or her body one and bring down Diego even if the feds are opposed to it. So work on that tomorrow and for now, go home and get some rest.”
We left his office and walked out to Cindy’s desk.
“Hey how are you doing? We haven’t had a chance to talk in like forever.”
“I’m good. Sam and I are still seeing each other. It’s hard with him on days and me on nights, but we do have weekends from time to time.”
“That’s great to hear. Has Miss Massie been to see you lately?”
“No, I was out to see her yesterday. She was putting up jams and pickling cucumbers when I was there. I helped till it was time for work. I love that lady to death; she has taught me so much.”
“Yeah, me to. Well I need to go and get something to eat and check in on Ming. How is Shadow doing?”
“She great and has such a loving personality. We’re good for now.”
I said good bye and headed to The Table for supper.
Ralph had catfish and grits with corn bread as one of his dinners. That and a big old salad I ate at the bar and talked with Sophie and ran over the books with her. She mixed me a new drink that was tropical in nature which was pretty good. A new coconut rum she had brought in. I gave my okay on the new rum and the new drink. Sammy came out of the kitchen to give me a hug and told me he had a girlfriend who worked at the intellectual disability community office. They met at the last horse show and have been seeing each other for over a month now. I wished him all the happiness in the world and meant it. He was a wonderful guy and had a lot to offer someone. Then I headed home to take care of Ming and get a hot shower.
Ming must have heard me pull up because she was standing at the door protesting as I opened it up. “Okay girl, we’ll get you some wet food and a good scratch behind the ears and you’ll be good to go.” I took care of Ming first and then check on phone for messages. Mostly there were unwanted callers that don’t honor the DO NOT CALL website. There was one from Tony Marino and I planned on calling him back as soon as I got a shower, but the phone rang just then and it was his uncle, Mick, on the line.
“Hey Mick, I was just thinking of you guys earlier today. Like minds think alike. What’s up?”
“We’re having a celebration Saturday on the ranch and wondered if you and a friend might want to come?”
“What’s the celebration all about, and yes me and a friend would love to come if we can find a moment with this new case, but put us down? So tell me about the celebration.”
“Tony and Melonie are getting married at one o’clock on the back deck and Tony wants you to be his best man/best girl. You can’t let him down or he’ll be crushed.”
“Oh my gosh! That’s so wonderful. I’ll be there if I have to fake sick. Count on me and if Max can get off him too.”
“I don’t think you can fake sick as the sheriff is giving the bride away.” Mick told me.
“When did he and Melonie become such close friends?” I asked.
“Since the sheriff has been coming out here teaching Melonie to ride.”
“How come Tony didn’t teach her ride, he’s an excellent rider?”
“Tony is not a good teacher, good rider, not a good teacher. I haven’t had the time; I’ve been back and forth to Chicago the past year working on some new deals. So Jeff stepped in and they have become pals. She doesn’t have any family to come so Jeff was the most likely person to do the job. And he’s tickled to death to do it.”
“Well so much for faking sick. I’ll be there come what may.”
I hung up with Mick and grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator and went to check my lottery ticket on the computer. Hey, I won something, but I wasn’t sure how much so I call the convenience store and asked for Stephanie.
“Hey girls, what’s up?” She asked.
“I was checking my lottery tickets and one of them is a winner, can you check for me and see how much I won? See if it’s enough for a new pair of shoes.”
I waited while Stephanie went to check and I gave Ming a good scratch behind the ears.
“I think you can afford those shoes, you could even go to Paris to buy those shoes.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You have won One-hundred and fifty thousand dollars, girl!!!”
“Oh my gosh you must be kidding.”
“Not in the least. You’ll have to come in and fill out some forms then it’ll be yours.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I hung up the phone and sat there in a daze. I could think of so many things to do with that money, but it didn’t take me long to know just what I was going to do with it.
******
Morning brought sunshine and the hope of a warmer day. I fed Ming and myself in the hopes that no one brought bagel again. I checked my calendar and was surprised to see that next week was Halloween. Oh boy, that will bring the crazies out for sure. I stopped for a coffee and brought everyone there a latte. I was feeling generous this morning. Everyone was in the conference room, but Roy, and the sheriff said he was on his way. I passed out the coffees all around and everyone wanted to know if it was my birthday or something.
“Yes, you might say it’s my birthday in a way. I won one-hundred and fifty thousand dollars on the lottery.” I told them.
There was congrats all around the table and some joking about a loan.
“What are you going to do with your winnings?” Bubba wanted to know.
“I’ve been wanting to move more into the country and with this and selling my house I might be able to find a place I can afford.”
Bo came around the table and gave me a big hug with a kiss on my forehead. “We’ll help you find that place and help you move. Just say when.”
“Thanks Bo. I’ll let you know.”
Officers Lyle and Dean came through the door and helped themselves to a latte and sat down.
“Here’s the game plan for the day. Lyle and Dean will go to the neighborhood and see if anyone can remember Tia Cortez. Roy and Jenny will follow up on that and check with Tonya Rojas at the hospital. Take Bo along to help out there. Bubba I want you trying to find Mr. Alvarez. Finding the sister may lead you there. Okay guys, be careful out there and be safe.” The sheriff sent us out for the day.
“Let’s take my truck.” Roy said and I didn’t argue as it sav
ed my gas. I knew why he preferred his truck; my Jeep didn’t fit his six foot four frame very well. I got my vest out of the Jeep and met Roy at his truck. He was putting on his vest and drinking his latte at the same time.
“Hey, you could do a better job with both if you did them one at a time.” I laughingly told him. He gave me the bird with his free hand. We got to the neighborhood and I started with Sylvia Nelson as she was on her front porch having morning coffee. She waved at me as I got out of Roy’s truck and stood to welcome me on the steps.
“I know why you’re here and I don’t think I can help in any way. I didn’t know the girl and I don’t know where Mr. Alvarez has gotten off to.”
“Which girl are you talking about?” I asked her.
“Why the one they dumped on Mr. Alvarez’s door steps that’s who.”
“Well I know where Tonya Rojas is, she’s in the hospital. I’m going to see her later. I’m interested in a Tia Cortez. She was Raymond’s girlfriend. When was the last time you saw her?”
“Well let me see. It had to be maybe over a week ago or there about. They had a terrible row in the front lawn and she took off down the street and Diego told Raymond to let her go she would cool of soon enough. They both went into the house and I went back inside to watch TV.” She told me.
“Did she ever come back that night?”
“I haven’t a clue. Things were quiet after that and with the TV on I didn’t hear anything else.”
“Do you know where Mr. Alvarez’s sister lives or even what her name is?”
“Mercy is her first name, but I don’t know her last name.”
“Funny first name for a girl. You just never know. Okay, thanks for your help and if you hear, see, or think of anything, here’s my card again give me a call.” I walked down the steps and met Roy coming up the sidewalk.
“Find out anything? He asked.
I told him what Sylvia Nelson had told me about Tia Cortez and asked if he found out anything new.
“Not a thing. People are just not talking. I think they’re scared to death of the Martinez’.”
Officer Lyle came up to us and said, “Mr. Mendez said he would talk to me after dark if I came alone and went to the back door. Not in my uniform, but street clothes.”
“Good going Lyle! You keep that date. Stay off your radio and no cellphone till you get back to the office. We don’t want to take any chances that Big Brother is listening.”
“You mean Diego or the Feds?”
“Either or, it doesn’t make any difference, just run silent till you get to the office.”
“You and Dean keep working the houses around the block like you hadn’t made contact with Mr. Mendez; Jenny and I are headed to the hospital to talk with Tonya Rojas and Lyle, good work.” Roy told him.
******
The hospital was a noisy place that morning. Nurses handing out meds, visiting Doctors on the floor and a pastor or priest roaming the halls looking for parishioners. We found Tonya Rojas’ room and Bo was already there. Mrs. Rojas and Mr. Rojas were seated beside Tonya’s bed holding hands. Bo was speaking in Spanish in a quiet manner. Tonya was asleep and the skin around her eyes had turned a very dark shade of grey/black. My heart went out to her in more ways than one. She had a long recovery physically, mentally and the whispers of the kids at school were going to be another whole ball of wax.
Bo looked up as we entered the room and Mr. Rojas stood up an offered his hand as Bo introduced us to him and Mrs. Rojas. I came to her and said, “I am so very sorry this has happened to Tonya. I promise you I will get this monster if it’s in my power.”
Bo translated what I had said and with tears in her eyes she looked up at me and said, “Gracias.”
Roy turned to Bo and asked, “Has she been able to remember anything else about where she was or who all was there?”
“Not so far. They have her on a high dose of pain medication and she’s been sleeping ever since I’ve been here. The Doctor says she will be out of it for at least another twenty-four hours. Then they will begin to taper her off the pain meds.”
“So we’re doing no good here right now. Let’s head back to the office and see what going on there.” Roy told me.
I turned to Mr. and Mrs. Rojas and shook their hands before I left. Roy did the same.
Back in the truck I turned to Roy and asked, “Did you know that Jeff is giving the bride away on Saturday?”
“Sure. I’m covering for him while he’s there. I understand that you are going to be best man/girl for Tony.”
“How did you know all this when I just found out myself?”
“A little birdie told me.” He said laughing.
“So sheriff knows I’ll be out there on Saturday and not working this case till later?”
“I would assume so because he told me.”
“Well damn!”
******
There was no one at the office but Loraine when we got there. “Hey where is everybody?” Roy asked her with a kiss.
“Sheriff’s gone to lunch with some big wig and you know where Bo, Lyle and Dean are. I’m not sure about Bubba he has an agenda of his own today trying to find Mr. Alvarez.” Loraine told him.
Loraine had turned a space heater on in the lobby and it felt good to stand in front of it and get some warmth on my back side. While I was standing there I began to think of just how cold it was going to be on the back covered deck at Tony and Mick’s place. What to wear was my next question and what were her colors? Guess I needed to find out real soon.
******
Loraine handed me an address on the tag number for Diego’s black SUV. It was the duplex so that didn’t help much. Then she handed me an address for Raymond’s black car and she was smiling from ear to ear. Bingo! We had an address to go find and see what was what. I handed the piece of paper to Roy and he beat me out the door. We drove to the far side of town where mostly blacks lived. The house was old and not well kept. Paint was peeling on the outside and the shutters hung caddy-angled by the windows. The porch was falling in and one of the columns was missing, letting the roof sag down on that side. There were no cars in the gravel driveway or any sign of life around the house. We parked a block away and checked our weapons. Today I had a slip proof holster that I put behind my back. The Glock fit perfect just in the small of my back and above the crack. Roy locked the truck and we skirted the neighborhood to come in around back. The back yard was knee high in weed and overgrown bushes. Roy motioned me to go around the right side and he would take the left side. I removed my gun and stayed close to the fence that separated the house next door from this place. A fallen in porch on the back was not calling my name. I could feel the whole thing caving in on me if I stepped up on it. I peered into the window on the right side of the porch and saw no one. Really, there wasn’t much at all to see inside. I assumed Roy was doing the same on the other side. I move up to near the front of the house and looked in that window, saw nothing inside the house at all. No furniture or persons young or old. Roy met me by the front porch and said, “This was just an address to give out for the car title. Bet he has a PO Box in some post office.”
A small black kid on a small bicycle came down the sidewalk and stopped out front. “Hey, what you doing at my grandma’s house?” He shouted.
“Is this your grandmother’s place?” Roy asked.
“Sure is. What you doing here?” He asked again.
“Looking for a guy named Raymond. He has a black car. Do you know him?”
“Yeah, he came around and had me pick up his mail he had sent here. Gave me ten buck to doing it.” The kid said.
“When was the last time you saw him?” I asked the kid.
“He was here yesterday. He don’t go inside just has me give him the mail and leaves.”
“Where do you live?” I asked him.
He pointed his finger across the street at a house that looked about as bad as this one.
“Me and momma and my little sister live
over there.” He said.
“Do you have a phone at your house?” Roy asked him.
“No sir. We can’t afford a phone. Momma has a hard enough time with the electric bill.”
Roy peeled off a ten dollar bill and took it out to the kid. “Go buy something for you and your sister.” He told him. Then we walked away back to the truck. Another strike out in this case. The Lord only knows when Raymond would be back here again for mail or any other thing.
I tuned to Roy and said, “Do you think this could be where they brought Tonya too?”
“Good thought, let get the CSI out here and run some prints and find some evident so when we get this guy that can hang him.”
Roy called it in and we sat in the truck till Max showed up.
Roy and I explained what we thought may have occurred here and he and his men started in. The little black boy came back around to see what was going on and Roy asked him, “Did Raymond ever bring anybody here for a day or two?”
“Only some men, they were Spanish and loud. Momma didn’t like them hanging around.”
“See those men in there? They are going to check and see if those men left anything. They won’t be too long. They won’t mess anything up in there.” I told him.
“Don’t matter, ain’t nothing worth messing up in there no way.”
With that the little boy rode his bicycle off down the sidewalk.
I looked at Roy and Roy looked at me and he nodded his head toward the truck and we left.
******
Back at the office we told Loraine that it had been a bust, but we had called CSI in to see if the Rojas girl had been kept there.
“Can you check and see if the GPS on Raymond’s cellphone is up and running?”
She pounded on the keyboard and shook her head. “It’s off for now. I’ll keep trying every half an hour or so and see if it come back up.”
“Thanks.” I told her and Roy and I went into the conference room. I picked up a piece of computer paper and drew a house with peeling paint and crooked shutters and place it on the murder board. The board was getting pretty full by this time.