by Rayna Morgan
Dan sighed. “I suppose you’re right but Adriana will be disappointed.”
“We better go before the guard discovers me.”
“Give me a minute. I’m going to hit the john before we leave.”
In the restroom, he found a man sniffing coke from a shelf above the sink.
“C’mon, baby, join me. You want to have a good time, don’t you?” he asked someone across the room. “The evening’s young. You and I are just getting started.”
Dan turned to see who the guy was talking to.
Huddled in the corner was a wide-eyed Luisa, trembling and clutching her arms. It was obvious her notion of having a good time had been dispelled.
Dan approached her, trying not to frighten her further. “Are you all right, miss?”
She scrunched against the wall.
“Adriana sent me to find you.” He pulled a paper from his pocket and handed it to her. “She knew you might be afraid so she asked me to give you this.”
After reading the note, the girl looked at him. “Adriana says I should trust you and it’s safe to leave with you.”
“That’s right but we should hurry.”
As he helped her to her feet, he was grabbed from behind.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Besides being high on drugs, the man reeked of alcohol. “Go find your own woman. I paid for this one.”
Luisa stood behind Dan and pointed angrily at her flustered escort. “He told me the party would be fun but I haven’t had fun at all. This bully is a pig. He tried to force his way with me.”
“There are people you need to tell but this isn’t the time or place. Right now, we’re leaving.” Dan pushed past her date. “Move aside, sir. This young lady is done partying for the evening.”
“Says who?” the big man sputtered. He stood in their way, his face purple with rage.
“Says the person walking out of here with your date.” In one swift move, Dan delivered a blow to the man’s paunchy stomach. “Any objections?”
His adversary hunched over, too winded to speak.
“I didn’t think so.” He inched closer and whispered in the man’s ear. “If I ever hear of you forcing yourself on a woman again, I’ll hunt you down and finish what I started.”
“Take it easy, fella. Why are you so worked up over a worthless—?”
The second blow prevented him from finishing his sentence. He leaned over the sink to stop the blood flowing from his mouth.
Dan grabbed Luisa’s hand. “Let’s get out of here.”
As they raced down the corridor, she asked breathlessly, “Will I be able to keep the dress?”
“Sure, why not? Your date can afford it. He put more than the cost of your gown up his nose.”
They found Woody waiting at the top of the ramp.
“Is she okay?” he asked.
“A little shaken up but she’s fine. Her only worry was losing the dress.” Dan grasped the handrail to descend the ramp. “The way things were going, she would have lost more than the garment before the night was over.”
“What happened to your hand?” Woody asked. “Your knuckles are bruised.”
“I was teaching her date some manners.”
“Did it work?”
“That kind never learns but I keep trying.”
• • •
Dan called Lea to tell her the case was over as far as Adriana was concerned. “She and Luisa have been safely returned to their families.”
“What about other girls in similar situations?” Lea asked. “And are we to forget the other forms of mistreatment we observed?”
“That’s not our job. What you’re referring to falls under the purview of labor organizations.”
“What I’m talking about is the fact that farmworkers have few, if any, rights. They face perpetual poverty, deplorable housing conditions, and an average life expectancy of forty-nine years. Workers are relegated to an ungoverned labor system designed to squeeze every penny of profit.”
“Our job was to find Pedro and keep him safe,” Dan responded. “Once he reports what he saw concerning drugs to the proper authorities, they will provide protection. His aunt will no longer need to worry. We can return our focus to determining whether Richard or Carl is responsible and making sure Pedro isn’t blamed for the dead girl at Rancho Hidalgo. The social injustice aspect of the case is out of our hands.”
“Not as far as I’m concerned. I can’t fight perpetrators everywhere but I can fight the one in my own back yard. The one our community is unaware of or has turned a blind eye to.”
“You’re being stubborn. There’s nothing more we can do.”
“I may be at the end of my rope but I know someone with the power to do more. I only hope she’s willing to help once she realizes what’s going on.”
“For the time being, leave me out of your crusade. I’ve got other fish to fry.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
The next day, Dan showed up at Conley and Austin dressed in a faded shirt and an old pair of jeans. Lea’s nose wrinkled when he stepped into her office.
“You’re dressed casually,” she observed.
“It’s my dognapping outfit.”
“What’s that smell?”
He held up a grease-stained paper bag. “I whipped up a batch of bacon treats. Something I used to feed my own dog. Scout will love them.”
“Does this mean you expect us to go through with your crazy idea of kidnapping Carl’s dog?”
“I confirmed the manager is out of town which gives us the perfect opportunity.”
“What’s the bacon for?” she asked resignedly.
“It’s important Scout acts as though he’s eager to see me. If the dog behaves in a hostile or fearful manner, the attendant won’t believe I was sent to pick him up.”
“Carl almost sicced his dog on you when we were at the ranch. You better hope Scout has a short memory.”
“I’ll clue your father in before I leave.”
“In a previous case, a neighbor hired Dad to catch a dognapper. I doubt he’ll approve of you becoming one.”
Dan hesitated. “All the more reason to inform him of our plan beforehand. He’s not fond of surprises.”
“Your plan. Be sure to say it’s your plan. Not our plan.”
A moment later, he returned to her office. “I told him. We’re all set.”
“What do you mean we’re all set? I hope you don’t think I’m going to participate in your madness.”
“I assumed you would come. After all, you’re the one with dog-handling skills.”
“Being compatible with Gracie and Spirit doesn’t mean I’ll get along with an eighty-pound animal trained to guard and protect. My dogs like everyone.”
“Then let’s hope Scout shares at least one trait in common with them.”
“What would that be?”
“Their fondness for treats.”
• • •
Before walking into the kennel, Dan filled his pockets with the tasty morsels.
“For your sake, I hope this works,” Lea said. “We aren’t insured for being mauled by an animal.”
They were greeted upon entering with a loud chorus of barking. The store was filled with aisles of dog food, toys, and leashes. Pictures of dogs in training hung on the walls. In the grooming station, a large poodle stood patiently as his fur was trimmed.
With a feigned air of confidence, Dan approached the counter. “I’m here to pick up Carl Jensen’s dog.”
“Carl isn’t coming himself?” the attendant asked. “I’ve never known him to allow strangers around his dog.”
“He’s too busy to come. It’s no problem. The dog knows me.”
The young man shrugged. “Give me a moment to get Scout.”
As they waited, they watched another employee play with some dogs in a fenced area at the back.
Moments later, the counter attendant returned with the German shepherd. “Here’s your buddy to pick you up, Sco
ut.”
Before Dan could object, the attendant unclipped the leash and the animal charged forward.
Lea froze, waiting for the dog’s attack.
But the dog stopped growling when he reached Dan and started to sniff. Dan kneeled so the others couldn’t see and opened his hand. The dog gobbled the fistful of treats. When Dan stood up, Scout was still licking his hand.
Lea breathed a sigh of relief when the attendant said, “Yep, I can see you and the dog know each other.”
Dan beamed. “I told you he likes me.”
Lea helped escort the animal to the car. “How did you know your bacon treats would work?”
“I didn’t. I just prayed the smell of bacon would overwhelm my scent of fear.”
Before driving away from the kennel, Dan looked to the back seat where Lea and Scout sat together. “There’s something we need to do to convince the manager to cooperate when he comes to pick up his dog.”
“Don’t tell me there’s more,” she moaned. “What we’ve done is bad enough.”
Without replying, he pressed a number on his phone. “Hey, Whitey. Remember how you told us you never tried a case that advanced mankind?”
“I remember.”
“Here’s your chance. We’re ready to bust someone who believes he’s above the law. We’re hoping you can convince him the legal system still stands for justice.”
“I don’t know, Dan. I promised myself I’d never go back to the rat race. I saw too many unprincipled attorneys pervert the legal system and spent too many sleepless nights worrying about my clients.”
“Maybe I can talk you into a few more sleepless nights, this time for a worthy cause.”
During the next several minutes, he outlined his plan for Carl Jensen. After ending the call, he turned to consult his partner.
“Whitey’s in,” Dan announced, pleased with himself.
“Shh, not so loud,” Lea scolded. She stroked Scout’s back as he lay with his head on her knee.
“What did I tell you? You two are bonding already.”
She held a finger to her lips but the dog’s eyes remained closed. Scout slept peacefully.
• • •
Carl Jensen arrived at the kennel later to pick up his dog.
“The man you sent took Scout hours ago,” the attendant informed him.
“What are you talking about?” he asked gruffly. “I didn’t send anyone for my dog.”
The young man turned pale. “Scout knew the guy. Went right to him and licked his hand like they were friends.”
He turned to leave. “As soon as I find my dog, I’ll have your job for this.”
“Wait, sir. The guy said to give you this.” The attendant held out a business card. “Your dog will be at this address until you pick him up.”
He snatched the card from the young man’s sweaty hand. “You better hope he’s taking real good care of Scout.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
The manager stormed into the agency’s office. Warren was waiting for him at the desk in the reception room. “We’ve been expecting you.”
“Where’s my dog?” Jensen shouted.
“Relax. He’s been enjoying his time with us. In fact, Scout has taken a fancy to my daughter’s border collie.” Warren pressed a button on the intercom. “Lea, Carl Jensen is here. Please bring his dog to the front.”
The manager waved his arms in the air as he paced back and forth. “I’ll have you arrested for kidnapping.”
“I think you mean dognapping but we had no intention to keep your dog. We wanted a chance to talk. It was the only way we could convince you to meet with us.”
Lea and Scout appeared in the hallway. When she dropped the leash, the dog bounded to his owner.
“There you are, boy.” Carl fell to his knees to let the dog lick his face. He laughed and ruffled the dog’s fur. “How you been? Did they treat you good?”
The answer came in the form of a gold and white bundle of fur running toward them. Gracie faced Scout with her front paws on the ground and her rear in the air, begging her new-found friend to play. The shepherd pounced on her gently and the dogs rolled together on the floor.
The big dog’s owner rose to his feet. He smiled as he watched them. “I can see those two like each other.”
Lea stepped forward. “My dog’s name is Gracie. My other dog is sleeping, worn out from their earlier romping.”
Dan entered the room and stood beside Lea, observing the man and his dog. “The manager isn’t nearly as intimidating without a rifle in his hand and a growling dog at his side,” he whispered.
Recognition passed over Carl’s face as he looked from one to the other. “You two were at the ranch to pick strawberries. Or so you claimed.”
Warren gestured down the hall. “Now that you know your dog is safe, let’s have a chat.”
The four people paraded into the conference room. The dogs took places lying at their feet.
Lea poured coffee from a thermos on the table and passed a cup to Carl. “You and your dog are very close,” she commented.
He wrapped his fingers around the mug. “He’s the only family I have.”
“How long have you worked at the ranch?” Warren asked.
“I’ve spent the better part of my life working for Dottie Wolf’s family. I started as a young field hand with her grandpa. It was Dottie’s father, William, who elevated me to the position of Ranch Manager. Since he passed, I work for Dottie and Richard.”
“You said Scout is your only family,” Lea said. “You’ve never married?”
“The love of my life refused to put up with my gambling. She found someone else.” Scout nuzzled his hand and Carl responded by patting the dog’s head. “He’s all the company I need with the ranch keeping me busy day and night.”
“Do you enjoy working for the Wolfs?”
“Dottie’s fine but I don’t care much for Richard. He’s irritating to be around.”
“In what way?”
“He shows no respect for people, especially women. Not even his wife. Richard doesn’t deserve someone like Dottie.” He turned away. “Poor woman. She used to be happy but their relationship has changed. She’s become bitter over the way she’s been treated.”
“What happened to change things?”
“I know for sure he cheats on her.”
“How do you know?
Carl clicked his tongue. “I hear him brag to his cronies.”
“Is Richard as involved at the ranch since going into politics?”
“He’s as active as he ever was,” the manager snickered.
“You make it sound as though his involvement in farming is minimal.”
The man made no effort to conceal his contempt. “Richard is more involved in carnal affairs than in affairs at the ranch.”
Scout got up from the floor and shook himself.
“My dog’s getting restless,” Carl said. “Let’s get to it. What’s so important you kidnapped my dog in order for us to talk?”
Lea started to object. “We didn’t kidnap—”
Her father silenced her and came to the point. “We’d like to discuss the untenable working conditions of your farmworkers.”
“I have no idea what you’re referring to,” Carl said nonchalantly. “As far as I know, our workers are happy.”
“How can they be? Some of the housing conditions are deplorable.”
He shrugged. “The buildings are legally permitted.”
“Probably by inspectors paid under the table for approvals,” Dan muttered under his breath.
Warren shot him a warning look. “Let's move to the next point of contention. Workers are inhaling unhealthy amounts of pesticide fumes and smoke from fires.”
“Fires have become commonplace, especially with climate changes. As far as your concern over pesticides…” He stared at Lea. “When you buy groceries, I bet you choose the biggest, juiciest tomatoes in the bin. We can’t provide that kind of unblemished produce
without pesticides.”
“We’re not suggesting you can prevent fires or pests. But you’re required by law to furnish protective equipment and allow employees the right to refuse to work under unsafe conditions without fear of reprisal.”
“The workers themselves choose to keep working rather than lose a day’s pay.”
“Not that their day’s pay amounts to much,” Dan interjected.
“We pay the rate required by law,” Carl snarled.
“That doesn’t mean the rate is fair or equitable. Farmworkers are paid less than laborers in other industries.”
“It’s their choice to pick fruit.” He answered wearily. “What can I say? I do the best I can with the limited budget I have to work with.”
Sensing Dan’s temperature rising, Warren steered the conversation in another direction. “Let’s talk about—”
“How can you claim you don’t have enough money to work with?” Dan interrupted angrily. “What are you doing with the dough you’re raking in from the drugs you distribute in the produce?”
The room went silent.
Warren expressed displeasure by rolling his eyes. “My associate may be speaking out of line.”
“I’ll say he is. I don’t need to sit here and listen to this drivel.”
Although Warren felt Dan’s approach was too direct, he heard a hollow ring in Carl’s protest. He let Dan plunge forward unchecked.
“We stumbled across your guards loading crates of avocados in the warehouse. Couldn’t resist taking a sample. Imagine our surprise when we found cocaine buried among the fruit.”
The manager clenched his jaw. “That warehouse is on private property,” he hissed. “What were you doing there?”
“We visited an employee of the ranch. Got lost on our way out.”
“You have a nasty habit of not being where you belong. I should have you arrested for trespassing.”
“No one saw us. There’s no way you can prove we were on your land.”
“And there’s no way for you to report what you saw without admitting you trespassed. I’d say we’re at a standstill.”
“Not quite. We haven’t yet discussed the Sterling Club.”