by Rayna Morgan
“They can’t get a warrant based on conjecture. Even if they could, the thieves probably disposed of the goods from the last heist. The only solution is to catch the guilty parties in the act. By knowing when and where the next robbery will take place, we can set a trap.”
“So you’re suggesting we feed them information about a fake delivery?”
“Exactly. My sister and I will hide in the truck. Maddy will snap pictures of them unloading boxes. They won’t be able to weasel out with that kind of evidence.”
“I don’t like the part about you being there. I should do it.”
She shook her head. “If one of the guilty parties is who we think, you’d be recognized before we get the proof we need. And Maddy’s the one with camera skills. We only have one shot at this. The pictures must be good enough to hold up in court.”
“All right; tell me again what you want me to do.”
“Put a notice on the bulletin board showing a delivery tomorrow morning. Tell your employees to inform customers a big supply of nuts is coming.” She returned the paper he gave her days earlier. “Be sure the people whose names are highlighted get the message.”
“I thought you had the suspects narrowed down.”
“I do. I’m only practicing what I learned from my father and covering all my bases. I don’t expect surprises, but we don’t want to blow this opportunity because I’ve reached incorrect conclusions.”
“Consider it done. Good luck.”
“If I’ve interpreted things correctly, luck won’t be a factor.” She reminded Ryan to post the notice and walked down the hallway. Holding her hands where he couldn’t see them, she crossed her fingers.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The sisters arrived at Fresh & Healthy early the next morning. They parked in the empty lot and walked to the loading area where Jason was waiting. “Ryan told me to have the truck gassed and ready. What’s going on?”
“I hope asking you to help shows how much I believe in you,” Lea said.
He looked pleased and listened intently as she outlined her plan. His eyes widened. “This is exciting! When do we leave?”
“Whoa!” She raised her hands. “You’re not driving.”
“I want to. Besides, I was the driver when they lifted the shipment at the truck stop. They’ll remember me. If they see a woman behind the wheel, they’ll be suspicious.”
“The driver will be me,” Maddy said, “and I’ve got it covered.” She tucked her ponytail under a baseball cap.
“You should be in the back getting pictures of them,” Jason argued.
“He could be right,” Lea told her sister. “We’ll stack the boxes to give you a place to hide.”
“What will you be doing while I’m snapping away? Am I the only one risking life and limb?”
“The dogs and I will be with you.” Lea glanced at the car where the dogs waited impatiently. “As soon as you get the shots, I’ll unleash Gracie to scare them off. It won’t matter if they run as long as we have the pictures. Relax, there’s nothing to worry about. We know the suspects. It’s not hardened criminals we’re dealing with.”
“You better be right. You’ll have plenty of explaining to do to Paul and Tom if things go sideways.”
“Pick us up at the Café, Jason,” Lea said. “We’ll hide in the truck before you drive to Sunny Orchards.”
* * *
They parked under the lone shade tree at the Hill Valley restaurant. When the truck arrived, the sisters and the dogs took positions in the back behind empty boxes covered with tarpaulin. At Sunny Orchards, Jason signed for the order and loaded nut containers in front of the concealed passengers in a manner to allow Maddy the wiggle room she needed.
Back at the Café, Jason parked at the rear of the lot and entered the restaurant. The sisters waited, shifting uncomfortably as the minutes dragged on.
“My foot’s falling asleep,” Maddy complained. “Maybe you figured wrong. How long do we sit cramped like this?”
“They might be waiting to see if Jason stays for lunch. Be patient. Let’s give it another ten minutes.”
Within seconds, Gracie signaled them with low growling. Lea sat erect. “What is it, girl? Is someone out there?”
She placed her finger on her lips to quiet the dog. Her sister reached for her camera. They heard the pinging sound of a padlock being sprung. Sunlight filtered through the back doors.
Two people began unloading cartons. Maddy snapped several pictures before shaking her head. She drew her hand over her face to call attention to their ski masks.
“The rest of the boxes look empty.” The gravelly voice was familiar to Lea. “Don’t bother. We got what we came for.”
“I know who it is,” she whispered, “but my word won’t be enough. We need pictures without the hoods.”
“What should we do?”
“This guy won’t hurt us. Let’s go!”
Before Maddy had time to argue, Lea let the dogs loose. The men saw blurs of gold and white before being knocked to the ground. The women shoved past the empty boxes and jumped out as Jason ran from the Café.
“Get off me!” a man screamed.
The other man pushed Spirit aside and jumped to his feet. “What the heck!” Charlie’s eyes opened wide when he saw Lea.
“Jason, hide the truck out of sight,” she ordered. “Maddy and I will wait for their boss. He’ll be coming for the payoff.” She turned to Charlie. “Where’s the meet-up?”
He jerked his head toward the alley. “Back there.”
“I ain’t waitin’ for nobody,” the man on the ground squealed. “I’m outta here.”
Gracie growled and bared her teeth.
“I wouldn’t if I were you,” Maddy warned. “That dog is vicious.”
Lea moved to Charlie’s side. “I’ll take your keys and move your truck. It won’t do any good to run away. We’ve got pictures of you in the act.”
His head dropped and his shoulders sagged. “I’m glad it’s over.”
Lea took her sister aside. “Email the pictures to Tom. He’ll know what to do with them. And keep an eye on him,” she said, nodding toward the man sitting cross-legged in front of Gracie. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Did I hear you describe Gracie as a vicious dog? She doesn’t have a mean bone in her body.”
“He doesn’t know that. It’s working, isn’t it?” Maddy moved over by the dogs and started texting.
Lea motioned to Charlie. “Let’s go.” She climbed inside the vehicle and drove to the alley while he slumped in the passenger seat looking drained. “My friend at the police department told me about your car accident. It must have been devastating.”
He looked at her with eyes sunken in their sockets. “That night changed everything. My friend and I planned to room together at college. We both got offers for scholarships, but after the accident the university withdrew their offer to Billy. He couldn’t afford college without it. He moved away. I attended a semester without him, but I didn’t have the heart for it. I dropped out.” He stared out the window. “BJ was madder than a hornet. He said it was senseless to ruin my future over my friend’s misfortune; that I had an obligation to make something of myself.”
A moment passed. She held her questions, sensing he had more to say. He finally resumed, in a voice barely audible. “I tried to make him understand. It should have been me whose future went up in smoke.”
The meaning of his words broadsided her. “Billy wasn’t driving that night; you were.”
A sob wracked his body. He wiped a sleeve across his nose. “We argued before the police arrived. Billy insisted on telling them he was behind the wheel. He said I had more to lose; that with my uncle’s support, I had a better chance to be a success.” His eyes were sightless orbs. “They took Billy to jail and told the rest of us to go home.”
“Why didn’t you set things straight and tell the truth?”
“When my uncle came the next day, I explained what happened. He told me to kee
p my mouth shut. Instead, he sent his attorney to pay the Mexican authorities and get Billy out of jail.”
“And you agreed?”
“I didn’t know what else to do.” His hands trembled. “Everything happened so fast. I panicked. My uncle warned me not to blacken the family name. He reminded me of my mother’s dream and said I shouldn’t let her down.”
“What was your mother’s dream?”
“She wanted me to be a lawyer.”
Lea cast a skeptical eye. “Once the truth was revealed, being an attorney would become impossible.”
He drooped with a heavy sigh. “I know. That’s the reason I left college after one semester. On top of feeling guilty over ruining my best friend’s life, I was afraid to be found out.”
“Didn’t you think you owed it to your friend to get your degree?”
“I came back here to start a business with him. He’s an expert on cars.” He stared into the distance. “Hill Valley Auto Repair, Maintenance, and Moving. That was supposed to belong to Billy and me.”
“What happened?”
“He was gone when I returned from college. I ran the place myself for a while hoping he’d show up, but I don’t know cars the way Billy does. I gave up the auto repair angle and stuck with moving and hauling.”
“A long way from practicing law.” She considered how she might feel. “Is your mother disappointed?”
“Naw. She cares more about my happiness than my career.” He looked around and breathed deeply. “This is where I’m happy. The friends I grew up with are here. In the moving business, I’m with people instead of being cooped up in an office. I wasn’t cut out to be a lawyer. It was BJ’s dream more than something my mother wanted.”
“But why get mixed up in this, Charlie?”
“To redeem myself by helping my uncle. He’s always complaining about the bad things happening since the farmers started growing nuts. It seemed like a way to make them stop.”
She shook her head at his naiveté but had sympathy for the young man. She didn’t feel as forgiving toward his uncle. Her blood began to boil. “I can’t believe BJ involved you in illegal activity over some misguided notion that this course of action would change things.”
Confusion clouded his eyes. “What makes you think my uncle is involved?”
* * *
Lea heard a door slam. She turned around, expecting to see BJ.
“What’s going on here?” The tone of the familiar voice made Lea’s skin crawl.
“I couldn’t help it, boss,” Charlie whined. “These broads and the dogs were hiding in the truck.”
Lea raised her hand to shade her eyes and found herself looking at the barrel of a shotgun. Her voice trembled. “Charlie called you boss. I assume that means you’re the one behind the hijackings.”
Mary emerged from the back of the restaurant. “Why so surprised? You didn’t expect a hash slinger in a two-bit country town to be ambitious?”
“Ambitious? Yes. Willing to break the law? No.” She stared at the gun, hoping her instincts were correct. “What are you doing with that? You’re incapable of hurting anyone.”
The weapon shook in Mary’s hands. “You don’t know me.”
“She might not know you well enough, but I do.” BJ stepped out of the shadows.
“What are you doing here?” Mary gasped.
He turned toward Lea. “When I drove in, I saw your sister in the parking lot. She explained what’s been happening.”
“Your sister’s with you?” Mary’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Where is—?”
She pitched forward and fell to the ground. Maddy stood over her holding the ice cooler.
The dogs barked.
BJ dropped to his knees. “Mary!”
“Omigawd!” Charlie croaked.
“Did I kill her?” Maddy gasped.
Lea kicked the gun away and examined Mary’s wound. “Hardly, but she’s going to have a lump on her head. Someone get ice.”
Mary groaned and sat up. BJ knelt beside her. The crease in his forehead deepened. His eyes were dark, cupped by fleshy pouches. “I hope this didn’t come from something I said about discouraging the farmers from growing nuts.”
“For gawd’s sake, BJ,” she shouted, “help me up.”
They stood her on her feet and watched her take a few shaky steps. “I’m all right,” she barked. “Stop fussing.”
“The police are coming,” Lea informed her, “but I’d like to hear your version of what happened.”
Mary stood at full height in front of BJ. “I convinced Charlie this was a way to help you, but that wasn’t my real reason for planning it. I did it for enough money to get away from you.”
BJ stumbled backwards. The color drained from his face.
“Aren’t you making extra money from the food truck BJ mentioned?” Lea asked.
“Not fast enough.” She gave BJ a withering look. “Especially once I realized you’ll never leave your wife.”
“Now, Mary,” he objected.
“Don’t insult me by denying it.” She waved a hand as if erasing his existence and shifted her eyes to Lea. “His wife knows about him and me, but she doesn’t care. He’s a big shot to everyone in town, but he’s wrapped around her little finger, at her beck and call. You saw how fast he left the restaurant after they spoke. Summoning him in the middle of the day is her way of showing me who’s in control.”
BJ winced. His swagger faded like air from a balloon. “I don’t know what to say, Mary.”
The sound of a siren pierced the air.
“I called Detective Elliot as you asked, Mrs. Austin,” Jason said. “He got in touch with the local police. That’s them responding now. I’ll tell them what’s happened.”
“Thanks, Jason. My sister and I need to go back to Buena Viaje.” She looked at Mary. “One last question. How did you know the delivery schedules?”
“My partner, Tommy.”
Maddy snapped her fingers. “Mary and Tommy’s Tacos.”
“It was easy. Tommy delivers lunch to people in the administration building at Sunny Orchards. The schedules are posted in the hallway.”
Jason took her arm and steered her toward the police car.
“He’s taking charge nicely,” Maddy noted.
“That’s what having faith in people does.” Lea put an arm around her sister as they walked to the car. “Talking about having faith in people, I didn’t thank you.”
“For what?”
“That’s the second time this week you rescued me.”
Maddy’s face glowed. “Guess we’ve figured out who’s got the brains and who’s got the moxie in this twosome.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Lea sipped a glass of wine at her favorite beach-side restaurant, relaxing after the events of the past week. The outside table provided a perfect view of people strolling on the boardwalk. A cool breeze carried sounds of waves and squawking seagulls.
She passed a basket of bread to her sister and listened to fragments of her husband’s heated debate with Tom. “Don’t you two ever tire of arguing about sports?”
“We aren’t arguing,” Paul said. “We’re expressing a difference of opinion.”
“Speaking of arguing, are Ryan and Sunny back on good terms?” Maddy asked.
“Yes, they are. When I gave Ryan the good news that neither his nor Sunny’s employees were involved in the thefts, he couldn’t wait to call his cousin. They were talking and laughing when I left his office.” She raised an eyebrow. “Did you go to the print shop like I asked?”
Maddy opened her shoulder bag and pulled out a color brochure with the Fresh & Healthy logo on the front. “Here’s a sample.”
Paul pointed to a picture of a smiling young woman at a check-out counter. “Isn’t that the cashier who wouldn’t give her consent?”
“Once Charlie told the truth of who was driving the night of the accident, Billy wasn’t worried about drawing attention.” She looked at the detective. “What w
ill happen to Charlie?”
“He’s getting off light since he’s a first offender and they have no way to pin the other thefts on him.”
“I don’t suppose it has to do with the fact those boys are baseball champions,” Paul said.
“You know how people feel about their sports heroes. Based on the police chief’s recommendation, the case is being treated as a misdemeanor. Charlie will be on probation for three months and sentenced to community service.”
“Let me guess what his community service is,” Paul said. He tapped his forehead. “Coaching the Little League team.”
Tom nodded. “There was an additional under-the-table condition.”
“What was that?”
“Charlie had to talk Billy into playing on the town’s baseball team.”
Lea turned to Maddy in surprise. “Is Billy going back to Hill Valley?”
“Billy and Charlie are re-opening Hill Valley Auto Repair Shop. They’re combining it with Charlie’s moving business.”
“What about Libby?”
“She’s going with him,” Maddy said. She stuck a thumb in the air. “But, on her terms.”
“What do you mean?”
“BJ wants to make things right for encouraging his nephew to conceal the truth about what happened in Tijuana. He’s setting Libby up in her own fruit and nut business. His construction company is building her a store.”
“That’s great news,” Lea said. “I’ll make sure she hooks up with Sunny. With nuts from Sunny Orchards, she’ll be able to draw from the whole valley.”
“She plans to sell her products on-line, too. Guess who’s setting up her internet business.”
Lea clapped her hands. “Jason!”
“What about Mary?” Paul asked.
“BJ got her a high-priced lawyer,” Tom said. “She should come out all right.”
“Does that mean she’s forgiven him?”
“That means she’s smart enough to capitalize on his guilt,” Lea said. “I think she’ll move on to an unmarried beau, or none at all.”
“I can vouch for life being less complicated without men.” Maddy saw the stricken look on Tom’s face. “I didn’t say better, I said less complicated.”