Caught Up (Indigo Vibe) (11 page)

“If the shoe fits… and you will do this! Your worthless butt will finally do something for your child. If the DEA finds out about my business, Rosa will lose everything.” He paused. “Maybe even her life.”

“Please,” she cried, “there has to be another way. Rosa needs to be told the truth about you and David. No! I won’t do it. I’ll call Rosa and tell her the truth, and then leave town before the agents arrive.”

“Who do you think Rosa will believe? The bitter, drunken mother who never told her she got pregnant by a man other than her husband, and then married another man who wasn’t the baby’s biological father—or the man who has showered her with love her whole life? I’ve already admitted to Rosa that I knew David and laundered money for him. She’ll never believe you because you never take responsibility for your actions.

“All of the evidence points to my story being true.” He continued to pound in his point. “No one will believe a drunk over a successful businessman. The DEA won’t believe you and neither will Rosa. All that will happen is Rosa will disown you just like Angela did.”

“I hate you!”

“Hate me all you want. You’d just better do as I say.”

* * *

Chicago

A long day had passed, and they still had one interview to go. Samson noted that the previous interviews had two common threads. Both retired teachers recalled how tight Ernesto and David were. Each recalled being interviewed by at least three agents, at different times, over the past forty years about David, which led to them telling the agents about Ernesto.

“I don’t remember the agent’s name,” Mr. Terry said as he settled his rickety old bones in his well broken-in lazy-boy. “But one came by years ago asking about David and Ernesto.”

“We’re just re-tracking,” Alton said as he situated himself on the couch.

“I can’t believe you all haven’t caught Ernesto yet.” He nudged his cola bottle glasses up on his nose with his index knuckle. “Then again, you really didn’t catch David on drug charges.”

Alton cleared his throat. “You were telling us about Ernesto and David.”

“They were both extremely bright young men and closer than an ionic bond.” The retired chemistry teacher laughed at his joke, but the agents didn’t. “They were both too smart for their own good. Ernesto was the charismatic one, and David was the muscle. They combined their strengths to succeed. As teens they moved out of their foster homes and into an apartment together. I would have called the authorities, but I knew they’d just run away. You know they opened their first money laundering business when they were only sixteen, don’t you? A barbershop. By the time they were eighteen, they had restaurants and a few other businesses.”

This was new information, but Samson had finished being shocked after the second interview. They finished questioning the teacher, thanked him for his time, and then went to Samson’s hotel room to regroup and search through the government’s computer files.

Samson and Alton sat at the room’s desk, reading through all of the information they could find on Ernesto, and the teacher was correct. They did have their first business when they were sixteen, but it wasn’t in their name. They’d had an adult sign as the owner. Over the years, their joint business empire grew.

“Damn, I have to give it to them. They were some smart bastards.” Alton propped his feet on the coffee table. “For every restaurant opened in Ernesto’s name, there’s one in David’s name. For every building Ernesto purchased, David purchased one. They have mirroring business acquisitions until Ernesto bought the computer company. Then, it looks like Ernesto went his own way business-wise.”

“Too much of a coincidence, but not proof.” Samson couldn’t get Rosa off his mind. She was in danger and wouldn’t believe him if he told her. He’d have to stay close to her.

“We’ll find it. David’s time isn’t the only one’s running out.”

“Let’s work the case from our Chicago office for a while.”

“I thought you were quitting after the execution?”

“I’ve decided to stick around a while longer.”

“She’s in on it, man. Ernesto is in Miami. Unless you’re planning on buttering up Rosa for the case, that shit’s out.”

CHAPTER TEN

The Next Morning

“All I want is the truth, Mom.”

“Would you please close the curtains?” Harriet asked. “The light is killing me. I need to move.”

Rosa did her mother’s bidding, then returned to the couch and watched Harriet fumble with a cup of black coffee. “Tell me what happened.”

“I don’t want to talk about this. Giving up drinking is hard enough.” Harriet focused on the steam rising from the cup. “I’m sorry I didn’t call. Yes, it’s true. I was married when I met Ernesto. Can we please drop this? You’ve been out of town a few days. I’m sure you have business you need to catch up on.”

Rosa was proud of Harriet. She hadn’t had a drink in two days. She didn’t want to make sobriety harder on Harriet, so she dropped the subject for the mean time. She also allowed her to get away with rushing her out. “I love you, Mom.” She leaned forward and hugged Harriet. “We’ll speak when you’re ready. I’ll leave the pictures from my party.” She set the packet on the coffee table.

* * *

The only thing Harriet wanted more than to tell Rosa the truth was to hide it from her. Ernesto was correct—Rosa would side with him. He had always been a smooth operator.

“He got me good,” she whispered, remembering when she’d met Ernesto…

Chicago, thirty-one years ago

“Place your bets.”

Harriet tipped the glass to her mouth as if the wine hadn’t run out two tips ago, then slammed the glass onto the wooden edge of the blackjack table. Several of the other patrons in the illegal gambling house glared at her, yet continued with their games. After all she’d given David, he’d tossed money at her and dismissed her. What the hell was she supposed to do with a measly grand? How was that supposed to hold her until the baby came? She’d broken her own rule and fallen in love. She couldn’t believe she’d been so stupid.

“Are you in?” the dealer asked.

She narrowed her eyes on the potbellied, balding man. David paid her debt, then had the gall to tell Tony he wouldn’t cover her credit any longer. She crumpled her last ten spot between her fingers. Even Lady Luck had abandoned her. She snatched her wine glass up, weaving her way through the crowd of people to a corner table. Sitting slightly beneath the thick layer of bluish-gray cigarette and cigar smoke that filled the room, she inhaled deeply and coughed. The air had a stench to it. She tipped the glass to her lips. Nothing came out.

“May I help you, ma’am?”

Harriet clutched her money and wine glass to her heart.

“My apologies,” the waitress said. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“I must have been daydreaming.” She tapped the rim of her wine glass with the ten spot. “Another white wine, please. Keep the change.” She handed over the last of her money. Ten paltry dollars couldn’t supply her needs anyway. She needed a man, fast.

“Coming right up,” the waitress said with a smile as she turned to leave.

What quality of man could she get with a baby in tow? But, she couldn’t pass up the two hundred grand. She lowered her head into her palms. She could put the child up for adoption after she collected the money. That would satisfy her needs and keep Angela off her back.
I can give Angela fifty thousand to adopt the kid. That way I can get more out of David later.
She chewed on her inner jaw.
Twenty-five thousand is more than enough for Angela.

She chastised herself for treating George so poorly before she had what she needed from David. She’d have to give George a few days to cool off before she could even attempt to ease her way back in. Not that she actually wanted him, but he’d do until she found someone better. She strummed her nails along the tabletop.

“Is this seat taken?” said a low, sexy voice.

Harriet’s gaze quickly traveled from the man’s handcrafted leather shoes, along his silver designer suit—the same suit she’d wanted cheap-butt George to buy, but he’d said five hundred dollars was too much to spend to look like the Tin Man from
The Wizard of Oz
. The man was so tall that she had to crane her neck back to see his face. And what a face it was: chiseled features, light-skinned, and short, wavy, black hair.

Realizing she was staring, she flushed. “I’m sorry.” She motioned toward the second chair at the table, which was no more than a padded stool with a short backing. “Please sit.”

“Thank you.” He nodded politely.

His massive hands looked like they’d never seen a day of manual labor, and his watch was a Rolex—the gold one with the diamond accents. She heard a lovely “ka-ching” as she tallied his worth. The man oozed money and power. She’d been attracted to David’s dark persona until he dismissed her without a second thought. She now realized that she’d been in love with the money, not David, and there was nothing wrong with that. Money was safe, predictable. David’s type was exciting, but too unpredictable. She longed for excitement, but she couldn’t risk being burned by David’s type again. If she found the right man, she could get her excitement elsewhere.

The mystery man reached into his inner suit pocket, then took out a gold Cross pen and a small note pad. He pushed them to her side of the tiny round table. “Write down his name and address.”

She tilted her head to the side. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know who you’re talking about.”

“I want the name and address of the person who hurt such a lovely lady. I’ll ensure he never hurts you again.”

She didn’t know if it was her hormones raging out of control, the buzz from the booze or her longing to be protected, but she felt like crying.

The waitress set Harriet’s wine on the table. “May I take your order, sir?”

Harriet swooned in his whisky-colored eyes as they caressed every inch of Harriet’s face.

“I have everything I need,” he said, his faint Spanish accent drawing her in. The waitress nodded and moved on to the next table.

Impressed that he hadn’t so much as glanced at the shapely brunette waitress, Harriet suddenly felt hot and shy. She couldn’t recall ever feeling shy in front of a man. “I’m Harriet, and you are?”

“Your knight in shining armor.”

Stifling a giggle, she drew her hand to her mouth. He was too sweet to be true.

He reached forward, took her hand into his, then touched her wedding ring. “Oh, I see,” he said, voice laced with disappointment. “I meant no disrespect. Forgive me, milady.”

She quickly withdrew her hands and placed them in her lap. “You’ve done nothing wrong,” she said softly. “I’m pleased to meet you, knight in shining armor.”

“The pleasure is all mine.” He pushed away from the table. “I’m new around here and…” He shrugged. “I’m sorry. I guess I should leave before a jealous husband comes after me.”

Her ears clung to his words “I’m new around here.” This piece of fresh meat would be an easy mark. She couldn’t allow all of that money to land in the hands of one of the whores spying on their table. If he wanted to be a knight, then she’d let him be a knight. He’d be hers in no time. Trying to call up a few tears, she sniffed, but they didn’t come. She covered her face with her quivering hands.

“Oh, no, no.” He scooted his chair around close to hers. “Don’t cry.” He embraced her.

Giddy as a child at a candy factory, Harriet smiled inside. She’d hit the softie jackpot. Men like him were few and far between; and men like him
with money
were virtually impossible to find. She buried her face in his shoulder. It felt good to be held.

“I’m told I’m an excellent listener,” he said. “No strings attached. If you need to talk, just talk. Or we can sit here until your husband comes to beat me for touching the most beautiful woman in the world.”

“He won’t come.” She paused for dramatic effect and to calm her adrenaline-charged heart. He was buying her act hook, line and sinker. Her luck had finally changed. She sighed heavily. “He kicked me out of our home.”

“What?” he snapped as he pulled back slightly.

She dabbed at the imaginary tears building in her eyes with her knuckle. “I’m pregnant.” She choked up and lightly patted her chest with her shaky hand. “He said if I don’t get an abortion, I had to get out of his house.”

Seemingly oblivious to the other customers who were watching, he pressed her head to his shoulder. “Men like your husband give real men like me a bad name.” He shook his head. “I’d kill to have a wife and children, and this idiot throws away a family like last week’s newspaper.”

Harriet straightened her posture and brushed off the wrinkles that were nowhere to be found on her v-necked, orange jumpsuit. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to burden you with my problems. You’ve been so kind.” She batted her eyes to remove her crocodile tears. “I’m sobbing all over you. You must think me a mess.”

“Not a mess,” he said gently. “A damsel in distress.”

Her breath actually caught. “And does my knight have a name?”

He held his hand to his chest and bowed his head slightly. “Ernesto Bolívar, at your service. And you are?”

“Harriet. Harriet Wells.”

She took a sip of wine. “I don’t know what I’m going to do.” She averted her gaze to her lap, where she nervously twiddled her fingers. “He took everything from me,” she said barely above a whisper. She really didn’t know what to do. She was married so couldn’t overtly chase after this jackpot. She had to think long-term with this mark.

“What about your family?”

She fed off the concern in his voice. Oh yes, Lady Luck had definitely returned to her side. She would tread lightly with this one. Too much was at stake. “My sister is a student out of state. She gave me her last hundred bucks to put me in a hotel for a few nights, but the money is gone. He always forbade me from working. I thought we were trying to have a family, so I didn’t object.” Her shoulders slumped. “He’s left me with nothing.” She sipped at her wine.

Ernesto frowned. “He made you dependent on him, then threw you out on the street.” He rubbed his chin as if calculating. “Do you know how to type?”

She stopped mid-sip and cocked her head to the side. “Excuse me?”

“Can you type?”

Harriet fought to keep her brows from furrowing. She didn’t want a job, but maybe this could work in her favor. “I’m out of practice, but yes.”

“I could use an assistant.”

She grumbled internally, but smiled externally. The position would do until she could work her way into his wallet. “You’re being too kind. Thank you.”

* * *

Samson saw Rosa as Alton maneuvered their sedan around the parking garage of the condo complex. “Let me out,” he said to Alton.

Alton stopped the car. “Unless you’re getting close to her for the case, you need to cease and desist this behavior.”

“I heard you the first ten times. Like you said, I need to get close to her.”

He exited the car, trotting toward Rosa. “Hey, pretty lady.” He took her hand and held it out so that she would spin for him. She was wearing a black wrap-around skirt with giant yellow sunflowers printed on it and a bright yellow blouse. “I don’t have to worry about spotting you in a crowd for sure.”

Her smile didn’t light up her eyes. He gently pinched her chin with his fingers. “Is something wrong?”

“I’m searching for the same thing you are: the truth. Mom is in no shape to help me. I feel like I’ve hit a brick wall.”

“Maybe we should join forces.”

“Thanks, but I don’t trust your partner.” She intertwined her arm with his and continued to her car. “Go easy on Mom. She’s an alcoholic and hasn’t had a drink in days. I don’t want her falling off the wagon.”

“I’ll be as gentle as I can, but I don’t control Alton. You know how he can act.”

“I’m sure you’ll do your best.” She stopped in front of her Nissan and flicked the alarm off.

“Is this a company car?” he asked, looking at the mid-sized, mid-priced sedan that appeared to be at least three years old.

“It’s mine, all mine.” She scrunched up her nose. “I know. It needs washing. I think I’ll head over to the car wash on my way to work.”

“Can I call you tonight? Pleasure, not business.”

“I’ve been thinking about this, and I’m not sure. Maybe we shouldn’t contact each other out of the business realm. I’ll always put my father first, and you must put the agency first.”

“Those two things don’t have to conflict. We’re both seeking the truth. What time should I call?”

She chewed on her cheek a while. “I won’t be home until late. Seven, maybe even eight.”

“I’ll call after eight. Have a great day.” He helped her into her car, then watched her drive off. He convinced himself that to protect her, he must stay close to her. He wouldn’t cross the line and begin a sexual relationship. That wasn’t what she needed, wasn’t what either of them needed right now.

* * *

Samson couldn’t believe his eyes. Rosa had just said Harriet was a drunk, but the haggard, jaundiced lush who sat across from him looked nothing like the gorgeous, dark-skinned woman in the photos of thirty years ago. He was amazed her liver hadn’t totally dissolved yet. He took a sip of coffee, then set his cup on the kitchen table. She was definitely Ernesta Wells though and had repeated the same story about how Ernesto ended up raising Rosa, but it didn’t ring true.

“How active a role did you play in Rosa’s life?” he asked.

“I was very active until Ernesto moved her to Miami when she was twelve. Then, I barely saw her.”

Samson and Alton couldn’t figure out why Ernesto had moved to Miami. All they knew was that he’d sold a large number of holdings after the move. Further investigation revealed that the majority of those holdings turned out to have drug connections.

“When is the last time you saw David?” Alton asked.

She played with the handle of her cup. “The day he found out I was pregnant.”

“Are you sure?”

She stared into her coffee. “Positive.”

“Do you recognize this woman?” He took a security camera picture of Ernesta Wells out of his folder and pushed it across the table. Harriet glanced at the picture, then began choking.

“What’s going on?” Alton demanded as he hopped up, causing his seat to thump back to the floor.