The Chase (9 page)

S
aturday afternoon, Kariss realized a need to talk to another woman, and that meant her sister Vicki, who listened and responded with wisdom. Their two older sisters were busy with kids and careers, but Vicki always found the time to talk to Kariss. They were best friends too — a rarity that Kariss didn’t take lightly. Vicki had recently experienced an unfaithful husband and a painful divorce. Kariss realized she’d shirked her commitment to help her sister work through the many stages of an ended relationship. Much of the lack of interaction had to do with Vicki’s lingering hope that her ex-husband would leave his current live-in and patch up their marriage. What Kariss wanted to do to him wasn’t repeatable.

She dug through her purse for her cell to call Vicki and grabbed a note from last week’s meeting with Gilberto and Xavier Olvera. The anger and frustration sweeping through her were of tsunami proportions. How could she help Vicki when thoughts about finding Benita’s mother consumed her? She wanted to be with the investigators who were looking for Delores Olvera, and when they found her, she wanted to find out
why.
A part of Kariss wanted to believe a mother would never allow her child to die.

She eased onto the sofa and curled her feet under her. Rain trickled against the windows, putting her into think mode. She wanted to head back to Pine Grove Apartments, but the teens who’d stolen her purse last time might not be lenient this time.

The moment Vicki answered, Kariss knew she was in her car. Wiper blades swished in rhythm.

“I’m checking in on you.” Actually, that was a lie, since Kariss needed to talk to her.

“I’m good. And I was going to call you today. See how you were doing with the new book and the FBI research.”

“Slow progress, but it’s coming.”

“Any more news about Cherished Doe? Haven’t heard or seen anything since the media report. Of course I haven’t read the paper or switched on the TV in two days. Worked two doubles at the hospital.”

Just hearing Vicki’s voice had a calming effect. Kariss drew in a deep breath and told her about the Olvera brothers and the FBI’s search for Delores.

“How could a woman do such a thing?” Vicki’s voice broke. “I can’t even imagine.”

“I hope the mother has an explanation, and I hope she’s innocent. But I keep wondering where she is.”

“Be careful, Kariss. The whole scenario sounds dangerous.”

“Not at all. Once Delores is found, the ink will dry on the investigation.”

“And you can finish your book.”

With no literary agent and no publisher. But she’d already determined she was going to find new ones. “Yeah. Sure.”

“What are you not saying? Is the FBI agent helping you a jerk? ‘Cause if he is, I’ll camp on his doorstep and give him a piece of my mind.”

Kariss laughed. “That’s what I threatened when you found Wyatt with his girlfriend.”

“Then we’re even. Seriously, is the agent giving you a rough time?”

“Not any more than I expected. He’s a good guy. Hard to figure out, but I’m trying. I have to understand his position. He was in the middle of an important case involving gangs and gun smugglers, and suddenly I come along.”

“What’s he like? A seasoned agent? A Sean Connery sort of guy?”

Kariss giggled and paused to form a description of Tigo. “He’s of South American descent with a macho feel. But definitely not my type. He has a reputation for being a rogue. Shake it down with a problem-solving mastermind who zeros in on any inefficiency, and you have Tigo Harris.”

“Sounds like an antibiotic.”

Kariss laughed, and it felt good. “That’s a perfect description. I enjoy teasing him, and he does the same to me. His partner is friendlier, but not as much fun.”

“Can you request a female agent?”

Kariss immediately thought of Hillary. “I’m good. Really.”

“When is the Gulf Coast Writers Conference? Sounds like you need a break from your research.”

Another sore spot. “Soon. First time in years that I won’t be attending.”

“And here I thought about tagging along like I did two years ago. When is it?”

“July in New Orleans. Hmm, I can only imagine how great it would be to spend the time with you. But the situation can’t be helped. This book means so much more.”

“But you loved last year’s conference in Miami.”

“I did, but this year’s different. Unless you want to go in my place?”

“Right. Me who hates crowds and knows nothing about the publishing business. Let’s go back to what you said earlier. I want to know more about the FBI agent. I have a feeling there’s something you aren’t telling me. Sparks flying?”

“Oh, sparks are flying all right, but not the kind you’re thinking.” Kariss shuddered at the thought. “He has a few good points, and he’ll make an intriguing hero. Nothing else. Now tell me what’s going on with you?”

“You’re changing the subject, but I’ll give you a break. On Tuesday I’ll be officially divorced for three months, and like an idiot, I keep expecting Wyatt to call.”

“Even though he’s re-married?”

“He could realize he’s made a mistake. We did have eight years together.”

Kariss squeezed her eyes shut. “You had an eight-year marital relationship, during which you shared him with other women for over seven years. And he and his current live-in have a baby together.”

“That doesn’t make me feel any better when I’m missing him. Wishing things were different.”

“Just give yourself a reality check.” All Kariss had to do was look at her sister’s life and she realized her troubles were nothing.

“Another reality check was he took her and their baby to our church a few weeks ago.”

Kariss groaned. “Don’t tell me that was the Sunday Mom wanted me to go.”

“The same.”

“I’m the world’s worst sister. But then I would have made a horrible scene and humiliated the whole family.”

“It was sorta hard to see God in the middle of his show of piety.”

Kariss didn’t plan to dive into the God thing. “What are you doing this very minute?”

“Driving to Walmart. Do you need something? I used the last of my makeup.”

“I have a great idea. Why don’t you head my direction, and let’s spend the rest of the day together? We can do the Walmart thing. Rent some movies. Dinner. Whatever you want.”

“Would love it. But no dinner. Tummy is a little upset.”

Kariss’s own stomach did a jig. “Please tell me you’ve had a period.”

“Can’t. Haven’t experienced a tampon since Wyatt spent the night here before the divorce. Four months ago.”

Vicki’s situation appeared to be growing steadily worse. “I’m here, you know. Have you been to the doctor?”

“Saw my ob-gyn five weeks ago. Confirmed my suspicions.”

“You didn’t tell me? How can I help you if you keep things from me? Is everything okay?”

“Yes. No one knows, and I’m not telling Mom and Dad they’re going to be grandparents again until I’m busting out of my jeans. Which won’t be long.”

Kariss wanted to scream at Vicki. She was a nurse. Didn’t she know what caused babies?

“I want this baby, sis. I have a good job, and I’ll make it work.”

“We’ll both make this happen. You know I have plenty of room in this huge condo. You and the baby could have two of the bedrooms and give up your tiny one-bedroom apartment. I’ve never liked the area. Totally unsafe. When’s your lease up?”

“It’s on a month-by-month basis. Like my life. Anyway, you’re sweet, but I refuse to be a burden. Oh, Kariss, you know how long I’ve wanted a baby.”

Except the timing was all out of whack. “Yeah.” She remembered the tearful calls during Vicki’s marriage when each month her period arrived on time and Vicki was devastated.

“I believe God had this happen for a reason. Being a single mom is not how I planned my life, but I took a risk when Wyatt came to see me. Dad’s a great role model, and Mom’s walking wisdom. I’ll do my best to love and raise this child.”

“Think about moving in with me. I could use the company. Remember all those years I worked in day care? This gal’s great with kids, especially babies.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“We’d have such fun fixing up a nursery.”

“You’re tempting me. And I do want a good home for my baby.”

Now why hadn’t Delores Olvera felt the same way?

Cheeky demanded allegiance from every person who worked for him, from his lead man to his mules. Or he got rid of them.

So when Froggie interrupted his time with Monika, he picked up his .38 Special.

“This had better be important.”

“It is, boss, or I wouldn’t have bothered you.” Froggie didn’t move a muscle.

“Did you find the
policía
?” Cheeky nodded at Monika to leave the two men alone, a pity, since the sixteen-year-old knew how to please him.

“Not yet,” Froggie said. “I’m working on it. He wears a disguise when he walks the streets.”

“I told you I wanted him to disappear.” Cheeky watched Monika grab a sheet and whip it around her slender body before leaving the bedroom.

Froggie nodded. “I’m heading out again when we’re finished. Took care of one of the Skulls last night.”

“I know about that.” Cheeky’s temper rose. “I gave you an order and it’s not done. So why are you here?”

“Jo-Jack’s bragged to a woman about knowing our every move. Thought you’d want to know.”

Cheeky swore. Jo-Jack sold more cocaine than the others, but he’d gone too far. Needed to learn a lesson. Knew their every move? He’d never make it through Arroyo initiation. “
Ve da le una calentada.
We’ll see if he figures out how to keep his mouth shut.”

“Don’t kill him?”

Cheeky waved his gun in Froggie’s face. In the past, Jo-Jack had pretended to work for the FBI, then passed information on to Cheeky. They’d given the
policía
the slip many times because of Jo-Jack. “Are you deaf? I give the orders.”

Jo-Jack … cocky but valuable. Cheeky would spare him this time.

By Monday morning, Tigo came to the conclusion that Delores Olvera was either dead or on the run. Media poured out their support to Xavier, a hardworking man who believed his wife had cared for their ill child when in actuality she’d let the little girl starve to death. A nationwide search had been enacted for the woman. The media climate changed from asking for public support to identify Benita to finding her mother, now a person of interest in a murder. Univision planned a follow-up with Xavier, which would be aired in a couple of weeks.

Tigo settled into detail mode, sending agents back to Pine Grove Apartments to try to jar someone’s memory, since five years ago the agents didn’t have Benita’s name. He personally interviewed the apartment manager and asked for a list of past residents, especially anyone who could have been Xavier and Delores’s neighbors. Unfortunately, the manager had been there only two years, and the owner lived in Singapore. The previous manager had not kept accurate records, bringing that part of the investigation to a close. A medical clinic in the area contacted the FBI with Benita’s medical records, noting the little girl hadn’t been seen by a doctor since Xavier was deported.

Tigo paced the room. Neither Ryan nor any of the other agents questioned him. They knew his habits. Earlier he’d worked out, pushing his body so he could push his mind. But the truth was he had to wait for others to do their job.

Rubbing his palms, he made a decision to work through the mound of papers on his desk. He wondered about Jo-Jack, who hadn’t checked in since Tigo had met him at the drugstore. The investigation needed the gun dealer’s name who supposedly worked at the Galleria. Tigo had his own lead, an oil-and-gas man by the name of Peter Masterson who had been linked a year ago to a homicide involving stolen guns. Masterson had an alibi and no paper trail. The case had been dismissed. But it might not hurt to pay him a little visit.

Tigo’s cell rang. The caller ID read “Unlisted.”

“Tigo here.”

“This is the ER at Ben Taub Hospital,” a woman said. “Joseph Jackson gave us this number and requested we place a call to you. Mr. Jackson would like to see you. He says it’s important.”

“Why? Is he there?”

“He’s been badly beaten and has a knife wound to the abdomen. Are you a family member?”