to spend the night at Black’s, and I know you may have preferred to come home instead.
I smiled at his comment. It was true. I did love my own space, but what happened last night was completely fine, and I was really happy I could help out.
Sloane: I was fine. Thanks for checking in.
Dell: Oh, good. When John told me to go home and that he was on his way into town to find you, I thought about texting you, but he assured me you’d be fine with it.
Oh, really, now, I couldn’t help but grin like a teenager. Maybe Mr. Black was a bit of a softy after all. I sent another thanks his way and went back to my work.
Daniel: After a lengthy conversation with Frank, we both decided you could have a video conference with Brick. We’d still rather you not go to California. Here’s his contact number –He is waiting for your call.
My mind flipped through a hundred questions, but I calmed my head and angled the camera at the blank gray wall, propped my phone up, and tapped in the number. I didn’t want to waste any time. It took the camera a second to clear, but the sounds of people yelling and music filled my cabin. When the photo focused, I swallowed hard. Brick was a good-looking man, but I could see by the way he squinted at the camera he was high as a kite.
“You guys don’t waste any time, do ya?” He laughed and held up a finger while he walked outside. He slipped on a pair of sunglasses and leaned on a lounge chair. In the reflection of the glasses, I could see a pool in front of him and someone moving around on a truck under a tree.
“Hi, Brick.” I was warned by Frank to be respectful and use his nickname. “I’m Sloane Harlow, and Daniel gave me permission to use this number.”
“Save the formalities with me. Just shoot the shit and ask your questions.”
“Okay.” I leaned back in my chair and studied him for a moment. “Why were you in Mexico?”
“Like I told Black, why I was there had nothing to do with his operation.”
“So, why were you there?”
He scratched his beard and cursed. “Personal.”
“Can you elaborate?”
“I can, but I choose not to.”
“Fine.” I tried a different direction. “It’s no secret you’ve been around the cartel before. I read up on Trigger and his rather colorful past.” I couldn’t help but smile. Trigger’s rap sheet was longer than the test for the bar exam. “Before you ran into Black that day, did you see anything strange or out of order?”
“Nah, not really.” He tilted his head as if something might have jogged his memory. “One of the younger rats was running his mouth about watching after that rookie kid who got killed.”
I sat a little straighter and pulled my notebook beside me. “What did he say?”
“Something about his belongings.”
“His belongings,” I repeated as I scribbled it down. “Anything else?”
“I didn’t stick around. I was outnumbered and was trying to wait out the rain. The last person I ever thought I would turn my gun on was Black. Guess I’m fuckin’ thankful he was there.”
“Did you physically see the rookie kid with any of them?”
“No.” He lit a cigarette but nodded like he had more to say. “They have these deep square cut-outs in the ground, like four-by-eight,” he motioned with his hands, “with a makeshift covering that acts as a roof. Once they catch someone, they’d strip ’em down and toss ’em in there until their leader arrived. You could run right over it and never know anyone was down there.”
“Really?” I cringed.
“Yeah, so most likely, that’s what they did to him for the six days he was taken. It’s like their own version of a snatch and grab, but they don’t have roads, they have the jungle.”
“How did you know he was taken for six days before he was killed?”
He chuckled like it was a stupid question. “We might be an outlaw biker gang, sweetheart, but we know just as much as you do.”
“Fair enough.” I didn’t have much to go on, but I still could dig with what he gave me. “Thanks. I appreciate your time.”
“Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful, but like I said, I walked into their shitstorm, not the other way around.”
“Got it.” I gave him a wave and ended the call. Still, something nagged at me. The truth was always there; you just