Dog Gone Lies (Pacheco & Chino Mysteries Book 1) (26 page)

“Mild threat or not, Ray. I think we need to talk about security.”

“I agree, Tyee. I was wondering if we could fix up an area in the storage shed that would be suitable for you to stay in for a few days. I know it wouldn’t exactly be luxurious accommodations, but just for a short while it might be a good idea.”

“That’s fine—I’ll move some things in today.”

“No need to do it today—maybe tomorrow we can move some things around and make the place a little more livable for you. Also, I think this just demonstrates that maybe we need to consider getting weapons for both of you. I know we mostly talked about this new PI business as being about research rather than anything else, but based on what we’ve just gone through I think it’d be prudent to be ready for emergencies. What do you think?”

“Well, Ray. The truth is I’m fairly well armed.” Big Jack reached under the counter and pulled out a Smith & Wesson 38 Special.

“Do you have a permit for that?”

“No.”

“Well, there’s no question you have adequate fire power—now we just need to make you legal. I think Clayton can help us out.”

“I’m not sure I’m comfortable with handguns,” Tyee said, “or any kind of gun for that matter. My weapon of choice is the computer.”

“Tyee—I understand. I just want you to know that some of this work, as we’re seeing, can lead to danger. On the other hand, I do believe the majority of the cases we’ll get are going to be based more on research and investigation than combat.”

“Ray, on another note—we had a call just before you walked in. The Mayor has resigned. Told the local paper he couldn’t continue as Mayor because of the problems his son was experiencing. He apparently told them he had no idea any of this was going on and was completely caught by surprise.”

“You know I think that’s probably the truth. The Mayor’s a pompous ass, but it just doesn’t fit that he was involved with Sheriff Hermes—for one thing, I don’t think Hermes would have trusted him.”

“Also, I heard the local politicos are discussing calling a special election for the mayor’s position. Some people were saying this morning that maybe you should run, what do you think, Ray?”

“No way in hell, Big Jack. If anyone around here should run it should be you. You’re prime Mayor material if I’ve ever seen it.”

“Large white man would seem to be requirement for the position. What do you say, Mr. Mayor?”

“Big Jack say fuck you Indian.”

“Mayor going to have to clean up language before he make many speeches.”

Ray felt good with the banter in the room, but there were still issues to discuss.

“Something else we need to go over. The FBI is going to be paying us a retainer—actually a rather large monthly retainer. At this point there’s no way they’ll back out of that, so it’s up to us if we want to continue with it. I say yes. Anyone else have thoughts?”

“Seems to me it’s perfect for us. I have no idea what they are going to ask us to do but until we know more, I say we continue with the plan.” Tyee looked to Big Jack for his thoughts.

“I agree, Tyee. Obviously I have a vested interest with this new identity, but it would also seem to be a good opportunity for us to get started and have some money to spend on things like security.”

“Good then. We’re in agreement about our deal with the feds. I have no idea if they’ll start to give us work soon or never, but I’ll make sure the retainer checks are showing up. With that in mind I’d like to suggest two more things, both of which are going to sound like I’m padding my own nest, so just speak up if these don’t sound logical to you.”

Ray paused. He’d been thinking about a plan to improve their operational facilities and their ability to handle communication—but it was still a work in progress.

“Much of what we’re going to be doing will involve communications—phones, computers, faxes—every way that people are communicating, we need to be able to handle. I’ve been thinking about making some improvements to the main outbuilding at the cabin. We could turn one area of the building into living quarters—say, two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a small kitchen. Then Tyee could stay on a more permanent basis, if you wanted to, or at least have pleasant temporary accommodations. Also, we could upgrade the larger space into offices and move all of the computers into that building. That would require more phone lines and some furniture, along with some remodeling.”

“What, you don’t like my storeroom anymore?” Big Jack said this with a smile.

“Was that all of you featherbedding projects or just one?” Tyee was paying attention.

“That’s one. The second one we won’t refer to as featherbedding for obvious reasons. I want to hire Sue. I want her to work in the office helping with communications, I’d like her to be available to provide some forensics, and I’d like for her to help Jack with the store so that he can be more involved in the investigation business—and I know Jack, that we haven’t talked about this—so just say no if this is me butting into your store business.”

“Well, not sure what to say—that’s out of the blue.” Big Jack looked thoughtful.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Tyee said. “Aside from the fact that Ray gets a live-in girlfriend, which doesn’t seem quite fair, I think she’d add a lot to what we’re trying to do. The phones are already becoming a problem. Just with this Jackson case we had several times where we had problems with communications because we didn’t have a central person keeping in touch with everyone. As far as helping Jack out, the only person who should object to that would be Sue. I vote yes.”

They all agreed. Big Jack still wasn’t completely sure about having Sue in the store. It was a “manly” domain, and he was going to take some time to get used to the idea.

The conversation turned to fishing and the upcoming tournament.

Ray and Happy returned to the cabin. Ray was expecting Sue to be back for dinner. He found some small steaks and put them out to thaw. It looked like it was going to be a pleasant evening, so he thought he would fire up his small charcoal grill. He also decided to take a nap.

Sue arrived straight from work and went in to take a shower. Ray started the grill. She came out looking refreshed and he poured them each a glass of wine.

“Sue, how would you like to work for the PI business and also part-time at Jacks?”

“Well, hello to you too. What’s that about?”

“Maybe I should have eased into the conversation. It’s about me needing help. If this business is going to be successful, we need to improve how we communicate and keep in touch. Also, I’d like to see Jack participate more, which he can’t if he can’t leave the store. I’m talking about remodeling the storage building into offices and bringing in more phone lines—also putting in some living accommodations for Tyee.”

“My goodness, those sound like big plans—how are you going to pay for all of that?”

“Not completely sure. We’re going to have ongoing money from our retainer with the FBI. As far as the initial cost, I guess I hadn’t thought about it much.”

“No question, Ray. You could use my help—in a lot of ways. Are you suggesting that I move in with you?”

Now the conversation was getting out of hand. Ray
was
suggesting that, but he didn’t want to say it. He could talk to men all day long, but ten minutes into a conversation with a woman he was all confused.

“Sue, I guess I was. I haven’t said this the way I should have. Maybe we should just drop it.”

“Don’t get embarrassed and crawl back into your shell. You can talk to me. I won’t faint or scream or bite you, unless of course you wanted me to—just tell me what you’re thinking.”

“You would be a great benefit to the business. You’d be paid. It has nothing to do with our relationship. You don’t have to move in here for it to make sense for you to participate in this business venture. You’d make us a real business in so many ways—plus, your skills in forensics would be really valuable. We’re going to be getting referrals from the FBI, and I think we’re going to be very busy. That’s only part of what I was saying so poorly. I’d like it very much if you would move in with me. I know I’m too old for you, and you’re probably ready to move on and use your skills in a big city somewhere—I guess, I’m not real sure what I’m asking.”

“Oh, sure you are. You and I are very good together. The business part I’ll have to think about, but I would move in with you.” She smiled.

They talked more as Ray started the steaks. Sue said she wasn’t staying the night because she had to take the early shift tomorrow due to one of the girls being ill, and she was tired and wanted to get a good night’s sleep.

They ate their steaks and salad with more wine and enjoyed the evening. Ray felt pleased that Sue would want to move in with him and also very nervous about what that might mean. He seemed to be progressing toward something that he hadn’t completely thought through. In a totally mistimed thought, he wondered what advice his wife would give him. He had relied on her so much in his life when there were difficult decisions to be made. The thought was quickly gone, but it still embarrassed him.

Sue and Ray cuddled a bit as she said goodbye, then she got in her car and left. He knew they were entering a new phase of their relationship and it held many unknowns. He didn’t like not knowing what was going to happen. He finished his wine and went to bed.

Sunday

Ray woke abruptly. He looked at the clock—it was only about five. He’d heard something, but now he wasn’t sure what it was. He could see Happy standing by the bed, and he appeared to be on alert. Ray got up and put on his some clothes and shoes, then found his old service revolver. He knew that most likely it was some wild animal sniffing around outside, but he was still extra alert.

He went out the front door onto the porch, Happy coming just behind him. The dog stood still a minute, then took off toward the outbuilding. Ray realized his mistake—he should’ve held onto the dog. He started to yell but shut himself up. He headed in the same direction as the dog.

As he got closer to the building he could see the front door was still shut and appeared to be undamaged. He couldn’t see Happy. More than likely it was a wild animal and Happy was having his early morning exercise chasing whatever it was. He turned to head back to the cabin when he was struck in the head and fell forward. Ray was still conscience, but only barely. He heard Happy barking and then the dog yelped in pain. Ray was blearily furious that someone would hurt his dog.

The next thing Ray knew, he was becoming aware of his surroundings, and he realized that he must have been unconscious. He had no idea how long he’d been out, but based on the sunlight it had been some time. He opened his eyes, but it was hard to see. He was probably inside the storage building. He was bound with some kind of rope or cord. So it was worse than a wild animal—it was a human animal. Ray thought it could be Myers, or maybe someone else just trying to rob him. No matter who it was, he was in trouble.

Ray tried to rise up off of the floor, but quickly realized that he was too dizzy. He lay back down and tried to listen. He heard noises out behind the building. It sounded like someone was digging—not a good sign. Ray remembered what he’d heard before, Happy yelping. He didn’t see or hear Happy—another bad sign. There didn’t appear to be any good signs. He tried to sit up again and did a little better this time.

The front door was pushed opened and Agent Myers came in wearing a smirk and carrying a large metal case.

“Well hello, Ray Pacheco, world famous asshole. How’s your head doing?” Myers actually smiled—it was worse than the smirk.

“What happened to the dog?”

“Guess what, you dumb fuck, you don’t get to ask questions.”

Ray didn’t say anything. He was trying to figure what he could do to protect himself, but so far he hadn’t come up with anything.

Myers set the case down on the table with a thud. It was obviously very heavy, maybe fifty pounds or so.

“You know what’s in that case dumbass?”

“No.”

“Well of course you don’t. It’s about two million dollars in hundred dollar bills—my escape money. Hidden behind your storage building. What a dumb shit you are for buying this old cabin. This was the key location for all of the drug smuggling business—right here in your backyard. You know Ray, I wouldn’t have wasted my time trying to find you and kill you—but here you are living on top of my escape money. So guess what—you’re dead.”

Son-of-a-bitch. Ray really was a dumbass. Myers was no idiot, so of course he would have a hidden stash. Ray had forgotten this was once used by Sheriff Hermes as the staging point for the drug shipments. That’s why the goons were headed up here with Monica and Mrs. Richards. Not by accident. They knew where they were going.

Myers was busy manhandling the case out the door, no doubt putting it into whatever vehicle he’d used to get there. He was gone for a while, but returned with his sneer still in place.

“You know you’re going to get caught—why don’t you lessen the pain and give up.”

Myers let out a genuine laugh.

“Oh, I suppose I should surrender to you. I wonder, should I untie you first? That’s a good one, Ray. Who’s going to catch me? The FBI? Maybe you’ve forgotten Ray, I used to work for those morons. I’ve been working this gig for years—they’ve promoted me twice while I’ve been doing my moonlighting job. The FBI does nothing but file reports. They’re useless. Right now, I’m sure they’re looking everywhere for me, but not here. They’re busy monitoring the airlines and checking the borders. I’ll go up in the mountains in Colorado to a little place nobody knows about and assume one of my identities—this one’s a reclusive writer. All of the area people know me and know I don’t like company. I could stay up there forever and the stupid FBI would never find me. But you know what, I don’t want to live in a remote cabin like you and waste my life fishing. In a few months I’ll go across the border to Canada, get on an airplane, and from there I’ll ship out to someplace you’ve never heard of. A few days later I’ll be living like a king.”