Good God, how could we not have known? All this time that Mateo was spending time with this man along with my girlfriendwas because he didn’t have any family, when in fact, Mateoishis family. This is so fucked.
“Is he the enemy? Are they in danger?” I jump up quickly, my chair toppling to the floor as I move haphazardly, unsure of which direction to go. I imagine myself having a meltdown.
My body moves one way, and my mind moves another. My movements are jerky and erratic, causing me to almost misstep and tumble over the toppled chair. A loud thud echoes in the lofty office space.
I lean forward on his desk. My breathing picks up as my head hangs down. I try to calm the panic that Evie could be in danger. She has been going to this man’s house and hanging out with him and Mateo frequently. If I recall correctly, they were even meeting him today.
I lift my gaze to Eduardo and see the same concern for his fiancée’s safety. He holds his hand up as I am starting to ask another question.
“From what I can tell, he has been without contact from Julian before he died or from Mr. Martinez. I just don’t know how he met Mateo and Evie. I think it seems just a tad bit coincidental that he meets them both and hangs out with his grandson without him actually knowing that Mateo is his biological grandson.”
I look over at Eduardo’s security detail and trusted friends. “Is that why you want the camera? To see if something is going on?” I take the object from my bag and place it on the desk. “What do we do now?” I throw that question into the air and see who grabs at an answer. The room remains silent.Does no one know what we should do?
I look to Eduardo for guidance. He has been doing this longer, and while Emma was my friend and I helped to keep her safe, this hits a bit differently. Now it’s Evie, my woman, who is in trouble.
Eduardo sighs and rubs at his temples, like he is waging a war against an impending migraine. Everything is headache-inducing. The situation is complex and tiresome. Will we ever be able to just relax and hang out without worry? College was long ago; even days spent on Padre Island seem eons ago.
“Do you have everything I asked you to bring?”
I’m pulled from my thoughts and look at him, nodding that I do and pointing to his desk where I placed a bag with the contents of a camera inside.
He smiles. “I have an idea, but where are Mateo and Evie now?”
I take out my phone and send a text to Evie. I thought she was with Mateo in Galveston today, but I want to be sure. A moment later, she replies. My annoyance must show, so I quickly thumb through the reply, followed by two more. I put my phone down.
“She’s with Mateo and the old man in Galveston.”
Eduardo shoots a quick look at his best friend, Gus.
Gus steps off the wall and puts his hand out. He must sense my question to his outstretched hand. “I need the camera.”
I look to Eduardo, who smiles and then begins to explain. He hands the camera over to Gus, who hooks the bag over his shoulder.
“We are going to plant it in Mr. Martin’s house and see what he’s up to. It just seems all too coincidental, don’t you think?”
I nod in agreement. “I do. Coincidental as fuck.” I point at the camera I brought and explain how it works, but there isn’t much to it.
With that, Gus leaves for what I assume is Mr. Martin’s place. Since he is out of the condo now, it should be an okay time to get this done.
I send one more text to Evie and ask her to let me know when they are on their way from dropping off Mr. Martin. We need tocome up with something and make a plan to handle this new and unexpected development.
The phone rings in Eduardo’s office. I look over in puzzlement at the source of the intrusion. Eduardo picks it up and smiles slyly. “Excellent, Gus.” He looks over at me. “I’m sure Jameson can get it up and running here, and we will see you soon.” He hangs up the phone, and I’m still staring at him, waiting to see what this conversation was about.
He feels me watching but ignores me to grab himself a drink as he hovers over the bar area in the corner. He grabs a glass and pours some amber drink into a glass. He looks over at me and tosses it back.
“What?” He stares at me in confusion.
I start to laugh. “I didn’t think you still had a landline.”
He looks at the phone and then back at me. “So.” He shrugs. “It’s for the club, and if anyone needs to call me.”
I nod, accepting this excuse. I look around.
“What are you looking for?” He seems to be helping search for the unknown item.
“Nothing, I was just curious where your fax machine was.” I start laughing, and he pours himself another drink.
“You know, I was going to offer you a drink, but now, I’m not feeling so charitable.” He chuckles. “Dick.”
