“Yeah,” he agreed. He hadn’t liked the way the man had responded to Josie. But that was another issue.
“I spoke to her,” Heather added, surprising John. “I don’t know what she’s mixed up in, John, but I know it’s dangerous.” She sipped coffee while John thought about a life without Josie in it. It would be as if all the color went out of the world at once...
“There must be somebody we can talk to,” he said.
“Yes,” she agreed. “There must be somebody who knows what’s going on,” she murmured, frowning.
“I’d bet money that Tanner does,” John said unexpectedly. “He and Josie were speaking privately at Thanksgiving, near the cabinet in the den. I didn’t overhear anything, but I know a conference when I see one. Tanner knows something.” He looked up. “And I’m not sure it’s related to Phillip James.”
He drew in a long breath. “Tanner keeps secrets. I asked him then what was going on but he won’t really talk to me.”
“He’ll talk to me,” she said doggedly. She picked up the phone and dialed.
It was a long drive to wherever they were going in Mexico. Josie dozed while Raines drove. She relived their arrival.
“Why are we here at this place again?” she’d exclaimed as they drove past the bar where the old man had been murdered. “Okay. What’s going on?” she asked firmly.
“Just some minor problems,” he murmured as he parked the car they’d found waiting at the airfield next to a car left with the keys still in it.
Josie stretched her back as they approached the car. “Why are we changing cars?” she wondered. “Surely, they don’t expect us to...!”
“Shhh!” he silenced her.
He pulled a small notebook out of his shirt pocket, opened it and showed her a printed sentence.
Most heavily patrolled area of the border, he’d written previously. He grinned.And we’re home free.
She was all at sea. As they drove, he had her slide toward him. Her nose wrinkled with distaste. He wasn’t much for hygiene.
A border patrol SUV stopped them. An agent rolled down his window and motioned for Raines to do the same.
“What are you two doing here?” he asked.
“Taking my girl over to the Circa de Nada bar for a drink. This is her dad’s ranch,” he added, squeezing her hand unobserved, warning her, she surmised, not to contradict him.
Josie forced a smile. “Yes,” she said. She frowned. “What are you guys doing on our land?” she added.
“We have an arrangement with your dad,” he replied. He scowled. “How can you not know that?”
She thought fast. “I’ve been away at school,” she lied. She smiled. “I just got home today, and Dad was headed out to a sale when I got here, so we only had time to say hello. I shouldhave kept in touch better, but you know how it is,” she added with a laugh. “College doesn’t leave much spare time, even for family.”
He hesitated, then he chuckled. “Yes. I remember,” he said, and she relaxed.
Then he frowned. “I thought he said you’d come home for good,” he replied. “And he didn’t mention boyfriends.” He scowled.
Beside her, Raines tensed. She put on a fake grin and took a breath. “You ever tell your dad everything you do?” she improvised.
He chuckled. “Okay, I see your point. Just be careful around here,” he added, dark eyes sweeping the area.
“Is it dangerous?” she asked with pretended nervousness.
“We’re looking for somebody,” he replied, forcing a smile. “Just a trespasser,” he added quickly, but Josie detected the lie in his voice. She’d had excellent training.
“I’ll bet you get a lot of those,” she replied. “I know we do. It’s dangerous here on the border.”
“We’re working on that,” he assured her. “There aren’t nearly as many trespassers as before,” he added with a grin. “Not nearly as many.” He sobered. “No, now it’s drugs more than people. Dangerous drugs.”
“Aren’t they all dangerous?” she asked.
