Vic put down a twenty dollar bill and the picture of Flores. “Two colas and some information about this guy. This is a high school photo from twenty years ago when he lived here in Buda with his family. Have you ever seen him? We work for an insurance company that wants to ask him some questions.”
The bartender put two glasses in front of them and poured them their sodas. Then he held the picture closer. “Yeah. This guy’s been in here before.”
“When did you last see him?”
“Last night. He was hauled off by the police. You can find him in jail.”
“Do you know if he still has family around here?”
“I don’t know. Shorty owns this place and has done for thirty years, but he won’t be in for about a half hour. He knows everyone in the area. Maybe he’ll be able to tell you something.”
“Thank you.”
Vic’s eyes slid to Claire. “Let’s find us a booth while we wait.” They carried their drinks to an empty one. He sat across from her.
“Why didn’t you show him Leroy’s picture?” she asked.
“If I’d done that, he’d start to wonder who I really am. In case Ranger Rodriguez decides to investigate here further, we’re better off sticking with Flores on an insurance matter so it won’t send up any red flags.”
“Of course. How could I forget you’ve been ordered to stay away from the case. Maybe I should go out to the car and let you be the one to talk to Shorty. You know...in case Ranger Rodriguez shows up.”
“It’s too late now. The bartender has seen you with me, but I’m not counting on Rodriguez taking the time to drive out here now that Leroy’s been arrested. He investigates by the book, so I think I’m safe.”
“What if you’re not?”
Claire sounded so worried. He covered her hand with his. She was trembling. “It’ll be all right.”
“If you say so,” she whispered.
Reluctantly, he let go of her hand and finished his drink. “After I’ve talked to the owner of this place, we’ll drive back to the house and look in on the horses before bed.”
“I’ve been thinking about them. They’ve been abandoned today. While we’re waiting, I’ll give my mom a call. I promised to keep her informed. Please don’t worry. I won’t tell her what we’ve been doing.”
While Claire was making her phone call, Vic saw a man who looked to be in his sixties show up behind the bar. He left the booth and walked over to the counter.
The older man stared at him. “I hear you’ve been waiting for me.”
“That’s right. I’m trying to locate the family of Fidel Flores. He went to high school here in Buda about twenty years ago. Your employee said he was taken to jail last night, but I won’t be able to get into the jail to visit him. That’s why I’d like to find someone in his family to answer a few questions for an insurance investigation.”
The owner squinted at him. “There was a Flores family here years ago, but they all went back to Mexico.”
“If that’s true, why do you think Fidel came here last night?”
“He’s hooked up with a Hispanic girl who lives here.”
Adrenaline raced through Vic’s body. “Can you give me a name?”
He shook his head. “Hey, Mick? Come over here.” The other bartender approached them. “Got a name for the woman who started hanging out with Fidel?”
“You talking about Castillo’s wife?”
“If she’s the bottled blonde.”
“Yeah. Eva. She shacked up with him after Castillo was sent to the clink.”
Vic
didn’t need any more information. “I’m much obliged for your help.” After handing him a ten dollar bill, he eyed Claire, who then followed him out of the bar to the car.