Hunter said, “Have you checked for tracks?”
“Earlier. Found some scuffed places, but I’m no Border Patrol Agent. Everybody says you and Raymond can track anybody.”
“There are others that are as good, and the Texas Ranger from Alpine is pretty good, too, but since I’m already here, I’ll be happy to help. I’ll call Raymond and see if we can get him to come over, too. He’s close.”
Carlo cut his syrup-drenched pancakes and speared a large piece with his fork. It went into his mouth, along with a bite of bacon. He chewed and said, “Bueno.”
By the time they finished eating, Raymond had responded to Hunter’s call, and entered the cafe in time to see them eating the last bites off their plates. He said, “You didn’t get me any?”
“I saved you a couple bites,” Carlo said.
Raymond sat in a chair and said, “What’s up?”
They told him and he nibbled on the last piece of bacon that Hunter handed him as he listened, then they left the cafe and drove to the lot and the burned car.
Raymond said, “Still smells.”
Carlo said, “They used gas as the accelerant. Burned quick, and Buddy and the fire department people got here pronto, too.”
Raymond said, “Did they see anyone around the area?”
“Nope. It was about three AM, and nobody out doing anything.”
At that moment a new, bronze, fully tricked-out Land Rover drove into the lot and two men exited. The driver wore a Hawaiian shirt with blue south Pacific scenes showing crashing waves and palm trees, and tan cargo pants. Merrell hiking boots covered his feet and a western style straw hat perched on his head above Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses.
The passenger was slightly taller, and lean but muscular. His relaxed walk made Hunter think of a large jungle cat, maybe a leopard. She couldn’t see his eyes because the man wore dark Aviator sunglasses.
A western straw hat covered his head and the clothing was a tan khaki, both pants and shirt, and military-style footwear in the same color. “What happened here last night, somebody have a bonfire?”
The driver smiled, “That’s that wetback car, isn’t it? The one with the bones you looked at yesterday?”
Raymond said, “You know something about this?”
“Us? No, just making conversation. It was all the talk in the café this morning. Wonder who lit it up?”
Carlo said, “How about you hang with us a while, I’ll ask you a few questions.”
“Oh, we would, but we need to get back to the ranch.”
Carlo said, “Which ranch would that be?”
“The Corazon.”
“Out by the Christmas Mountains?”
“That’s it.”
“And you are…?”
“Mike Hart.” Hart pointed to the other man, “This is Ellis.”
“Ellis what?”
Ellis said, “Just Ellis.”
Mike Hart said, “All he goes by, like Madonna or Cher.” He smiled.
Carlo said, “Mr. Hart, I assume you’re related to Winston Hart, the owner of the Corazon?”