Pulling the pencil out of the knot at the back of her head, she reaches under the counter and takes out a small pad of forms. I watch her write tomorrow’s date, sign it and rip it off.
“This will get you inside for one day.” She holds it up towards Rich. “If you get caught with your nose where it’s not supposed to be, I’m going to deny ever giving it to you.”
“You just cost me three months of favors.” We’re out in the car, and Rich hands the pass over to me.
“It looks like a hall pass.”
“You’d better decide what you’re looking for, because you’ve got one day.”
Up to this point, I wasn’t sure what I was looking for. “If the timelines add up, the swindle would’ve occurred sixty-five years ago.”
I’m thinking about the secret baby, the murder allegation… I’m sure it all happened around the same time.
“But you’re going to need proof the land ever belonged to Manuel Treviño, which means—”
“I’m going to have to go further back than that.” How far is the question.
“Needle in a haystack.”
“Maybe not.” If I calculate how old my grandfather would’ve been when he was able to start buying land, I can guess his then-best friend would’ve been doing the same.
“I’m sorry, I can’t join you tomorrow. I’m meeting with the guys about the El Paso work all day.”
I admit, I’m disappointed. I could use some help if this warehouse is as massive as it sounds, but I’m not giving up. “No way, man. You’ve helped me a lot. I appreciate it.”
He parallel parks outside the entrance to the Foster Building, and I give him a firm shake before getting out. “Thanks for this weekend.”
“No problem.” He winks. “I hope you made the most of it.”
I lean back before closing the door. “She said yes.”
“Yeah, she did!” He slaps my palm before shaking my hand. “Congrats. Now we’re getting somewhere. Now I understand why this is all so urgent.”
“It’s her family.” I rub a hand over my jaw. “She says she doesn’t care, but she will. If this is what it takes to make peace, I’m going to find it, and I’m going to fix it.”
“Captain America.”
“Ah.” I push him away. I don’t have time for his sarcasm.
“I’m serious. What’s that saying about fortune helping the pure in heart?”
“I think you made that up.”
He laughs. “Well, it sounds good. I believe in you.”
“Thanks.”
“Let me know if I can help.”
We say goodnight, and I’m across the sidewalk, pushing through the front doors as he pulls away. Waiting in the empty, glass-walled lobby for the elevator to descend, I fish my phone out of my pocket and shoot a quick text to Angel.
How’s the couch? Not too late if you want to come over…
My chest tightens. I can’t think of anything I’d love more than to curl up with my girl and sleep tonight. Among other things…
The hairs on the back of my neck rise as a shadow moves in the small sitting area across from the elevator. Angel’s warning about Mateo is on my mind, and I fall back, looking around quickly for anything I might use as a weapon.
My adrenaline kicks up, and I’m raising my fists when the streetlight falls across her face. “I made up an excuse to slip out