Page 87 of Shadow of Doubt
“Then consider it done.”
“I need some proof of the Veritas thing first. Still don’t know you’re not bluffing.”
“While I pay for this, I’ll get my friend to come in.” He ripped his phone from his pocket and fired off a text to Nick to come inside and bring some evidence of his employment at Veritas.
Antonio tapped his cash register, and Colin swiped his credit card. As Antonio was bagging the burritos, Nick pushed inside.
“You better be buying whatever is making my mouth water.” He laughed.
“I am.” Colin gave him a pointed look, asking him to play along and not push this guy to shut him down. “Apparently, Antonio here likes to put bacon in his breakfast burritos.”
“Something I can get behind for sure.” Nick pulled out his wallet and drew out a business card to hand to Antonio. “I’m a partner at the Center. Work in computers.” He flipped open his wallet again and displayed an ID card.
Antonio nodded. “And are you the one who can authorize free DNA tests for me and my family?”
Nick looked at Colin. “Guess you struck some sort of deal to see the video.”
“I did.”
“Then if free DNA tests are what it takes to see the video, I’m your guy.” Nick smiled.
“I mean no disrespect.” Antonio slid a paper and pen across the counter. “But I’d like that in writing.”
“No problem.” Nick grabbed the pen and noted the information, then signed it. “Call or email me tomorrow, and I’ll get the process started.”
Antonio snatched up the paper and shoved it in his pocket.
“Where’s the video?” Colin asked, losing patience now.
“In the back. I’ll have to lock up to show you.” Antonio came around the counter, clicked the deadbolt on the front door, then made a sharp pivot toward a door on the back wall which he had to unlock. “Gotta keep things secure in this neighborhood. Wish we could move our business somewhere else, but the landlordis saying we signed for ten years when I know we didn’t. Can’t afford a lawyer to help get us out of the lease.”
“Maybe I can help with that once we’ve found the woman we’re looking for,” Colin offered.
“Yeah, me too,” Nick said. “I know a really great lawyer.”
“For real?” Antonio gaped at them. “Why would you do that?”
“Why would we not if we can be of help?” Colin said.
Antonio shook his head as he stepped into a small storage area with shelves filled with merchandise lining the walls. “No offense again, but ain’t used to white guys like you.”
“Then we need to change that,” Colin said.
Antonio led them into the dark and dank room that smelled like mold or mildew to a small office that was also locked. He opened the door and dropped into a squeaky desk chair to wake up a computer.
He pulled up the right file, and it captured Brooklyn stepping off the bus and heading into the deserted lot.
“What on earth is she doing?” Colin mumbled as he watched her enter the dark lot and just stand there.
“Yeah, I kinda thought that was odd, too, when I seen her do it. But then the truck appeared, and the guy got out to search her, so I figured it was a cop, and she was okay.”
“Truck?” Colin asked, feeling his stomach go queasy again.
“Hang on, and you’ll see.”
And he did. The jacked-up pickup pulled forward.
“I think it’s the same vehicle that the guy who tried to break into the compound drove,” Colin said. “But without plates I can’t be sure.”
