Page 57 of Fatal Strike
“I’ll remind you of that when we’re being shot at again. Do you have a list of what’s up for today and in what order?”
“Sure.” She returned the coffee to the console and snatched her phone. “I know the prayer service is at 7p.m. I think it’s short. A lot of hours before then. Hold on while I check for updates.”
“We are dynamic early in the morning.”
“Or crazy.” With her head bent over her phone, and her hair spilling over her face, she scrolled through her phone. “Landon Shaw had a partial pack of Marlboros on him. Silvia claimed the cigarettes at her house weren’t Dylan’s, but were they Landon’s?” She tilted her head.
“Anything else?”
“Silvia made a withdrawal from the bank yesterday. One of the men on the surveillance team followed her inside and noted the teller gave her several hundred dollars in small bills. He wasn’t able to count how much.”
“Dylan needs money, and Mama’s supplying. If this is what’s going on, she has to get the money to him. Hard to avoid a surveillance team.”
“He’d arrange a pickup. He’s smart enough to cover up who and how.” Leah gathered up her coffee. “But if he’s really knee-deep in this, money shouldn’t be an issue.” She tapped her finger on her phone.
“What are you thinking?”
“We suspect the Venenos—or whoever this gang is—are dealing in prescription drugs. I want to find out if Silvia is taking any medications. The dental office is open. Let’s see if there’s a connection.”
“Do you think she’d tell us the truth when she’s lied about other things?”
“I have a plan.”
“I’m sure you do.” The faint scent of citrus invaded his senses. His mind trekked into unknown territory. Stopping himself before he made a fool of himself seemed wise, but his mouth seemed to take on a mind of its own. “Are you seeing anyone?”
She failed to look up from her phone. “With the hours I keep? What about you?”
“No. Same reason.”
“Why ask?”
When he started this, he should have realized she’d toss it back at him like a fastball. “Just making conversation.”
She glanced up. “Are you interested, Agent Colbert? You ventured toward this yesterday.”
“If I am?”
“I’m a private person, a loner, and most of the rumors you’ve heard about me are true.” She returned to her phone, her next words suggesting she was hiding a smile. “Maybe I’m a little interested too.”
Maybe, as in she might go out with him? Or felt the same interest? Time to pull on the reins. For him to move forward in a relationship, he’d have to come clean.
“I brought donuts for the road,” he said. “They’re behind your seat.”
“I’ve been smelling them and didn’t know when to ask. Don’t suppose you have blueberry?”
“Yep, they’re listed on your background.”
Jon seemed to inhale the last of the six glazed donuts as he and Leah entered a thriving professional community of upscale offices separated by walkways, courtyards, and parking on three sides. This held the dental practice of Dr. Pablo Rios, where Silvia had worked for the past twenty-four years. The receptionist informed them Silvia would be busy with a patient for the next fifteen minutes. They sat in matching chairs and chatted about baseball, one of Leah’s favorite topics—the Yankees. Jon was an Astros fan.
When Silvia opened the door to the waiting room, her eyes widened at the sight of them. She positioned herself in a nearby chair and folded trembling hands in her lap.
“Have you found Dylan or Elena?” she whispered with an unsteady voice.
“No, ma’am,” Leah said. “Have either of them contacted you?”
“Not yet.”
“I know this has caused sleepless nights for you, but we’re hoping to have the case resolved soon.”
