The Pawnbroker (29 page)

“Thanks for noticing,” she said, backing into the large open space that doubled as living room and kitchen in houses these days. “Let me take that delicious-looking pie off your hands.”

Charlie handed it over, then looked around the room and saw Gina sitting in the big recliner chair, wearing silky pajamas and a fluffy robe. “Welcome home, Gina.”

“Yeah. You've really perked up,” Gordon added.

“Doing a lot better. Once I get the energy to stand up again, guys, I owe you both hugs. Okay?”

“Something to look forward to,” Charlie said, winking.

“And if you want to stroll around a little, let me know. You have my shoulder to lean on,” Gordon said.

“Sounds nice,” she said. “But the doctors want me to do all I can on my own. Now, if I get tired…”

“Just flash me a smile,” Gordon said. He turned and saw Rene over in the corner, on the carpet, wearing earbuds and playing with his handheld video game.

“Hey, Rene,” he called, waving.

“Hey, Gordon. Uh, Mr. Sweeney. Mom says I should thank you again for showing me how to play online. I'm still on the second level, but I'm getting better.”

“Practice, practice,” Gordon said.

“Who invited these strange men?” Nancy said, coming through the patio door just beyond the kitchen nook.

“We brought provisions, Sergeant,” Charlie said. “Dessert—apple pie.”

“And red wine,” Gordon added. “From a foreign land,” he said, holding up the bottle. “Some place called Callyfornya.”

“What, no beer?” Nancy asked, coming over to take the wine and the Cokes. She placed the wine on the counter next to the pie.

“Sorry. The only women I know who like beer can also kick my ass,” Charlie said, then grinned.

“Include me in both categories. I've got a six-pack of Sammy Adams in the fridge,” Nancy said.

Charlie moved over and opened the refrigerator door so Nancy could store the Cokes. She brought out three beers and handed one to Charlie. “Gordon?” she asked, waving the third bottle.

“Thanks,” he said, taking the brew.

“Need some help outside with the steaks?” Charlie offered, nodding toward the backyard. He'd smelled the grill when Nancy had come inside.

“No, but come and join me. We need to have a little information exchange,” she said.

“I'll stay inside and keep the party going,” Gordon said, smiling at Gina.

*   *   *

Charlie stood and watched as Nancy turned the steaks, keeping downwind to appreciate the aroma. Smoke, he was used to, only this time it was pleasant.

He looked back through the glass patio door, noting that Gordon had Gina and Ruth laughing already, probably from his vast repertoire of tall tales.

“So everything local except for the kidnapping is going to be low priority,” Charlie said. “Bet DuPree is annoyed.”

“A little, but he still comes out looking good within the department. With Eddie, well, Viktor gone and the local crimes all but solved, the pressure is on Brooks for the millions he's made ripping off financial institutions and investors. Outside of Albuquerque, nobody cares about the death of a half-dozen men. Priorities haven't changed. Gangbangers die every day, but when big money is involved…,” Nancy said.

“Not to mention kidnapping.”

“My captain is tongue-tied over that particular problem, trying to explain everything that went down. Getting the marshals service involved instead of the FBI was unexpected, but that was the easiest path to take. It's all legal, just very nonlinear. And, of course, Brooks is trying to blame Eddie for all that illegal shit, including the killing of Baza. Brooks claims he was just trying to get his kid back, but his employees went rogue on him,” Nancy added.

“And Eddie won't be contradicting him from the grave,” Charlie said. “I'm glad this isn't my problem. Sounds like you were briefed on Eddie's real background?”

“Yeah, DuPree sent me an e-mail with a summary, including pretty convincing evidence that Eddie
was
the one who shot Baza and Gina. The thirty-eight used in the attack was found in his room at the estate and his prints were all over it. I wonder at what age Eddie was already beyond hope?” Nancy said, shaking her head.

“Kinda scares me when I think about becoming a parent one day,” Charlie replied. The idea seemed so distant at the moment, it sounded almost like a fantasy.

“I got a feeling you'll do fine, Charlie. But you're going to have to settle down first.”

“Not right away,” Charlie said, looking away, thinking about all the chaos he'd already experienced. It was going to take time to get back to any kind of normal.

He stared at the coals for a moment, his mind wandering. Finally he spoke. “So, how's APD handling all this excitement, being in the national headlines?”

Nancy grinned. “The department is looking good on this, and I might even be up for a commendation. Meanwhile, Brooks's crew are stumbling over each other trying to cut deals of their own. Prosecution should be easy.”

“So what about Ruth—or Sarah, I should say?”

“All of the Brooks money is frozen by the courts, so she won't get any financial help until those legal issues are settled, which could take a year or two, depending on the lawyers. Ruth—she wants to keep that identity—is going to stay here in Albuquerque with her son. Of course she'll be scaling down her living quarters. She's also going to need a job,” Nancy said, taking a long sip of beer. “Know of any openings?”

Charlie looked over at the window. Ruth turned just then, catching his eye and smiling. “Think I might,” he said.

 

ALSO BY DAVID AND AIMÉE THURLO

THE ELLA CLAH MYSTERIES

Blackening Song

Death Walker

Bad Medicine

Enemy Way

Shooting Chant

Red Mesa

Changing Woman

Plant Them Deep

Tracking Bear

Wind Spirit

White Thunder

Mourning Dove

Turquoise Girl

Coyote's Wife

Earthway

Never-Ending-Snake

Black Thunder

Ghost Medicine

 

THE SISTER AGATHA MYSTERIES

Bad Faith

Thief in Retreat

Prey for a Miracle

False Witness

The Prodigal Nun

Bad Samaritan

 

About the Authors

DAVID and AIMÉE THURLO have, together and separately, written more than seventy novels. Their novels have been sold worldwide in more than eighteen countries and have received the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, a Willa Cather Award for Contemporary Fiction, and the New Mexico Book Award for Mystery and Suspense. David Thurlo was raised on the Navajo Nation in Shiprock. Aimée Thurlo was born in Havana, Cuba. The Thurlos now live in New Mexico with their three standard poodles.

 

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously.

THE
PAWNBROKER.
Copyright © 2014 by David and Aimée Thurlo. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

www.minotaurbooks.com

Cover photographs: sky © Scout J Photography/Getty Images; gun © Nemlaza Shutterstock.com

ISBN 978-1-250-02798-6 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-250-02799-3 (e-book)

First Edition: January 2014