Illegal

FIFTY-FIVE

Tino studied Jimmy. "You tell me the truth just now? Pretty lady's gonna help?"

"She's never let me down, kid. Except when she shot me and divorced me."

"But she's a cop. Can't she get in trouble?"

"When you love someone, you take chances for them."

"If she loves you, why she gonna marry that cabron on the TV?"

"It's complicated. Adult stuff."

"You saying she doesn't know she loves you?"

"She knows, Tino. But she fights it."

The pay phone at the end of the counter rang, and Payne raced to answer it.

He reached the phone just as a bighorn sheep came on the TV news. Something about the animal's shrinking habitat.

"Sharon?" Praying it was her.

"Precision Glass. Sand Dunes Electrical. Valley Plumbing," she said flatly. "They all exist."

"Damn. Blows my theory out of the water."

"Just listen a second. On paper, they're legitimate. But none are doing business. And get this: All three were incorporated by the law firm of Whitehurst and Booth in San Francisco."

"So what?"

"They're general counsel for Rutledge Ranch and Farms, Inc. Simeon Rutledge is-"

"I know who he is. But that law firm's got a bunch of big clients, right? Banks. Insurance companies. Maybe other big growers, too."

"Sure they do. But that Cadillac Escalade. It's owned by a man from Kings County named Enrique Zaga."

"That's him. What else can you tell me?"

"Only this," Sharon replied, drawing out the moment. "He's worked for Rutledge Farms since he was a kid. Picker. Foreman. Crew chief. Been head of security the last dozen years."

"Yes! You found Marisol. You're terrific, Sharon." Payne's voice was so loud, the waitress who already hated his guts gave him a dirty look. He caught Tino's eye and shot him the thumbs-up. The boy bounced out of the booth and ran toward him.

"I don't know why I did this," Sharon said, softly.

"Sure you do," Payne said.

"Don't start with me."

Tino interrupted, gesturing wildly toward the TV set. Under the caption "WANTED" were two photos lifted from a police car's video. Blurry, but still no mistaking Jimmy and Tino. Beneath the photos, another caption: "Police Hunt Suspects."

"Shit," Payne said. "Sharon, we gotta go."

"Where?"

"Where do you think? To Rutledge Ranch and Farms."

"Jimmy, be careful. I've met Simeon Rutledge. He's a rough guy."

"So what?"

"There are stories. A Grand Jury. Indictments coming. It's a pretty big deal."

"Still don't see what that's got to do with Marisol Perez. Or with me."

"Only this: Whenever you hear the name Rutledge, it's always attached to the word 'ruthless.' "