Liquid Smoke

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Carter and I spent the rest of the day making plans. We needed some things to take with us, and we needed a second car. I rented a Chevy Impala rather than risk going back to my place to get my Jeep.

By the time we pulled off the freeway into El Centro, midnight was descending on the Imperial Valley. The moonlight threw shadows over the gravel and sand as we drove down the road toward the Vasquez house. I shut the visions of Liz out of my head as I parked the rental in front of the home.

I didn’t want to ring the doorbell in the middle of the night, and I figured no one would attempt entering with two strange cars parked in front of the house. Carter and I tried to sleep in the cab of his truck but ended up taking turns dozing more than anything else.

At eight the next morning, Carter and I went up the front walk and I rapped on the screen door. The front door opened and Lucia Vasquez looked at us, her expression puzzled for a moment before recognition filtered onto her face. “Mr. Braddock?”

“I’m sorry to disturb you, Mrs. Vasquez,” I said, then gestured at Carter. “This is my friend Carter Hamm.”

They exchanged nods.

“May we come in for a moment?” I asked.

She looked reluctant.

“Please,” I said. “It’s important.”

She pressed her lips together, then held the screen door open for us. We stepped in past her.

The television was on in the living room, the volume turned down.

“My boys,” she said. “They are still asleep.” She pointed at the sofa. “Please, sit down.”

We sat, and she moved into the chair across from us, sitting on the edge. “Why are you here?”

“The man who arranged to bring Hernando here,” I said. “Landon Keene. Have you heard from him?”

Her features immediately filled with alarm. “No. No. Why?”

“I think he’s looking for you,” I said. “I believe he’s on his way here.”

She brought her hands to her chest. “What? Why?” “I’m not sure,” I said. “But I feel certain he’s coming here. To your home.”

She whispered something in Spanish, then looked at me. “I won’t let him hurt my boys. I won’t.”

I nodded. “I won’t either. That’s why I’m here. I’d like for you and the boys to go with Carter. I hope just for today, but it might be longer. He’ll make sure you are safe.”

She looked at Carter, who remained expressionless.

“I’ll stay here and see what happens,” I said. “When I know it’s safe to come back, I’ll let you know.”

“Should we call the police?” she asked. “Detective Asanti?”

“I think it’s better if we keep them out of this at the moment,” I said. “I don’t want to bring any unnecessary attention to your family.”

I was using her situation to get myself in the situation I wanted to be in. It wasn’t fair, and what I’d said wasn’t necessarily true. But it had the desired effect.

She stood. “I will go wake the boys.” She left the room.

Carter watched her go down the hall. “You’ll be alright here?” he asked. “If he shows up, you’ll be alright?”

I waited for Lucia Vasquez and her boys to return, not knowing how to answer that question.