“Your mother didn’t mention that,” Cain said, trying not to sound surprised.
“I stopped them before they got to the door. Rick always told me they’d be the first ones over here if something happened to him, since those maggots are always looking for a way in, no matter what’s going on.”
“If they bother you again, will you call me?”
“I’ll call if you consider something else.”
Cain had to smile at this girl’s grit. “What’s on your mind?”
“I promised Rick I’d finish school, but when I’m done I want to work for you. I’d have asked sooner, but I gave him my word I’d graduate first.” Sabana let go of Cain and stood up straight. “Before you give me your list of reasons why I can’t, remember this has nothing to do with what happened to my brother. If I’m with you, though, I can help you catch whoever did this.”
“I’m not turning you down, but I expect you to honor your commitment. When you’re done, call me and we’ll see what we can work out.”
“This isn’t a brush-off, is it?”
From the inside pocket of her jacket Cain took out a card. “A brush-off consists of me saying something close to what you want, then going on my way. I want you to finish like Rick wanted, because by then you might’ve changed your mind. But if you don’t, I’ll see where you fit in with us.”
“Thanks, Ms. Casey, you won’t be sorry.”
“I’m sure I won’t, but remember to call sooner if your new friends come back.”
“They didn’t stay long, so I’m sure they won’t be back.”
Cain nodded and was about to leave when it struck her that Rick hadn’t worked for her long enough for the feds to have picked up his scent.
“Just one more thing, Sabana. Who did the feds send to talk to you?”
Cain waited while Sabana went into the other room and a minute later came out holding up a card. “Only one of them did the talking. The other guy stood there and scanned the yard because I wouldn’t let them in the house.”
The name on the card was Shelby’s, so it wouldn’t be hard to narrow down who she’d brought with her. “What did she ask you? Try to remember the exact words.”
“She told me what had happened to Rick and asked if I knew he worked for you. No matter what she said I stood there and stared at her and never opened my mouth, unless it was to tell her that she couldn’t come in and talk to Mom.”
“Nothing else?”
Sabana closed her eyes as if that would make her recollect better. “She did ask me something weird, or at least I thought it was. She asked if Rick had ever mentioned a guy named Anthony something.”
As soon as Cain heard the name, she shot Lou a glance to keep him quiet. “Was it Anthony Curtis?”
“Yeah, that was the name. Was he the one who shot Rick?”
“I don’t think so, but I want you to do me a favor. The funeral’s tomorrow, and after that I want you and your mom to get away for a while. Do you have family anywhere you’d like to see?”
“We’ll be fine here.”
“Sabana, if you want to work for me, remember that when I make a friendly request, most of the time it’s for your own good. I don’t want whoever killed Rick to connect the dots back to you and your mother, if they think Rick might have talked about him.” As she spoke, Cain took out her cell and called Muriel to send over a couple of guys to sit on the house. “Is that all Agent Philips asked you?”
“I cut her off after that question, and I promise your name didn’t come up again after she asked if I knew Rick worked for you.”
“I believe you and I’ll see you tomorrow. Have your mom ready to go after the funeral, and I’ll get you both home as soon as possible.”
“What’s on your mind, boss?” Lou asked when they were in the car headed back to the city.
“After our next appointment we’re going hunting, Lou, and I’m not going to stop until I get my fill of trophies.” Cain glanced down at Shelby’s card, sure that Sabana hadn’t noticed that she’d taken it. The fact that Shelby had gone to Rick’s family right after his death and the question she’d asked made Cain more sure than ever that Rick’s death had been an unfortunate incident, and one that had been totally preventable.
“Some I’m going to hang on my wall, and the rest I’m going to lock in little cages for the rest of their miserable lives,” Cain said. She tore the card in two, crumpled the pieces together, and threw them on the floor of the car.
*
“Think the kid will tell her we were there?” Joe asked Shelby as they watched Cain disappear into the house.
“I’m sure she’ll be more talkative since Cain just offered to keep them on the payroll in exchange for Rick’s life. She’d have to kill a litter of kittens on live television for these people to see her for what she is,” Shelby said as she worked on her daily surveillance report.
“Even if she did that, she’d have a good reason that’d still make her out the hero.” Through his headphones Joe could hear Rick’s mom crying, and nothing else. “Do you think she knows what went down?”
“We can’t piece together what happened for sure. What makes you think she can?”
Cain’s voice came through again and it startled Joe. As much time as they spent watching and listening in on Cain, it still surprised him when they actually heard her voice. It was like sighting the Loch Ness monster.
“I think she’s motivated,” Joe said when Cain stopped speaking.
Shelby finally slammed her pen down and broke the silence. “And you think we’re not?”
“We are, but you know how it is when one of your own gets killed. If Cain’s not careful, though, this could turn into an epidemic. We’re motivated but she’s driven.”
Their subjects were quiet again, and Shelby scanned the outside of the house. Then Joe noticed her stop her sweep.
“Why aren’t you inside?” Shelby asked, almost to herself.
“What?”
“Second oak outside. She acts like she’s looking right at us, like she knows we’re here.”
Joe glanced from Sabana, who was leaning against the tree, to the front door, where a few of Cain’s men were standing, staring at their van as well. “If she’s waiting to talk to Cain, all she can say is that you came by and tried to ask some questions. It’s not like you broke the kid.”
Sabana straightened out and took a step in their direction before turning and heading into the house. From inside they could hear Cain telling the mother good-bye and not to worry about anything, followed by Cain’s talk with Sabana. Everyone in the van was quiet as they eavesdropped on the hushed conversation, and then came Cain’s question of “nothing else?” As Sabana started to answer, Cain cut them off so quickly they didn’t even catch the first word.
Joe saw Shelby press her fingers to her forehead as if trying to remember what she and Joe had said after that. The door opened and the group, followed by Lou, stepped out. They could see Cain’s lips moving, and she appeared as tight as a bow.
“I asked her if she knew or heard the name Anthony next, didn’t I?” Shelby asked him. “My notes are back at the office.”
“It was, but there’s no way in hell Cain puts him at something like this. Anthony’s not that stupid.”
“Willing to bet your badge on that?”
“Not quite yet, when it comes to Anthony.” Joe’s cell phone vibrated on his hip and he answered it. “Call in our backup unit to stay with Cain. Agent Hicks arranged a meet with the other teams we’ll be running into as we work our case. Mark Pearlman from DEA and the crew investigating the Jatibons are due in the office in thirty minutes. It’s time to start sharing information.”