AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why kids, though?”
He shrugs and takes another drag. “Border patrol catches them, they just get sent back, so they can cross again and again, without more than a slap on the hand. Cartels let them use their drug trafficking routes for a big cut.”
“Those poor kids. Working with cartels?”
“Those poor kids make about two grand a day. I was gonna be one of them. Help my grandma. Go to college. I’d be set.”
And dead.
“Your brother smuggled people across the border.”
His expression is introspective for a moment before he nods. “Mi hermano… he was making bank doing it. Then one day, cartels decided they didn’t want to pay him. So they killed him, instead. Gunned him down. Like he was nothing. No one.” Brows pinched, he huffs and flicks his ashes onto the street. “You’re dating that new priest in Calexico, yeah?”
“Why do you say that?”
“Same route my brother worked. Out of the church, right?”
I avoid answering any unnecessary questions and focus on the asking. “Who runs that operation?”
“I told you … we don’t talk about him around here. That’s how people die.”
Pieces are starting to come together, painting a picture that churns my stomach, the more I begin to see the bigger image. “So my …friend… he went to pray for a boy who’d been badly beaten. Named Miguel.”
He scoffs at that and shakes his head, blowing smoke into the air above him. “I only know one Miguel in Calexico, and I can’t imagine anyone praying over him.”
“Why?”
“His grandfather killed my brother.”
“Who is his grandfather?”
“You’ve asked before, many times, and I’ve told you the same answer. His name brings trouble.”
“El Cabro Blanco.”
His lips press to a hard line, and when he nods, my stomach sinks.
Oh, God. Damon. “Where can I find him?”
“Your priest friend should know. They’re all in it together.”
“No, Damon is here to track him down. He’s not here to work for him. He wants to kill him, which is fucking crazy, from the sounds of it.”
“Real fucking crazy. In fact, it sounds like your friend already lost his mind. Oh, well, too bad.”
“This is serious, Sergio. I need you to tell me where to find thisEl Cabro Blanco.”
“I don’t know where he lives. But last I checked, there were still two priests at that church, right?”
“Right.” I glance at my watch, noting that it’s almost eleven. “I still have time to catch the bus.” If I’m lucky, I’ll catch the priest, though if he’s anything like Ruiz, he’s already snoozing away at this hour.
“Catch the bus? Nah. I’ll drive you.”
Hands on the arms of my chair, ready to dart inside, I frown. “You drive?”
“What do you think I am? Yes, I drive. I know how to read the signs, too.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t drive much. Guess I assume everyone’s as weird as I am.” Scrambling up from my chair, I accidentally knock it backward, making a clamor that skates down my nerves. “I’ll grab my things and meet you downstairs.”
