El Diablo: A Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Novel by Kathryn Dodson

Author:Kathryn Dodson [Dodson, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Renegade Reads
Published: 2024-08-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Jessica rolled out of bed Monday morning at her usual time, despite the exhaustion from the night before. She made the coffee, dressed, and sat at the kitchen table waiting. Eventually, Alma would call her with news about her job or Angus would wake up and they’d talk.

They’d barely spoken on the drive home last night, and he’d gone straight to bed. His hulking anger inhabited their bedroom, and she’d tossed and turned during what remained of the night.

Jessica searched for jobs while she drank her coffee. She might try to get a real estate job, but she had specialized in commercial real estate in Juarez, and she wouldn’t return to that city for the foreseeable future. That last deal gone wrong had almost gotten her killed. Last night’s deal gone wrong might end in jail time.

Selling houses in El Paso ranked dead last in jobs she’d consider. Catering to whiny couples who wanted spa master bathrooms and man caves held even less appeal than divorce mediation. Alma might come through with someone who needed paralegal help, either that or she’d return to Starbucks. They always needed help, and at least there she’d get healthcare.

Shit. She and Angus had enrolled in the law firm’s healthcare plan, her most important employee benefit. Not only would they lose her salary, but they’d also have to find new healthcare. She’d dug herself into a giant hole and had zero to show for it. No one knew where Nora was, no one seemed to care about the person she’d heard in the barracks, and there’d been no sign of Grace. Not that Grace was her problem.

Eight o’clock came and went. Jessica called the sheriff’s department to find out about her vehicle and was given the number of a towing company.

Before she could formulate a plan, Alma called. “You are on thirty days unpaid leave. You are not to come into the office, and you are not to work on any of the firm’s official business. A determination about your future at the firm will be made at that time.”

“Wow, how did you swing that? And does that mean I’ll be covered by the firm’s insurance during that time?” She crossed the fingers on the hand not holding the phone.

“Yes, you still have insurance. I figured that would be important to you. The only reason you’re not fired is because I convinced the partners that something hinky might be going on out at the ranch, with the seller disappearing and the buyer adamant that nobody visit the property. It’s unusual, and our partners don’t want to end up as the defendants of some future lawsuit. I must stress, though, that this is just a temporary reprieve. They’re not happy with you or with constant run-ins with the sheriff’s department.”

“I completely understand that. Thank you. Thanks for bailing me out last night and thank you for everything you’ve done to preserve my job. I know there’s no way to repay you, at least right now, but I hope to someday.

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