Flamingo Road by Sasscer Hill

Author:Sasscer Hill
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

23

When my cab dropped me off near the rental, I hurried into the pink stucco house, quickly shedding the persona of Kate. Frustrated, I threw everything that was Kate into a tote bag. The cover was blown, and I had learned nothing.

Great work, Fia.

Moments later, I sped my Mini toward Southwest Ranches and called Gunny as I drove up 75 toward the Griffin Road exit.

When he answered, his sharp tone told me my name on his caller ID had not inspired happiness. “What the hell are you doing, Fia? You want to lose this job, too?”

“No, sir, I do not.”

“Can’t you follow orders? Never circumvent my authority by asking permission from my assistant! Your wild Indian charge at Morales put Gracie in an awkward position. It put you in danger because—hold on a minute.”

I heard what sounded like a lid being unscrewed followed by something like dice rattling in a cup. When he spoke again, I could hear him chewing. Was I causing heartburn?

“This office has a lot going on, Fia, things you don’t know about. I don’t need any of my agents going off the reservation like this. I’m coming down to Gulfstream tomorrow to sort things out.”

That sounded ominous. “Believe me, sir, it won’t happen again.”

“If it does, it will be the last time.”

He paused, and I tensed, waiting for the axe to fall. I had to work to keep my right foot from jiggling against the gas pedal. “Mr. Jamieson, I’m sorry—”

“And for God’s sake,” he said, “call me Gunny.”

I hid the astonishment from my voice. “Sure, okay. Listen, I shouldn’t have—”

“What time will you finish up with Rosario tomorrow?” I told him and he said, “Meet me at the rental house at noon. You got that?”

“Yes, sir.”

“It’s time I got you people down there organized.”

People? “What people?” But he’d already hung up. Probably just as well. My questions would only irritate him. I eased my fingers out of their death grip on the steering wheel, wiggling them a little.

I couldn’t figure out what he meant. Was he pulling Rosario into the operation? That didn’t feel right. He kept referring to things I didn’t know. So why didn’t he just tell me?

When I slowed to pull off 75 into Southwest Ranches, I slid the windows down. Flowers from the neighborhood’s carefully tended gardens perfumed the warm breeze that flowed into the car. I passed by a paddock where two cream-colored ponies grazed. Jilly’s neighborhood watch flyer with Valera’s ugly picture was posted on the fence. I smiled; there had been no more incidents of butchered horses in the area.

When I slowed to turn into Patrick’s drive, I spotted an SUV easing around the corner up the street, angling on to Lead Pony Lane and heading my way. Zanin. Like he’d been waiting for me. He followed me in.

I pulled up to the terrace, cut the engine, and Jilly burst out the front door. She stopped, and looked beyond me to where Zanin was parking his SUV. Her eyes brightened with excitement.

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