Texas Sicario (Arlo Baines Book 2) by Harry Hunsicker

Author:Harry Hunsicker [Hunsicker, Harry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781503905412
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Published: 2019-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

A month later, Frank was preparing for the first court date when Pax and the nephew, a young man in his early twenties who wore silk shirts and pointy-toed cowboy boots, dropped by to make another payment, also in cash.

“That’s not necessary,” Frank said. “I’ll let you know when the retainer is gone.”

“You’re going to need the money anyway.” Pax shrugged. “Why not take it now?”

This is true, Frank acknowledged to himself. The case against the nephew would be difficult to win. Despite repeated requests, the friend who actually owned the marijuana was never made available to Frank, so he had to go with the narrative summed up in the police report—a story the accused did little to contradict.

Pax’s nephew had been alone when he was pulled over, driving in a car with a broken taillight. The police had probable cause to search his vehicle because the idiot was smoking a joint at the time. On the rear floorboard, in a bag of laundry the nephew was supposed to be dropping off at the friend’s house, they had found a plastic-wrapped package of marijuana.

Frank had several strategies for mounting a credible defense, but in the end, he knew that a plea deal was the best option for the young man. Pax, however, was vehemently opposed to the idea. His nephew had been doing a favor for a friend; why should he have his name besmirched?

“Money for a good defense is not a problem,” Pax said. “Do the best you can.”

Frank shrugged and accepted the second briefcase full of cash, and the ones that followed in the subsequent weeks. After each payment, Pax filled out the proper paperwork using his brother’s name.

Finally, the day after the sixth payment, Frank received a phone call from the prosecutor. The case was being dismissed, a problem with the only witness, the arresting officer. The prosecutor was tight-lipped, no further details forthcoming, though she obviously sounded displeased.

Frank called Pax with the good news and listened to the two men sing his praises as he thought about all the money he would have to refund.

Pax seemed to read his thoughts. “You’ve done such a good job for us,” he told Frank. “Why don’t you just refund a portion, say fifty percent.”

Frank hesitated; the amount he’d keep was too much for the work he’d done. After a moment, he reluctantly agreed, seeing as how half of what he’d been paid would be just enough to keep things going until he got some more business. The next day, after receiving instructions from Pax, he wired the money to the brother’s account at a bank in Matamoros, not in San Antonio.

Frank was glad to have the influx of capital, but truth be told, he was more glad to be rid of Pax. The brother’s info on the IRS form, the Mexican bank, the slimy nephew—nothing about the situation felt right to Frank.

A week later, Pax dropped by unannounced.

Another relative had been arrested, this one in Fort Worth.

Pax held up a briefcase, wordlessly asking if Frank would be open to representing another family member.

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