The Mystery on Apache Canyon Drive by Barry Forbes

Author:Barry Forbes [Forbes, Barry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Leo Press

On Sunday morning, the Jackson and Brunelli families attended St. Francis Church. Later they enjoyed lunch at a local restaurant. Arizona is famous for its Mexican food, and they had discovered an authentic new eatery with spicy hot tamales and delicious cheese enchiladas—Pete’s favorite.

“Mmm-mmm,” he said.

Suzanne nodded between bites. “Pass the hot sauce.”

“And the water,” Tom said, grasping his throat.

“Milk works better,” Kathy reminded him.

On Sunday afternoon, at five o’clock sharp, the foursome met at the Jacksons’. Angelina played on the floor, dressing a doll that had belonged to Suzanne in her childhood.

“It was, like, wow,” Suzanne said, describing the long trip. “The driver of the van tried to shake us, but we got lucky.”

“We did,” Tom said, his brow knit in thought, “but we don’t have a clue what happened after they disappeared into that house.”

“What do you mean?” Pete asked.

Sherri popped her head into the room. “Anyone need water?”

A chorus of “No, thanks!” rang out.

“Well,” Suzanne replied, “do they stay in this house for only a day or two, then move to another location?”

“Or,” Tom asked, “is Phoenix their last stop? Are they on the way to somewhere else, like California, for example? A lot of human traffickers are bringing migrant laborers north to work in agriculture—the golden state is a big destination for that.”

“I get it,” Kathy said. “But trafficked migrants often work in manufacturing too. If that’s what’s happening to Angelina’s mom and her friends, where might that be?”

“We have to get back there,” Tom said, “and see where they go next.”

“If they’re not already gone,” his sister added.

A few minutes later, the Chief arrived home. He changed out of his uniform and joined the group in the family room. “Hi, everyone, how are things going?” He looked at his twins and grinned. “Did you catch some sleep?”

“Yeah, we’re good,” Tom replied. “Suzie’s a little grumpy.”

“Not,” she retorted.

“Well, I have some interesting news for you,” the Chief said. He sat down on the sofa. Angelina jumped off the floor and into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. “You know the address you sent me at midnight?”

“Yes.” Suzanne sat straight up.

“Phoenix City Police said they’re familiar with it,” the Chief said. “It’s a safe house for undocumented workers. People come and go. They’ll stay for a few weeks, then leave after finding permanent work.”

“How are the police handling it?” Pete asked.

“They don’t, it’s a waste of time,” the Chief explained. “Whoever’s running the place would just move to another location. Besides, the police focus on the human smugglers, not their accomplices.” He paused for a few seconds. “Like Mike Lyons, for example.”

“What kind of work would the women do?” Kathy asked.

“I asked the same question,” the Chief replied. Angelina jumped on his knee. “Phoenix police told me that the men work in construction or agriculture as laborers, or as gardeners, groundskeepers, in pool maintenance—that sort of thing. The women often find work as seamstresses in the garment industry. They’re paid next to nothing, because the sweatshop owners know the workers are undocumented.

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