[Lady Justice 12] - Lady Justice and the Class Reunion by Robert Thornhill

Author:Robert Thornhill [Thornhill, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery
ISBN: 9781482394795
Google: xQ9OmQEACAAJ
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 17345973
Publisher: CreateSpace Publishing
Published: 2013-02-08T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

“Okay, Padre, time to get to work,” Frank said to his old friend.

“Just what did you have in mind?”

“You were the priest in that parish for thirty years. I know that you know who the movers and shakers are in the Latino community. It’s time to pay them a visit.”

“I don’t know ----.”

“We won’t be doing anything to spill the beans about what you heard in confessional. Just a kindly old priest making a social visit.”

Paddy thought for a moment. “Luis Mendoza. If anyone knows what’s going on, it would be Luis, but I don’t know if he will talk to us.”

“Only one way to find out,” Frank said, getting to his feet. “Fire up your old Buick, Ernie. I’m out of gas.”

As they were heading out the door, Frank stumbled, but caught himself on the doorjamb.

“Are you okay?” Ernie asked, concern in his voice.

“Yeah, just sat too long. Gotta keep the old joints moving.”

The three pulled up in front of the Mendoza home on Jarboe.

“Let me handle this,” Paddy said. “This is a very tight-knit community and strangers are not always welcomed with open arms --- plus --- well, Frank, you can be a bit pushy sometimes.”

Frank held up his hands in mock defense. “Your show, Paddy.”

A swarthy Latino man in his mid-fifties with coal-black hair graying at the temples answered the door on the third knock.

“Father O’Brian! What a surprise! What brings you to our home?”

“Luis, good to see you again. These are my friends, Frank and Ernie. I wonder if we could have a moment of your time?”

“Certainly, Father. What is the purpose of your visit?”

A teenage girl was in the living room busy with her IPAD.

“Maybe it would be better if we could talk alone,” Paddy said, motioning to the girl.

“Gloria, go to your room. I need to talk to Father O’Brian privately.”

He watched as the girl disappeared into the back of the house. “This must be serious, Father.”

“It is, Luis. I’ll get right to the point. We know that Hector Corazon is recruiting young Latino women as drug mules. We have been working with the police, but we’ve hit a brick wall. We we’re hoping that you could help us.”

“Father,” Mendoza said, shaking his head, “you have no idea what you’re dealing with here. These are very bad men.”

“Actually, I do know,” Frank said, butting in. “I watched them cut open the stomach of a young man and then throw his body into a dumpster.”

“How ---?”

“Never mind, how,” Frank said continuing. “This guy needs to be stopped. Can you help us?”

“You have put my family in grave danger just by being here. Please leave!”

“Luis,” Paddy said, “you have been a leader in this community for many years. People look up to you --- they depend on you. As long as he is doing his dirty business, no one in your community will be safe.”

“He is right, Luis,” a woman said, coming into the room.

“Consuela! You were listening?”

“Yes, my husband. I am tired of living

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