Wrecked (Josie Gray Mysteries #3)(101)

“It’s good to see you too.”

“Seriously. You need some sleep.” Lou smiled slowly. “Congratulations on last night. I’m sure happy you got Dillon back.”

Josie nodded her thanks. “Just checking in. I’m on my way home. I’m bringing Dillon home this afternoon. I won’t be back in until tomorrow unless you have any issues.”

“You got two minutes?” Lou asked.

“Sure.”

“Come over here then and pull up a seat.”

Josie walked around the counter and sat in a spare chair beside Lou’s computer.

“I went online and copied this so you could take a look. The mayor made morning news in Houston and San Antonio.”

Josie rolled her eyes and sighed. “Do I really need to see this?”

Lou frowned. “I think you do.”

Lou clicked Play and for the next two minutes Josie watched the puffed-up mayor nod and frown and offer self-deprecating comments as he took full credit for seizing nine million dollars in drug cartel money. When the clip was done, Josie sat back in her seat and faced Lou, stunned at the performance.

Lou laughed at Josie. “You ever hear that old expression, you can’t coach stupid?”

*

Josie left Lou and walked down the street to the mayor’s office. Helen stood from behind her desk and came at Josie with her arms extended. Josie accepted the hug, smelling the sweet scent of baby powder and oranges. Helen wrapped her tight, patting her back until Josie finally pulled away.

“I am so happy for you. Everything turned out just the way we all knew it would.”

“Thanks, Helen. I appreciate it. Is the mayor available?”

“You go right on back. He just got back from the courthouse. Big excitement for little Artemis today!”

The mayor’s door was open, and Josie found him standing in the middle of his office, apparently staring at a painting of Lyndon Johnson that hung behind his desk. Josie knocked and he turned, glanced at her absently, and motioned her in. He made no move toward his desk and instead turned back toward the painting. Josie stood beside Moss, who pointed a finger at it. “Our most famous Texan. Served as representative, senator, vice president, and president. Ever hear of the Johnson treatment?” Moss glanced at Josie and grinned. She had no idea what he meant. And he didn’t care. “One day, you’ll hear of the Moss treatment, mark my words.”

“I’m sure I will,” she said.

Moss finally walked around his desk and sat. He scrutinized Josie with narrowed eyes. “You feeling okay?”

“I’m headed home to get cleaned up. I spent the night at the hospital.”

He looked relieved. “Good. Did you see the news this morning? It’ll get picked up by CNN by this afternoon. Damn good interview.”

“That’s why I stopped by. I understand it’s good press for you, for Artemis, but you have to remember who you’re dealing with.”

“I’m not an idiot. I know exactly who I’m dealing with. We sent a very clear message to the bastards this morning.”

Josie cocked her head. “You did. That’s my point. You basically told the Medranos that you single-handedly stole nine million dollars of their hard-earned money.”

The anger was instant and fierce. “How dare you come in here and insult me. I am the mayor of this city. It was my police force who—”

Josie held her hands up, supplicating. “I’m not disagreeing with anything you said. I’m trying to get you to see it the way the cartel will see it. If they think this whole thing is on you?” She shrugged. “That’s a lot of money for them to lose. And they want it back. That’s all I’m saying.”

The mayor stared at Josie and she could see he was searching for a suitable comeback. Before he could come up with one she took a deep breath and finished what she came for.

“It’s a good reason to stay off the back roads from Marfa. I’d say let Roxanne find her own way home at night. You keep your doors locked.” She raised her eyebrows. “You know, I could give you the name of my security company. Have your wife call me, and I’ll give her the phone number.”

*

Josie left the mayor fuming. She’d hit a nerve. There is such a thing as bad press, and the mayor had just opened up his own deadly line of it.

The drive home was a blur. As she approached her home, she noticed Nick carrying a large bag out to his SUV and then walking back inside her house.

She hadn’t thought Nick would leave so soon. While she wanted a return to normal life, she also realized how much she had come to view Nick as a safety net. She had not been able to keep Dillon safe; that was the hard reality she’d had to face over the past few days. So what now? How could she establish the kind of procedures and routines that would allow her, and hopefully one day Dillon, to feel a sense of security?

The front door was open and she walked into the house to find Nick packing up his computer equipment in the dining room. He stopped when she walked into the room.

“How’s Dillon?” he asked.

Josie nodded and sat down across from him at the table. “The doctor said his kidneys are functioning properly. They hope to release him this afternoon.”

“Will he stay at his place?”

“I’d feel better with him here,” she said. “At least until we get word on how the Medranos are reacting.”