Wrecked (Josie Gray Mysteries #3)(68)

He looked at Hec. “You mind if I fill in some details here?”

Hec nodded again and relaxed somewhat, apparently glad for the help.

“In Florida, the Colombian drug dealers would take suitcases filled with millions in small bills into the banks for deposit. When the feds realized and intervened, the banking industry made a rule that any cash deposit of more than ten thousand dollars has to be reported to U.S. authorities. It’s called a Currency Transaction Report, or CTR.”

Just then Delores walked into the living room and Otto motioned for her to have a seat in her rocker. She must have sensed the tension because she said nothing as she sat down.

“So, explain to us what this has to do with your dad,” Nick continued. “I thought he was shipping stolen cars to Mexico.”

Hec’s eyes were wide and bright. He was nodding his head yes, as if to physically give himself the courage to say the words. He finally said, “Dad’s a transporter for Medrano. The feds knew Dad was shipping the cars, and they kept trying to prove he was shipping drugs, too. But he wasn’t.” Hec looked at each of them. “He was shipping cash.”

Josie shook her head in amazement. “And he used the bodies of the junked cars. How much cash could he ship in the body of a car?”

“Dad could pack two million easy. Usually three.”

Nick Santos laughed out loud and put his palm on his forehead. “Son of a bitch.”

Josie looked at Delores, who didn’t even seem to notice the swearing. She seemed as intrigued as the rest of them.

And then it all fell into place for Josie, like tumblers clicking as a key turned in a lock. The color drained from her face. “When your dad left, did he take off with a large shipment of money?”

Hec grew still, and he closed his mouth in a tight line. He had to know what was coming.

“Jesus, Hec. Your dad stole from the Medranos?” she asked.

He said nothing, just stared at her.

As Josie turned to Otto, she saw he was thinking the same thing she was. “They set me up, Otto. The cartel kidnapped Dillon so that I would find their goddamned money.”





TWENTY


Josie pushed herself up from the couch, shaking with anger. She couldn’t speak, afraid the wrong words would come out. She stood for a moment, feeling their eyes on her, Hec’s terrified silence. She walked across the living room and out into the cold night, hoping to find something to still the chaotic thoughts spinning through her head.

As she walked down the driveway, furious with Hector, she heard the front door close and dreaded Otto, or worse yet, Delores. She couldn’t handle their calm, sensible, rational demeanors. Not now.

She heard footsteps in the gravel, walking quickly behind her, and knew at once it wasn’t one of the Podowskis. Nick said nothing as he fell in step beside her. They walked in silence down the road, her heartbeat slowing, her breathing finally returning to normal. She realized that he would say nothing. He got it. He was there and that was enough.

*

Hec sat awkwardly waiting for someone to make the next move. Nick had followed Josie, and Otto stared at the door like he didn’t know what to do about any of it. Delores spoke first. “Come on, Hec. Let’s get you a bag packed. Otto’ll get the car ready.”

Both Otto and Hec looked up at Delores in surprise.

“What do you mean pack a bag?” Hec asked.

“Well, you obviously can’t go back to that salvage yard. It’s just not safe. Those men have already beaten you once.”

His eyes widened. “But she said she’d take me back tonight. Whenever I wanted. Josie said she’d walk back with me.”

“Do you want to give them another opportunity? Because if your dad doesn’t come back like they want, don’t think they’re just going to give up. They’ll come back for you again!” Delores said.

Otto rubbed both hands over his face like he was scrubbing away dirt. His eyes felt like sandpaper. He feared his wife was about to offer Mina’s old bedroom. As much as he wanted to help the kid, he refused to put Delores in danger.

“Hector. Delores is right. I know the plan was to take you back, but can’t you see what a bad idea it is for you to stay there?”

“But what about my dog? I can’t leave him there.”

“We’ll go get him. We’ll take care of him until you’re able to return home with him,” Delores said.

Otto shot her a look, and she shot him one back. He could see there would be no discussion. Rottweiler or not, they would be taking in the dog.

“Do you know Manny? Owns Manny’s Motel downtown?” Otto asked.

Hector nodded. “Yeah. He comes out to the yard. He fixes up old Mustangs. Buys parts from us.”

Otto sighed. “Excellent. Then you know what a good man he is. We can get you a room at Manny’s. You won’t pay a dime. You can eat your meals at the Hot Tamale.”

Hector was thinking, his expression bordering on panic. “But I have things I need. How will I go back to the trailer? I don’t have my truck.”

“We’ll take you first thing in the morning. You’ll need to leave your truck for now. With the lights on timers tonight they won’t even notice you’re missing. Tomorrow morning, we’ll pack you up and get you out of there until this is over.” Otto glanced at his wife. “I’ll call Manny now and set it up.”