The woman stands with a grunt, pushing the heavy file drawer closed. “You’ve got to have a license to poke around in there, or permission from court.”
We follow her back to the front of the building.
I can’t stand it anymore. “Aren’t those covered by Freedom of Information?”
“Some are. Some files are not. In the warehouse, they’re all together, and nobody’s there to make sure you’re not poking around in other people’s business.”
Rich exhales a laugh, leaning on his elbow on the front counter. “Aw, come on, Mary. You’ve known me long enough to trust me with other people’s business.”
She cocks her hip to the side and squints an eye first at me, then at him. “I wouldn’t go that far, but here’s what I’ll do.”
Pulling the pencil out of the knot at the back of her head, she reaches under the counter and takes out a small pad of forms. I watch her write tomorrow’s date, sign it and rip it off.
“This will get you inside for one day.” She holds it up towards Rich. “If you get caught with your nose where it’s not supposed to be, I’m going to deny ever giving it to you.”
“You just cost me three months of favors.” We’re out in the car, and Rich hands the pass over to me.
“It looks like a hall pass.”
“You’d better decide what you’re looking for, because you’ve got one day.”
Up to this point, I wasn’t sure what I was looking for. “If the timelines add up, the swindle would’ve occurred sixty-five years ago.”
I’m thinking about the secret baby, the murder allegation… I’m sure it all happened around the same time.
“But you’re going to need proof the land ever belonged to Manuel Treviño, which means—”
“I’m going to have to go further back than that.” How far is the question.
“Needle in a haystack.”
“Maybe not.” If I calculate how old my grandfather would’ve been when he was able to start buying land, I can guess his then-best friend would’ve been doing the same.
“I’m sorry, I can’t join you tomorrow. I’m meeting with the guys about the El Paso work all day.”
I admit, I’m disappointed. I could use some help if this warehouse is as massive as it sounds, but I’m not giving up. “No way, man. You’ve helped me a lot. I appreciate it.”
He parallel parks outside the entrance to the Foster Building, and I give him a firm shake before getting out. “Thanks for this weekend.”
“No problem.” He winks. “I hope you made the most of it.”
I lean back before closing the door. “She said yes.”
“Yeah, she did!” He slaps my palm before shaking my hand. “Congrats. Now we’re getting somewhere. Now I understand why this is all so urgent.”
“It’s her family.” I rub a hand over my jaw. “She says she doesn’t care, but she will. If this is what it takes to make peace, I’m going to find it, and I’m going to fix it.”
“Captain America.”
“Ah.” I push him away. I don’t have time for his sarcasm.
“I’m serious. What’s that saying about fortune helping the pure in heart?”
“I think you made that up.”
He laughs. “Well, it sounds good. I believe in you.”
“Thanks.”
“Let me know if I can help.”
We say goodnight, and I’m across the sidewalk, pushing through the front doors as he pulls away. Waiting in the empty, glass-walled lobby for the elevator to descend, I fish my phone out of my pocket and shoot a quick text to Angel.
How’s the couch? Not too late if you want to come over…
My chest tightens. I can’t think of anything I’d love more than to curl up with my girl and sleep tonight. Among other things…
The hairs on the back of my neck rise as a shadow moves in the small sitting area across from the elevator. Angel’s warning about Mateo is on my mind, and I fall back, looking around quickly for anything I might use as a weapon.
My adrenaline kicks up, and I’m raising my fists when the streetlight falls across her face. “I made up an excuse to slip out.”
“Angel.” We rush together.
I wrap her in my arms, and warmth surrounds my heart as the stress of this day melts away. The elevator dings, and we step inside, rising quickly to the penthouse suite. We’re across the foyer and into my room as we’re finishing our first sentences.
“I missed you so much.” I kiss the top of her head.
“I thought about you all day. How was your drive back?”
“Long. I wondered why I didn’t just follow you this morning.”
“You had to lock up the house, make sure we didn’t leave anything on.”
Inside my apartment, I lead her to the kitchen. “Wine?”
She climbs onto a barstool, hesitating before shaking her head no. “I’ll pass tonight.”
For a minute, it feels like she wants to tell me something, but she doesn’t. “How was my aunt? Bitter as ever?”
“Actually, she was nicer than usual.”
“Good.” I go to the refrigerator and pull open the door, taking out cheese and milk and eggs. “She’d better treat you like a queen.”
“I’m not royalty.” She says the words softly, like she’s remembering something.
“Feel like dinner? Signature mac and cheese a’la Angelica?”
A smile breaks across her pretty face. “Sounds perfect. Although… I think I’ll have it your way tonight.”
“You’re kidding?” Holding the door open, I motion to the plastic bags of peppers and onions. “I stocked up.”
“Oh, no!” She laughs, putting her hands over her face. “I’ve kind of been having… heartburn lately.”
Frowning, I fill the quart saucepan with water and put it on a high flame. “I’m sorry. I might have Tums in the hall closet. No promises.”
“It’s okay, I have some.”
Her voice is so soft, and she seems so distracted. While I wait for the water to boil, I walk around the bar to where she’s sitting and wrap her in my arms. “What’s going on? Did something happen today?”
Nestling her cheek against my chest, she exhales softly. “I brought the car back to Beto. He’s home. He came outside and confronted me.”
“I wish I’d have been there.”
“No.” She shakes her head, and I step back, meeting her eyes. “He wouldn’t call off Mateo. He wouldn’t back down from any of it. I’m so mad at him.”
It’s a sad, soft lament, and I lift her hand, kissing her fingers before stopping cold. “You’re not wearing your ring?”
“I am.” She reaches around her neck, tugging on a silver chain and pulling the diamond out of her shirt. “I thought it was better if I kept it hidden until we’re ready.”
She slips it on her finger, and I give it a kiss before going to where the water is boiling. I drop the noodles in and start the cheese sauce.
“Tomorrow I’m going to this warehouse where they store a bunch of old records.”