Page 48 of Stolen Dove
“I’m grateful that everyone else is loyal.”
“How are things at the restaurant, Hector?”
“All the numbers are improving. We’ve had an influx of tourists, so Lupe’s pleased with the extra tours the winery has had.”
“Good, good.”
“Any news on the pendant?” Fernando asks.
“I’m waiting to hear back from the Irishman. He’s the one who sent his man down to follow Avanti’s guy.” Just then, my phone rings.
“Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Any news?”
“Yes, big news. It seems Avanti didn’t just send anyone. He sent your wife’s father.”
“Let’s just say, a Mexican cartel learned of the thousand-dollar necklace that was accidentally shipped to the wrong location. It so happens that it was taken, and Falcone was killed in the process. I’m sorry to break the bad news.”
“Yes. That’s terrible news. I’ll have to break it to my wife. She will be heartbroken.” I smile as the words come from my lips.
“Thank you for letting me know.”
“My pleasure.”
I end the call and say, “Poor Dove has lost her father.”
“What a pity,” Julian says. “Couldn’t have happened to a better man.”
“Well, I suppose they may be contacting us soon for the funeral. If they can find us.”
“I’m expecting a call from Avanti anytime soon.”
My phone rings from a private number. “Serrano.”
“You’re a dead man.”
“Avanti. Is there a reason that you’re making such a very serious threat?”
“You stole my necklace and had her father killed for it.”
“I did no such thing. My wife lost that piece-of-shit necklace.”
“You set Falcone up.”
“I didn’t do shit. I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”
“You’re going to play dumb, but I know you found the tracker and planted it in Acapulco. That’s why I sent that bastard there to get his daughter back.”
“Planted it? Why would you put a tracker on my wife?”
“She’s my whore. I want her back.”
“You’re a dead man.”
“You can’t touch me.”
“I don’t have to. Trust me when I say your days are already numbered. The day you disrespected me, forced my hand when it came to paying for my wife, you earned a death sentence. Now you have the nerve to speak of her like that, you’re going to pay, and you don’t even know when it will happen. Will it be in your food, medicine, your Viagra, or maybe in your liquor? Who knows, but I will relish the day you’re dead.”
“Bullshit. You’re so fucking full of it. I’ll show up and blow your fucking head off.”