Kent Conwell - Tony Boudreaux 15 - The Mona Lisa Murders Read Free Page B

when. On the other hand, the cathouse murders was pretty crazy, but this one did seem a little more so. ‘What about last night at Bonham’s? What was that all about?’
    ‘I’m sorry about that, but I had to get out of there. Two of the men who’ve been following me showed up.’
    ‘Obviously. So, what do you want with me?’
     

Chapter Four
    Latasha’s request was simple. Help her and Antone reach the Steep Bluff Ranch in Texas while being hounded by an untold number of goons intent on ripping out our fingernails with gleeful enthusiasm.
    Nothing to it.
    ‘No way,’ I replied, shaking my head.
    Her forehead knit in a frown. ‘But what do I do if you don’t help?’
    ‘Give them the box. Nothing’s worth getting hurt over. Or worse. You’ll never end up arguing a Supreme Court case from your grave.’
    Her dark eyes stared at me, searching mine. ‘You really think I should?’
    I smiled gently and sat beside her. ‘Look, I’ll take care of your tuition.’ She started to protest, but I stopped her. ‘I’m not married. I don’t have any vices to speak of, and I’ve got savings I’ll probably never touch.’ I laid my hand on hers. ‘You seem like a nice kid. I—’
    She jerked her hand away and jumped to her feet. ‘I am not a kid. I’m a woman— a full grown woman capable of passionate feelings hick rednecks like you could never know.’ Her face twisted in anger.
    My ears burned, and then my own temper snapped. I rose and faced her. ‘I wasn’t the one sticking his nose in someone else’s business. I didn’t ask you to come here. I don’t even know you. This might nothing but one big scam.’
    The young woman didn’t back down. She set her jaw. ‘Then call Leroi. Unless you think he’s part of it,’ she added, her retort dripping with sarcasm.
    ‘I don’t need to call anybody. You come barging in here like you’re Patty Hearst and that the Symbionese Liberation Army nonsense, and – ’
    ‘Like who?’ She frowned up at me.
    I glared at her. ‘Patt—’ I closed my eyes and shook my head. That was before her time. I was turning into my old man. ‘Never mind. Just never mind.’
    Fire shot from her black eyes. ‘You won’t help?’
    Biting my tongue to keep from snapping back at her, I lowered my voice. ‘Look. I don’t know what you’re up to, or what you’ve got yourself messed up in. I will pay your tuition for the next three years if you’ll just forget about whatever it is you’re doing. Give those goons the package. Then tell them to take a hike.’
    She studied me. Taking a deep breath, she replied. ‘I can’t do that. I contracted to deliver the package. I—’
    ‘You’re nuts, that’s what you are if you go through with this.’
    Her bottom lip quivered, and her eyes grew teary. In a husky voice, she said. ‘Thanks for nothing.’ With that she spun on her heel and strode from the room.
    And left me staring at the door, feeling for some reason like a traitor to my country or something like that. Mixed or not, my family had always helped each other. I muttered a curse under my breath and hurried after her, but when I reached the hall, she’d disappeared.
    I cursed again and pulled out my cell, hoping for service out here in the boondocks.
    The only service available was roaming, which naturally, was more expensive. I called Leroi.
    He was working late in his office at Catfish Lube Headquarters. Each answer I got made me feel more like a heel.
    Latasha was his half-sister, my cousin; she had called him; he’d offered tuition, but according to him, she was one of those hardheaded, independent Melungeons who refused to quit any job once they had taken it on.
    ‘She tell you what the job was, Leroi?’
    ‘Yep.’
    ‘What’d you tell her?’
    ‘That she was nuts.’
    ‘What’d she say then?’
    Sheepishly, he replied. ‘Told me to take a hike.’
    I chuckled. ‘That’s about what she suggested I do.’
    ‘Look, Tony. Keep an eye on her. I’d go with