Rafael (The Santiago Brothers Book One) (7 page)

Strained lines crossed her features. “You
said punishment. Punishment for what?”

“That’s part of the puzzle.” Rafa glanced
down at the stain. “You said there weren’t any organizations here
bearing the snake symbol and as far as I know, the group only
operates in San Diego. But there’s no mistaking Canales’ wound. The
sooner we figure out what she did to tick a member off, the
better.”

Genie sucked in a breath, her eyes narrowing.
“Are you blaming the victim?”

Rafa gave her a tired look. “Of course not.
I’m giving the organization’s perspective, remember? A killing is
justified for only a few reasons, such as lack of loyalty,
disrespect, or mishandling of a large shipment of drugs with a
substantial dollar sign attached.” Rafa squatted down near the
ruddy blotch. “I’m saying whatever she did, or didn’t do, was
grave. Life-and-death consequences,” he ended in a whisper.

“So what do you suggest?” her voice equally
soft.

“We need to establish her connection to the
Snakes.” He glanced up at the handprint on the wall. His eyes
followed the bloody trail down. He shook his head. If the Snakes
were forming another group in Springfield, the city would be
looking at more drugs, violence, and killings. The residents
wouldn’t have to just fear one killer now and then … a whole group
of them would be sheer oppression.

A light groan escaped her lips. “I have yet
to establish her connection to Alberto Gonzalez. Or Consuela Cruz.
Or Mario Desanto for that matter. We know Alberto worked at the
restaurant, but Maribol didn’t and neither did the others.”

Rafa stood and faced her. “We have to
consider that their only connection may be they were all killed by
a member of the Snakes. Canales may not be in any way related to
the others.”

Genie nodded solemnly. “That would make the
killer even harder to identify. We’ve already canvassed the
neighborhoods of all the victims. Some residents knew Gonzalez
simply because they saw him at La Cocina Dulce, but none could
verify a connection between him and Canales.”

“Well, that leaves us with only one option
for Canales. She was somehow involved in the organization.”

Genie shook her head, her eyes full of doubt.
“I find that option hard to believe.”

Rafa crossed his arms. “Why?”

“She’s an A-B student at the local community
college, with no prior criminal record, and no one had a bad word
to say about her. All in all, she was an upstanding citizen with a
bright future ahead of her.”

“The Snakes had something to say, a point
they were trying to make. And they said it with a knife.” Genie’s
eyes narrowed at him, and Rafa sensed a serious argument
coming.

“Say what you will about the victim, but it
doesn’t add up.”

She was right, but he wouldn’t admit it. Her
ego was large enough without the added endorsement. Instead, Rafa
racked his brain for possible answers. When nothing made any sense,
he let out a frustrated breath. “Well, did she have a boyfriend or
someone she was seeing?”

“Who was a member of the Snakes? No. She had
a boyfriend, but he hasn’t been located. I have an unmarked car at
his residence, waiting for him to show. But according to neighbors,
he hasn’t been seen in days.”

“Then we’ll return to the source.”

“What do you mean?”

“I have a list of contacts back in San Diego
with connections to the…” He paused and put a finger to his lips.
Genie went completely still. In the distance, faint footsteps
approached. Both turned their heads to see a plump, elderly woman
at the top of the second floor. She grasped the rail and slowly
descended. “Do you need any help?” Rafa asked in Spanish. The older
woman smiled, thanked him, and said no. “Are there other stairs you
can take? A crime has been committed here,” he continued. The woman
nodded, her eyes sad as she scanned the stairs, focusing on the
blood spatters. She scrunched her nose in disgust and disappeared
down the hall. When they heard the last clicks of her heels, Rafa
continued. “Like I was saying, I’ll contact my guys back in San
Diego and see if I can get a list of any of the members who’ve
suddenly taken a trip.”

Genie nodded her head once. “Fine. Meanwhile,
I’ll have a few uniforms interview some of her classmates. They may
have spotted her with someone who wasn’t a usual associate.” Genie
started down the steps. “I also want to speak to the gang unit
again. Perhaps some new information has developed since last
night.”

Rafa followed her. He doubted new facts
existed. The Snakes usually left a trail of bodies, not witnesses.
They spoke to no one outside the organization unless for business
or if absolutely necessary. Rafa’s thoughts returned to his cousin
Enrique. It had been necessary for him to call Rafa, but he didn’t
give any explanation. Was he trying to warn him about the killers
here? Nothing made any sense, but Rafa hoped his own sources in
California could come through for him. “As you said, the sooner we
find that link…”

****

Genie
walked into the foyer of the church she’d been attending her entire
life. She used to love being inside this building. Many of her
extracurricular activities had revolved around church. She had
participated in choir, which she had been singing in since high
school, and the children’s ministry where she taught Sunday school
when work permitted. Service to her church family and to the
surrounding community was a passion she heartily committed herself
to… in the past.
What am I doing here?

“Genie, wait up!” Genie warmed at the smiling
face of Audrey Hughes, her best friend since middle school. Audrey
worked for the church as their lead volunteer coordinator and both
she and Genie had collaborated together on multiple projects for
the kid’s ministry. Audrey continued to press Genie to return to
volunteer with the kids, but Genie couldn't spare the time. “Well,
you’re not on fire for stepping in a church. Welcome back.”

Genie cringed at the light accusation.
“Audrey, good to see you too.” Genie rolled her eyes yet embraced
her friend tightly. “It’s been a crazy day; don’t get me
started.”

“I’m sure.” Audrey flashed a mischievous
grin, but before Genie could ask what her friend meant, Audrey
continued. “I came up front to see you before you walked into
class. I’ll be back in the kids section tonight, so I won’t be able
to see you later on.”

“It’s good you caught up with me then.” Genie
took hold of her friend’s arm and drew her close. “I’ve so much to
tell you, but first, you’ll never guess who’s back in town.”

Audrey’s teasing grin was back. “Rafael
Santiago?”

Genie halted, her eyes wide on her friend.
“How did you know?”

Audrey rolled her deep blue eyes. “Oh, come
on, Genie. You know his mother attends here. In fact, I overheard
her say, a few moments ago, that he came back into town last
night.”

A wave of heat crossed Genie’s cheeks.

“Okay, Eugenia Green. I see that blush on
your cheeks. So you’ve seen him?”

Genie tried to steady the nervous shiver she
felt at the mention of her red cheeks. She lifted her chin and set
her jaw. “Last night, actually. He showed up at my job. And I’m not
blushing.”

“Wait, hold up.” Audrey came to stand in
front of Genie. She put a hand up to stop Genie in her tracks. “You
saw him and didn’t think to tell me until now? I thought we were
best friends.” She feigned a look of disappointment with a
pout.

“That’s not even the best part,” Genie
muttered, walking around her friend.

“Your sarcasm has baited me. What’s the best
part?” Audrey fell in step with Genie.

“He’s a consultant on my latest case.”

“A consultant? I don’t understand…”

“For the murder investigation I’m working.
Apparently, he’s had experience with something similar out in
California.”

Audrey’s brows came together. “Experience
how?”

Genie stopped a short distance away from her
meeting room and faced her friend. “He’s a detective,” she
mumbled.

Shock registered across Audrey’s face and
then a gleam of humor flashed in her eyes. Before Genie could stop
her, Audrey laughed loudly. “Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

Audrey visibly struggled to contain herself.
“You’re kidding me, right? Rafael Santiago?”

“Hard to believe.”

“Try impossible! Wasn’t he voted ‘Most Likely
to Get Arrested Again’?”

“Exactly.” Genie’s lips twisted into a
grimace.

“Well, how does he look? Is he still
gorgeous?” Audrey’s eyes widened with the hungry anticipation of
juicy details.

“Yes!” Genie’s head fell back and she moaned.
“Even more so now than when he was a senior in high school.”

Audrey giggled. “So you must hate your job
now.” Her grin teased Genie. “Here you have an incredibly handsome
man who is both the bad boy and the good cop. I work around kids
all day and my only volunteers are older women. Some girls have all
the luck.” She frowned, but Genie saw good-natured humor in her
eyes.

“
I’d
hardly call it luck.” Genie huffed, but her cheeks flamed
nonetheless.
More like torture
, she thought as the image of his dimples came into mind.
Even with glasses, the studious-looking Rafa was
appealing.

“Who would have thought? Rafa Santiago, a
cop. Ha!”

“And the case I’m working on is incredibly
difficult. There are so many unknowns that I foresee us spending a
lot of time on it.”

Genie didn’t miss the slight frown on her
friend’s face, before she turned away. She didn’t mean for the
explanation to sound like another excuse to skip church, but it
couldn’t be helped. Murder investigations required significant
man-hours; that was the job she signed up for and she’d fulfill her
duties. She’d make up for lost time by reading her Bible. Thank
goodness she remembered to bring it tonight.

Audrey recovered with a bright smile. “Well,
this can be a good thing.”

Her friend, forever the optimist. “In what
way?”

“Two heads are better than one. If your case
is hard to solve, and Rafa can provide additional assistance, then
that could only mean you two are well on your way to solving it and
keeping the community safe.”

Genie
sighed. Audrey was right. Two heads were better than one and with
Rafa’s inside knowledge of the Snakes the police could, with better
certainty, predict their next move. Genie refused to admit — or
believe — she absolutely needed his guidance. She wasn’t deficient,
and with time, she’d undoubtedly solve the case herself. Why
couldn’t Audrey acknowledge that fact? “Well, we still have a bit
of background work we have to do for the case, but
I
hope to make real progress in
the next few days.”

“Should we be worried?” Audrey’s brows
knitted in concern.

Genie shook her head. “Of course not.”

“You’d tell me though, right?”

Genie smiled and hugged her friend. “Audrey,
quit worrying. I have everything under control. Now get back to
those kids. I’ve got to go to class.”

Audrey squeezed her back. “Let me know what I
miss, and keep me posted about you-know-who.” She laughed and
jogged away.

Genie
grunted softly but quickly relaxed. Her first full day with Rafael
Santiago was over and now the rest of the night was hers. She
spotted the door to the room where the class met and she stilled.
There was still time to leave. She rotated to the church’s front
door. No one would be expecting her. In fact, her attendance may
just shock the group, and she didn’t want to deal with the open
stares she knew she’d receive.
I don’t want to be
uncomfortable
.

Genie
eyed the door to the Bible study for the second — no, third…
possibly fourth — time. Her head fabricated excuse after excuse to
leave but her heart…
Didn’t my heart get me into this mess?
Reluctantly, she made her way
to the doors. Turning the doorknob, Genie pushed open the door,
expecting the stares of everyone in the room. Instead, her eyes
took in a room filled with people laughing and talking, completely
unaware of her appearance. She let out a grateful sigh and made her
way to the back of the room, where she spotted an empty seat on a
plush sofa. Without greeting anyone, Genie sat and for the first
time in a long time, appreciated invisibility.

“Oh, Eugenia!”

That didn’t take long.

Genie forced a smile. Maria Santiago. A
cheerfully plump, middle-aged woman — a well-known regular of the
church and one Genie had known for as long as she could remember.
Despite the troubles her sons gave her while they were growing up,
Mrs. Santiago never let on how much they may have disappointed her,
but Genie knew by their behavior that they did. Yet, Mrs. Santiago
always beamed and displayed only the most pleasant of
attitudes.

“Mrs. Santiago. How are you this
evening?”

“Oh, I’m more than blessed, my dear. Have you
met my son?”

Genie
tensed, the hairs on the back of her neck standing up.
Oh, please God,
no!
“I, ah—”

“Let me introduce you!”

Genie felt a hand on her arm pull her up from
the sofa, drag her through the crowd, and turn her in the direction
of… yup, Rafael Santiago. He sat back comfortably in his chair, his
dimples challenging her. A few wayward curls hung around the crown
of his head. His rectangular glasses emphasized his chiseled
features. Slow warmth crept up her arms and pooled at the top of
her head. Every pore on her face seemed to open, but she willed the
sweat to stay inside. Maria was saying something of an
introduction, but her voice drowned underneath the sound of Genie’s
own heartbeat. She didn’t have to suffer long from her
listlessness. The smirk on Rafa’s face caused her spine to harden,
and she returned one of her own.