Dance of the Bones

“The guy has to be beyond desperate to pull a stunt like that,” Brandon said. “Any idea where he’s headed?”


“None. The FBI has posted a BOLO. I gave them permission to go after our phone records, but once again, they’re insisting on getting a warrant first. They have to because there may be patient privacy issues with both Lani’s phone and her computer. Once they have the warrant, they’ll be able to trace her, but for now we’re stuck.”

“Wait,” Brandon interjected. “Are you saying Lani has her phone with her?”

“I can’t imagine that she doesn’t,” Dan replied. “She’s a doctor. The ringer is usually turned off, but the woman doesn’t go anywhere without her phone. Why?”

“Good--bye, Dan,” Brandon said. “I’m hanging up now.”

“But—-”

“I’ll get back to you.”

Abandoning Dan midsentence, Brandon searched through his recent calls list. He found the one he wanted—-the phone belonging to Todd Hatcher—-a few calls earlier on the list. Brandon punched the number. When it rang, a woman answered.

“It’s for you,” she said, passing the phone along to someone else.

“Brandon Walker,” he said when Todd came on the line. “I hope you don’t mind my calling you back directly, but we’ve got a situation here—-a serious situation. I need your help.”

Only after finishing the call to Todd did Brandon call his wife. Diana was laughing as she answered. “Hey,” she said. “This turned out to be fun. You should have come along after all.”

“How much have you had to drink?” Brandon asked.

“A -couple of glasses of wine,” she said. “Why?”

“Do you have a designated driver?”

“Brandon,” Diana said indignantly. “What the hell?”

“Do you?” he insisted.

“My publicist is a Mormon girl who doesn’t drink at all. So, yes, Mr. Busybody, I do.”

“Good. You need to leave the restaurant now and have her drive you straight to Lani’s place in Sells.”

There was a moment of silence on the phone. “To Sells? Why? What’s happened?”

Brandon squeezed his eyes shut. He didn’t want to say what was coming next, but he had no choice.

“A man named Henry Rojas is the one who killed Carlos and Paul José,” he said. “Now he’s taken Lani.”

“Are you kidding?”

“Not kidding. Dan says they found Gabe and Tim, and they’re okay, but Lani is gone, along with her Fusion. You need to go help with the kids.”

“What about you? Can’t you drive me? Shouldn’t we both go?”

“I’m at the house waiting for someone who may be able to give us a line on Lani’s cell phone. I’m going to wait here until I hear back from him.”

“Shouldn’t the cops be doing that—-tracing her phone?”

“Maybe they should,” Brandon said, “and maybe they are, but she’s my daughter, Diana. Dan was able to learn that Rojas passed through the checkpoint west of Three Points a while ago, coming in this direction. If Lani’s somewhere here in town, that’s where I’m going to be, too. I’m guessing Dan’s on his way to Tucson as well. That’s why I want you to be there with the kids, in case . . .”

Brandon stopped talking at that point. He didn’t want to think about the worst--case scenario, much less say it.

“I’m on my way,” Diana said. “We’ll leave right now. But if you find out where she is, Brandon, don’t do anything stupid. Promise?”

“I promise,” he said.

Brandon had his fingers crossed when he answered. He glanced at Bozo lying nearby on his heated bed. “You won’t tell on me, will you, boy?”

The dog thumped his tail. That was all the response Brandon needed.