Page 69 of The Breakdown

“Okay, buddy. But what’s this about? She in some kind of trouble?”

“She could be. She’s missing. From the Canyon City area off I-17. I was told you serve that area.”

“We do. But I’d need a warrant to check.”

Tito leaned in closer to him and stared him down. “You don’t want to make me come back.”

Tony visibly swallowed and looked at the photo again. “You gotta name?”

“Natalie Brewer. It would’ve been back in August.”

The man side stepped to his computer and typed. After a long moment, he shook his head. “I don’t have any clients with that name in August. No cards charged to that name either.”

“Check again.”

He blinked. Tito leaned farther forward. The man complied, typing again. But again he shook his head. “Sorry, man. Nothing.”

Tito swiped the photo and started to walk behind the counter. The man held up his palms. “Hey, whoa. Where you going?”

“To ask your drivers. She could’ve used a false name. Paid cash.”

“None of my guys picked anyone up in Canyon City on that day. I checked.”

“I want them to see the photo.” Natalie had to have gotten a ride somehow with someone and he was determined to find out with whom. He’d already had one of his contacts check Uber and Lyft. No dice. She had to have used a cab company or been picked up by a private citizen.

The man hurried to him, trying halfheartedly to block him. “Okay, okay. Follow me. I’ll take you back.” He led the way into the office, through cluttered desks covered in files, paperwork, and older model computers. The scent of food wafted through and grew stronger as they neared a room with an open door. Tony walked through and Tito followed. A handful of men sat at a folding table, drinking and eating while playing a hand of cards. They looked over at Tito and grew quiet.

Tony spoke. “This private detective here has a photo he wants you to look at. The woman would’ve been picked up in August out at the Rock Springs area.”

Tito tossed down the photo. One man slid it over for all of them to see.

Tony continued to talk. “I checked the system. We had no pickups in Canyon City then. But he wanted to show you guys to be sure.”

The first two men shook their heads. But the third man, who swiped the photo from across the table, stared at it a long while before he nodded.

“I seen her. But it wasn’t in August.”

“When?” Tito asked.

“I don’t know. A week ago, maybe.”

“Where?”

“Some damn ranch out past Rock Springs.”

“Where did you take her?”

“Nowhere. She wouldn’t get in the car. Some lesbo talked her out of it.”

“Lesbo?”

“Some dyke cowgirl. Didn’t want her to leave. Sounded like some sappy love shit to me. So, I left. The cowgirl gave me a fifty though, for my time.”

Tito snatched the photo, grilling the bearded man with his eyes. “What ranch?”

“I don’t know. Midnight something or other.”

Tito took the photo and walked out.

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