Page 63 of Rafael

“Yes, sir,” she said. “We’re up to two attempts now.”

“Okay, then,” Hank said. “I’m glad Romero insisted on sticking around as your protector. Any leads on the intruder?”

“We have a name we need your guy Swede to check into,” Rafael said.

“Hang on,” Hank said. “Let me get him online.”

A moment later, Hank was back. “Got Swede on with Romero and his client, Ms. Gautier. Talk.”

“I need you to find out anything you can about a Roland Caney,” Rafael said. “He’s an ex-con, convicted of robbery and aggravated assault, spent time in jail, recently released on parole and already skipped out on his parole officer.”

“Sounds like you’ve got the scoop on him. Are you looking for anything in particular?” Swede asked with a clicking sound in the background. The computer guru would already have the name entered in a search engine as he spoke.

“He showed up today at Ms. Gautier’s shop,” Rafael said. “He was asking about antiques that used to be in the store before Ms. Gautier purchased and renovated the building three years ago.”

“Ballsy of him to show up in public when he’s violated his parole,” Hank said.

“Exactly,” Rafael said. “Anything you can find on him might help us understand why he’s targeting Gisele—Ms. Gautier and her store.”

Gisele leaned over the console and whispered, “Tell him about the two guys.”

Rafael nodded. “Also, two guys showed up in town asking about Ms. Gautier and her place. They are looking for Caney, claiming they sent him as either an agent of the Historical Society or a real estate broker. The ladies who spoke to the men described them as big and tough-looking like bouncers at a strip club.”

“Got any names on them?” Swede asked.

“No.”

“Would there be any video surveillance footage available in the area that might have captured them?”

“The auto parts store next to the bakery might have picked up the two guys,” Gisele said.

“I’ll look into it,” Swede said.

“Anything else?” Hank asked.

Rafael glanced at Gisele.

She shrugged.

“No, sir,” Rafael said.

“Let us know of any changes in the situation,” Hank said.

“Roger,” Rafael responded. “Out here.” He ended the call and turned to Gisele. “Are you okay?”

She nodded. “A little unnerved, but okay.”

Rafael pulled out of the parking area and onto the road leading into town.

“I don’t understand why a man who violated his parole would show up in Bayou Mambaloa, asking about antiques from a store sold over three years ago.” Gisele shook her head. “Retail stores change hands, especially if it has been a number of years since you last went there.”

“Perhaps the same number of years Caney spent in jail…?” Rafael shot a glance toward Gisele.

“That would track.” Gisele’s brow furrowed. “He was asking about one item in particular. A vintage brass cash register. If Caney was the intruder both times, and he asked specifically about the brass cash register, do you think he was trying to get in to find it?”

“You told him you gave it away,” Rafael glanced her way.

“He seemed very interested in where he might find it.” Gisele’s frown deepened, and her face paled. “I didn’t tell him who I gave it to,” she looked across the cab at Rafael, “did I?”

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