Page 28 of Rio's Release

Jenny: I suppose you’re right. What about you?

Me: I’ll take precautions.

Jenny: What time is your appointment? We’ll have to meet at the Stardust Café when you’re through. You can tell me all about it. Say 1pm?

Me: I can’t do that, either.

Jenny: Oh, right. Okay, how about I pick up an order and meet you at your father’s tire store?

Me: I suppose.

When I disconnect and toss the phone aside, I stare at the wall. I haven’t been to Las Cruces in years, and I dread going now. But I have to suck it up and get it done. Fannie is right. I just need to get my father’s estate taken care of, and I’ll be done with that town once and for all.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

It’s a Start

Rio—

The acreage the club purchased is miles outside of the city limits.

It’s surrounded by miles of scrubland, a large wooden fence at the roadside.Las Cruces Salvageis painted in faded blue letters on the gray wooden fence planks.

We roll through the gate and down a long gravel drive toward the back of the property. A large metal building comes into view, and Zig leads us to it, stopping his bike in front. I ease alongside him and climb from mine, gazing up at the place.

“This used to be a junkyard. What sold us was the size of this building. I think it’s really something we can work with,” he explains, pulling off his helmet. “We’ve spent the last six months hauling the cars off for scrap metal, and we discovered about a dozen old vintage vehicles we’ve been working on restoring. We’ve found there’s quite a demand for them if they’re the right make and model.”

“Really? Like what?”

“A Chevy Chevelle, a Pontiac GTO, a Dodge Charger, and a Plymouth Barracuda. Plus a couple of vintage trucks. A 1970 Ford F-100, and a 1967 Chevy C10 truck…”

“All just left for scrap, huh?”

“They were in pretty rough shape, but Bandit and Mauler have got some skills, and they’ve been learning all they can about doing the restorations the right way.”

“So, we’ve already got a legitimate source of income as cover. That’s great, Zig.”

“It’d be better if we found an offsite place to run that out of, so we can keep prying eyes away.”

“I agree. We’ll have to look for something in town.” I lift my chin to the building. “Show me around.”

“Sure thing. Right this way, Prez.”

I follow him inside. The place is cavernous, but it’s got a decent polished concrete floor.

“The guy used this as a repair shop and to house the many auto parts he took off the junkers. The place was lined with wooden free-standing shelving units. We moved them out back.”

I gaze around at the interior. It’s definitely got potential. Currently, the boys have got some second-hand furniture set up as a living area with a big screen TV. A makeshift bar sits against one wall, and a pool table against another. To the rear of the building, I spot plywood dividers that go up about eight feet high. I lift my chin. “What are those?”

Zig leads me back. “We set up some basic sleeping quarters. Didn’t want to do anything permanent until you were out and had your say in the plans.”

There’s one for each man. Little more than a ten-by-ten cubicle with a bed and a dresser.

Zig leads me to another partitioned off area. Coming around the wall, I see a long wooden table and a bunch of used office chairs. A flag with our club logo is tacked up on the wall.

“Church?” I ask.

“For now.”

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