Page 12 of Run with Me

Pablo stopped and crossed his arms over his chest. “Tell me, cousin. What did you win? A thousand bucks? A new watch or a car? It must be a big prize that made you so happy.”

Ben’s joy disappeared as he looked down at the basket of tomatoes John had picked up from the floor.

“A fair deal is a fair deal. Here are your tomatoes, Ben. Enjoythem.”

Ben frowned and took the basket. When he gazed at the fruit, his look of satisfaction faded, but not for long. He smirked, strolled over to the large garbage bin by the bar, and dumped the entire contents.

“Those were good tomatoes,” I said, through gritted teeth, and John gently squeezed my arm to keep me from rushing toward the container.

“Want to come and pick them out, chiquita?”

My urge stopped as fast as it began.

“I hope you choke onthem.”

“Pick some more tomorrow and come to my house. We’ll make sauce, or whatever you want. Or maybe you’d prefer to have me comeover?”

“The only time I’ll come over to see you willingly is when you’re in a casket.”

I didn’t seem to upset him but he moved closer toward us, his possessive body language, unsettling me further. “I’ll remember that you like bodies in caskets, Anna. And I’ll make sure to invite you the next time I put onein.”

His warning brought on the nausea again.

“Is that what you did to Xavier? Did you stuff him in a casket too?” I spatback.

“I think that’s enough.” I heard Father Francis from the frontdoor.

“Padre.” Ben bowed his head. “Come to have a tequila?”

“Am I going to see you at church on the Lord’s day, Benjamin?”

“Of course, Padre.”

“Then you better begin praying he lets you pass through the front door. What are you doing, keeping these two here? The fiesta is starting.”

I knew that John wouldn’t admit to gambling for information, but I didn’tcare.

“There was a visitor driving through Pace yesterday. His name is Xavier, and the last place I saw him was here.” I paused, ignoring the feeling of being a tattletale or the fact that my little confession could later get me in trouble with Ben. “That watch on the skeleton belongs to him, and Ben won’t tell us where heis.”

“I don’t follow everyone around, Anna.” Ben shoved his hands in his pockets, playing the role of an innocentman.

“What did you do with him? He was staying at the motel.”

“He must have left sometime during the night,” Ben explained.

“Was it the fella driving a blue Dodge?” Father Francis asked. “Because I saw someone driving through the farms at about four this morning.”

“Yes, he was,” I confirmed. “Are you sure it was him, Father?”

“I don’t know who else it could havebeen.”

“See, Anna? I’m not the criminal you make me out to be. Xavier must have left,” he smirked.

“Why do you play these games, Ben? Why would you agree to a game of chess for information when you didn’t have any? Or maybe you’re lying. Maybe one of you killed Xavier and took the car to dispose ofit.”

“Now, Anna. Do you think that accusations of murder are going to give you a special passage to heaven? If you’d like to see heaven, come to my bedroom.” He winked, and I felt disgusted.

Father Francis cleared his throat and shot him a warning look. “When was the last time you confessed, Benjamin?”

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