Page 47 of Bad Rio

Pinned to a bulletin board, he saw notes in childish scrawlings.Thank you, Miss De Monte, one said, and beneath that was a crudely drawn dark-haired woman with a big smile. Becca. He guessed it might have been made by one of her employee’s kids. He figured that for working parents, this hubcap business must be a great place. Becca appeared to be an understanding and flexible employer. That was pretty cool, her attention to detail. She was incredible.

Becca took a seat at her desk ... and found nothing. “Where’s my desktop?” she asked, looking around.

“Your computer is gone?” he asked.

“It’s not here.”

Rio met her gaze. “Can you get into your brother’s computer files?”

“Yes, I know the passwords.” They went into the next office and she sat at the computer. Typing in a few commands, it took only a moment to discover there were no purchase orders that looked unusual or different.

“Bet those crates are going to Mexico,” Rio said. “To the cartel that grabbed you.”

“But why kidnap me?”

“Maybe the cartel took you originally for ransom money. But for whatever reason, they didn’t want you getting away, going back home. If they think you stumbled on your Uncle Tim’s extracurricular activity here, you might know too much for their comfort.”

“But I didn’t know anything.”

“They can’t afford to take that chance. Better to take you, even kill you before you possibly blab to the authorities. They’ve got a sweet deal going here.”

Becca shook her head, overwhelmed. Unexpectedly, her eyes filled. “Does Uncle Tim want me dead?”

Rio squeezed her shoulder. “We don’t know how deep he’s in this. It looks bad, but let’s not draw any conclusions yet.”

She sniffed. “Okay.”

“We need a face-to-face, Becca. With your dad. It’s vital to know if he has any connection to the gun running happening in his own business.”

“Is it safe for me to call him now?” She wiped her eyes.

“Let’s not tip him off ahead. Do you know where he might be tomorrow? In town?”

“I can check his schedule. His campaign keeps it online and I know that password, too.” In a hurry, she pulled up her father’s day-to-day appointments. “He’s due to speak at a political fundraiser tomorrow night. It’s here in San Antonio at a private residence. A mansion belonging to a local bigwig businessman.”

“An outdoor rally? Casual? That type of thing?”

Again, Becca scanned the website. Before she could answer, he asked, “Tell me it’s not a dress-up event.”

“Black tie champagne reception.”

He groaned. “I hate getting stuffed into business suits.”

“It won’t be a business suit,” she said. “It’ll be a tuxedo and tails.”

With his thumb, Rio rubbed a spot between his eyes.

At his obvious discomfort, her tears dried and she suppressed a smile. “Something tells me you’ll look okay in a tux.”

****

Rio didn’t look justokayin his black tuxedo. He looked fabulous. Using his cache of money, they’d gone to a clothing rental shop and while she found a stretchy fitted black dress and heels, he’d been outfitted in the formal suit.

Now that he was clean shaven, with his hair brushed back from his forehead, she saw that his muscular body nicely filled out the crisp white dress shirt and black jacket and trousers. A satin detail lined the lapels. With his tanned skin, vivid blue eyes, and blond hair, he would have outshone any movie star on an Academy Awards red carpet.

When he presented himself, Becca was momentarily speechless.

“I look all right?” he asked, fastening a gold cuff link.

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