Page 58 of The Slayer
“I, um—” Jules shot Chuito another glare before she pointed at the invitation. “Yes. I sent it. I sent you that card because—”
“Because it’s Alaine’s day,” Chuito suggested. “And she probably wants her father here.”
“Yeah.” Jules swallowed hard, looking like she might be sick. “That’s why.”
“Does Alaine know you sent it?” the reverend asked.
“It’s a surprise party,” Chuito said cautiously. “She didn’t know anyone was coming. It’s a graduation party with presents. Did you bring a present?”
The reverend pulled back. “Are you saying—”
“I just didn’t want it to be awkward,” Chuito cut him off. “’Cause everyone else brought gifts. I just thought—” He gestured to the parking lot. “I think Jules has something in her car. Aren’t you one of those women who buys boxes of cards? For special occasions or emergencies.”
Jules frowned at Chuito and said slowly, “Yes.” When Chuito raised his eyebrows, she turned back to Reverend Richards and announced confidently, “I have cards. All sorts of cards. Do you want one?”
Reverend Richards looked back and forth between the two of them. Then he lowered his head and looked at the invitation in his hand and nodded. “Please, Miss Conner. I’d greatly appreciate that.”
“Okay.” Jules pointed to the parking lot. “I’m gonna go to my car and get you a card.”
“Your door is probably open,” Chuito suggested and then looked to Reverend Richards. “She always leaves her doors unlocked.”
“Yeah, that’s something I would do.” Jules gave Chuito another harsh look before she walked to the parking lot. “Been filling in at the sheriff’s department most of my life, but I leave my doors unlocked even though I have a 9mm in my glove compartment. A gun registered tomy name.”
“She’s an eccentric woman,” Reverend Richards mused.
Chuito nodded and took a sip of his beer. “Yeah, she’s definitely eccentric.”
Reverend Richards studied Chuito, his keen gaze taking him in, and Chuito was very glad he’d worn a suit to Alaine’s graduation. Not a cheap suit either, but one of the designer ones he had invested in when he realized being a public figure meant he had to represent.
Alaine thought he looked sharp.
Chuito thought he looked pretty fucking baller if he didn’t say so himself, and it was suddenly worth the several thousand he’d spent on it.
Either way, it covered up his tattoos, and he was glad for it for once, though Chuito knew the reverend was aware he had ink.
“We’ve never been introduced. You’re Mr. Garcia, correct?”
“Sí.” Chuito winced, hating that he was nervous, and said, “I mean, yes. You can call me Chuito.”
“Mr. Garcia is fine,” the reverend said tensely and then asked, “You’re Catholic?”
Chuito frowned, not expecting that to be what the reverend homed in on. “Yeah. I am. I was—”
He arched an eyebrow at Chuito. “Was?”
“There’s no church here.” Chuito winced again. “NoCatholicchurch.”
“So you’re a man without God?”
Chuito considered that, wondering what the correct response was. Fortunately, he didn’t have to answer, because Jules came back holding a box. “Look at this. A whole box of cards. In my car. That was unlocked. Withmy gunin it.”
“Good thing I was out here watching it for you,” Chuito told her with a smile.
“Mmm-hmm.” Jules pulled the lid off the box and handed it to the reverend as if he were made to stand there and help her. “Let’s see what I have.” She started thumbing through them. “Birthday. Birthday. Baby Shower. Condolences.” She lifted the condolences card. “I may need this one soon.”
“Is a friend in a bad way?” the reverend asked her.
“No, not yet. Soon.” Jules glared at Chuito before she went back to thumbing through the cards. “A graduation card.” She pulled it out and read the front, “To my daughter. That’s very ironic, since I don’t have a daughter.” She opened it. “Oh, look, it’s from a father to a daughter. That’s certainly a card I might need.”
