17. Cuéntame
cuéntame
César
I was ten minutes early for this debriefing with the Hales and sat waiting for them to arrive on their usual bullshit.
That’s not what I’m currently faced with as we sit here.
There was an awkward energy in the room after they entered, and it’s only grown since.
No bickering, and they were surprisingly on time.
Dara arrived first with her usual shyness, but Dax’s demeanor is different from the norm.
His arrogance has taken a backseat, and stress is drawn all over his face.
Makes me wonder if they took my advice and called their uncle before they got themselves in the middle of a war with the local crime families.
To make things more uncomfortable, I trade in my stoic face for a fake smile and start the conversation. Picking up where we left off, I slide a folder across the table for them to review. The deafening silence urges me to speak faster in hopes of getting out of here quickly.
Abuela has dialysis this afternoon, and while I don’t look forward to it, I do enjoy the time we spend together and would much rather be there than here.
As the briefing concludes, I ask if there’s any further information they’re interested in moving forward with, and it’ll be prioritized before our next meeting.
Dax clears his throat and folds his hands in front of him. “Thanks, mate. This is all very good, but I have something to add before we part.”
I lift a brow and remain seated, gathering all my documents as I brace myself for whatever bullshit he’s about to share.
Let’s hear it, Dax.
“We spoke with Uncle Theo. He disapproves of our idea to buy them out in hopes they’d leave town.”
Of course, he does.
Dax continues, “This expansion, regardless of who wins the property, benefits the community and brings more jobs. Theo informed us that the Klarkes are known for hiring more people of color, making up half of Austin’s population and…we do not,” he says looking down, lips forming into thin line.
Mmhm. Knew that, too.
Dara interjects, “I did some research on Regina and the Delvecchios casino empire. They also employ more women, people of color, and veterans than other white -owned casinos in the state. I understand that the locations she currently oversees are Black owned, and those are rare.”
“Yes, they are rare. I’ve never seen a Black-owned casino,” I concur.
“Regardless of their personal beliefs, he emphasized that in order to do business in a community, you must immerse yourself in it by getting to know the people you serve. We could do a better job of that,” she admits.
“Mmhm,” is my only response.
“He didn’t say the Klarkes deserve the property more, but he didn’t have to,” Dax adds with a shrug. “Theo also said that we don’t stand a chance going against them and would be doing ourselves a favor by aligning with them instead.”
Makes me wish he was still in charge.
I nod in agreement. “That’s exactly what I expected him to say. How’s he doing, by the way?”
“He’s good. Happy. Looks younger since he stepped down.”
I chuckle with a shake of my head. “I bet.”
It’s good to hear he’s still the voice of reason in this family, but I’m not yet convinced they’ll take his advice. Or at least Dax won’t.
I suppose if they do step on a landmine with any of the Austin locals over this deal, it’s a good thing I have other clients with deep pockets.
“Tell me something about your week. Find anything fun on a stakeout? Is that what you call them, or are my shows lying?” Abuela asks, her frail hands clutching a pencil and a word search book.
I glance over my shoulder to find her dark-brown eyes waiting expectantly for an exciting story and her long, silver locks coming undone in a braid that rests over her shoulder.
I’d make one up if I needed to, just to hear her laugh.
“No, Abuela . I don’t do stakeouts,” I inform, standing to fix her hair.
“We call it recon, and when we follow subjects, we are tracking them.” I take it down, using my fingers as a comb to loosen any tangles and braid, crossing each section over the other until I tie it off at her ends.
We can thank Mariana and all the tea parties we had with her dolls as kids for me knowing how to do a basic three-strand braid.
She rests her hand on mine, expressing her gratitude, and I press a kiss to her temple before returning to the recliner beside her.
I think to myself about my recent cases aside from Deirdre’s. “I unfortunately found a subject that has a second family. Telling my client was rough. It was giving telenovela.”
“Chucki! ?Cuéntame! I can’t watch my stories when I’m dead,” she adds with pleading eyes.
“Of course that’s the case that sparked your interest,” I say with a cackle.
Drama from my work stories serves as her entertainment until it’s time for her telenovelas and she drifts off to sleep soon after they end, as always.
Once I hear her snoring, I drape a knitted blanket over her and grab my phone to check on Deirdre.
I don’t have anything set up at her job to monitor to avoid setting off any alarms when it comes to her family.
It’s a family-owned operation, after all.
So I’ve limited my hidden cameras to her home only, for now…
and a GPS on her car. For safety, of course, and my peace of mind.
Speaking of, I did something new when I last visited her home after the birthday incident. My usual routine of eliminating tasks has become a common dance, with me dodging her housekeeper and landscaper. But I took it a step further this time.
I wasn’t there for long, but I dropped off some prepared meals, swapped the water for her flowers and…stole something. It was impulsive and reckless as hell, pero like, she’s to blame, not me.
When I was leaving her bedroom, I spotted dirty clothes in the hamper and threw the load in the laundry. While I was separating colors from darks, I found that matching lingerie set she wore the other night.
What surprised me most was instead of tossing the thong into the wash, it ended up in my pocket. As if by magic , I think with a smirk.
But I wonder if she’ll notice.
Mami didn’t raise a thief. She also didn’t raise a man to invade a woman’s personal space.
So what Mami doesn’t know, won’t hurt her.
I’ve done more than I’m proud of and haven’t been the most respectful of her boundaries. The most egregious prior to the panty stealing was hacking into her home surveillance system and wire-tapping her devices.
Truthfully, she could benefit from being more careful and stop using the same damn password for everything.
In my true caretaker fashion—at least when it comes to Doe—I know I’ve got to do something about that.
Note to self: Tell her to update her passwords.