Big Money (Austin Carr Mystery) Read Online Free PDF

Bluefish says. “I’m pissed off, yeah, so maybe it don’t sound right. But I’ll forget about the favors, leave Shore alone and the restaurant alone. Ragsdale’s debt can wait for Vic to come back.”
    Bluefish tried that time. I have a small hope he might live up to his word. No confidence. Just hope. And actually, “forget about the favors” isn’t exactly “I won’t have someone shoot you in the head” either.
    Luis gives him the keys to the Suburban.
     
     
    Inside an empty Luis’s Mexican Grill, I cover a stool at the horseshoe bar, right under Luis’s collection of authentic caballista sombreros. My favorite bartender sends Umberto home, flips off the television and begins to toss trash, wipe glasses and towel the counter.
    When the bar’s clean and ready for tomorrow’s setup, Luis pours us each a shot of Herradura Gold. A nightcap of warriors. Actually, I was more of a foil. Maybe a prop or the comic relief—like the real Poncho to Luis’s Cisco Kid.
    We salute and drink.
    Luis says, “Have you given thought to what happened tonight?”
    “I’m trying to block it out.”
    “Do not,” Luis says. “This is a serious matter. Bluefish will almost certainly try to kill us. Perhaps not right away. He would be wise to wait, perhaps put us off our guard by letting us think he kept his word.”
    “Sounds sneaky enough for Bluefish. Did you get a good look at that pumpkin-faced creep Max who was driving...before you changed the shape of his head, I mean?”
    Luis ignores me. “We must make plans, take special care. Before this is over, we may decide killing Bluefish first is our only protection.”
    I pull my wallet, find the yellow scrap of paper Mr. Vic gave me that Friday night. I show Luis Tony’s name and telephone number.
    “Who is Tony?” Luis asks.
    “My boss said I should call him in case of trouble with his daughter. I did, and he took care of it. Rags is gone. Maybe he could take care of Bluefish, too.”
    Luis switches off the beer signs. “Is this Tony a lawyer? Or a thug like Bluefish?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “It is of litt le consequence, I think. Most likely this matter must be settled between ourselves and Bluefish.”
    Luis is ready to close the restaurant . I’m not sure, but I think he may have himself a steady girlfriend these days. I slide off the barstool. “You mean you and Bluefish will settle it, Luis. I’m not much of a fighter.”
    Luis shakes his head. “This is not true, amigo. Myself, I am experienced with many weapons. My favorite is the knife, and I handle even the large ones with skill. Yet your words can be more cutting than my biggest knife. Austin Carr fights with his brain and his mouth. And he fights very well.”
    Now that’s an interesting take on my Gift for Gab. I always saw my verbal proficiency as a shield, not a weapon. But who am I to argue with a Toltec warrior ?
     
     

 
    NINE
     
    A year ago, I lived in a pickup-mounted camper. Thousands of dollars in debt, including overdue alimony and child-support payments, my wages were being garnished and the ex-wife had a restraining order preventing me from seeing our children. I had very little to lose in those days. Taking risks came smooth and easy.
    Now my support payments —all my bills—are current. I get Ryan and Beth every Wednesday night for dinner and again every other weekend. I can afford a two-bedroom apartment and a leased Toyota. More important, my ownership interest in Shore Securities could fund my kids’ college educations, provided Carmela and I and the people we hire run Shore well.
    Point being, all of sudden I’ve got plent y to lose. That’s why I’m turning loose Brooklyn Tony on Bluefish. I have no idea what happened to Rags after Tony dragged him out of Shore’s offices last week, but I know Rags hasn’t bothered me or Carmela since. Maybe Tony can pull off the same kind of disappearing act with Bluefish.
     
     
    Tony examines me standing on his porch with the