“A month?” I asked. “Why haven’t you talked to your mother in a month? And I thought you said—”
“Ignore my cousin,” Vero said through her teeth. “His mom dropped him on his head when he was a baby. He’s got a shitty memory and he failed basic math.” She broke into rapid-fire Spanish and smacked Ramón’s arm. Ramón fired back a retort, and Ramón’s friend’s shoulders shook with silent laughter. “You shut up, Javi!” Vero snapped at him.
“How long will this take?” she asked, changing the subject. A tiny click issued from the padlock. With a quick snap of his wrist, Javi popped the lock open. He slipped his pick in his back pocket as he rose and sauntered toward Vero. Chin high, she took a half step back.
“Good to see you, V.” He tilted his head, giving her a casual perusal. “Where’ve you been hiding?”
“I don’t remember inviting you.”
A slow grin spread across his face. “Thought you might need someone with particular skills.”
“Ramón could have handled it.”
“Wasn’t talking about the lock.”
Vero blushed. She crossed her arms over her chest. “When I need someone with skills, I’ll be sure not to call you.”
Ramón shook his head as he held out a hand to me. “Ignore them. She and Javier have been like this since we were kids. You must be the famous Finlay Donovan.” Faint grease stains colored his cuticles, and the pads of his fingers were calloused where they gripped mine. This close, I could see the family resemblances between him and Vero. Flawless skin, full lips, and a jaw that could double as a steak knife.
“I’ve lost count of all the favors I owe you. Thanks for fixing my van. And for the save at Theresa’s house last month. You really didn’t have to mark down my bill.”
“Yes, he did,” Vero cut in, shouldering past Javi toward the open lock.
Ramón’s smile grew a little sheepish in her wake. “I’m sorry about what happened that night with Zhirov. I’m glad you’re okay.”
“She’s fine,” Vero said, plucking the open padlock from the door. “Speaking of the garage, don’t you two have somewhere you need to be?”
Ramón gave her a heavy dose of side-eye. “It was nice meeting you, Finlay. And watch out for this one,” he said, inclining his head toward his cousin. “She’s a bad influence.”
“Goodbye, Ramón,” she said pointedly.
Javi winked at her. “I’ll wait in my van for a few minutes, just in case you need me.”
Vero watched him from the corner of her eye as he walked to the van, her gaze drifting down to his backside before turning away.
“What’s the story with you two?” I asked.
“There is no story.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“He’s my cousin’s best friend. It was a long time ago.”
“So there is a story,” I said as Vero bent to grab the handle of the metal door. “I don’t get it. Why don’t you want me to get to know your cousin or his friend? Or, for that matter, anyone else in your family.”
“There’s nothing to know,” she said, putting her shoulder into the door. “A little help, please?”
The track had rusted stuck, and we both grunted as we struggled to open it. “What was all that about somebody looking for you?” I asked.
“Nothing,” she said through her teeth as she pushed. “My cousin’s just being dramatic.” The door made a horrible shriek as we dragged it open.
Vero dusted off her hands and froze.
“Finlay?” I followed her stare into the open garage and went still beside her. “Do you remember that night we went to dig up Harris,” she asked, “and I told you that keeping a chest freezer in a garage was probably a bad idea?”
“Uh-huh,” I said.
“I think I should tell you … my feelings on the matter haven’t changed.”
The storage unit was empty, except for one thing.
My gaze followed the orange extension cord deep into the shadowy recess of the garage, where a chest freezer hummed quietly in the corner.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I said, my breath a little thin. “It’s hunting season. Steven goes shooting with a lot of his clients … you know … like playing golf, but with a gun. The freezer’s probably full of deer meat he couldn’t fit in his freezer at home.”