JOSe RETURNED TO HIS TRUCK, TAKING GREAT CARE TO KEEP TO THE darker shadows. After he slid behind the wheel, he scanned the street carefully before pulling away from the curb and setting off down Commerce. When his phone rang, he dug it free from his pocket and saw Casey's number. He looked at the display for a moment and placed it on the seat beside him, just driving and thinking.
The phone kept ringing.
He focused on the road, then scooped it up and flipped it open.
"Yeah," he said.
"Jose," Casey whispered.
"What the hell?"
"Elijandro's brother killed Gage," she said.
"Good riddance.''
"I saw it.''
"Call the cops.''
"I have a slight problem right now,'' she said.
"Why are you whispering?"
"Well, I'm in a trunk for one thing. I called 911 but they thought I was nuts and I don't know where I am."
"Slow down. Whose trunk?"
"Elijandro's brother is driving Gage's car. He killed Gage at the quarry, and now I'm pretty sure he's going to kill me. So let's put our differences aside, good by you?"
"You're at the quarry?" Jose said, stepping hard on the gas, heading for the interstate.
"I was."
"Which way did you go?" he asked, punching Wilmer up on his GPS.
"I'm in a goddamn trunk."
"Which way did you turn? When you left the quarry?"
The line was quiet and Jose swallowed before hearing her say, "Left. It was left."
"How long?" he asked.
"A minute ago."
"Stay on the phone. Tell me when you turn again."
"Jesus, this trunk stinks," she said. "Smells like chewing tobacco and piss."
"You're in Gage's vehicle?" Jose said, pulling onto Route 45 himself and rocketing down the left-hand lane. "A cop car?''
"Yes. This guy just showed up.''
Jose glanced at the GPS, then touched the zoom.
"You'll hit Belt Line any minute," he said. "I'm on 45 already. I'll be there."
"No problem," Casey said. "Take your time. The trunk is roomy and I have a homicidal maniac at the wheel. It's all peachy.''