Mission Canyon Read Online Free Page B

‘‘You’re sure it was him?’’
    ‘‘Dead certain,’’ Jesse said.
    ‘‘Son of a bitch.’’
    Harley Dawson strode up. ‘‘I knew it, Evan. You came here to serve a summons, didn’t you?’’ She nodded at Jesse. ‘‘How’s it going, Blackburn? You enjoying work with the Militant Wing over at Sanchez Marks?’’
    Jesse raised a fist in salute. ‘‘Power to the people, Harley. You still like greasing the wheels of power?’’
    ‘‘Yeah, it’s caviar for the soul.’’ She pointed at George. ‘‘Anything to do with Franklin Brand is a legal issue. Let me take this.’’
    George said, ‘‘He’s back.’’
    Harley blinked. She had freckles and elfin eyes, delicate features overcome by the hard stare and tense mouth. Which now hung open.
    I said, ‘‘Here’s the legal issue, Harley. People at Mako have to hear that if Brand shows up, or phones, or flicks spitwads through the window, they need to call the police. Immediately.’’
    Jesse said, ‘‘That means within thirty seconds.’’
    ‘‘Make it ten,’’ I said. ‘‘Wait too long, you’ll tick off the cops, and they’ll start using terms like ‘harboring a fugitive’—’’
    Jesse said, ‘‘Obstruction of justice, conspiracy—’’
    Kenny shook his head. ‘‘Unbelievable. Blackburn’s still trying to blame Mako for his life.’’
    George gave him a scolding look. ‘‘Kenny, this isn’t the place.’’
    ‘‘No, Dad. Frank’s back, and the first thing this guy does is complain to you. Must be time for a fresh handout.’’
    Jesse said, ‘‘Kenny.’’
    Kenny stared at the wheelchair. ‘‘Hey, life sucks; how about cutting a check?’’
    ‘‘How about this,’’ Jesse said. ‘‘How about I hand you your ass. On a serving platter, with a sprig of parsley stuck between the cheeks.’’
    George’s face mottled. ‘‘Gentlemen, enough.’’
    Kenny raised his eyes and glared at Jesse. ‘‘I’d like to see you try, and—’’
    ‘‘ Enough . Our guests are waiting. Please go and entertain them.’’
    George turned to Jesse. ‘‘This is a matter for the authorities, and will be handled accordingly. You have my word.’’ Eyeing Harley, he said, ‘‘I’ll speak to you privately.’’
    He walked away.
    Kenny stared at Jesse. His jaw muscles were bulging. He was rubbing his fingers against his palms as though they were greasy. Harley nudged him, trying to get him moving.
    He looked at me, wiping his palms on his jeans. The McQueen cool returned.
    ‘‘It’s okay. I respect that you’re standing up for the guy.’’
    He touched my elbow, rubbing it with his thumb. Harley nudged him again. Shaking her off, he left.
    Jesse watched him go. ‘‘And he’s in line to take over at Mako? Hope you like bankruptcy law, Harley.’’
    He rocked back, spun a one-eighty, and headed off. Harley pursed her lips.
    ‘‘Crap-o-rama.’’ She ran a hand through her icefall of hair. ‘‘This incestuous town. When a skeleton falls out of a closet, it hits someone you know. You can bet on it.’’
    ‘‘Mako’s getting a second chance here. Don’t let them screw it up,’’ I said.
    ‘‘Great. Professional advice from a gal dressed like Ginger in Gilligan’s Island .’’
    ‘‘Go talk to George. He’ll do the right thing, especially if you remind him to.’’
    ‘‘Tell you what. I’ll do my job, and you do yours.’’ She nodded in Jesse’s direction. ‘‘You need to rein that boy in.’’
    I must have looked incredulous. ‘‘Jesse is not the problem here.’’
    ‘‘He should watch his words. He could regret tussling with Kenny.’’
    All at once, I felt acutely angry. ‘‘Kenny needs worming. ’’
    ‘‘I know, he can be’’—uncertainty tugged at her mouth—‘‘intense. But he feels passionate about Mako, and he’s loyal to his friends.’’
    "Intense? No."
    ‘‘Okay, he shouldn’t have spoken the way he did. That was—’’
    ‘‘Revolting? Odious? Stop me