LITMIR.BIZ

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and Jude held out his hand. She took it and gracefully rose from the table. Once on the dance floor she said, “You helped make tonight a success, Mr. Crenshaw. We all are quite grateful.” He heard a slight accent in her voice.

      He smiled in acknowledgement and said, “Please, call me Jude.”

      “If you’ll call me Connie.”

      “Thank you. You’re a very good dancer, by the way.”

      Her smile held a hint of sadness. “Chris and I used to dance a great deal before his stroke. I know he misses dancing as much as I do. You were kind to offer.”

      “Believe me, it’s my pleasure.” The orchestra segued into another song with a similar beat. “Will your husband be all right on his own a little longer?”

      She glanced toward the table and smiled. “He’s not alone. Carina has returned to the table.”

      They finished the dance and walked back to where Carina and her father sat watching them.

      Patterson was the first to speak. “You look wonderful out there, dear,” he said to Connie. “Please enjoy this opportunity and don’t worry about me.”

      She sank into the chair beside him. “I’m too out of breath to dance any more at the moment.” She smiled at Jude. “Thank you again.”

      “You’re quite welcome.” He turned his gaze to Carina. “Ms. Patterson, may I have this dance with you?”

      She glanced at her mother’s radiant face and said, “Yes.”

      Once she stood he took her hand, led her to the dance floor and took her in his arms. She was smaller than her mother. Her head barely came to his shoulder. She was delicately boned and she reminded him of a Dresden figurine—fragile and exquisite.

      “It was kind of you to ask my mother to dance. She doesn’t get out very much.”

      “She mentioned that she and your father used to love to dance.”

      She nodded, her eyes glistening. “Yes. They were something to watch—so graceful and talented. They moved as one. I know they both must miss it terribly.”

      After a moment, he asked, “When did he have his stroke?”

      “Two years ago. He’d always been so active and healthy that none of us were prepared for his sudden illness. There were a few days when we weren’t certain he would pull through, but he has a very strong will. He’s done everything he could to keep his body as toned as possible.”

      In his most casual tone, Jude said, “I understand he has a thriving business in imports.”

      “My brothers are in charge now. They keep him informed about the business, which has actually grown under their management.”

      “He must be relieved to be able to depend on them.”

      “He never talks about his infirmity. He’s very matter of fact about being in his motorized wheelchair.” She glanced over at her table. “We’re all very proud of him.”

      “How about you? Do you get out very often?”

      She smiled ruefully. “Not really, no.”

      “Would you make an exception for me?”

      She looked at him in surprise. “You’re asking me out?”

      “Yes, I am. Like every man here, I noticed you as soon as you walked in tonight. I’ll admit I coaxed Clint into introducing you and your family to me. I’d really like to see you again.”

      The song ended and another one began. He continued to dance and she made no comment about wanting to return to her table.

      “What did you have in mind?” she finally asked.

      He burst into laughter. “Now there’s a loaded question if I ever heard one. My intentions are quite innocent, I assure you. I thought we could have dinner some evening, perhaps next Saturday, if you’re available.”

      She seemed to relax a little. “That sounds innocuous enough.”

      “I swear on my Boy Scout honor that you will be safe with me.”

      He led her into a couple of turns, which she followed like a pro.

      “You dance very well,” she said with a smile.

      “Thanks. My mom would be proud to hear you say that. I wasn’t one of her best pupils, but I manage to get by.”

      She tilted her head slightly and asked, “Are you a musician, by any chance? You have a natural rhythm, like most musicians.”

      He laughed. “’Fraid not. The only instrument I play is the radio.”

      She groaned. “And yet you support the arts,” she pointed out.

      “I’m not a priest, and yet I support the church.”

      She laughed, a glissando of musical sound he found delightful. “Good point.”

      The music stopped and the orchestra took a break. Jude took the opportunity to say, “Why don’t you give me your phone number? I’ll call you later in the week.”

      She reached into the minuscule purse that hung from the tie at her waist. “Here’s my card. That has my home phone and cell phone, as well. I spend my Saturdays with my parents, so you’ll need to pick me up at their place.”

      “I can do that.” As he helped her into her seat, he leaned near her ear and said, “I’m looking forward to seeing you again.” He straightened and spoke to Chris and Connie. “I’m very pleased to have met each of you. I hope to see you again.”

      They responded in a friendly manner and he walked away.

      By the time the evening ended, Jude was more than ready to go home.

      He spoke to several people on his way to his sports car. Once he negotiated San Antonio’s downtown streets, he reached the highway and headed north. The house the agency had rented was located in the hills north of the city, and had a scenic view of the Hill Country.

      He could reach the family ranch in a couple of hours, although he hadn’t been to see them very often. They knew he was working an undercover assignment and gave him the space he needed. He missed them, though. He’d have to get up there soon.

      Jude turned off the highway and followed the snakelike road up through the hills until he reached the summit. The house was surrounded by a thick, stucco six-foot wall. Once there, Jude keyed in the security numbers for the day and waited until the gate opened, then followed the curving driveway up to the house and parked in the three-car garage. He noted the other cars were there. The agents were probably asleep by now. He knew he was more than ready to hit the sack.

      Once inside, he went to the den where a large screen projected the various scenes shown by hidden cameras located throughout the property. Their team had several computers at work in the room…one collecting data, another running probabilities and another waiting instructions.

      Jude picked up the phone and tapped in a series of numbers. His call was answered on the first ring. Without waiting for a voice, Jude said, “I made contact tonight. Looks like we’re in.”

      Three

      Jude opened the file containing information on the Patterson family. The files were so detailed that he probably knew more about them than they knew about each other.

      He knew that forty-two-year-old Alfredo de la Cruz Patterson kept a mistress in Houston and paid for her penthouse condominium.

      He knew that Benito spent much of his time out of the country, ostensibly selling and buying merchandise. Jude needed to find out exactly what he was buying and from whom.

      He hoped the brothers were the only ones involved in the smuggling activities and that the rest of the family wasn’t aware

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