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“That’s wonderful, Selma. Thanks again for bringing her aboard to help.”
“I know she really enjoyed her time here. And she made a big point about how we could always call on her if needed.”
“That’s very sweet.”
“She’ll be stopping by tomorrow to get the rest of her things and say good-bye.”
“Good. I want to thank her personally,” Sam said.
“Oh, and did you hear? Antonio was named the new head of INAH. The youngest ever,” Selma said.
“He deserves it. He’s a dedicated archaeologist and he’s paid his dues,” Remi said. “We’ll have to send him a note congratulating him, Sam.”
“Of course.” Sam paused. “And, Selma, may I say that you’re looking great?”
“Well, thank you. I’m actually feeling pretty close to a hundred percent. The doctors gave me two thumbs-up. They said I’ll still need to be monitored, but the procedure and physical therapy have been a success. In fact, I’m taking up tap dancing. Doctor’s orders. Something about it helping with the
hip joints.”
Remi looked at her with a look of disbelief. “That’s wonderful. But tap dancing?”
“Tell me about it. But the bad news is that I’m fit for duty, so you’re stuck with me.”
“The best researcher in the whole world,” Sam countered. “Hardly ‘stuck.’”
Color rose to Selma’s face and she turned to look out at the ocean.
“What about Benedict and his brother?”
Sam frowned. “Reginald’s being held, pending trial. We’ll probably have to fly back at some point and testify, but between our account and Antonio’s he’s going to be put in jail for the rest of his life.”
“There’s no way for him to slip out of it?”
Sam shook his head. “None. A major Los Zetas cartel boss was with him, along with a host of cartel killers. Ballistics and prints matched Reginald’s gun to the bullet that killed Maribela. No, he’s history, although there’s some concern that he’ll never make it to sentencing. Apparently, the Los Zetas are holding him responsible for Guerrero’s death, so he’s in solitary confinement for his own safety.”
“And Janus? Did he ever surface?”
“We’ve sworn out a complaint, but there’s some question how that will play out—he’s disappeared. The case against him is trickier because they can’t show him actually pulling the trigger and the only eyewitness who could have confirmed his involvement was Guerrero—and he’s not talking to anyone but the Devil.”
“But Janus was there. You can put him at the scene,” Selma said.
“I know. But it’s complicated. If he was still in Mexico, it might not be, but since he isn’t—”
“Then he might get away with it,” Remi finished.
“Antonio has taken a very personal interest in ensuring that neither of them walk. My money’s on him doing everything possible to make the wheels of justice grind forward,” Sam said.
Selma sat back. “Well, then. Another page in the Fargo book turns. What’s next? You mentioned something about Lazlo?”
“To be determined. He told us he’s going to stay in Mexico and help Antonio for a while, but I suspect we’ll see more of him around here,” Sam said.
“Assuming he’s changed his ways, that could be interesting,” Selma said.
“A bullet tends to be a big attitude adjuster. I think he’s on the right path.”
Selma’s eyes narrowed and then she smiled.
“Well, as with everything, time will tell.”