Page 95 of Cryptic Curse

“If it evenwasDiego Vega.”

“Eagle says it was Diego Vega.At least…it was the guy he knew as Diego Vega.”Falcon shakes his head.“This is fucked up.”

“You think?”I finish the rest of my bourbon.

“There is one thing that doesn’t make a lot of sense,” Falcon says.

“Yeah, the EPA.”

Falcon nods as he pours himself another drink.“Vinnie’s contact.She already said the razing of the barn had been stopped on environmental grounds.”

“You think Dad may be involved?”I ask.

“Dad?”He stops pacing, stares me down.“Are you kidding?He’s the one who said he wanted to start the excavation.”

“Yeah, that’s what hesaid.Then he tried to fucking off himself.His word may not be as ironclad as we used to think it was.”

“Jesus fuck.”Falcon downs his drink.“As much as I’d like to tie one on, that’s my last sip.We need our heads clear.”

“We sure do.”

“Dad couldn’t be involved,” Falcon says.“I mean seriously.Why would he do that?Why would he plan the excavation on that area of our property… Something is very wrong here.”

“You’re absolutely right.Somethingisvery wrong here.And I have a hunch that we’ve only begun to scratch the surface.”

“Meaning?”

I draw a breath, breathe out slowly.It’s not every day you have to tell your big brother that the father he adores isn’t the man he thinks he is.

“I’m wondering,” I say slowly, “if maybe Diego Vega’s body isn’t the only thing buried in that area.”

* * *

Seventeen Years Earlier…

When Ted and I hang out—which has become increasingly frequent—we always play board games.He usually lets me choose, and every time I pick Scrabble.

Until this time.

“How about Monopoly?”he says.

I roll my eyes.“It takes forever.”

He chuckles.“Nah.Not when you use the right strategy.Let me show you.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah.I want to show you the game.I meanreallyshow you the game.”

“Okay,” I agree.

We begin, and before long, I land on one of the blues.

“I’m buying Boardwalk,” I say, slapping my fake cash on the table like I’m some kind of high roller.“No one can beat me if I’ve got Boardwalk.”

Ted leans back in his chair, raising one eyebrow like he does when he’s about to give me one of his “Ted Talks.”

“Do you ever actuallywinwith Boardwalk?”