Read No Good Deed for Free Online

lived in a small bungalow with a tiny yard of half-dead lawn in a neighborhood filled with small bungalows and half-dead lawns. Most windows had bars and doorways had security screens. The community wasn’t severely depressed, but it bordered one of the worst crime areas in southern San Antonio. Brad knocked on the door. A moment later a very old woman opened it. She spoke in Spanish, so Lucy took lead.
    After showing their identification and introducing herself and Brad, Lucy said in Spanish, “We’re here about Matthew and Lucas. They were supposed to be at summer school today, but weren’t at the bus stop.”
    The elderly woman twisted her apron in her fists. “I don’t know.”
    “You told Father Mateo Flannigan that their mother dropped them off with you.”
    The grandmother’s eyes widened. “ Sí. ”
    “We need to talk to them.”
    “They’re not here.”
    “Where are they?”
    Mrs. Nocia didn’t say anything. She looked at her fingers clutching her apron and dropped it, then stuffed her hands into the pockets.
    “Mrs. Nocia, have you been threatened?”
    “No, no.”
    But she was clearly uncomfortable.
    “Is there anyone in the house with you?”
    “No, I swear on my memaw’s grave, I’m alone.” She crossed herself, then kissed the crucifix that hung around her neck.
    “Were your grandsons here this morning?”
    “ Sí , but just for a minute. They are okay?” It was a question.
    Lucy hoped so, but decided to use the woman’s worry to her advantage. “That is what we’re trying to find out. Were the boys here when Father Mateo called?”
    She shook her head.
    “Did their mother pick them up?”
    Again she shook her head.
    Brad was getting angry, and Lucy was afraid that if he lost his temper, Mrs. Nocia would clam up for good.
    “Mrs. Nocia, I’m going to call Father Mateo and ask him to come down and speak with you. Maybe you’ll feel more comfortable talking to him.”
    The grandmother shook her head and glanced at Brad, then quickly looked away. Brad tensed beside her. Lucy stepped forward, partly blocking Brad so that Mrs. Nocia would focus solely on her.
    “I know you won’t lie to Father Mateo.”
    “Please,” Mrs. Nocia begged.
    “If you want to make sure that your grandsons are safe, I need to know who took them.”
    “My daughter told me a man would be by after nine to take them to school. A man came as she said, the boys knew him, they weren’t scared, I swear. They left. I—I didn’t think anything was wrong until Padre Flannigan called. I didn’t mean to do anything wrong. Are they okay? Please, por favor , are they okay?”
    “Where is your daughter?”
    “She works at a hotel. The Star. Good, honest job. She’s a good girl.”
    “Thank you.” Lucy handed Mrs. Nocia her card. “Call me if you hear from your daughter or if the boys return. Is their father around?”
    Mrs. Nocia frowned, anger tightening her lips. “No good. He’s in jail. He won’t divorce her, though Padre says he broke the sacrament of marriage, and that he would support an annulment. My Elena did nothing wrong, but Pedro convinced her that an annulment would send her to Hell, so she won’t get an annulment. He was the one who killed a man and he’s the one going to Hell.” Mrs. Nocia crossed herself again. “I knew he was bad from the beginning, but Elena was sixteen, she didn’t listen to her mama.”
    “Is Pedro’s last name also Garcia?”
    “ Sí. The judge said he won’t be getting out of prison for twenty years. It should be longer.”
    In the car Lucy asked Brad, “Do you know the name? Pedro Garcia?”
    Brad shook his head as he typed on his phone. “I’m sending the info to our liaison with SAPD. We’ll pull his file, see if there’s a connection to Nicole or anyone affiliated with Tobias. Let’s talk to Elena Garcia and find out what the hell is going on.”
    *   *   *
    Lucy and Brad first checked the Garcia house, a duplex in a neighborhood not far from