Rafael (The Santiago Brothers Book One) by K. Victoria Chase Page A

establish her connection to Alberto Gonzalez. Or Consuela Cruz.
Or Mario Desanto for that matter. We know Alberto worked at the
restaurant, but Maribol didn’t and neither did the others.”
    Rafa stood and faced her. “We have to
consider that their only connection may be they were all killed by
a member of the Snakes. Canales may not be in any way related to
the others.”
    Genie nodded solemnly. “That would make the
killer even harder to identify. We’ve already canvassed the
neighborhoods of all the victims. Some residents knew Gonzalez
simply because they saw him at La Cocina Dulce, but none could
verify a connection between him and Canales.”
    “Well, that leaves us with only one option
for Canales. She was somehow involved in the organization.”
    Genie shook her head, her eyes full of doubt.
“I find that option hard to believe.”
    Rafa crossed his arms. “Why?”
    “She’s an A-B student at the local community
college, with no prior criminal record, and no one had a bad word
to say about her. All in all, she was an upstanding citizen with a
bright future ahead of her.”
    “The Snakes had something to say, a point
they were trying to make. And they said it with a knife.” Genie’s
eyes narrowed at him, and Rafa sensed a serious argument
coming.
    “Say what you will about the victim, but it
doesn’t add up.”
    She was right, but he wouldn’t admit it. Her
ego was large enough without the added endorsement. Instead, Rafa
racked his brain for possible answers. When nothing made any sense,
he let out a frustrated breath. “Well, did she have a boyfriend or
someone she was seeing?”
    “Who was a member of the Snakes? No. She had
a boyfriend, but he hasn’t been located. I have an unmarked car at
his residence, waiting for him to show. But according to neighbors,
he hasn’t been seen in days.”
    “Then we’ll return to the source.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I have a list of contacts back in San Diego
with connections to the…” He paused and put a finger to his lips.
Genie went completely still. In the distance, faint footsteps
approached. Both turned their heads to see a plump, elderly woman
at the top of the second floor. She grasped the rail and slowly
descended. “Do you need any help?” Rafa asked in Spanish. The older
woman smiled, thanked him, and said no. “Are there other stairs you
can take? A crime has been committed here,” he continued. The woman
nodded, her eyes sad as she scanned the stairs, focusing on the
blood spatters. She scrunched her nose in disgust and disappeared
down the hall. When they heard the last clicks of her heels, Rafa
continued. “Like I was saying, I’ll contact my guys back in San
Diego and see if I can get a list of any of the members who’ve
suddenly taken a trip.”
    Genie nodded her head once. “Fine. Meanwhile,
I’ll have a few uniforms interview some of her classmates. They may
have spotted her with someone who wasn’t a usual associate.” Genie
started down the steps. “I also want to speak to the gang unit
again. Perhaps some new information has developed since last
night.”
    Rafa followed her. He doubted new facts
existed. The Snakes usually left a trail of bodies, not witnesses.
They spoke to no one outside the organization unless for business
or if absolutely necessary. Rafa’s thoughts returned to his cousin
Enrique. It had been necessary for him to call Rafa, but he didn’t
give any explanation. Was he trying to warn him about the killers
here? Nothing made any sense, but Rafa hoped his own sources in
California could come through for him. “As you said, the sooner we
find that link…”
     
    ****
     
    Genie
walked into the foyer of the church she’d been attending her entire
life. She used to love being inside this building. Many of her
extracurricular activities had revolved around church. She had
participated in choir, which she had been singing in since high
school, and the children’s ministry where she taught Sunday