Body Heat by Brenda Novak Read Free Book Online

lot to carry across the border.”
    â€œThey generally don’t have much, do they?”
    Lindstrom frowned as she considered what she’d been told. “He should’ve had a lot more money on him, close to sixteen hundred dollars. People who cross the border don’t pay their guides until they’re safely across, and it’s not cheap.”
    â€œThis couple must’ve had friends or family waiting for them, someone who’d pay when they arrived.”
    â€œYou don’t think they were robbed?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWhere was the money?”
    â€œIn the male victim’s right sock.”
    â€œHe could’ve been robbed,” she insisted. “He might have started out with more. But considering the smell of these people after walking so long in the hot sun, I wouldn’t want fifty bucks badly enough to fish it out of his sock, either.”
    â€œHe wasn’t robbed. I’d bet my life on it.”
    â€œFine.” Leaving the note on the desk, she leaned back. “Who’s at the other end of the line when you call that number?”
    â€œNo one yet. I got voice mail. A man, someone with a strong Mexican accent says, ‘Leave a message.’ I didn’t.”
    â€œAny idea what part of Mexico these people came from?”
    â€œNo, but I’m guessing they crossed via Naco. It’s the closest port of entry.”
    â€œYou could be wrong about that. With the current security measures, more and more coyotes are taking their patrons farther west, near Sasabe.”
    Sophia shook her head. “That’s a forty-five-mile walk and can take several days. These people weren’t on their feet that long.”
    â€œHow do you know?”
    â€œThey weren’t totally dehydrated.”
    Lindstrom’s voice turned sharp again as she arched her eyebrows. “They’ve done the autopsies already?”
    Once again wishing the FBI would hurry with their promised task force, Sophia grappled for patience. “Dehydration causes your blood to…boil, for lack of a better word. When people who are dehydrated die, even if they actually die of other causes, blood will often ooze from the orifices of the face. There was none of that with these two. They didn’t have any water with them, so they’d been walking long enough to run out of whatever amount they’d been carrying—and I’m assuming they were carrying some because they’d be crazy not to. But they hadn’t been out for days. They weren’t severely dehydrated. They probably came through Naco hoping to reach High way 90 where someone could pick them up, but somehow got off course.”
    â€œMore guessing.”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œSo…are you going to contact the Mexican consulate? Or should I?”
    â€œGo ahead.” Sophia was pretty safe letting Lindstromhandle that part. It required a diplomat more than it required a cop. She didn’t see Lindstrom as diplomatic, but if it saved her from being the bearer of bad news—why not? “Tell them I think the first name of the male victim is José and the woman was his wife.” She lifted a hand, explaining before Lindstrom could say anything. “José signed the love note, and the woman was wearing a ring.”
    Sophia held the note up for her perusal. Lindstrom studied it, gave a curt nod to signify that she was through, and Sophia put it back on the desk.
    â€œMeanwhile, you’re going to do what?” Lindstrom asked.
    â€œI’m going to use a reverse directory to see if I can get a name to go with this number. If I can track down the owner, maybe he can tell us more about our victims. I’m also sending the casings to the state crime lab, as I mentioned. Then I’m leaving for Naco.”
    The last comment distracted Lindstrom, as Sophia knew it would. “Not on the Mexican side.”
    â€œOf course on the Mexican side. Isn’t that