The Marriage Profile by Metsy Hingle Read Free Book Online

visit, ask him what was going on between his father and Del Brio just so Ricky knew that the sheriff’s office had an eye on them.
    And what if Angela is with him?
    Justin gritted his teeth at the taunting voice in his head and shut his eyes to block out the images of Angela with Ricky last night.
    â€œSheriff,” Audrey Lou called from the doorway, her voice impatient. “Something wrong with your hearing, son? Bobby’s on the line for you. Said it’s important.”
    â€œWainwright.” Justin all but barked out his name as he grabbed the telephone.
    â€œI’m afraid I’ve got bad news, boss.”
    Just what he needed, Justin thought. “All right, spit it out.”
    â€œI lost Del Brio.”
    Justin swore. “What happened?”
    â€œHe pulled a switch on me.”
    â€œI told you not to let him out of your sight.”
    â€œAnd I didn’t,” Bobby contended. “I tailed him to Mercado Brothers Paving and Contracting this morning just like you told me. And I’m positive it was Del Brio that I followed when he left there. I stayed with him all morning through this string of back roads outside of Mission Creek and all through Goldenrod—even down some private road—until he went back to his spread. Only when he reached his place and got out of the truck, it wasn’thim. It wasn’t Del Brio. It was a dude dressed up just like him, and the truck was a dead ringer for the one Del Brio was driving.”
    â€œIf you were following him the whole time, how could he make the switch?” Justin demanded.
    â€œThe only thing I can think of is that he arranged to have the dummy driver in a look-alike truck waiting around one of those curves. Because I swear that’s the only time the man was ever out of my sight.”
    Trying to contain his frustration, Justin wiped a hand down his face. He’d ordered the tail on Del Brio after that exchange with Johnny last night—in part because he didn’t want a full-scale war erupting between the Mercados and Del Brio and his men, and in part because there was a rumor on the street that a big deal was about to go down.
    â€œI know I screwed up. I’m sorry, Sheriff.”
    â€œDon’t sweat it,” Justin told the kid. “It happens to the best of us. Del Brio didn’t get where he is because of his brains. He’s got the instincts of a cat. Evidently he spotted your tail. I just wish I knew where he was going that he felt the need to shake you.”
    â€œYou want me to see if I can pick him up again?” Bobby asked.
    â€œNo. We’ve got too much to do. We can’t afford to spend any more time playing games with the likes of Del Brio. Come on back to the office. The phone’s been ringing off the hook all morning, and I swear the paperwork is multiplying faster than rabbits.”
    â€œBoss, there’s something else you should know,” Bobby told him.
    Justin paused, sensing he wasn’t going to like what his deputy had to say. “What?”
    â€œI wasn’t the only one tailing Del Brio. So was Johnny Mercado.”
    Justin scowled, not at all happy to learn his own instincts had been right. Something was brewing between Johnny and Del Brio, and whatever it was, it could only mean trouble. “I was afraid of that.”
    â€œYou think Johnny plans to fight Del Brio for control of the family?”
    â€œNo.” At least Justin hoped that wasn’t the case because Johnny, even with this newfound spirit he’d shown, didn’t stand a chance against a ruthless thug like Del Brio. His son, Ricky, however, was another story. “But something’s going on, and I intend to find out what it is.”
    â€œYou going to go see Johnny? Try to talk to him again?”
    â€œNo. The old man is playing his cards close to the vest. I was planning to pay Ricky a visit later. But I think maybe I’ll drive out to the Mercado