The Spider Thief by Laurence MacNaughton Read Free Book Online Page A

can explain to them about my little bout of amnesia. And then we’ll share a good laugh. All the way to my prison cell.”
    “You don’t know that.”
    “Call it an educated guess.” Ash squinted through the rain. It got heavier by the moment, drumming on the roof, washing across the highway. “Look, I know this sounds bizarre, but this curse, it’s on me. I keep running away from it, but it always comes back.” His phone rang, making him jump. He pulled it out and held it up. “Huh. It’s my brother.”
    “Mauricio?” She yanked the phone out of his hand and answered it. “Hey, it’s Cleo.” A moment later, she let out a chuckle. “No, really. It’s me. No kidding.” She gave Ash a bittersweet smile.
    He smiled back. He couldn’t help it.
    “I know, crazy, huh?” she said. “Yeah, I still live here. In Denver, I mean, but my mom still has the old house.”
    Cleo held the phone away from her ear as Mauricio’s voice came back a high-pitched barrage. It made her grin.
    “Saving your brother’s butt,” she said, putting the phone back to her ear. “Why, what are you up to?” Then she turned serious. “No, but somebody just took a shot at Ash. Yes, with a gun. An automatic weapon.” She listened. “Well, like it or not, you’re not here, and I am. We’re headed to a police station.”
    “No, we’re not,” Ash said.
    “You guys have a lawyer?” She pushed her wet hair back from her face. “You’re going to need one.”
    Ash held out his hand. “Let me talk to him.”
    “What do I do these days?” Her eyebrows drew together. “How about you tell me what you’re doing?” As she listened, she looked over at Ash with growing worry.
    He felt his cheeks flush.
    “Uh huh,” she said, over and over. After a while, she covered her eyes with one hand. “No, I hear you, but I need you to understand . . . Right. And you could end up in prison, too. Or worse.”
    “It’s not that bad,” Ash said. “Look, we help people. Ask him about the señora .”
    “He says it’s not that bad,” she said, then nodded. “Uh huh. You too, huh? So, what can you tell me about Andres?” She waited. “Andres. That name sound familiar?” She looked over at Ash. “Yeah, he’s sitting right here. Hang on.” She held out the phone. “He says he doesn’t know any Andres.”
    Ash took the phone, shooting her a dirty look. Into the phone, he said, “You giving her my life story, or what?”
    “Somebody has to talk some sense into you, man,” Mauricio said. “You never listen to me. Is she for real? Somebody just take a shot at you?”
    “Don’t worry, we’re fine.” He caught Cleo’s glare and added, “There was some collateral damage.”
    “This is bad,” Mauricio said. “I don’t want to get killed over this. It’s just money.”
    “Yeah, but it’s a lot of money. And nobody’s going to get killed. I promise.”
    “You’ve been making a lot of promises lately. I’m just saying.”
    A pang of guilt stabbed through Ash. “Okay, fine. We’re bailing, all right? Is that what you want to hear?”
    “As a matter of fact, it is.”
    “Fine. Screw this whole deal. We’re out.”
    Mauricio paused. “You’re serious?”
    “Dead serious. How about we just walk away. Okay?”
    “Really? Okay. Good.” Mauricio sighed, sounding relieved.
    “So lie low for now. I don’t want Prez or anybody else messing with you. I’m on my way back.”
    “Oh, wait, are you coming back on the highway?”
    “Yeah. Why?” Up ahead, a sea of red tail lights glowed in the curtain of rain. He braked, feeling the old tires slip a bit on the wet pavement.
    “It’s on the news,” Mauricio said. “There’s a rockslide. Whole highway is closed off.”
    “What? Where?” But he already knew. He slowed the Galaxie to a stop behind the mass of traffic, his eyes searching through the pouring rain. Somewhere up ahead, he was sure, waited the green pickup and the gunmen. And there was nowhere he could