Page 46 of Bad Rio

Rio stood. “Let’s go down there, see what’s in those boxes they left behind.”

Hurrying down the ramp, the small light affording just enough illumination, they made it to the floor, and wove around equipment to the back of the shop.

The men had piled steel bars and handheld machinery on top of the boxes.

Rio took them off, then the tarp, and set them all aside. “Camouflage,” he said, “so no one looks in here until they can move the boxes. I’m guessing they’re moving whatever it is in small lots. Less noticeable that way.”

“If Uncle Tim is coming here at night, why distract me during the day?”

“Maybe he’s ramping up deliveries and needs to double them.”

She helped him lift the last item off the top crate. Hunting around for something to crowbar it open, Rio found a steel rod, wedged it under the top and it popped free. Becca held the light over the top.

Inside, long black rifles lay side by side. Becca gulped.

Rio lifted out a weapon and studied it with an expert eye. “Gun running,” he said. “Some nice AK-47s here. Lucrative.”

“But illegal.” A sudden outrage took hold of her. “Damn him! I didn’t even know Uncle Tim had a key! I can’t believe he put us all in danger like this. And for what?”

“Money.” Rio fitted his eye to the sight. “But I’ve got a bigger question.”

Still fuming, Becca said, “What?”

“Is your father involved?”

Chapter Nineteen

“Oh my God,” Becca murmured. “I can’t imagine that my dad would do anything illegal like this. Sell weapons, of all things.”

Rio set the rifle aside and inspected the wooden crate. “No markings except for a number. Wonder if there’s any clue about where these puppies are going. The number should correspond to a purchase order, right? Maybe there’s a paper trail.”

“Yes, in fact any purchase order should go through my office. I see them all. Let’s go. I’ll show you.”

Carefully. Rio put everything back as they’d found it, and moved to follow her up the ramp and down the hallways.

At the first door, Becca opened it and Rio pushed inside. He used the penlight to search the room. A typical office, it featured a desk, a tall fiddle fig plant in the corner, and a few framed photos of her family.

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