CSI Texas

Chapter Nineteen

Victoria stepped into the quiet house just after 7 a.m., her body heavy with exhaustion but her mind still wired from the events of the night. The forest case had officially grown teeth — two victims now, and a tangled thread of leads stretching in too many directions. She tossed her keys into the bowl by the door and walked into the kitchen, the silence wrapping around her like a familiar, worn-out coat.
Samantha was already gone for school, her empty coffee cup still sitting by the sink, a smear of peanut butter on a butter knife next to it. Victoria smiled faintly at the sign of her daughter’s growing independence and moved to rinse the dishes.
Her phone buzzed. A message from Alan:
"Meeting with construction manager confirmed for noon. Sleep if you can."
She typed back, "Can’t. Too wired. See you then."

Later that day, Victoria and Alan sat in a cramped office above the construction firm where Julian Rivas had once worked. The manager, a nervous man in his fifties named Tom Callahan, tapped a pen anxiously against the desk.
“We let Julian go last year. Started noticing inconsistencies in shipments. Extra lumber going missing, tools not accounted for. But when we asked questions, he shut down fast.”
Alan leaned forward. “Did you suspect organized crime?”
Tom hesitated. “We don’t ask those questions out loud, detective. But… yes. We heard whispers. He was seen with a man named Marco Villanueva. Used to work in site security. Rumors say he had connections to the Lucetti family.”
Victoria scribbled in her notebook. “We’ll need addresses. Anyone else connected to both men?”
Tom nodded. “A guy named Vince Delano. Works in accounting. Still employed. Never caused trouble, but he was close to Julian. Always covered for him when he called in sick or missed check-ins.”
Alan exchanged a look with Victoria. “Let’s pay him a visit.”

Meanwhile, Samantha walked beside Dylan through the hallway toward the library, both carrying sketchbooks under their arms.
“So,” Dylan asked, “what are you drawing for the portfolio?”
Samantha shrugged. “Not sure. Something... layered. Like shadows and light. I want it to mean something, not just look pretty.”
“I like that,” Dylan said. “Want to stay after class today and draw together?”
Samantha nodded. “Sure. I could use the company.”
He gave her a small smile. “I’ve got a spot on the hill behind the school. It’s quiet. Great light for sketching.”
She felt her heart skip a beat but kept her tone calm. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

Back at the precinct, Victoria dropped a folder on Alan’s desk. “Delano agreed to meet. Says he has nothing to hide.”
Alan opened the folder. “Background’s clean. No criminal history. But this is interesting — Julian transferred large sums of cash into a joint account. Delano’s name is on it.”
Victoria frowned. “So he’s either involved… or being used.”
Alan stood. “Let’s find out which.”

Later, on the hill behind the school, Samantha and Dylan sat with their sketchbooks open. Trees rustled overhead and the setting sun cast golden light through the branches.
“I used to come here when things got overwhelming,” Dylan said. “Helps me think.”
Samantha glanced at him. “What overwhelms you?”
He shrugged. “My dad. Life. People expecting me to be a certain way.”
Samantha nodded. “I get that. Moving here felt like I had to start from scratch.”
“You’re doing okay,” Dylan said, nudging her arm. “Actually, better than okay.”
She smiled at him, and for a moment they just sat in silence, sketching. Safe. Calm.

Later that night, Victoria made a quick dinner — just pasta and sautéed vegetables — before dressing for her next shift. Samantha sat at the table, hair damp from a shower, drawing quietly.
“You okay if I head in a little early?” Victoria asked.
Samantha didn’t look up. “Yeah. Go save the world.”
Victoria stepped over, kissed the top of her daughter’s head, and smiled. “You’re my world. That counts.”
Samantha finally looked up. “Be careful.”
“I always am.”