Free Secrets That Kill by Colleen Helme Page B

“I got this.”
    I took a breath to object but closed my mouth instead. Ramos was thinking that I’d better keep my mouth shut if I knew what was good for me. I chuckled and moved out of his way. I’d probably tested his patience enough for one day, and we still had some breaking and entering on the agenda.
    That thought sent a chill down my spine. But I would be with Ramos. What could go wrong with him there? At least I knew he had my back.
    We got in the car, and Ramos pulled into traffic. “I know a place that serves the best fish tacos I’ve ever had. You game?”
    “Sure,” I said.
    “I don’t know if it’s still there, but ever since I got off the plane, that’s what I’ve wanted to eat. Crazy how a place can trigger things like that, isn’t it?”
    “For sure,” I agreed. “How long has it been since you’ve been back?”
    He sighed. “I don’t know, about fifteen years. I was eighteen when I left, and I swore I’d never come back. But it doesn’t seem so bad to be here this time.” He was thinking it was true as long as he didn’t try too hard to remember why he’d left.
    Since he was thinking that, I decided not to ask him any more questions about his past. Not when he felt such bitterness and pain. Something bad had happened to him here, and although I was curious, now was not the time to talk about it.
    “There it is!” he said. “I can’t believe it’s still here.” Ramos grinned like a kid. I’d never seen him like that. It was a little disconcerting.
    “Sweet!” I said, trying to match his enthusiasm. We pulled into the small parking lot surrounding what looked like an old fast food joint that had been remodeled into a Mexican restaurant with a big sombrero hat on top. The word “Hector’s” glowed in neon lights above the building. The place was crowded with people, and we hurried to the back of the line.
    The only bad part about this idea was that I hated fish tacos. But there was no way I could tell Ramos that. I’d have to suck it up and eat at least one. That should work since I could use the excuse that I wasn’t very hungry, which was mostly true. Hopefully it wouldn’t kill me.
    When it came my turn to order, I got one fish taco, some fries, and a drink. Ramos was thinking I was nuts to only get one but didn’t say anything. He ordered five, thinking that after I tasted mine, I’d want at least one more. I tried not to shudder and took my cup to the drinks machine.
    We found a small table near the back and settled in to eat. Ramos dug in, closing his eyes in pleasure with the first bite. He swallowed and glanced at me. “These are even better than I remember.” Noticing I that I hadn’t started eating mine, his brows drew together. “Aren’t you going to eat it?”
    “Of course.” I smiled brightly. Unable to put it off any longer, I took a small bite. A burst of cilantro and lime with a tangy sauce coated my tongue. I chewed, surprised that I couldn’t taste that fishiness that always repelled me. I took another bite, but the same great flavors came through, leaving me a little shocked. “This is really good.” I finished it off like a starving person.
    Ramos smirked. “Good thing I got an extra one for you.” He pushed it toward me.
    “I guess you could tell I usually don’t like these,” I confessed.
    “The thought had crossed my mind,” he agreed. “But you probably already knew that.”
    I nodded and took a bite of my second taco, savoring the flavor almost as much as Ramos had. Who would have thought I’d ever like these? Chris would be so surprised. A pang of remorse hit me in the chest. How would he feel knowing I was sitting here enjoying myself while he was probably worrying about me? I checked the time. It was after eight. I should have called him before now.
    “What’s wrong?” Ramos asked.
    “I promised Chris I’d call him, and it’s getting late.”
    Ramos nodded in understanding. “It’s not too late. Let’s get back to