Date: Sun, 7 Dec 2008 16:06:23 +0000
From: Miguel Sanchez <miguel_sanchez55@hotmail.com>
Subject: Julio, The Growing Years, Ch. 77

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction and that of love. Any resemblance to
actual places, events, or persons, living or dead, is purely
coincidental. This story may contain erotic and/or sexually explicit
behavior between consenting teens. If it is illegal for you to, or you find
this sort of work offensive, don't download or read it!

The people in this story do not use protection because diseases don't exist
here. However, in our world they do so please use caution and protection.

This story is protected by copyright. It may not be downloaded or copied
for other than your private enjoyment and may not be changed in any way
without the expressed written consent of the author. This story may not be
put on any other site without the author's express written consent.

I reply to all emails, except flames. You may write me at
miguel_sanchez55@hotmail.com

I hope you enjoy this story.
Miguel Sanchez

Copyright Miguel Sanchez 2006

Julio -- The Growing Years

Chapter 77

David put the cap back on the needle then walked towards the door. "I had
it a couple times too after an operation. Get some sleep now Miguel."

I reached out and turned off the light then got comfortable. I felt the
medication begin to do its thing so I closed my eyes and allowed sleep to
over take me.

The next morning, my bladder woke me so I gently got out of bed and
answered nature's call. As I stood my left arm moved suddenly and I quickly
found the sling. After peeing, I returned and got dressed then headed down
to get some coffee. I went into the dining room and my kids were already
up. Ronnie saw me and motioned for me to join them at the table. I went
over and sat down then Jay brought me some wake up juice. "Here Dad, how
did you sleep last night?"

My hip was still a little sore from the injection. "I slept well after
David gave me an injection."

I was finishing my second cup of coffee when Guillermo came down and told
me I had a phone call from Danny. I went down and took the call. "Hi Danny,
what's up?"

"Hi Miguel, look Larry Moreno called me first thing and said he wants to
talk to me along with the others."

Now I knew Larry Moreno was not one to be up at that crack of dawn for no
reason. Something was going on and Danny's call had my interest
piqued. "Did he give you any indication on what this is about?"

"Nope just that he wanted me to call Insp. Franco and Special Agent Douglas
and make sure they're here."

Man I wanted to be there. "Did you tell Larry and Asst. US Attorney is
coming in to town today?"

"Yeah, I told him that and about the fact they want to take Curtis back to
the US."

I thought for a moment. "What time is the meeting and did you call Judge
Romero yet?"

I heard him laugh. "It's just 7:30 in the morning."

Now I felt foolish. "I didn't even look at the time Danny. I can be there
about 9 unless someone wants breakfast for a ride."

"Hey now you know I can't resist Hanna's cooking. I'll be there in about 20
minutes."

I hung up the phone and went back down to the dining room. On the way, I
stopped and got my stronger pain pills because I knew I was going to need
them. As I got close to the dining room, I heard the unmistakable sounds of
the children. I tried to make an inconspicuous entrance but Chad was
sitting so he could see all who entered. As soon as he saw me he stuck his
hand up in the air and started waving it; "Papa Miguel, over here."

I waved back holding up a finger telling him to give me a minute. I got my
coffee cup and refilled it then made my way over to see Chad. The first
thing I noticed was the huge stack of pancakes on his plate. "Hi son, did
you get enough to eat?"

He nodded his head then stuffed a forkful into his mouth. He was about to
talk until I put my finger on his lips. He got the message then chewed and
swallowed. "Un huh, these are good too. Where'd Danny go?"

I sat down beside him. "Well, after you fell asleep we put you in with
Mikey and Shane. Danny had to be into work early this morning and he didn't
want to wake you up."

I sat there for another couple of minutes then Hanna came over. "Come on
Miguel, you need to eat to keep your strength up so your shoulder can
heal."

I stood up just as Chad raised his hand again. "Danny, over here."

"Hanna, is there enough for Danny?"

She wagged her finger in front of me. "You know there is plenty but not if
you don't get your breakfast."

That got me in gear as I saw Danny come over and hug Chad. I went and got
my breakfast then joined the adults. Danny came over and sat down. "Miguel,
there is something strange going on here."

I'd never seen Danny like this before. "Look, let's eat then go see what's
going on. You said everyone will be there so maybe between everyone, we can
figure this all out."

I started trying to fix my pancakes but when they almost went into my lap,
Angel leaned over and fixed them for me. "Daddy, you know you have to take
it easy."

"I know love and I will but there are some things I need to find out."

After Angel buttered my pancakes, I poured a load of syrup on them then dug
in. Ronnie brought me some more coffee and soon everyone had devoured their
breakfasts. By the time I was done, my shoulder was starting to hurt so I
reached into my pocket for a pill and washed it down.

The children had all put their trays up and had left to go outside to
play. Danny looked at me then nodded his head. "Let's get over to the
office and see what Larry wants."

Jay, Ronnie and Marco walked with Danny and me to the front door. Marco put
his hand on my arm and looked at me. "Pop, take it easy will you? I know
how you can be when you get into things."

I smiled and patted his back. "I know son but I'll behave. We'll all be
just talking so I'll be sitting down."

Marco opened the car door for me and I slid inside. Danny got in on the
driver's side and we were off. The traffic was still light so it didn't
take that long to get to his office. We went in the back door and right
away, we heard a strongly heated conversation. Danny hurried through the
back room and came into the main office. I couldn't move that fast but I
heard Danny's voice right away. "What the hell is going on in here?"

A moment later I came in then heard a familiar voice. "When were you going
to tell me?"

Danny stopped and looked at him. "When was I going to tell you what,
Larry?"

He held the newspaper up. "Imagine my surprise when I look at today's paper
and read about the death of Victoria Ruiz."

"As soon as I had finished my reports," Danny shot back.

"Larry what the hell has gotten into you?"

He looked around Danny and saw me standing there. "Miguel, what happened to
you?"

I found a chair and sat down as I saw Larry come around and sat on the
desk. "I got shot by Ruben Peņa."

His mouth dropped. "Are you sure?"

Danny slammed his fist on the counter. "He should be; Rolando killed him."

Larry shook his head. "Man, what is going on here? And what is this about
you having someone in jail that the USA wants?"

Just then, I saw Inspector Franco and two others I didn't recognize but
assumed was an Assistant US Attorney."

Danny spotted Insp. Franco and extended his hand. "I'm glad you're all
here. I had some files delivered to me yesterday while I was at the
hospital. Dr. Sanchez, how's the shoulder today?"

I stood up and went over to him. "It's sore as hell to be honest. I'd like
you to meet the City Attorney, Larry Moreno."

Larry stood up and shook his hand then looked at the others. "And who might
you gentlemen be?"

One of the men reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a case. "I'm
Special Agent Brian Douglas with the F.B.I. and this is Asst. US Attorney
Leon James."

Danny went around and held open the gate that led to behind the counter and
into the main office. "Follow me everyone, we'll go to a conference room
where we can all sit and talk."

After we all got seated, Franco went to speak but Larry fired off
first. "Can someone tell me about Victoria Ruiz?"

Danny looked to me. "Well, here's what we know. She was brought into the ER
early on the 26th but had no ID on her. Sometime after that a man who
claimed to be a Federal Inspector, who we now know is Rafael Curtis, wanted
to talk to Joey Peņa but my staff and then with help from Danny and Rolando
kept that from happening. Steven called me at the hospital and filled me in
about what happened at the home. I sent down stairs and met the man. He
told me about the Jane Doe female and decided to see who this unknown
patient was. It took a few minutes to find her chart and get to her room
and it was then I discovered it was Victoria Ruiz. She's been severely
beaten and raped and was unconscious. A few minutes later she coded and
that's when I left the room."

Larry interrupted me then. "But she was alive when you left?"

I nodded my head. "Yes she was. Now, while the doctors were working on her,
Danny and I went out to the lobby so we could talk. That's when we saw Peņa
holding a boy. Well, to make a long story short, the boy got free, Curtis
tossed Peņa his weapon. Rolando killed Peņa, I got shot and Danny got
Curtis. I then learned that a blood sample taken from Ruben and semen
recovered from Victoria's body are the same blood type so it appears that
he was her attacker. That's where we are today."

Larry shook his head. "Man, this makes no sense. Why would he want to hurt
her?"

I shook my head. "I'm afraid that's something we'll never know the answer
to."

Inspector Franco reached into his briefcase and plopped 2 files onto the
table. We all looked at Franco but Danny spoke first. "What are those?"

He closed his briefcase then set it on the floor. "These were on my desk
when I got back to my office late yesterday afternoon. One is a file from
the Sao Paulo office and the other is from Rio. Both contain reports about
crimes in that area going back several years. The Sao Paulo crimes are the
oldest but they are remarkably similar to what I've heard here so far."

As soon as Larry heard Rio, his eyes got huge. "Can I see the Rio File?"

Franco slid it over and Larry started reading. I saw him leaf through a
number of pages then he stopped and started reading. He flipped the page
then continued reading then I saw him just stare at it. I thought maybe he
was trying to digest something then he closed the file. He reached over and
grabbed the one from Sao Paulo and quickly flipped through the pages
again. After several minutes he slammed the file down. "I can't believe
what I just read. Now I see the connection here."

I looked at him. "Well, come on Larry, out with it."

He took a deep breath then slowly let it out. "Well, it seems that the same
lawyer prosecuted both cases in Sao Paulo and Rio. That lawyer then came
down here."

Danny's eyes got huge. "Victoria Ruiz?"

He nodded his head. "That's right and the first case she handled here in
Recife was Joey Peņa on behalf of his uncle."

Danny shook his head. "I remember that. Ruben posed as a Deputy Sheriff
along with a couple others and tried to get into the home. 2 of my plain
clothes deputies were following them and thank god we were able to arrest
them before anything happened."

I giggled at that moment. "Well, that was until Joey came out and Ruben
started spouting off and Joey slapped the taste right out of his mouth."

Danny nodded. "Yeah, I remember that."

Larry stepped in then. "I remember that too. She even tried to get Joey put
into a juvenile detention center but Judge Romero saw through it. Now that
we've made a connection here, I'm going to request a search warrant of her
place and that of Ruben Peņa's."

Danny raised a finger. "While you're at it, do one on our friend in the
back, Rafael Curtis."

Just then Mr. James spoke up. "I have papers here requesting Curtis be
extradited back to the US to stand trial."

Larry thought for several minutes before speaking. "I know why you all want
him and I can't say as I blame you. However, before I agree to let him go I
want to know all I can about what he's done here."

James shook his head. "I can understand that sir but I still have the right
to be heard in court."

Larry smiled. "Of course and once I fill out the search warrants, you can
follow Sheriff Vasquez over to the courthouse. I'm sure Judge Romero will
sign the warrants and you can talk with him about a hearing time."

I looked up at the clock and it was only 9:30 so Judge Romero might be
free, depending on his case load. Larry reached down and got his briefcase
and pulled out some forms. He started filling them in then signed off on
them. "Here you go Sheriff."

Danny took the forms then folded them and put them into his shirt
pocket. He went over and talked to the Deputy on the Desk. "Get Rolando and
a few others to head over to the Curtis place. Get Billings and his partner
over to Peņa's and I'll call another deputy in to help me at Victoria
Ruiz's. Make sure to tell them not to enter the houses until I have these
warrants signed."

The Desk Deputy nodded his head then he and the American's left the
office. It took Danny just a few minutes to make it to the courthouse. He
found Judge Romero's court room and quietly opened the door. There were a
few people sitting there but the morning session hadn't started yet so they
all went in. He spotted the Bailiff and went over to him. "Is Judge Romero
free? I have 3 search warrants I'd like him to sign plus these men are from
the United States."

The Bailiff went inside then quickly returned holding the door. "The Judge
will see you."

Judge Romero was sitting at his desk finishing a cup of coffee. "Come in
Sheriff and who are these 2 gentlemen?"

Danny made the introductions as he handed him the warrants. "This is
Special Agent Brian Douglas with the F.B.I. and that is Asst. US Attorney
Leon James."

Judge Romero looked down and started reading the warrants. He slowly read
all three then quickly signed off on them. He handed them back to Danny
then looked at Leon James. "And what brings a US Attorney down here?"

The man reached into his suit jacket and pulled out the papers and handed
them to the judge. "The United States is seeking to extradite Rafael
Curtis. We have a long list of charges against him and we'd like to bring
him to justice."

He looked over to Danny. "Why is he in your jail Sheriff?"

"Well, for now he's being held on the charge of aiding and abetting
attempted murder. He aided Ruben Peņa by tossing him his weapon then Peņa
shot Miguel."

Javier's eyes got huge when he heard that. "How is he Sheriff?"

"Miguel is fine Your Honor, he took one to the left shoulder. Right now,
he's over at the office talking with Larry Moreno."

Danny could see the judge relax. "Does Curtis have a lawyer?"

Danny shook his head. "Not that I'm aware of."

Judge Romero thought for a moment. "Hummm, I wonder..."

Danny interrupted. "Oh no Your Honor, Paulo will not represent him. He's
the attorney for The Foundation."

Javier waved his hand. "Fair enough Sheriff, I have a list of lawyers for
just this sort of thing. Mr. James, I have a full docket this morning and 1
case this afternoon. I'll hear you at 2:30."

The men left the judge's chambers then Danny stopped at the Bailiff's
desk. He pointed to the phone and the bailiff nodded his head. Danny then
called his office and told the Desk Deputy to radio the men to start the
searches. Danny walked quickly towards the back of the courtroom. "If
you'll excuse me, I have work to do."

Danny then made a quick stop at the office. "Hey Danny, think I could tag
along?"

He motioned his head then I saw Franco following me. I stopped then Larry
got up and followed us. The 3 of us got into Danny's car and sped off
towards Victoria's residence. We weren't on the road but a few minutes when
Danny got a radio call from Rolando. "Danny here, go ahead son."

Rolando came back. "Dad, I'm with Billings here at Ruben Peņa's place and
we're too late. The front and back doors have been kicked in and the place
totally destroyed. We entered when we saw the break in. There isn't a thing
here."

Danny got back to Rolando. "OK son, tell Billings and his partner to get
over to Curtis' house and sit on it. If there is anyone that even looks
like they want to get near it, detain them."

"Will do Dad," Rolando came back. "Where do you need me?"

"Meet me at Victoria's house."

"I'm on my way," Rolando replied.

About 10 minutes later, we pulled up to Victoria's place. A couple of
minutes later, Rolando arrived. We were about to get out when Danny got
another radio call, "Billings to Sheriff Vasquez."

"Sheriff Vasquez here; go ahead Billings."

"We're at the Curtis' place. Everything is secure and there is no sign
anyone has tried to break in."

We all relaxed when we heard that. "Very good Billings; stay there and have
your partner watch the back of the house. We'll be there as soon as we
can."

The three of us got out of the car and Danny went over to talk to Rolando
as we all headed for the house. Larry looked at me but I could tell he was
lost in thought. "Miguel, when I was looking at those files, I can't for
the life of me figure out how Victoria got mixed up in all this."

I thought for a moment. "I can't either Larry and I guess that's something
we might never learn the answer too."

Rolando reached into his pocket and took out a key handing it to Danny. "I
got this from her effects at the hospital. Other than some lipstick and
makeup, there was nothing else of any importance."

Danny took the key. "Good thinking son. Now let's see what's in here that
might give us some answers."

Danny unlocked the door to the small house then pushed it open taking a
quick look around before entering. Nothing seemed to be out of order. "Dad,
I'll check the back and see if it's still secure."

Rolando was gone for a minute then returned. "The back is still secure so
it seems no one has been in here."

Rolando started in the small living room which was very sparsely
furnished. I found a chair and sat down so I could give my arm a
rest. After a few minutes, Larry helped in the search. Danny and
Insp. Franco went to the lone bedroom and began looking in there. "Danny,
do you have any idea what we're looking for?"

He was about to open a dresser drawer then stopped. "I don't have a clue."

Danny started going through the dresser while Franco went to the small
closet. He looked around then felt through the clothes that were
hanging. He looked up on the small shelf and pulled down the two boxes that
were up there then brought them over to the bed. He took the lid off one
then dumped the contents out. There were some old photos of Victoria and
who he guessed to be her parents. There was a small Bible and two
obituaries. One was her father's and the other was her mothers. Franco put
those back in the Bible and put the things back into the box. He opened the
other one and in it were a pair of high heels. He took them out to make
sure there was nothing else in the box and when he went to put them back a
key fell out. He looked at it for a moment. "Danny, have you found anything
this key could fit?"

Danny shook his head. "I haven't found anything other then women's clothes
yet."

Rolando and Larry were striking out in the living room. I watched as they
went through her small desk and a little coat closet checking everything
they found.

Franco kept the key but put the other 2 boxes back on the shelf in the
closet. Danny had gone through 3 large drawers of women's things then saw
the night stand. He went to pull on what looked like a drawer but nothing
happened. "Hey, come over here and give me a hand. This drawer is stuck."

Franco went over and gave the handle a little pull. He looked at it then
started tapping on it. "This has a weird sound for a night stand."

Danny tapped on the side and listened. "You're right. Hey Rolando, come
back to the bedroom son."

I heard Danny call for Rolando so I followed as Larry came with him
too. "Yes Dad, what's up?"

Danny motioned him over. "Tap on this and tell me what you think."

Rolando went over and tapped on the top then tried to pull on the
handle. He next knocked on the side. "Man, this thing sounds hollow."

He was right. All of a sudden it was like a light coming on in Larry's
head. "Move the lamp and other stuff then the both of you pick that thing
up."

Danny moved the lamp on to the bed while Rolando moved the clock and other
things. They each took hold of top and lifted. They got it about a foot off
the ground and I could see something inside the stand. "Keep going guys,
there is something in there."

They lifted it another foot and it cleared the object. Larry went over to
it. "Damn Danny, it's a safe. I guess she did have some things she wanted
to hide."

Franco reached into his pocket. "Let's see if this key fits it. He said
sliding the key into the slot.

Rolando smiled. "Can you open it?"

Franco shook his head; "Not here I can't. We'll need to get this to your
office Danny, and then I can crack it."

I looked at Larry who was staring at me and we both were shocked at what we
heard. "Crack it?" Rolando asked just as surprised as we were.

Franco smiled then nodded his head. "It's something I picked up but only
use it in emergencies and when there is a search warrant in hand."

That safe didn't look all that big but I knew they were heavy as all get
out. "I don't think that'll fit on the trunk of your car Danny."

He went over and pulled on it and shook his head. "Nope, we're going to
need a truck for that. Miguel, could we impose on you to allow us to borrow
one of your maintenance trucks?"

I smiled at him. "It's no imposition at all Danny."

I walked out into the living room and looked for a phone. I didn't see one
in there so I checked in the kitchen. I saw one hanging on the wall so I
picked up the receiver and listened to see if it was still working. It was
so I called the home and spoke to Guillermo. He told me he'd have the two
maintenance men leave right away. I was about to return to the bedroom when
I saw Danny and Rolando coming out carrying the safe. Larry then put his
hand on Franco's shoulder. "I don't know how long it's going to take to get
a truck out here so do you think you can open it here?"

Franco looked at us sheepishly then nodded. "Someone get some paper so as I
call out numbers, you can write them down?"

Rolando pulled out his notebook and grabbed his pen. "Got it, go ahead."

Franco went over and knelt down in front of the safe and started turning
the dial. We all watched as he slowly turned the dial then stop, "84."

Rolando wrote down the number then Franco started turning the dial in the
other direction. He turned the dial very slowly again then stopped, looking
up at Rolando. "24."

I watched as Rolando wrote then Franco turned the dial back as he did the
first time. He was going much slower this time and then he quickly
stopped. He looked up at Rolando and he had a smile on his face. "73," he
said as he reached into his pocket pulling out a key and inserting it into
the handle.

He turned the key then grabbed hold of the handle and pulled. The handle
lifted up and then he opened the door to the safe. We were all amazed at
what we saw as Franco stepped back as Danny patted him on the back. "That
would have taken a locksmith to open buddy. Now let's see what's inside."

Danny knelt down and opened the door all the way. Inside there were a
number of shoeboxes that 2 could fit end to end width wise across the back
of the safe. In the front there were what looked like legal files. Danny
pulled those out and handed them to Larry. He started looking through them
as Danny started removing the shoe boxes. Danny handed one to Rolando and
the guy couldn't resist lifting the cover off. When he did, his eyes got
huge. "Holy shit Dad, look at this."

Rolando lowered the box and inside it was loaded with money. Danny took the
box and took out a neatly rubber banded stack of currency and quickly
counted the bills. "There are 50 100 Real notes here. I'm holding 5,000
Reals just in my hand."

Danny dumped the contents onto the floor and we started counting. Every
bill was 100 Reals. There were a total of 30 stacks each containing 5,000
Reals. Rolando did some quick math. "There is 1,500,000 Reals in that box
Dad."

Danny didn't have time to do any more so he put everything back into the
safe and relocked it. "This has to be taken to the office so we can count
it and secure it until the court can make a determination who the money
belongs to."

Danny and Rolando put the things back into the safe then locked the
door. Danny took the key and put it into his pocket. About that time, there
was a knock on the door. I stepped into the living room and saw the
maintenance men from the home. "In here guys, I hope you brought something
to load this thing on."

The two men followed me to the bedroom then looked at the safe. "Miguel,
you guys will need to move out of our way."

We moved out of their way then they picked the safe up and carried it
outside. Danny followed them so he could tell them where it had to
go. "Take this to my office. I'll radio ahead and let someone know it's on
the way and where to put it for the time being."

Danny went over to his car and radioed the office then came back
inside. "Is everything alright?"

He nodded his head. "Yep, they're expecting the safe now. It's after 11 so
we better hurry on over to Curits' place. I know it's huge so it's going to
take some time to do a thorough search. The hearing on his extradition is
set for 2:30."

Danny secured Victoria's house then it was on to our next stop. When Danny
pulled up, we saw a Sheriff's car in front of the place. Danny got out and
talked with the Deputy then he headed for the front door. After unlocking
it, he and Rolando did a quick look to make sure the place was empty then
we entered. I looked around at a home that was bigger then my Dad's
was. "You can't hide money."

Danny, Rolando and Franco split up and began searching the big house. Danny
headed upstairs with Larry and me hot on his heels. Rolando started in the
living room and Franco went into what looked like an office.

Rolando wasn't finding anything in the living room and the same was true
for us in the master bedroom. Larry and I knocked on the bed stands then
removed the paintings from the walls. Everything was as it should be. We
were about to head to another bedroom when we heard Insp. Franco call out,
"In here guys."

Danny, Larry and I hurried down the stairs and into the office. Franco and
found a safe disguised as an end table, another safe built into the wall
and yet another inside a walk in closet. Danny looked at the one in the
closet. "Can you open this one?"

Franco nodded his head as he went into the closet. Rolando stood behind him
with his pad, ready to write down the numbers again as he called them
out. Franco placed his ear close to the dial and began turning it
slowly. He listened carefully then stopped, "29"

We watched as he continued listening and listening for the tumblers to drop
into place. Soon, he'd called out 2 more numbers then tried to lift the
handle but this time it didn't budge. We all had a look of disappointment
on our faces. "What happened?" I asked.

Franco thought for a moment then went back and turned the dial one more
time. He stepped back trying the handle again and this time it raised up
unlocking the door. He pulled it open and inside was a big box with USA
written on it. Rolando and Franco reached in and wiggled the carton out of
the safe. Danny went over and opened the box and gasped, "Holy shit."

Larry stepped inside. "What is it Danny?"

Danny looked over his shoulder. "There must be at least 50 tapes in here
and there is a big ledger."

To be continued