HIDDEN SPRINGS 14

at the ranch yard latigo saw where the truck louis was driveing turned around and left. at least he didnt go bothering irene. latigo unsaddled his horse and stumped into the house. he went to a cabinet and took down a bottle of ten high whiskey and a glass. he sat at the table stewing and sipping the whiskey. irene came in from out side and took note of the whiskey and the foul mood latigo was in. she got a glass and sat down across from him and poured herself a double shot. she didnt say a word. latigo watched her sip the strong whiskey and make a face. " i wanted to see what this stuff did when you were in a bad mood, it makes it worse i think" irene commented as she put her glass down " whats the trouble boss? still the cartels and such?" latigo looked at irene and smiled" the cartels i can work on, the crooked goverment i can work on. its the third group i cant get a handle on. they are moveing in front of the other two and i got no idea from where or what.. they gotta have some deep pockets tho they got choppers." irene sat there a few moments then asked" do you think it might be the ricco christianas?" " who are they? i never heard of them." latigo poured another dolop of whiskey. " they are a group of scavengers. they head quarter in AJO. for years they go out in the bombing range and pick up brass, spent rounds, anything they can turn a profit on. no body ever said anything about them because ever so ofter they disturb a unexploded bomb and blow them selves up. plus they keep the desert cleaned up some what. they claim to be christians, but they are just another gang. i heard they moved into the drug trade. probably how they bought the choppers. " irene explained. latigo looked at her like she had two heads."why didnt you tell me this before?" " some of them are family, and i wasnt sure they were doing this. but it all adds up. i dont think they are killers or anything like the caborca cartel. or even louis andd his bunch. but they got guts. for years they been scavaging the bombing range. just going out there takes guts!"irene pushed her glass of whiskey over to latigo. " do you know any of them folks?' latigo asked. " i told you ime related to some of them. " irene asnwered. " i need to talk to some of them." latigo stated. " when your ready ill try to help. " irene was getting up" ill fix us something to eat."