Read Online Ramsey's Gold (Drake Ramsey Book 1) by Russell Blake - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Russell Blake
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that kind of gamble. But if you’re asking me whether somewhere in the jungle at the ass end of the world there are ruins of an Inca city with unimaginable treasure in it, the answer’s a cautious yes.”
“Cautious? Why? That hardly seems consistent with a commando’s nature.”
“You take enough risks when you’re a kid, you see enough, and you start to appreciate your own mortality. How old are you?”
“Twenty-six.”
“Yeah, I remember those days well. You’re only a couple of years older than Allie. When you’re young, you think you’re invulnerable and have all the time in the world to live out your life. Once you’re an old fart like me, you understand there are no guarantees, and if you see the sun rise tomorrow, it’s a gift, not a right.” Jack cleared his throat. “Now you can answer some questions for me. How do you know how to skip-trace well enough to find me? I’m pretty much unfindable. No criminal record, not even a traffic ticket. I’ve kept my nose clean. I live in the middle of God’s country. My nearest neighbor is a half mile down the road. How did you do it?”
Drake explained about his career as a bounty hunter and the painstaking process he’d gone through to locate him.
Jack appraised him with a knowing eye. “See? The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Your father was convinced he could find Paititi – that he could find anything. Whether you know it or not, you’re the same.”
Drake shrugged, the praise uncomfortable. “It’s a living.”
“I’m sure it is. But given how smart your old man was, I’m surprised you’re not a doctor or a lawyer or something. How did you wind up in the bounty-hunting game?”
“It’s just one of those things you fall into.”
“Being a short-order cook or a car salesman’s the kind of thing you fall into. There aren’t many bounty hunters. Did you go to school?”
“Yeah. I’ve got a journalism degree that’s good for lining the bottom of a bird cage. It’s tough out there these days. No jobs. Newspapers folding right and left. Christ, there are lines for openings at fast-food restaurants. It’s crazy.”
“We’ve certainly made a mess of it, I’ll give you that.”
“So I got a tip from a buddy that his brother needed some help with his bail bond business, and after talking to him, I interned there for a few weeks – unpaid, of course – and learned the ropes. I nailed my first perp at month number three and pocketed six grand, and then another the next month and made four. Following month, took home ten. That was it for me.”
“Doesn’t seem like the kind of thing you’d be good at. No offense, but you’re not exactly the type to take on a three-hundred-pound fugitive.”
“You’d be surprised. I used to wrestle in school, and took some martial arts courses. I’m not saying it’s easy, but like I said, it puts food on the table.”
Allie entered, looking at her watch. “Speaking of food on the table, is he staying for dinner?” she asked Jack.
Jack eyed him. “Well? You heard the lady. You staying for dinner?”
Drake tried his most winning grin on Allie and got polite indifference in return. He decided not to let it faze him.
“I’d love to. You need any help in the kitchen?”
“I was just going to microwave a couple of TV dinners. I think I can handle it.” She spun on her heel and left.
Jack shook his head. “Don’t take it personally. She’s had a rough patch lately. Same as you. No jobs. A bum for an ex-boyfriend. So she’s a little angry.”
“No offense taken.”
“Atta boy. Now tell me about everything you’ve patched together about your dad, and I’ll try to fill in the gaps for you.”
Chapter Ten
Contrary to Allie’s verbal menu, dinner consisted of thick, juicy steaks and garlic-sautéed spinach that would have been the envy of any high-end restaurant. The dinner discussion centered primarily around Drake’s father and his exploits before leaving for
“Cautious? Why? That hardly seems consistent with a commando’s nature.”
“You take enough risks when you’re a kid, you see enough, and you start to appreciate your own mortality. How old are you?”
“Twenty-six.”
“Yeah, I remember those days well. You’re only a couple of years older than Allie. When you’re young, you think you’re invulnerable and have all the time in the world to live out your life. Once you’re an old fart like me, you understand there are no guarantees, and if you see the sun rise tomorrow, it’s a gift, not a right.” Jack cleared his throat. “Now you can answer some questions for me. How do you know how to skip-trace well enough to find me? I’m pretty much unfindable. No criminal record, not even a traffic ticket. I’ve kept my nose clean. I live in the middle of God’s country. My nearest neighbor is a half mile down the road. How did you do it?”
Drake explained about his career as a bounty hunter and the painstaking process he’d gone through to locate him.
Jack appraised him with a knowing eye. “See? The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Your father was convinced he could find Paititi – that he could find anything. Whether you know it or not, you’re the same.”
Drake shrugged, the praise uncomfortable. “It’s a living.”
“I’m sure it is. But given how smart your old man was, I’m surprised you’re not a doctor or a lawyer or something. How did you wind up in the bounty-hunting game?”
“It’s just one of those things you fall into.”
“Being a short-order cook or a car salesman’s the kind of thing you fall into. There aren’t many bounty hunters. Did you go to school?”
“Yeah. I’ve got a journalism degree that’s good for lining the bottom of a bird cage. It’s tough out there these days. No jobs. Newspapers folding right and left. Christ, there are lines for openings at fast-food restaurants. It’s crazy.”
“We’ve certainly made a mess of it, I’ll give you that.”
“So I got a tip from a buddy that his brother needed some help with his bail bond business, and after talking to him, I interned there for a few weeks – unpaid, of course – and learned the ropes. I nailed my first perp at month number three and pocketed six grand, and then another the next month and made four. Following month, took home ten. That was it for me.”
“Doesn’t seem like the kind of thing you’d be good at. No offense, but you’re not exactly the type to take on a three-hundred-pound fugitive.”
“You’d be surprised. I used to wrestle in school, and took some martial arts courses. I’m not saying it’s easy, but like I said, it puts food on the table.”
Allie entered, looking at her watch. “Speaking of food on the table, is he staying for dinner?” she asked Jack.
Jack eyed him. “Well? You heard the lady. You staying for dinner?”
Drake tried his most winning grin on Allie and got polite indifference in return. He decided not to let it faze him.
“I’d love to. You need any help in the kitchen?”
“I was just going to microwave a couple of TV dinners. I think I can handle it.” She spun on her heel and left.
Jack shook his head. “Don’t take it personally. She’s had a rough patch lately. Same as you. No jobs. A bum for an ex-boyfriend. So she’s a little angry.”
“No offense taken.”
“Atta boy. Now tell me about everything you’ve patched together about your dad, and I’ll try to fill in the gaps for you.”
Chapter Ten
Contrary to Allie’s verbal menu, dinner consisted of thick, juicy steaks and garlic-sautéed spinach that would have been the envy of any high-end restaurant. The dinner discussion centered primarily around Drake’s father and his exploits before leaving for
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