Last Gasp

Where?

Down.

Found him this morning.

The second time, Senor Chase.

First Coyar, now Simbron.

Not good for us, not good.

Same tribe?

Yes.

See the cut.

Here, and here.

Totec.

They don't let you run.

Did Simbron have any family?

I don't know.

No, senor.

- All right, I'll see to it that he gets a proper burial.

Now you men get back to work.

Back to work!

Back to work, muchachos.

Hold on a second.

Just let me get a score.

Gracias, amigo.

I was assured that the construction site

was in a controlled area.

It is.

It's inhabited by Totec.

- Never asked who it was controlled by, did you?

Senor Chase,

Totec never seen no tourist hotel going up before.

Bound to be a little curious.

Now their curiosity

has killed two of my workers.

Two?

Two ain't bad.

I want them removed.

Now.

And I want you to do it.

Senor Chase,

the Totec has citizens.

Santa Del Sol, Mexico.

Even if they ain't aware of it.

Who's gonna complain?

Imagine they might.

- Their presence jeopardizes the construction of a project

in which I have a substantial dollar investment.

A project that could transform this

primitive pimple of a state into the next Puerto Vallarta.

Ah, I hate Vallarta.

Too many Americans.

Thanks.

Anytime, my friend.

- I suppose you have tall boots, calf high.

Several pair.

Bring those tomorrow night.

They had some pilfering of supplies.

You'll be in charge of security.

Says fucking who?

- The Ministry of Land Resources after I call tomorrow

and recommend you for the job.

Tall boots.

Protect those tendons.

Goodnight my friend.

Senor Chase.

Hm?

Got me thinking.

Did I?

Totec.

Yeah.

Care for a pop?

What am I paying you guys for?

Can't get too near a dying Totec.

Something to do with their spirits.

Their spirits?

Yeah immortality, reincarnation.

Totec are supposed to live forever.

They believe a man's soul escapes to another body

in his dying breath.

What's the matter, Senor Chase?

Never killed no one?

Quite the marksman.

The men certainly earned their pay today, Senor Chase.

Are you sure that's the lot of them?

The Totec are no more.

May God forgive us.

I don't need forgiveness.

I can live with myself.

Oh I hope someday I can.

I wouldn't count on seeing Lieutenant today, Ray.

Ah, I can take a hint.

You mind if I get a cup of coffee before I go?

- Just be outta here when I get back, okay?

Your husband left on his own.

He'll come back if and when he wants to come back.

I understand your concern, but it's like

I told you on the phone.

Yeah, I know.

It's out of your jurisdiction,

there's no evidence that the crime took place.

That's right, Mrs. Weeks.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

Thanks for all your help, Lieutenant.

Excuse me, Mrs. Weeks!

Hi.

Ray Tattinger, from Bureau Investigations.

I couldn't help overhearing your conversation inside.

If you're looking to find somebody, I'm your man.

You've got a heck of a place here, Mrs. Weeks.

I wish Julian felt the same.

He lost his job, I was paying all the bills,

I guess he resented it.

He messed his head up so he left to sort things out.

So, when'd he leave?

About five months ago.

Last time he called he was doing construction

working his way south.

When did he say he was coming home?

Last week of August.

Promised.

He was anxious to get back.

Four weeks ago--

Mmmm.

What are your fees?

100 a day per diem, plus travel

which is about two thirds of the going rate

for a licensed investigator and, you know,

cafe's not doing so good?

It's been better.

It just so happens I'm heading up north

in another case, no need to charge twice

for travel expenses, only one Ray Tattinger.

- I only got a couple of hundred dollars in cash.

Can I send you a check for the balance?

Sure.

You know, Nora,

Mrs. Weeks.

You know, some folks do drop out intentionally.

They abandon cars, homes, businesses, wives.

Especially wives, when there's a third party involved.

- Now you're sounding like Lieutenant Fladboe.

Could he be right?

No, he could not.

Have you seen this fella?

Haven't seen this gut, have ya?

Has this guy been around?

Damn.

Man, is it hot.

Good thing you got air conditioning.

Yours?

No.

It's a loaner.

Jag is in the shop.

It's parked in my space.

Huh?

It's parked in my space.

Color me gone.

All yours, 4:45 this afternoon.

Okay.

Thank you.

Who was he?

Mr. Tattinger?

The man in the Chevrolet.

He was just a claims adjuster.

For whom?

Imperial Mutual Insurance.

- First, we have no affiliation with a company of this name.

Well that explains it.

He was looking for someone

we didn't even have on file.

- And second, insurance is spelled A-N-C-E, not E-N-C-E.

Now who again was he looking for?

Mr. Weeks, W-E-E-K-S.

Julian R.

Thank you.

Babe.

Come on Nora, smile.

Julian!

Nora.

Ray Tattinger, how can I help?

Good afternoon.

Oh, is it?

I didn't hear from you,

I was anxious to find out what luck you had up north?

I still got some feelers out, so--

Something's come up, can I see you?

Mm, this smells great.

I didn't mean to put you out.

Honestly, you didn't.

There were no records?

- Well, the guys at the LCC site said he worked there.

The gal in the office said he didn't,

at least she couldn't find any paperwork on him.