WE DROVE FOR another hour and forty-five minutes before arriving in Laredo. As we passed through the town, small buildings flanked us on both sides while pedestrians walked along the sidewalks and crossed by at every stoplight.
“Don’t tell me we’re going to Mexico, because I’m pretty sure that’s out of your jurisdiction,” I said.
Vargas smiled. “Nah. But don’t worry, we’re not too far away now.”
I shrugged, then relaxed into my seat and watched as the buildings rolled by until trees, homes, and power lines replaced them. The smooth paved road soon became a bumpy dirt path and a rotten stench seeped into the car. I crinkled my nose and Vargas noticed.
“I know,” he said. “There’s a canal nearby full of sewage and animal carcasses. Another couple of miles and we’ll be away from it.”
I th
