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“He’s wanted for dealing drugs.”
The neighbor narrowed his eyes. “You don’t look like police.”
“We’re not, but we need to find him.” Mitch pulled a card from his back pocket. “Can you tell us when you last saw him?”
Spike’s owner tugged on his leash. “Come on, Spike. Let’s go home.”
Mitch trailed him, holding out his card. “Would you call me if you see him?”
“Absolutely not.” The man yanked his mutt away from the crape myrtle tree on the easement. “I’m not getting mixed up in that.”
Cath came up beside him and held out her hand. “Let me see what a bounty hunter’s business card looks like.”
“It’s just my name and phone number. Plain vanilla.”
She studied both sides. “That’s all?”
“Guns or handcuffs cost extra.” He pulled his keys and started toward his truck when a late-model Honda squealed to a stop in front of the house. Chad, the downstairs tenant, stepped out and slung a book bag over his shoulder. The kid had been helpful before, and Mitch ignored his scowl. “Have you seen the guy upstairs again?”
“You didn’t find Les, huh?” Chad stepped around them and mounted his front steps.
Mitch followed him onto the porch. “Have you seen him since we talked?”
Chad opened the door and ducked inside. “You caused me a lot of trouble, and I’m not telling you anything else.”
“Wait. What happened?”
“I’m not getting involved in Les’s problems.” Chad’s voice rose.
Mitch ignored the pressure of the door on his boot. “Yes or no?”
“Leave me alone.” Chad shoved Mitch’s chest.
Mitch cut his losses and withdrew his foot. The door closed, the sound of the lock final. He clumped down the steps, caught Cath’s smirk, and shrugged. “That didn’t go well.”
Cath walked through the decorative wrought-iron fence to the street. “You scared him.”
“I was nice to him.”
“You sounded like a drill sergeant. You look like a drill sergeant. I want to ask the questions when we find his classmates.”
They parked closer to campus and hurried to be outside her brother’s first class by the end of the hour. Cath had kept insisting she’d do the talking until Mitch finally conceded. He stood off to one side while she questioned a student, but she didn’t look as if she made any better progress.
“I have to go. My next class is clear across campus.” The student she spoke with juggled his books. “Sorry I couldn’t help.”
“Thanks, anyway.” She lifted a hand. Shuffling feet and an occasional burst of laughter echoed through the emptying hallway. “Do you think he really knew Les?”
“He said he did.” Mitch pushed the sleeve off his watch. Half a day wasted already. “That’s two strikeouts.”
“Don’t remind me.”
The pretty girl who’d been eavesdropping on their conversation eased over and touched his arm. Charm oozed from her smile, and Mitch gave her one of his own. “I heard you asking about Les.” She flipped her long, blond hair over her shoulder. “I might be able to help you.”
“That would be great.” Cath took over the conversation. “I really need to find him. Do you know where he is?”
“Not exactly.” The girl put a slender hand on Mitch’s arm. “I haven’t seen him lately, but I know someone who probably has.”
“Who would that be?” Cath leaned forward, all eager beaver.