Page 100 of Don't Say a Word

“Uh, yeah.” Margo sounded sheepish. “I was going to tell you when I got to the office. It’s been a busy couple of days.”

“Why talk to him? Do you think he’s running a criminal organization from behind bars?” It wasn’t unheard of, but Jack didn’t think it likely.

“I actually hadn’t thought of that,” Margo said. “I thought someone else on campus might be running drugs. Everything I have—my theories, interviews—is just conjecture. Nothing I can prove. IthinkElijah uncovered a crime at work which got him killed, but there’s still a lot we don’t know. And where does Lena Clark fit in?”

“Maybe she doesn’t,” Jack said, though he didn’t believe it, and neither did Margo.

“Elijah also went to Silent Witness on his computer the day before he died. I don’t know if he reached out or was simply looking for information.”

“If someone contacts Silent Witness without linking it to an active case, it’s hard to follow up. Tips like seeing a drug deal at a known spot doesn’t give police enough to act on. But if they provided specific details, like names or locations, someone will follow up.”

“Would you be able to find out if he called?”

“No,” Jack said. “The program is compartmentalized. Cops are only told information that is relevant to their specific investigations. Most of the time the Silent Witness program is used for current cases that Phoenix asks for someone to step forward anonymously. You could get Elijah’s phone records which would show a call, though if he filled out the online form, then that won’t help.”

“I have most of his records, and Alina is getting the rest from the phone company,” Margo said. “After talking to Jessie Oliver yesterday, if therewassomething illegal going on with the CactusStop, the staff would have to know. It’s too small a store for themnotto witness one of their coworkers committing a crime. More, if what Ithinkis happening—illegal use of EBT cards—that means someone in the Cactus corporate office must also know what’s going on. Maybe we should loop in Manny Ramos. He would be able to get answers faster.”

“Be careful,” Jack said cautiously. “You’re jumping three steps ahead. You have no hard evidence of any crime, barely even circumstantial evidence.”

“Fortunately, I’m neither a copnora lawyer, and I can pursue my theory without worry that I’m going to screw up a conviction. Let’s talk to mom about it, okay? She knows Ramos. Hey—I have a call, I’ll be there in less than an hour.”

She hung up before Jack could say another word.

Chapter Thirty

Margo Angelhart

“Margo Angelhart,” I answered.

“I got a call you wanted to talk to me.”

A female voice with a slight Mexican accent and sharp edge of anger.

“And you are?”

“Desi, from the Cactus Stop.”

“Thanks for calling me back,” I said.

“I can’t believe you went to Mr. Ramos about me.”

“You’re not in trouble. I wanted to talk to you about Elijah Martinez.”

“IknowI’m not in trouble, but shit, he’s the boss’s boss. So what’d’ya want to know?” she said, her voice clipped.

“Do you have time to meet this afternoon?”

Desi sighed dramatically. “Really? I mean, this could have waited until tomorrow when I’m working.”

“Would you like to meet in Mr. Ramos’s office?” I said, irritated at her attitude. “Because I can make that happen.”

“Shit, no, why?”

I needed information, and running in circles with Desi wasn’t getting me anywhere, so I changed tactics.

“You worked with Elijah on Friday, correct?”

“Tony already told you that.”