Page 119 of Don't Say a Word

She nodded and bit her thumbnail.

“I’ll take care of it,” I assured her.

Still, I took the long way to her apartment. No other car followed me, and the 4Runner didn’t show up again. I dropped Angie off, made her promise not to go to the Cactus Stop again, and left.

I hoped she listened to me.

Arizona didn’t require front license plates. I didn’t get a good look at the plate when he passed where I was parked because he was too far away, so I couldn’t even call Josie and ask her to run it. But if I saw the 4Runner again, I would get a better look.

I called Jack as I drove to Gabriel’s house for Mom’s party.

“You’re late,” he said.

“No, I’m not.” I looked at my dashboard clock. “A few minutes, but that’s just for setup.”

“I put Austin to work,” Jack said. “But Tess wants everything perfect, and she’s stressing.”

“I’m on my way. Ten minutes, tops.” Maybe fifteen. “I spotted a tail. Had to lose him because Angie was in the car with me.”

“Plates?”

“Didn’t see them. Older model black 4Runner. Kind of beat-up, white male driver, possibly in his thirties, dark hair, wore shades. I think he picked me up outside our office. I went from the office to Christina O’Reilly’s house, where I first spotted him, then I saw him around the corner from Eric McMahon’s house.”

“Did you learn anything?”

“Yeah. Eric’s still scared of these people, but he doesn’t have names. I believe him. Still, he said Bradford answered to someone. Christina hadn’t spoken to Megan Osterman since they graduated, but she confirmed what we suspected about Scott Jimenez, and also that Scott had an older sister named Desiree.”

“Circumstantial.”

“Thanks,Mom,” I said sarcastically.

“I think you’re right, Margo, but we don’t have proofanyonehas done anything illegal. We need something tangible.”

I was stuck. I didn’t know what else to do, who else to talk to, how to retrace Elijah’s steps.

“Well, I have a few things to follow up on, and tomorrow I’m going to talk to Desi Jimenez again. Maybe something will shake out. Did you check out Brighton’s house?”

“Yep. It’s nearly at the end of the road that leads to the preserve. I looked it up on Zillow and it sold for an even mil two years ago, and that was before it was remodeled. Brighton has done a lot of work on the place. Google Earth pictures show that two years ago the backyard was all rocks. Now there’s a full outdoor living space with a pool and mature trees, which would have cost a small fortune to bring in.”

“And he regularly shops at a Cactus Stop six miles away,” I muttered.

“He could work in the area,” Jack guessed. “Tess will get his details tomorrow.”

“Thanks,” I said. “I’ll see you in a few.”

I ended the call, then listened to the voicemail my unknown caller had left.

“Ms. Angelhart, this is Dwight Parsons, we met on Monday in Lena’s office. Have you made any progress in your investigation? I thought maybe we could trade notes. I can’t believe that her murder after your visit is a coincidence. I said as much to the police, that maybe it was because Lena was helping you with your investigation into Elijah’s death, that she was killed. They listened, but I don’t think they believe me. I’m struggling, Ms. Angelhart. I should have been with her. I could have saved her. I can meet anytime.”

He ended the call.

I immediately called him back. His phone went to voicemail.

“Hi, Dwight, it’s Margo Angelhart. I’m free first thing tomorrow. Text me a time and place and I’ll be there, I don’t care how early.”

Ten minutes later, I received a text.

Your office, perhaps? Is nine a good time?