Page 128 of Don't Say a Word

“He found her body. Had blood on his hands because he claimed he was trying to stop the bleeding,” King said.

“Which could be true,” I said.

“Or he stabbed her and then tried to stop the bleeding to cover it up. We have a very tight window, and Parsons said he didn’t see anyone leaving her office, nor did he see anyone in the corridor when he walked in. I think it’s because he went in, she broke it off, and he killed her.”

“Or whoever killed Lena also killed him, then framed him.”

“Very unlikely. Unlike on television, it’s not all that easy to fake a suicide.”

“You promised you’d keep an open mind,” I reminded her.

“We will investigate his death fully,” Chavez said. “It’s really going to come down to what the ME says.”

“And what if it’s indeterminate?”

“That’s rare,” King said. “Like I said, a suicide is hard to fake.”

“Don’t be so sure of that,” I said. “The ME was wrong about Elijah Martinez.”

“For shit’s sake,” King muttered.

“He was murdered,” I said. “Someone poisoned him with fentanyl, and if you had followed up and asked questions, maybe you would be as suspicious as I am.”

“There was no evidence of foul play,” King said, her anger rising. “I’ve had so much shit over that kid’s death.”

“When I solve his murder, I’ll be sure to let you know.”

“Stay out of it—” she began.

“Why? You closed the case.”

I walked away before she made me angrier.

I had two missed calls from my mother. I called her back.

“Tell me you did not speak to the detectives without me,” Mom said.

“I did. I sent her the voicemail Parsons left for me. She said the determination is up to the ME.”

“You sound angry.”

“I am,” I said as I walked directly to my Jeep. “Told her what I think of her, and you’re right, you probably should have been here. But she didn’t arrest me so that’s a plus.”

I was trying to be light, but Mom wasn’t happy. “She could file a complaint with the licensing board. She could make your life—all our lives—difficult.”

“Not if I solve Elijah’s murder,” I said. “I’m coming down to the office. See you in a few.”

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Margo Angelhart

By the time I arrived at the office, I had a headache. Tess was already there, and she practically tackled me as I stepped through the main doors.

“I got something!” She motioned for me to follow her to her office.

“Good morning,” I grumbled. I smelled breakfast burritos. I made a detour to the kitchen and noted six wrapped burritos from El Norteno.Iris, I thought. I always brought burritos from Orozco’s (family first!) but El Norteno was a close second choice. They were known for their machaca and the praise was well-deserved. I grabbed two of the burritos and went to Tess’s office, putting one in front of her.

Before I could ask what she’d found, she started talking faster than Lorelai Gilmore.