Page 49 of Don't Say a Word

“We’ll let Margo know, of course,” Ava said.

“Is Mrs. Clark a client?”

“I can’t answer that.” Ava said.

“I just told you she isn’t,” Jack said.

“Just making sure,” Rachel said with a slight smirk. “Mrs. Angelhart, youcan’ttell me or youwon’ttell me?”

“Can’t,” Ava repeated. “Margo often works on a handshake. You’ll have to ask Margo if Mrs. Clark retained her.”

“Why do I feel that you’re being deliberately unhelpful?”

“I don’t know why you would feel that way,” Ava said, her eyes firmly on Rachel. “Is there anything else we can help you with?”

“When will Margo be in?” Jerry asked.

“She makes her own hours, so your best bet is to call her directly,” Ava said.

“She hasn’t answered,” Rachel said with obvious frustration, “and I prefer in-person interviews.”

“Then arrange that with Margo. I don’t schedule her appointments.”

Rachel’s jaw clenched, and Jack wondered what his mother’s intention was. This wasn’t what he expected after their conversation earlier this morning.

Rachel handed Ava her card. “Please ask Margo to call me when she comes in.”

“I will.”

Rachel and Jerry left, and Jack turned to his mother. “What was that all about? I thought you wanted to tell them everything.”

“I don’t know everything that’s going on, and I won’t speculate with law enforcement. Plus, I didn’t like her confrontational attitude.”

God, he loved his mother.

“That said, if you or Margo or Tess learn anything that will aid the police in finding and apprehending Lena Clark’s killer, I expect you to be forthcoming.”

“Roger that,” Jack said.

Ava went back to her office, but didn’t close the door.

He glanced at his watch, considered heading to Lenny’s for burgers with Rick and Margo, then decided against it. He didn’t need to mediate between his best friend and sister.

Besides, he had a subpoena to serve.

He texted Margo that King was the lead detective on the Lena Clark case and that she’d come in looking for her.

King wants you to call her. She knows you met with Lena and that she called you.

A minute later, Margo responded.

I’m busy, I’ll talk to her later. You coming to lunch?

He responded that he was not going to make it, then added a laughing emoji because it would annoy her.

She sent him an eye roll emoji, then:I’m going to bounce something off Rick, but I might need your two cents. Have a hot date with Laura tonight?

Jack shook his head. Typical Margo.