Page 65 of Don't Say a Word

“This all helps.” Even if we don’t know where it fit yet. Investigation was about gathering as much information as possible and figuring out how to put the pieces together to see the whole picture.

“How do you see the Bradford case connecting to Elijah Martinez’s overdose?” Tess asked.

“I don’t,” I admitted. “It was a major investigation and Elijah was a freshman at the time, so I need to keep it on my radar. But Lena Clark was killed because she was looking into Elijah’s death, of that I’m nearly positive. Could be someone picked up where Bradford left off. Someone who worked at the school then... and now. Or Elijah stumbled onto a different criminal conspiracy.” I felt like the more I learned, the less I knew... because nothing that I had learned told me where Elijah was those five hours before he died.

Tess said, “I’ll get started on what I have.” She looked hopefully at Theo.

He sighed. “I have classes tomorrow morning, but I can be here after lunch to help.”

She smiled. “Thank you.” To me, she said, “If I find anything, I’ll ping you.”

“Thanks, sis.”

I went into my office and closed the door.

Eyman State Penitentiary was an hour south of Phoenix, inFlorence. I had been there dozens of times over the last three years to visit my father, and because I was preapproved, I didn’t have to jump through hoops to visit.

I was hoping I could finagle my way into seeing Ben Bradford. Because I had that little tingle in my gut that said there was unfinished business there.

Fortunately, the guards liked the Angelhart family. I gave my mother credit for that good will. Not only had she been the county attorney, but she had a good relationship for decades with the Department of Corrections because she’d first been a prosecutor. So the Angelhart name had certain clout with the Bureau of Prisons. I called the assistant warden directly. This wasn’t proper protocol, but sometimes there was a good reason to circumvent the rules.

While on hold, I logged into the prison portal and scheduled a visit with my father tomorrow in the ten-to-noon window. As soon as I hit Submit, Assistant Warden Chuck Boxer picked up the line.

“Hi, Mr. Boxer, it’s Margo Angelhart.”

“How are you, Margo? Your family?”

“Good, thank you. I’m visiting my dad tomorrow late morning, and I would like to speak with another prisoner if possible.”

“You know how to request visitation.”

“Of course, but it takes time. I was hoping because I’m already going to be there, that there might be a way to cut through some of the paperwork?”

“Who, and what is the purpose?”

“Ben Bradford,” I said and opened the file Jack had given me. I read off his prisoner number. “I’d like to ask him about something related to Sun Valley High School.” I was trying to keep it as vague as possible. “I don’t know if you know much about his case, but he pled on a drug case—using high school students to distribute for him. I have a different case I’m working on for the family of a victim of an overdose, and I wanted his insight.”

“Will he cry for his lawyer?”

“No. And if he doesn’t want to talk to me, that’s fine. I get it.But it would help me, and I’m looking at his file and he doesn’t appear to have any visitation restrictions.”

“Let’s see...” I heard clicking on a keyboard. “Well, he’s been a model prisoner, no dings, appears to be doing his time, and keeping his head down. It won’t be a problem to visit. I’ll put you on the list and when you’re done visiting with Dr. Angelhart, just tell the guard on duty.”

Chapter Nineteen

Angie Williams

Angie didn’t want to go home, so she decided to stop by Mrs. Martinez’s apartment and see how she was doing. Angie didn’t reallywantto because she felt uncomfortable around all the sadness. But she missed Elijah, and Mrs. Martinez had always been nice to her, and she figured Elijah would want her to make sure his mom was okay.

Angie was about to knock on the door when she saw Mrs. Martinez and a man sitting on the small patio.

“Oh. Hi. I’m sorry.” She held out the small bouquet of flowers she’d bought from a street vendor near the library. They were a little wilted from her long bus ride.

“Angie, dear!” Mrs. Martinez stood, hugged her, took the flowers. “You are a such sweet girl.”

“I just, um, wanted to see how you were doing. I can go if you’re busy.”

“No, no, no, please stay. It is always good to have Elijah’s friends over. Mr. Ramos, this is Angie Williams, one of Elijah’s closest friends.”