Page 73 of Don't Say a Word

“Working for her. She said yes. She couldn’t promise how many hours, but he said anything would help, that he was going to be quitting his job.”

Thatwas also news. “Do you know if heactuallyquit?”

They shrugged in unison, and Andy said, “He just said he wasgoingto quit.”

“Did he say why?”

They shook their heads, then Peter added, “Everyone wants a job at the Cactus Stop. Hatcher is closest to the school, but they hire high school students at all the Stops. It’s really hard to get a job when you’re under eighteen, unless you know someone. That’s why I’m doing the school-to-work program at the corporate office. I’ll have a good job right when I graduate.”

It was a good program for kids who didn’t want to go to college. I asked Andy, “When did he talk to your mom about working for her?” I asked.

“Labor Day weekend,” he said confidently. “It was my little sister’s birthday and he came to the party.”

I did the math. That would have been less than two weeks before he died.

“Did we help?” Andy asked hopefully.

“It all helps,” I said, but I wasn’t quite sure how it fit. If Elijahwas having problems at work and wanted to quit, that steered me toward his work being the source of potential trouble, not school. “Have you ever done drugs with Elijah? Or saw him use? I’m not going to jam you up, but it’s important that I have the truth.”

“He wouldn’t,” Andy said. “He’s never even smoked pot. I’ve known him practically my entire life.”

I glanced at Peter. “You agree?”

He shrugged. “I never saw him do anything like that. But he was being all, um, well, secretive the last few weeks.”

Which confirmed what Angie said. “One more question. Elijah’s backpack and cell phone are missing. Have you seen them? Did he give you anything for safekeeping?”

They both shook their heads.

“If either of you remembers anything that he said or did that seemed out of character, or if you hear anything, call me, okay?”

They both nodded.

“Do you want a ride to school?” I asked.

“I have a car,” Peter said. They walked out and I looked down at my phone. Danielle had responded to my message.

My mom leaves for work at 8. Come anytime between then and 930.

At 8:20 a.m., I arrived at the Duran house. Only the Honda was in the carport.

Danielle opened the door before I knocked.

“Danielle Duran?” I asked.

“Dani,” she said. She glanced around the street as she let me in.

“Why are you nervous?” I asked.

“I’m not,” she said unconvincingly. “My mom was running late, and half the time she forgets something and comes back.”

“You don’t want your mom to be part of this conversation,” I guessed.

“I don’t care, but sometimes she gets mama bear protective when I don’t need it.”

“I can relate,” I said.

Instead of the dining table, Dani plopped down on the couch. I sat in the chair across from her. “What do you want to know?” Dani said.