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“No, she’s dead because she was dumb enough to meet them here. She should have known that if I figured it out I’d cash in.”
“Cartel finder’s fee?”
“Yep, it’s substantial, plus Dean isn’t the only guy who had a boat. I get to pick up some of his old business.”
“Are you two done yet?” the tall man asked.
“Sorry,” Lefty said, “we go back some. I figured I owed her.”
“You don’t owe her shit.”
“Can I leave?” Trixie asked, “It’s cold in here and I did what you asked me to.”
“Remember when I told you to shut up?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, when you can talk again, I’ll let you know. Until then, shut the fuck up.”
Trixie didn’t say anything.
The tall man stepped closer and twirled the knife in his hand.
Margot was sure she was about to lose an ear.
“You figured it out,” he said.
“Until now, all I had was suspicion. I didn’t have any proof.”
“You still don’t. Just the word of a known killer's former main squeeze against that of a respected local businessman.”
“I guess I don’t. In that case, why don’t you let me go?”
“I would, except you’ve seen me and like I said, that missing ear is hard to hide.”
“Did I see you? I don’t think I did.”
“That’s a good attitude to have. What I need to know is who else have you shared your suspicions with?”
“It doesn’t matter really. I shared them with Mal and he’s in custody. I have a feeling he’s already shared my theory with both the feds and the locals.”
“Maybe, but more likely a hard guy like Mal is keeping his mouth shut on general principle. Even if he’s not, a guy like that isn’t exactly credible. They’re not planning on doing him any favors, so he’ll be in county lockup sooner or later and that is where he and his knowledge will come to an unfortunate end. Cops and the feds will figure whoever hired him off Katrina Stone decided to get him before he talked and that’ll be the end of it.”
Margot didn’t want to say so, but the tall man was probably right.
“The thing is though, you—unlike Mal—are credible. If you're telling people Mal didn’t do it, someone might listen. I mean, you found my doctor. If the cops talk to him, we’re back to the whole missing ear problem. I need to know if you told someone else and I need to know what else you have other than speculation. It’s the smart play, making sure your theory doesn’t die with you and Mal.”
Margot didn’t say anything.
“I get your reluctance. If you didn’t tell anyone, you’re worried I’ll kill you, and if you did tell someone, you’re worried I’ll kill them.”
“I didn’t tell anybody.”
“Okay, what else do you have? Pictures? I know you were following Katrina on behalf of her husband, a fact I wish we’d learned sooner.”
“Nothing but her having drinks with the fed.”
The tall man flipped the knife as he said, “You know I can’t just take your word for it? Do you have a favorite ear?”
