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“You said you’d think about it.”
“Yeah, and I’m still thinking it would be a bad idea.”
“Are you going to take over looking for Randy?”
“He’s part of a murder investigation now. His second one, I might add. I need to stay out of it.”
“You don’t think he had something to do with Mr. Stickly, do you?”
“I don’t know what to think. I do know he died working on finding Randy so it’s not unrealistic to think Randy is involved. The cops are going to think so.”
“Do you think so?”
“I don’t know what to think. I don’t see Randy getting the jump on Stick, but who knows what might have happened. I do know that, if I start digging around while the police are investigating a homicide, they’re not going to like it.”
“Since when has that bothered you?”
Margot knew her sister had a point. Instead of replying to that, she said, “I’ve got to get going. I’m still on the job. I’ll talk to you later.”
Margot ended the call before Melanie could reply. She dialed Stick’s office. She got Ms. Collins, who explained Mr. Crenshaw was in a meeting, but he would be done in about twenty minutes. Margot was about twenty minutes away, so she started driving.
Chapter 5
On the way, Margot’s phone buzzed again. She didn’t recognize the number, but it could be new business, so she answered.
“Margot Harris, how can I help you?”
“I can think of a couple of ways, Ms. Harris. This is Deputy Brantley. We met this morning.”
“I remember. How do you want me to help you?”
Brantley laughed and Margot got the feeling he was thinking something sexual. She regretted giving him the opening. He had seemed okay at her place, but he had been with Ames and Radcliff, so he might have been on his best behavior.
To his credit, he ignored the opening and simply said, “I know Detective Ames told you to stay away from this case, but I was thinking having your help wouldn’t be so bad. We don’t get a lot of homicides out in the desert. I’m getting the feeling I might be in this over my head.”
“I’m just a private detective. This kind of thing is over my head too.”
“No, I don’t think it is. I did a little research. You weren’t always a private detective. The fact is, you’ve solved more homicides that I have.”
“Ames and Radcliff are as good as it gets. You don’t need me.”
“Okay, think about it though. I’ve got the badge and you’ve got know-how. We might make a good team.”
“I’ll think about it,” she replied before adding, “Do these numbers mean anything to you? 33.2 116.7.”
“No, should it?”
“Maybe, maybe not.”
“This have something to do with Mr. Stickly?”
“It could.”
“Take away the decimal points and you have a phone number.”
“Yeah, I noticed. No area code though.”
“If it does have to do with Stickly, you could try ours. It’s either 442 or 760 like you guys.”
