“You don’t understand, you’re not just any woman,” Jim remarked, lowering his voice.
“You’re right, I don’t understand.”
“No, you couldn’t,” he continued with the hint of a smile, “and that’s one of the things that makes you so special. Dan came from nothing, and a woman like you would be the ultimate prize. I honestly believe he was determined to win you over. When he realized that wasn’t going to happen, it made him crazy. Being around you probably drove him nuts. If he couldn’t have you, no one else would either.”
“So that’s why he was always so weird…” she remarked thoughtfully, recalling the many times she’d catch him staring at her, while other times he’d studiously ignore her.
“I suspect that was the madness driving him during the raid. When he discovered he’d killed Manny and missed you, he must have decided to frame you for the murder. Where is he, by the way? He still presents a very real threat.”
“Yeah, I get that, but the police picked him up. As far as I know he’s still in custody. Jim, thank you for telling me all that. It’s a big relief to know you didn’t completely betray me.”
“I care about you, Elizabeth,” he muttered, his voice cracking. “You were always very special to me. You still are.”
“Before I go, is there anything you know about Conchello’s operation that will help us nail him? If there is, please tell me. I’ll make sure the people in charge know you cooperated. It will benefit your cause.”
“You probably already have all the info I do, maybe even more.”
“Tell me anyway. What’s happened recently I might have missed?”
“There is one thing. You probably know Conchello has moved his entire operation out of Southern California and is planning on settling in Puerto Rico, but are you aware his mansion is on the market? No advertising, no official listing, but the word is out.”
“Wait!” she exclaimed urgently. “What do you mean, his entire operation is moving to Puerto Rico?”
“His dealers will still be working in California and some other states, but he’s leaving Los Angeles for good. You seriously didn’t know?”
“He sent me here to find an island for his drug trafficking months ago, but that’s it. I had no idea…” she muttered, her voice trailing off.
“I’m shocked,” Jim exclaimed. “You were constantly at the mansion. Do you know about the party?”
“What party?”
“He’s throwing a huge bash this weekend to celebrate the move. He told me I was welcome to come, but of course, there was no way I could accept. When I got the call yesterday that he wanted to see me immediately I totally freaked out. I couldn’t imagine what was going on. It never occurred to me it would be a trap. Now my whole life is in ruins,” he said, his voice quivering.
“Why didn’t he tell me?” she mumbled under her breath.
“About his move to Puerto Rico or the party?”
“Both.”
“I stopped trying to figure out Conchello a long time ago,” Jim replied. “He’s gregarious, but it’s an act. He keeps his cards close to his chest, but damn, if I’d known you were in the dark I would’ve told you. I just assumed you knew. That’s why the raid was ordered. My chief wanted to get the bastard while we still could.”
She caught her breath, then looked back at him. “But you tipped him off.”
“Well, yeah,” Jim admitted. “If I hadn’t I might not be sitting here right now.”
“If you hadn’t, Conchello might be in a cell, Manny might still be alive, and you might be at home with your wife,” she growled, desperately trying to control a rush of rage. “I have to get back,” she briskly added, knowing if she didn’t leave she might lose it.
“What’s going to happen to me?” he asked as she stood up and placed the chair back against the wall.
“Honestly, Jim, I have no idea, but I’ll keep my promise and speak up for you.”
“Thanks, Elizabeth. Hey, uh, I know it’s just a word and totally inadequate, but I really am sorry.”
The image of Manny collapsing in her arms flashed through her head. Fighting back the tears and wordlessly hurrying through the door, she locked it behind her, leaned back and closed her eyes.
* * *
Standing at the stove stirring spaghetti sauce into the cooked ground beef, Scott stepped away, pulled out his EarPods and pushed them into his pocket.
Elizabeth wasn’t the only tester.
He’d already intended to ask her to interview Jim, but when she’d made the suggestion, he’d refused. The temptation to ignore his order and visit Jim would be strong, and the opportunity to find out if she could control her impulsive nature was too good to pass up. To his relief, she’d pleaded her case, and what she’d learned was invaluable, but as he watched her enter the kitchen, she looked far from victorious.
“You were great,” he said, walking up to greet her. “Why the long face?”
“It’s just hard to see him like that. He’s not the man I knew, and thinking about Manny…”
“Yeah, I know,” Scott said softly, bringing her into his arms. “We’re in a nasty business.”
“We all know the risks, but for Manny to be killed because of Dan’s sick envy—it’s just so wrong. If a drug deal had gone bad and we were there, it would still be horrible, but it would make some kind of sense. Do you know what I mean?”
“Of course I do.”
“I know I’ll get past it, but hearing all that about Dan Miller wasn’t easy.”
“Speaking of Dan,” Scott continued, moving her to the kitchen table, “there’s something we need to discuss. Sit down and I’ll get you some coffee.”
“I’d love some, thanks,” she said gratefully. “Where’s Jack? Is he still in the basement with David Clark?”
“Jack and David Clark are on their way to the island in a speedboat. They’re going to do some recon and possibly disable some of the booby traps.”
“Isn’t that dangerous for Jack?”
“Jack can take
