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Jessica looked at me from across the small conference table in her office. I had filled her in on my conversations with Mark Sumner and Robert Burke. She considered the most recent working theory and asked, “So what is your plan?”
“First, I'd like to establish whether Evelyn Worthington ever discussed filing for divorce with her attorney,” I replied.
“No lawyer will discuss that with you,” she said.
“Yeah, yeah,” I said waving my hand, “attorney-client privilege.”
Jessica sat up in her seat and said, “Drew, you can't just wave it away like it is nothing.”
“I know it's a real thing,” I retorted, “But in this situation, I don’t care.”
“It applies in every situation.”
“That's the lawyer in you talking. Not the private investigator.”
“It's the law,” she said. “Even if I’m no longer practicing, we still have to follow it.”
I stood and walked to her window. I looked at the building across Washington Street. Some financial building. They employed a lot of number crunchers and bean counters. I wondered if any of them wore bow ties like George Saunders.
“Your old law firm represents Evelyn Worthington, correct?”
“Yes,” Jessica said. “They referred her to us when she inquired about hiring a private investigator.”
“It would help to know how plausible the motive is,” I stated, still gazing out the window. The sun was setting. I always had a hard time adjusting to the sun setting early in late fall and winter.
“She could have filed for divorce and still had those women killed,” Jessica said.
“Yes,” I answered, turning back to Jessica, “but if she never planned on filing for divorce it makes the motive to have them murdered all the stronger.”
Jessica sighed. “I'll make a call,” she said. “But it is going to cost you.”
“It always does,” I said. “But I'm happy to pay.” I smiled at her. She couldn't help smiling back.
Jessica said, “Whether Evelyn Worthington planned to file for divorce or not, you still plan to go after Mercado?”
“Yes,” I said. “I'm convinced he killed those young women. He needs to pay the price. Mercado is also our best chance at confirming the name of the person who hired him.”
“And you have leverage if that person is Evelyn Worthington?”
“Yep,” I said.
I sat back down across from Jessica. She had on her standard work clothes. A white button-down blouse and business slacks. She looked stunning in any outfit. I'd seen her make sweatpants and a ratty old t-shirt look sexy.
“And this is where you ask for more help?”
“But you will be handsomely paid,” I said. I raised my eyebrows like Tom Selleck used to do in Magnum, PI.
“Don't you Magnum me,” she retorted.
“It is cute, isn't it?” I said.
“It is,” she sighed.
“Okay,” I said, “I think if we, meaning Pinnacle, contact Evelyn Worthington and let her know we have evidence of Grant having another affair, we can draw Mercado out. It will also let us know that Evelyn is the one who put out the contracts to kill Ashley, Hannah, and Victoria.”
“I think that could work,” she said.
“Isabella Sanchez would act as our bait.”
“A dangerous assignment,” Jessica said. “How does she feel about it?”
“It's part of the job,” I said. “Plus, she volunteered.”
“I can see her volunteering,” Jessica said.
“And, yes, it's dangerous,” I said, “but she is going to have a Massachusetts State Police tactical team backing her up. Not to mention yours truly.”
“That alone should make her feel better,” Jessica said.
“Probably,” I said. “but she'll never admit it.”
“I want to help,” Jessica said.
“I know you always have my back,” I said. “And as much as I know you can more than take care of yourself, I never like you being in harm’s way.”
“No more than I like you being in harm’s way.”
“Jess, this isn't just me going up against somebody. We'll have a State Police tactical team. You can sit this one out.”
“So could you.”
“It's my case,” I said.
“I also feel a sense of obligation to this. Evelyn Worthington used Pinnacle to get to these girls.”
“You didn't know that,” I said. “It wasn't even your case. Besides, we all missed it.”
“Still,” she said. “Plus, this is going down just blocks from my condo.”
“I'm aware of the location.”
“All I am saying is that you can't expect me to sit it out knowing all the action is so close to home.”
I let out a breath. “Fine, you win.”
Jessica held my hand. “What about Eddie Garavito?”
“I'm not sure,” I said.
“I know how conflicted you are about working with him.”
I nodded. “In a perfect world,” I said, “I wouldn't need to associate with notorious crime bosses.”
“But we don't live in a perfect world,” Jessica said. “Especially with many of the cases you take on.”
“Sometimes there is no better option.”
“And this is one of those times?”
“I didn't ask for Eddie's involvement,” I said. “But he's involved. I don't have to like it, but it's the reality of the situation.”
“Is there a part of you that fears losing some of yourself by associating with men like Eddie?”
“Maybe,” I said. “But I need to play the hand I've been dealt. Eddie Garavito gave us the lead on Mercado.”
“Because he wanted your help in finding Mercado so he could kill him.”
I inhaled and then let out a breath. “As I said, it's not perfect. But I got Eddie to back off a revenge killing.”
Jessica kissed me. “Don’t worry,” she said, “you are too good a man to ever be like Eddie Garavito.”