Page 137 of The Dollmaker

“And then?”

“I got a call from this guy, who said he wanted more of what I’d sold to Radcliff.”

“And you did what?”

“Nothing. I thought he was a cop. But he called again. And this time he offered a lot more money. I wasn’t going to make the delivery and risk arrest, so I asked Jimmy.”

“And Jimmy got his son.”

“I suppose.” Her slim white fingers twisted around the strap of her purse. “I never saw the buyer or met him directly. But I did see a white van parked outside my house recently. It gave me the creeps.”

“What can you tell me about the van?”

“It was outside my house three nights in a row. I knew it was the buyer. I just knew it.”

“Did you see the driver?”

“I couldn’t see his face. He sat back, staying in the shadows.”

“What about a license plate?” he challenged.

“I wrote down the license plate of the van. At least part of it. I couldn’t see it all.” She pulled a piece of paper from her pocket and put it on the table.

Sharp looked at the scrawled numbers and letters that were three short of a full license. Not a name. But a lead. Playing into her fear of this man, Sharp offered, “You’re likely in danger until we catch this man. If you think of anything else, call me immediately.”

He gave her his business card, moved out into the hallway, and called Andrews, giving him the partial license number. Andrews promised an answer within minutes.

Tessa kicked off her shoes as she entered her cousin’s apartment. After twelve hours on her feet, she was exhausted. As she padded into the kitchen, the front doorbell rang. Checking her watch, she moved toward the door, carefully remembering Dakota’s words of warning.

She glanced out the peephole and saw Veronica holding a bag. She opened the door.

“Veronica.”

A brittle smile tugged at red lips. “I asked around and found out where you lived. I wanted to see you and talk to you about Elena.”

“Dr.Kincaid gave you a full briefing, didn’t she?”

“Yes, yes, she did. But it’s not the same. I wanted to talk to someone who knew Elena. Please, can I come in?”

“I’m happy to meet with you in my office tomorrow. Now is really not a good time.”

“I know this is out of the ordinary. But we knew each other a little as kids. Please, I need closure.”

Tessa, against her better judgment, stepped aside. “Sure, come on in.”

Veronica glanced around the apartment. “I found this bag on your front porch.”

“Oh, thank you,” she said, accepting it.

“Aren’t you living with your cousin? How is she doing?”

“She’s great.” Tessa rolled her head, trying to release the tension.

Veronica looked around. “Is she here?”

“No, we have the place to ourselves.”

“Good. It’s hard enough to talk about this.”

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