“But he flirted with her.”
“Tanner flirted with everyone.” Bitterness edged the words.
“You’re right about that. I might have to reach out to you again.”
“Sure, of course. What’s going to happen to Scarlett?”
“She’s been charged and released.”
Panic widened her eyes. “She’s out of jail?”
“For now. Don’t worry. We’re keeping an eye on her. Do you have a friend you can stay with?”
“Yeah.”
“Bunk with your friend for a few days. Maybe Debbie. I’m close to sorting this out.”
“What if Scarlett comes for me again?”
“We’re watching her.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t worry,” he said, standing. “You’re going to be fine.”
As Dawson left the room, he dialed the familiar number of former prosecutor Luke Kane. There was no love lost between them, and he wasn’t sure the man would take his call. Kane answered on the first ring. “What do you want?”
“I have no favors to call in. And I need several.”
“I’m listening.”
“I need the DNA found on Sandra Taylor’s and Tiffany Patterson’s bodies done yesterday. You still have contacts at the lab.”
“A few.”
“One way or the other, we need to know if Scarlett or Lynn Yeats was involved in either murder.”
“Or Della, a.k.a. Margo, right?”
Tension radiated up his spine. “Yes.”
“I’ll make a few calls.”
Chapter Forty-Five
DAWSON
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
10:00 a.m.
Luke, good to his word, had pulled a few major strings, and the techs in Richmond had moved his samples to the top of the pile. Answers would arrive any day. Dawson realized he needed the DNA to exonerate Margo, likely just as much as Kane wanted to clear Scarlett.
Dawson arrived at the hospital to check Margo out. She’d been ordering the doctor to release her for days, but they’d insisted she remain in the hospital. He found her dressed in sweats and a loose button-down shirt. She’d washed her hair and applied red lipstick and was sitting in a wheelchair but didn’t look happy about it.
“It’s a quick ride to the front door,” he said.
She arched a brow. “I considered arguing with the nurse, but she looked tired, and she’s young. However, I’m perfectly capable of walking out of here. By the way, you look stressed,” Margo said.