Page 34 of Duplicity

“He has to know who ordered it.” She stared at him because she had few moves other than this. “Why don’t you give me the person’s name so I can start ruffling feathers on both sides?”

Carlos snorted. “Are you really sure you want to do that?”

“It’s all wrong, and I want to make it right.” Though, she’d received his warning. She wasn’t going to put herself and people she cared about at risk without evidence.

“‘Make it right.’” He scoffed. “That’s a nice dreamworld you’re living in, but it isn’t this one. Things happen, and there ain’t nothin’ you can do about it.” Carlos shot her a look. “But if you want to try and save Arlo’s soul, then go right ahead. Don’t blame me if it backfires.”

She didn’t move. “Who ordered Arlo to confess to murder?”

Carlos shook his head. Maybe for her benefit, or the benefit of someone he thought was watching. Given he was standing in plain view talking to a cop, he might want anyone observing him to think he wasn’t telling the cop anything. “Guy’s name is Hayden. Look him up.”

“I can’t harass him without probable cause.”

He took a step back. “I can’t help you. Leave Arlo alone.” Carlos stuck his cigarette into the top of a pedestal trash can made of metal that seemed to have been placed there precisely for the purpose of disposing of butts.

Cat headed back to her car. She turned on the engine and immediately dialed her brother’s number. It was early afternoon, so there was a chance he would be awake.

“Alvarez.”

“Funny,” she said. “That’s how I answer the phone as well.”

He let out a sigh, and she heard a sound a lot like when he’d flop on the couch. “Everything good?”

“I just chatted with Carlos over at the tire shop on Manchester Road. He’s the cousin of the kid who confessed to shooting me and Sergeant Ellis.”

Romeo said nothing.

Waiting for her to explain why she had called?

“He knows Arlo didn’t do it. He mentioned a guy named Hayden. You know anything about him?”

She pulled onto the street and turned the car around to head back toward the school. Minimal traffic, given this was a moreresidential area, but enough cars that she ended up in a line in the turn lane waiting for the light to go green.

“If it’s who I think it is, he’s bad news. A midlevel guy, but he’s working his way to becoming untouchable.”

“Who is he connected to?”

Romeo said, “The group is based in the neighborhood behind the school, to the north. One of the center houses. That’s where you’ll find him.”

“Text me the address.” She could do a drive-by later tonight, see what she could see.

“No, I’m not going to do that.” Romeo’s tone didn’t invite any argument whatsoever. “I’ll put a note in and request extra patrols tonight. Maybe have them canvas and ask about the missing girl. But it’s not something you’re going to do. Pretty sure that’s outside of your scope of duties as the School Resource Officer.”

Cat opened her mouth to object. Before she could, a car weaved around her in the right lane and cut her off before moving to the right lane again. “What on earth…”

“What is it?” Romeo sounded alert now.

“Just some idiot who doesn’t know how to stay in his lane.”

The window rolled down on the left side, behind the driver. Cat gripped the wheel, about to hit the brakes or make a turn. Just in case.

Something flew out of the window and hit the front of her car, square in the center of the hood. Paint sprayed up the hood and hit the windshield. Glass splintered.

She cried out and fought for control of the car, completely unable to see what was in front of her.

I’m going to crash!

FOURTEEN

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