Page 40 of Operation: Sharp Angel

Their meetings with Nick and Nicole’s immediate supervisors were not enlightening. And they had been denied meeting with any of the other employees the couple worked directly with daily. Instead, their direct supervisors promised to pass their phone numbers on to those employees who may want to reach out to them individually. Both Tessman and Jackson believed it was done on Shirley’s direction and they doubted the supervisors would mention it to the people who worked directly with Nick and Nicole DeSoto.

“Neil Eddy is a horrible liar,” Tessman agreed.

Neil Eddy had been Nick DeSoto’s immediate supervisor, the head of the Research Department, the person who replaced Becca and Nicole’s mother after she died, the position that Becca said Nick should have gotten. While pleasant, he clearly choseeach word carefully before speaking, which was only one of the reasons the two men believed he’d been lying.

“Either he or Shirley had been lying about Nick DeSoto’s supposed abrasive nature. According to Eddy, Nick was the nicest guy around and got along just great with all his coworkers,” Jackson agreed.

“He struck me as a yes man, which is probably why he got the job over Nick DeSoto. If Becca is correct and Nick had the same moral compass as her mom, he would have had backbone. I didn’t see that trait in Neil Eddy, no backbone whatsoever.”

“And what about Phil Green?” Jackson asked with a small chuckle. Phil Green was the V.P. of Marketing, Nicole DeSoto’s immediate supervisor. “Nicole was the best team player he had, misses her contributions greatly. If I was a diabetic, I’d be in a sugar-coma with how thick he laid it on.”

“And that directly disputes what Becca said her sister said about the work environment in the Marketing Department since their mom died. What is going on in that company?” Tessman asked, more as a rhetorical question.

Jackson shook his head. “I don’t know, but it makes me a hell of a lot more suspicious that their deaths are linked to Well-Life Pharmaceuticals.”

“And I have to believe their personnel files had been whitewashed by Shirley or someone else in HR,” Tessman added.

Their personnel files held little information of value. There was not even any info on any of the drugs Nick had developed over the years, redacted or not. Both held performance reviews with exemplary ratings and no information about any performance issues.

“Maybe Becca would know what doors Nick and Nicole’s coworkers exit the building through at the end of their workday.We could hang out by the doors and see if we get anyone to talk,” Jackson said.

Tessman laughed. “Sounds very stalker-ish. I’d love to do it though and watch Shirley’s head explode.”

“Okay, so one more theory. What is the chance that a drug cartel was threatening Nick into working for them? Make this synthetic opioid drug, or we kill your family?”

“That would explain why there were no unaccounted-for funds in their accounts,” Tessman answered. “But if that was the case, what were they looking for at the house last night?”

“Proof of it?” Jackson theorized.

“Or it could go back to money,” Tessman said. “Yes, they both made good money and Becca’s parents left both their daughters their large estate, but what if Nick was just greedy?”

“He got a taste of more money and liked it,” Jackson said.

“Yeah, or he was manufacturing drugs all along, even before the inheritance hit their accounts. The killing of the entire family is what’s making me think the cartels are involved. Or maybe we just work too many drug cases,” Tessman said. “Damn, I really want a cigarette.”

“How long’s it been since you quit?”

“Over a month,” Tessman replied. “But after this frustrating-ass day, I want one bad.”

“Come on, you’ve gone a month. Don’t fuck it up now. When we get back, go down to the gym. Work your stress and aggravation off there.”

“I wanted to help Becca go through those bins.”

Jackson grinned an insinuating smile at him. “Do you now?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“She’s attractive and you two seem to be getting close,” Jackson said with that grin in place.

“Seriously? No. You’re barking up the wrong tree. Not this dude. I’m not like the rest of you.”

“I didn’t think Wilson was either and was shocked as shit he’d been having a secret relationship with Rae.”

“They were just friends. It’s not like what you’re implying,” Tessman corrected him.

“Yeah, and now they’re living together, engaged, and raising a little girl together. I’m just saying,” Jackson began, but Tessman interrupted him.

“Don’t wish that on me!”

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