Page 85 of Tear Me Apart
“What else?”
“She writes poetry, but won’t show anyone. And skiing. You should see her on the slopes. That kid and her fall line. It’s incredible. It’s her one true love.”
“I’d like to see that. I’d like to talk to her. I...you’ve done such a good job with her, I can tell.” His voice cracks.
“Except for this. The cancer. I don’t know where it came from, or why. Does it run in your family?”
“Yes. My mother had breast cancer. She died...” His eyes are filming over with tears. “She died right before Vivian... When the baby was born.”
“I’m so sorry,” Lauren says. “It’s hard to lose your parents.”
Juliet’s phone rings, startling them all.
45
Juliet sees the matching looks of hope and fear on her sister’s and Zack’s faces and turns her back on them to answer the phone.
“It’s Cameron. I came across something you might want to hear.”
“I’m all ears. Hang on.” To Zack and Lauren, whose eyes are following her every move, she shakes her head. “This is business. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
She returns to the call. “Talk to me, Cam. You have the results?”
“Not yet. It’s running now. Here’s what I called about. Castillo had a partner.”
“What?”
“I managed to track down the woman your sister mentioned, Graciela Flores? She lives in Alamosa, and agreed to talk to me when I told her we were looking at all the patients Dr. Castillo had worked with, and by worked, I mean that loosely. Long story short, she told me Castillo had a partner, a man who delivered the money. It was an installment plan—you got the first $2000 up front, and the second $2000 a few weeks later, after delivery, and once the baby was placed.”
“Four thousand? Lauren said she paid ten.”
“Tidy profit, $6000 a kid, right?”
“Definitely. What’s this partner’s name?”
“Carlos Fuentes. According to the papers, he’s currently doing a nickel in Englewood Federal Correctional for mail fraud.”
“No kidding? That’s convenient.”
“Totally. Listen, Juliet. I think it’s time to push this up the chain, you know?”
“I do know, and you’re right. I’ve already spoken to the Nashville police, and they’ll probably be here tomorrow. As soon as we have the results from the test, see whether Zack is enough of a match, God willing, and get the ball rolling here for the transplant, I’ll turn my attention to the criminal side of this case. You can retire your investigative hat, Cam. I can’t thank you enough for all your help on this.”
“You’ll repay me. Maybe I’ll entice you away from the CBI one of these days.”
“I won’t say no, how’s that? I’ll be in touch.”
She clicks off, thinking for a moment.He’s right. It’s time.
To Zack and Lauren, who are waiting impatiently, “More news, some new info on Dr. Castillo. Lauren, do you remember her having a partner named Carlos? Carlos Fuentes?”
“No, I don’t. I only ever spoke with her. Who’s this Carlos person?”
“Sounds like the bagman. He ran the money to the mothers she helped.”
“This is all so convoluted.” Lauren touches her forehead as if a small headache has started. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to go back to Mindy now. I’m feeling a bit light-headed myself. Let’s hope I don’t come down with this bug, too. Zack, you and Juliet are welcome to stay with us. She has a key. Why don’t you go there, drop your bags, and grab some dinner? I’m sure Kat needs to be fed as well. Give us a few hours to kick this nasty bug.”
“That’s very kind of you, but I don’t want to impose. I can get a hotel room.”
