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Damn. I was going to have to work on being sneakier.
“I can’t tell you,” I said. “I’m not going to lie to you, okay? But I can’t talk about my client.”
“At least you have a client.”
I frowned, suddenly hurt.
“Hey, that’s not how I meant it.” Jack leaned forward. “You got your license last year but haven’t talked about any case you’ve worked, so I didn’t think you were going to go through with the career change. But I’m glad you are. You’re going to make a great PI.”
“You haven’t seen me work.”
“Don’t have to. I’ve known you your entire life. I think I’m a pretty good judge. Okay, tell me everything you can, I understand about confidentiality. Just don’t burn a cop, or I won’t be talking to you again about any case.”
“Fair enough,” I said. “Yes, I had access to the video. There were several other robberies that fit the same MO as the Cactus Stop, except that no one died. Is there a gang operating in the area? Or just a group of kids acting out? Because the three that went into the Cactus Stop all looked like minors to me.”
“You don’t have to be eighteen to be trouble,” Jack said. “I’ve never worked the gang unit, but I know basics. Most of the Hispanic gangs are affiliated in one way or another with the Mexican Mafia. As you probably know, they consider themselves family. The men—most of the gang leaders are in their twenties—build rapport with young teens, sometimes younger kids. They act like big brothers or father figures. Give them money, phones, attention. Most of the kids who get recruited into gangs have no male role model in their life. Their dads are AWOL or in prison or dead. The gangs know exactly who to target and how to bring them in. These kids crave family. They want to feel like they belong, and then at some point, the gang requires a loyalty oath—an initiation.”
“Like murder.”
“That, or selling drugs, or—depending on the gang—trafficking girls. Most of the gang activity is in the 800.”
Jack was referring to the police precinct.
“Maryvale?”
“Yeah. And downtown to a certain extent. They are known mostly as Westside, Southside, like that, though some have adopted names.”
“What about the area around 19th and Camelback?”
“There are some smaller gangs in that area, but I don’t know the boundaries, and if a call comes in as expected gang activity, the gang unit responds.” Jack looked at me and said, “Margo, if you start asking questions about gang activity, you’re going to put a target on your back.”
“I won’t go that far.”
“See that you don’t.”
“What about robberies? If there’s a small group, maybe not in a gang, just some kids without supervision, making bad choices. Who handles things like that?”
“If it’s a repeat?”
“Yeah, like three kids who no one knows either because they wear masks or they’re not from the neighborhood, walking in and taking shit.”
“The violent crimes bureau has a robbery unit. They’d be called out to something like that.”
“One detective?”
“There’s several, but because of staff shortages, many detectives have been called back to patrol.”
“Who’s in charge?”
“These questions are becoming very specific, sis.”
“Humor me.”
“I feel like I’m going to regret this.” He shook his head. Jack worked in the Family Investigation Bureau, but he would know who was in charge in Violent Crimes. Finally, he said, “Detective Ambrose is who you want. He’s not in charge, but you wouldn’t want to talk to the brass, and they wouldn’t talk to you. Ambrose is a supervisor in the VCB, and he also works cases.”
“Can I drop your name?”
“It’s your name, too.”
