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“Okay, on one condition.”
“Always conditions.”
“I want a copy of the photos you took.”
Fair enough.
I pulled out my Canon, pressed a few buttons, and sent the photos to Jack’s phone. “Done. I’m not positive because I didn’t see his face clearly—but I scrolled through and I think one of those guys is Frank Sanchez.”
“The asshole who works for Miriam Endicott?”
“Yep.”
“Why would Endicott be watching Monroe’s house? Could his wife have hired two PIs?”
“Could White’s employer have hired two PIs?” I countered.
“We’ll confirm the identity, run the plates, see what we can get. I’ll let you know.”
“Appreciate it.”
Eight
Tess Angelhart
“You let her go to the hospital to talk to White?”
Tess didn’t know why Jack would involve their sister in their investigation. Margo had made it clear she wanted nothing to do with the family business.
“First, she probably won’t get in to see her before we get there,” Jack said. “Second, we have an agreement—I share, she shares.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“I trust her, Tess.”
Tess wanted to trust Margo. Despite the mix of anger and sadness, she missed her sister—her best and closest friend. Although they had their fair share of arguments, they shared countless happy memories. Hundreds of family events. Their yearly spring camping trip to the Grand Canyon, the Fourth of July weekends at their grandparents’ cabin in Pinetop. Weddings, funerals, births, celebrations. Double dates, soccer games, just hanging out at the coffee shop talking. When Tess went through a tough breakup with her first serious boyfriend, Margo was the one who picked her up, dusted her off, and convinced her he wasn’t worth her tears. While Tess was in college and Margo in the Army stationed in Texas, Margo flew to Tucson after she heard that Tess’s boyfriend had cheated on her, breaking her heart. They had always been there for each other, until three years ago when everything fell apart.
Margo left, not you.
Tess didn’t miss Margo’s stubbornness, or her tendency to rush headfirst into situations without a plan. Yet, she also admired her bravery and her willingness to stand up for the underdog. Margo could be the most self-righteous, unforgiving person on the planet, but she was also kind, compassionate, fun, and brave.
“Trust me,” Jack said when Tess wouldn’t give him the answer he wanted.
“I do,” she said, and meant it. If Jack could look past Margo’s behavior for the last three years, Tess could at least try to do the same.
Logan Monroe, the male victim, exited the house with one of the firefighters. A team was going through checking the gas and AC unit to make sure there were no leaks. Officer Cameron was waiting for the detective and crime scene investigators to arrive.
“Mr. Monroe.” Jack approached and she let her brother take the lead.
Tess may not have recognized Logan Monroe on sight, but she knew the name. Monroe was a self-made multimillionaire and had created several computer gaming companies, grew them, then sold them. He had his fingers in many pies, including partial ownership of a golf resort in Scottsdale that catered to the rich and richer. But his background was software—and Jennifer White had a dual degree in computer science and math. There had been no hint that Monroe was unethical or stole company secrets, but he would be in a position to understand the value of what Jennifer had to offer.
And if it got out, it would damage his reputation. He was probably rich enough to withstand the hit, but it would still hurt.
Monroe eyed them with suspicion. Tess didn’t blame him; he’d just been poisoned. But he hadn’t called his lawyer or his wife, which Tess found suspect.
Jack held out his business card and said, “I’m Jack Angelhart. My agency was retained to track down a possible security breach at Desert West Financial. How do you know Jennifer White?”
A friendly, direct tone. Jack did a good job exuding authority without being overbearing, something Tess admired about her big brother.
