Twisted Interest (Margot Harris 7)

“Leave me off your YouTube show, and I’ll do this one for free.”

“Considering you’re in the middle of the biggest story I’ve got going, I don’t think I can do that.”

“Okay, how about you quit calling me ‘Viuda Negra’ and implying I’m some sort of cartel super-assassin?”

“I don’t think I ever said ‘super.’”

“You know what I mean.”

“You do this for free if I agree?”

“It’s what I just said.”

“You must really hate that. Honestly, I think it sounds cool.”

“I don’t.”

“Okay, I can do that. I really appreciate this.”

“I hope it works out. In my experience, words aren’t always enough, but I’ll do what I can. Tell me everything.”

Even though she was recording the encounter, Margot took notes.

“When are you going to do this?” Cassie asked.

“Ideally tomorrow, but I can’t guarantee it. Before the end of the week for sure. I don’t want to give him another chance to take a shot at you.”

“I appreciate it,” Cassie said as she stood up.

She was almost to the door when Margot said, “You seem to be on top of a lot of this stuff.”

“I try.”

“Can I ask you a question then? It needs to stay between you and me for the time being.”

“Are you using me as your source?”

“Depends if you know anything.”

“Ask away.”

“Does the name Dennis Thorn mean anything to you?”

Cassie turned around and went back to the chair.

“Where did you hear that name?”

“I asked you first.”

“There are six suspects in the murder of Lucas Lau. Basically, the only six people who could have had access including the staff. Fun fact, your favorite detectives, Anderson and Cranston, missed being on the list of suspects by an hour. Of the six, one of them, Conner Heller—the main suspect, if you ask me—had a visitor named Dennis Thorn.”

“Okay, so what?”

“Dennis Thorn doesn’t exist. His I.D. was bogus.”

“There should be video.”

“There is,” Cassie said as she reached into her purse and retrieved her phone.