The phone in her pocket vibrated.José had understood her need to keep it with her since the incident.She checked who it was.Gilliam.She waved to Harper to watch the counter and stepped to the rear of the café, not willing to make the mistake of disappearing into the back for the sake of a call.
“Gilliam.What can I do for you?”
“I wanted to let you know that I reached out to Mike’s DEP contact, Ashley Sullivan.He was more than willing to schedule another test of the site to ensure Cleffan is adhering to the conditions of the permit.”
“Did you mention the woman?”She should be more grateful, but in the end, as disgusting as some kind of environmental fraud was, she cared more about the woman’s whereabouts.
“I knew you’d ask, so I sent him the photograph you sent me.He doesn’t know her.”
Damn it.“I’m running out of places to look for her.”
“I wish I could help you further.But there is every chance some good will come out of all this, Drea.If the information you sent is accurate, it could expose a critical issue, a very significant level of corruption.I know this is cold comfort, but I would encourage you to look to the positive, Drea.You’ve done a good thing.”
It didn’t feel like it.The woman had done the hard part, collecting all the information on the drive.Her own contribution had been allowing the woman to be abducted from José’s, and finding the drive after it had happened.
“Thank you, Gilliam.And thank you for calling Ashley.Will you let me know what he finds out?”
“Of course.Good-bye, Drea.”
Drea ended the call and headed for the washroom.Somehow, over the last week or so, she’d learned more about fracking than she’d ever cared to know.She’d even dreamt about going to visit a well and meeting all the people she’d read about.
She’d been gone a couple of minutes when Harper cut her off on her way through the swinging doors.
“Drea,” she whispered, waving her behind the cooler with soft drinks.“The very yummy Detective Carter is sitting on the patio.”
“What?”She glanced quickly over her shoulder.He was waiting at one of the outdoor tables, dressed in jeans and a light gray polo shirt.
“Cujo or Carter.Tough decision, girlie.What are you going to do?”
Drea closed her eyes and shook her head.“I don’t know.”Her heart sank.It wasn’t a conversation she really wanted to have, but she pulled up her big girl pants and went outside anyway.
“Ryan,” she said as she pulled out the chair opposite him.
“Hey, Drea.”He leaned forward, put both elbows on the table and fiddled with the lid of his to-go cup.“Your colleague makes great café con leche.”
“She swears it’s the Columbian coffee, but I think it’s all in the flick of her wrist.She’s got the coffee god’s juju.”
“Can’t convince you to come join me, can I?”He smiled, but it didn’t quite meet his eyes.“Don’t answer that,” he added.“I saw you and Mr.Matthews.I get it.”
“I wishIdid,” she mumbled.“I’m sorry,” she added sincerely.“Why are you here?”
“My gut’s telling me you’re on to something.I have a bad feeling.Not one I can prove.Yet.But I think you’re right about all this being connected.”Ryan took a sip of his drink.
“Why?”
“I’ve been speaking with the RCMP.Mike MacArthur was run off the road.I shouldn’t be telling you this, but a witness came forward yesterday.Saw a news report about the case after being out of province for a while.Had thought the two cars he’d seen racing and driving erratically were kids messing around.”
“So what does that mean for the woman?”
“I don’t know yet.But we have a lead on who Walter might be.Walter Tobias was killed the same night as the incident here.It looked like an accident.A car crash turned into a fireball on the ninety-five, just north of the causeway exit.”That was only fifteen minutes away from the café.
“So how do you think he is connected?”she asked.
Carter looked at her intently.“He was senior partner at an environmental law firm currently challenging the state over fracking in the Everglades.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Hey, Dad.”
