Marguerite scoffed. "I'm sorry, but your allegations are completely unfounded. It's ludicrous to think that Aqus is somehow involved in genetic manipulation. The company is completely transparent. All of our financial dealings are available for scrutiny. The sole focus of the organization is to preserve the local marine environment." She shook her head. "I'm sorry, gentlemen, but what you're describing goes against the core mission of the organization."
"You know, that's exactly what Mark Weaver said.”
"Maybe you should listen to him.”
"I can show you dossiers on every victim that has died from a shark attack recently.Anomalydoesn't begin to describe the situation. Let's not forget that two of your coworkers have been murdered. Both Andrew and Tess were stabbed. Both are alleged to have been working on this project."
"Alleged by whom?”
"Andrew was going to blow the whistle. He had reached out to an environmental group.”
"Nonsense."
"It's only a matter of time before we unravel this thing,” I said. “Aqus is going to get exposed. If you helped cover this up, you're going to be guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, among other things. I want you to think long and hard about where your loyalties lie. I doubt Mark Weaver will protect you when the shit hits the fan.”
"Food for thought, gentlemen. Food for thought. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to be.”
I dug into my pocket and handed her a card, even though I'd already given her one before.
She took it from me, then tossed it on the ground as she strutted away. She had a nice strut—there was no doubt about it. Sadly, she didn't seem to have much of a conscience about the whole thing.
Jack shrugged. "It was worth a try."
I called Isabella and asked her to track Marguerite's phone and listen to her calls. I had a hunch she would call Mark and tell him about our confrontation.
JD and I drifted out of the studio and stepped onto the sidewalk. We watched as Marguerite climbed into her silver SUV and drove out of the parking lot, the phone glued to her ear, her wary eyes glancing at us.
JD and I walked back to the Porsche and climbed in.
Isabella sent me an MP3 clip of her conversation a few minutes later. I pressed play, and JD and I huddled around my phone.
"Those cops showed up at my hot yoga class," Marguerite said, flustered.
"So?” Mark replied.
"So, I don't like it.”
"Did you keep your mouth shut?”
"What do you think?”
"Then don't worry about it. They've got nothing. They're going to get nothing.”
"They seem persistent. What are you going to do about them?"
"I'm not going to do anything. I've done enough already.” He paused. "Meet me at the boat.”
"Why?" she said coyly.
"Why do you think?”
"I need to get back to my husband," she said, taunting him.
"Tell him yoga class ran late, and you had lunch with girlfriends."
The line was silent for a moment.
"Ineedto see you," Mark said in a lascivious tone.
