There was a long, awkward pause.
"You're not implying that I had some involvement, are you?"
"A witness stated the assailants were two men and a woman."
"A witness?"
I wasn't sure. Was there a hint of concern in her voice?
"Yes, apparently Dr. Latham was laundering money for the cartel, among other things."
"I can tell by your tone that I'm on your suspect list. I can't say that I like being there.”
"Look at it from my point of view."
"I told you, I am not my father. I've chosen my own path in life, and he has chosen his. That doesn't change the way I feel about him. I love the man, not his actions.”
“Remember what I said about legitimacy.”
“I stand by my statement. I’m a legitimate businesswoman with an exclusive clientele. Why would I jeopardize that? If I were the head of a ruthless cartel, why would I get myself involved with a stubborn deputy who is determined to fix all the problems in the world?”
“Maybe you find said deputy irresistible,” I said.
“If he keeps accusing me, his irresistibility will diminish.”
My phone buzzed with a call from Isabella.
“I’ve gotta run. We’ll discuss this later.”
“I’d rather not.”
She ended the call before I had a chance to click over. I might not be a nuclear physicist, but I’m smart enough to know I offended her.
I took Isabella’s call. “Tell me something good.”
I had given Isabella the number to Paige’s burner phone. She was able to locate Silas’s device. “His phone is offshore. I’ll text you his coordinates and keep tabs on the phone as long as it’s on the grid.”
“Thank you. Were you able to dig up any more information on Catalina?”
“I’m not saying she’s clean. But I haven’t been able to connect her to anything. If she’s dirty, she’s very good at hiding it. Nothing traces back to her. But her dad is Diego Navarro. I mean, come on. I guess maybe as an act of rebellion she’s chosen a legitimate life.”
“Or maybe the things she saw growing up pushed her far away from the business.”
“You like her.”
“I find her intriguing.”
“It’s okay to say it. You like her.”
I said nothing.
“Just don’t let that cloud your judgement.” Then she added, “Any more than it already has.”
I was relieved to learn Isabella hadn’t found anything damning, but I couldn’t shake the feeling Catalina had a dark side.
I thanked Isabella and ended the call.
We piled back into the Porsche, and Paige squeezed into the back seat.
