“Years.” A worried look crossed her face.
“Do you know a Dante Zamora?” Mack asked, moving them along.
“Um.” She nibbled on a full bottom lip. “I know a Dante, but not his last name.”
“May I show you a picture of him to see if he’s the man you’re talking about?” Addy asked.
The woman nodded and joined them, her long skirt that looked like it was made with handkerchiefs swishing as she walked.
Addy held out her phone, that comforting smile still on her face. It was a very good thing she was doing most of the questioning, as Mack feared his direct line of questioning would send this woman running back into hiding.
She cautiously inched closer, her sandals scraping on the tile floor. She looked at the phone and nodded, her long black hair falling over the shoulder of her denim shirt embroideredwith bright flowers. “Yeah. That’s him. That’s the Dante who comes around here.”
Addy slowly pocketed her phone, likely because she didn’t want to startle the already skittish woman. “Do you know why he hangs out around here?”
“Yes, um, well...” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “He gives guys a job.”
“What kind of jobs?” Mack almost demanded.
Her eyes narrowed below thick eyebrows. “Driving cars. Not sure what’s in them, but he sends them over the border to pick up cars and bring stuff back. He’s not willing to cross the border himself, so I gotta think it can’t be good stuff.”
Okay, good. They were finally getting somewhere. “Do you know a man named Bruno Razo?”
She shook her head. “No Brunos.”
Mack wouldn’t let that answer slow him down. “Can you give me the name of anyone who has worked for Dante?”
She bit her lip and fidgeted with her hands.
“I’m assuming he only uses people who are U.S. citizens so they can legally cross,” Mack said. “So even if you tell me their names, there won’t be an immigration issue.”
“Yes, but...” She shrugged.
“We aren’t after these men. I won’t arrest anyone.” Mack firmed his tone.
She lifted her chin. “And if I don’t tell you?”
“Then you don’t tell us, and we move on.” He tried to sound indifferent when he was anything but. “Just let me say that this involves the lives of many people, and anything you can share with us could help stop people from dying.”
Mack paused and locked gazes with her. “Lives of innocent children and families. You could help stop a bloodbath.”
“Fine.” She fisted her hands on her hips and spouted several names. Addy quickly got out her notebook and pen and jotted them down. She repeated them back to the woman.
She nodded.
“Thank you,” Mack said sincerely. “Do they live in the area?”
She nodded. “One of the guys is homeless. He hangs out across the street.”
“And can I get your name?” Addy asked.
The woman bit her lip again but then shared her name.
Addy added it to her notes. “I promise we won’t mention you when we talk to these men.”
“Yeah, but everyone saw you come in here. It’s all over the neighborhood by now.” She looked like she wanted to cry.
“I’m sorry to put you in this position. I wish we didn’t have to ask.”
