Page 126 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

“Not in here.”

“Then why mention him?”

“Because Todd got quieter after he saw him.”

That could mean something. “How quiet?”

“Quiet enough to step outside and make a phone call. At least, he walked back in with his phone in hand.”

JP filed that away.

“Did he act different when he came back?”

She thought a moment. “Cockier.”

“Did he ever say where the money was coming from?”

“Nope. But the night before he died, he said something else. He said, ‘They should’ve left when they had the chance.’”

The room seemed to tighten. “They meaning the girls?”

“Probably.”

“Did he sound angry?”

“No.”

“Threatening?”

She looked at him directly.

“Proud.”

“Did Todd leave with anyone the night he died?”

“No.”

JP slid a twenty beneath the cup.

She pushed it back halfway. “I’m not testifying.”

“You’re helping me now.”

“That’s cheaper.” She kept the bill.

As JP stood, she said, “One more thing.”

He paused.

“If there was a girl, she never came in here.”

“You sure?”

“Men like Todd show off prizes.” The bartender shook her head. “Whatever this was, he was scared of losing it.”

Chapter 47

Thursday night