“I’m the college’s main supplier of marijuana.”
Tanner couldn’t have been more surprised. He hated to stereotype, but Ray was not drug dealer material. He was an A student with a round face, big eyes, and a weak chin.
“How’d you get into this?”
“I…ah…had trouble paying for some major car repairs my first semester. One of the guys in the garage took me aside and asked if I wanted to make some quick money. It seemed harmless.”
Always did, Tanner thought.
He coughed and took another sip. “I mean, it’s marijuana—not heroin or cocaine or meth. And the money is good. I’m pre-law, so I’m saving for law school.”
The steam off Tanner’s coffee trailed into the air like smoke, but he didn’t touch it. The cup was a prop of normality. The human race always drank when they discussed important stuff, be it coffee, tea, or alcohol. He’d seen it in every country he’d ever visited—perhaps drinking somehow made every conversation seem more civilized.
“How does this relate to Jemma?”
“She smoked some of the marijuana I sold at the party.”
Tanner studied Ray. He’d been lied to by the best of them, but he’d grown good at reading body language. Tanner wanted to sigh. The kid believed what he was saying. It was time to push a little harder.
“Okay, so why don’t you tell me how smoking marijuana ended up killing her?”
Worrying his bottom lip with his teeth, Ray reached for his cup again. “Have I given you enough to be your source?”
“Yes, you have. Now tell me the rest.”
“I think my supplier’s been adding something into the stash. It’s not like the old stuff. People are asking for more hash a hell of a lot faster than usual. They’re not waiting for the weekend any more to get high. And some people have gotten sick at parties. Puking, passing out. Some have even gone to the ER. I told my guy about it, but he grabbed me by my shirt and told me to keep my mouth shut. I was like, what the fuck? Scared the shit out of me.”
“Keep going.”
“I kept hoping nothing was wrong. I didn’t want anything to be wrong. I even asked my dealer again, and he flipped. Like bat-shit-crazy flipped. He told me it was just binge drinking that was getting people sick, and I believed him. Until Jemma. Now I’m convinced that they’re lacing it.”
Tanner leaned forward. If that was the case, the autopsy report should have found drugs in her system. But there hadn’t been a word about any illegal substances in the newspaper article he’d read.
“What about Jemma’s heart murmur?”
“I don’t know, but I think someone’s covering something up. That’s why you have to find out what really happened.” He tapped his fingers on the table like a cigarette smoker on day four of quitting. “I think someone on the police force is involved.”
“That’s quite a claim.”
“Well, why else would they say Jemma only died from a heart murmur? Wouldn’t the autopsy have picked up the pot in her system?”
“Yes, it should have.”
“Plus, they didn’t really interview anyone. I’ve asked around. That Deputy Barlow showed up after they called for the ambulance. Someone must have ratted me out, and nobody’s talked to me. I’ve been freaking out for days, waiting.”
“You have a point.” The more the kid talked, the more his gut twitched.
“And there were drugs left at the party. I couldn’t find everything before I left, but the police didn’t raise any fuss.”
Odd. “I see,” he said to encourage him to continue.
“I want you to find out what’s going on.” His eyes teared up. “I can’t stand it! I never would have sold this stuff if I knew it would hurt anyone. But they aren’t going to let me out now. I’m fucking scared, man.”
Tanner wanted to sigh. Nothing was free, and this kid was finally realizing it. God, he was tired of seeing people fuck up their lives. Actions had consequences. Why didn’t anyone understand that?
“Do you believe me?” Ray wiped his nose with his sleeve.
“Yes, I believe you didn’t want her to get hurt.”
“So, you’ll figure out what’s going on? I have some drugs I can give you later.”
Tanner steepled his hands. “Okay. Tell me about your supplier. How do you get the drugs?”
“You promise not to involve me if I tell you?”
“You’re already involved, but for now, this is off the record. I’ll only name you if you agree.”
The kid’s eyes bugged out. “What do you mean? I don’t want anyone to know! They’ll hurt me. I’m not going to keep selling after this. I’m out.”