Rafe hadn’t put any thought into Justin being the last, besides the killer, to talk with Derek. It added a new angle. “What did the guys who went to buy more supplies say about Derek’s death?”
“It’s amazing how much kids can talk and still say nothing,” Justin said. “I can tell you they never made it back to the farm. They’d found a guy to do the buying, but when they got to the store, he chickened out. By then, it was getting late. The store would be less crowded, and they were afraid somebody would notice how often they came in, so they went home.”
“What else?”
“They said Derek never cooked up any meth. But they’re not going to talk to the police. Most are just glad they weren’t in the house when Derek bought it. The rest simply hope whoever came after Derek doesn’t come after them.”
“None of them have any idea who killed Derek?”
“If they did, I’d be the happiest man in Adobe Hills. Then I’d either have the connection to the cartel, or at least someone who reports directly to him. When this case finally breaks, I can start an investigation, testify and go back to being a street cop.”
Frustration edged his every word. In order to get the kingpin, Justin had to wait. But the longer he waited, the bigger the drug ring grew, like a flood, swallowing Adobe Hills Community College first and then lapping against Adobe Hills High School and Middle School.
“Are any of the kids you’re talking about in Janie’s class?”
“No. I have a list of names I’ve given Nathan. I’ll email you them tonight and put an asterisk around the ones I believe are most involved. Both Nathan and I would appreciate any help, since you are more familiar with the kids who live in Scorpion Ridge.”
“And you don’t know any Chris or Chad?”
“No.”
Rafe finally hung up and headed back to Janie. He hadn’t really gotten any answers, but at least now he’d decided which angle to investigate first: Derek’s murder.
“Important call?” Janie asked.
“Yes.”
She wanted more details. He could tell by the myriad of expressions that crossed her face and the questions in her eyes. He’d give them to her because she knew more about the college than he did, almost making her his inside man.
He muttered, “Later, not here.”
That satisfied her. “What do we do next?”
“We?”
“Yes, we. Up until this morning, you’d considered yourself my personal bodyguard. My life hasn’t been my own for days. Now, with Patricia’s death, I’m stuck with you, aren’t I? It’s a ‘we’ whether you admit it or not.”
“I could assign a deputy to guard you.”
Janie rolled her eyes. “Right.”
Just then, Georgia left the office, grabbed her purse and stomped to the restroom. The officer who’d been gathering names headed for Nathan and turned over a stack of papers.
“He’s giving Nathan the names of the students who stopped by, plus the names of anyone Patricia might have spoken with last night,” Rafe told her.