Page 66 of Crash Course
Cruz ran his hands over his face. "Looks like we answered the all-important question of Randolph knowing that property is contaminated."
Ro held up a finger. "Not necessarily. He knows the Tate farm received sludge. He could be in serious denial and, like Cilla said, waiting on the retest. Aside from the one she found, she said Randolph's internal lab and another outside one performed the other two tests."
"Yeah. I’m not giving much weight to the internal report. They could doctor that."
"What do we know about the other lab?"
Cruz shook his head. "Nothing. Cilla didn’t give us a name."
"Let me see if I can find anything in Randolph’s files. Give me a couple hours."
"Go for it. I’m in no hurry to tell Cilla her father knows exactly what he’s doing."
Phin, in his usual finery of suit and tie, entered the Theater with the leather briefcase Mom gave him slung over one shoulder and his BARS travel mug in hand.
"Hey," Cruz said. "You leaving?"
"Yeah. Kayla needs me for a meeting. Got an e-mail from the lab. We should have results around noon. I’ll send them. Watch your e-mail."
Cruz checked his watch. Noon was still hours off and he was sufficiently in limbo waiting on Rohan’s research. He had more than enough time to hop in his truck and head into Charlotte.
For what reason?
To meet with Cilla, of course. By the time they had the lab reports, he could deliver the news personally. Win-win.
"Once we have the results," Cruz said. "I’ll talk to Cilla. Rohan found some e-mails."
"Anything good?"
"Enough to prove Daddy Randolph knows sludge was delivered to the previous owners of the Tate property."
"Do the Tates know?"
Both Cruz and Rohan shrugged and Phin met Cruz’s eye. "Are we thinking that sludge was contaminated?"
"I’m betting on it," Cruz said.
Phinny groaned. "Shit. Cilla won’t be happy."
"Ya think?"
"Her father is allowing people to be poisoned. We can’t deliver that news over the phone."
"Way ahead of you, little brother. I’m in standby mode here. If Cilla is available this afternoon, I’ll drive into Charlotte and meet with her."
"Good. I’d do it, but . . ."
Cruz waved him off. "I got it. Trust me. It’s not a hardship."
"Oh, come on." Phin laughed. "Are youstillchasing her? Usually, by now you’ve moved on."
Yikes. What did that say about him? Nothing good, that’s for sure. Still, little brother needed to wise up. Cruz would be a fool tonotbe chasing Cilla. "Easy there, pal. I think the chasing part is done. We’re moving to phase two."
"Phase two," Ro said. "Can’t wait to hear this one."
Cruz shot him a look, then went back to Phin. "You’re smart enough to figure out phase two. And don’t have the balls to lecture me about getting involved with a client." He wagged a finger between Rohan and Phin. "None of you fuckers have room to talk.Allof you got hooked up with people involved in cases."
Rohan put his hands up. "Did I say anything?"
