Page 79 of A River Red With Blood
Teal was.
“Is she missing like that DEA agent is missing?”
“I couldn’t say,” Santopietro replied.
“Because Kenney may ask the same question.”
“If he does, he’ll get the same reply.”
“I’ll tell him,” said Teal.“It might save him a trip.”
“That’s up to you—both of you.”
“Well, we’ll see.”
“Yes, I’m sure we will.”
They said goodbye, which was when Santopietro contacted Renders.Santopietro then went through everything with him, point by point.
“The DEA won’t ever stop looking for one of their own,” said Renders, when Santopietro was done.“It could be they’ll find her eventually, or what’s left of her.”
“Even if they don’t,” said Santopietro, “they’ll keep hunting for whoever took her.”He shook his head.“Clean.There’s no such thing as ‘clean’ when it comes to killing law enforcement.”
“So Kenney and Teal are at risk,” said Renders, “and know they are.”
“Kenney more than Teal, because his name was on the Airbnb rental, but yes.If Teal was aware of how exposed he was by association, he’d never have revealed so much to me.”
“Or he was open with you because he was frightened.”
“I suppose so.”
“Which means he still trusts you.”
“Unwisely,” said Santopietro.“I’m in jeopardy as long as they are.”
“Did Kenney put Teal up to asking you about Norton?”
“Kenney might have planted the idea in his head, but Teal decided to run with it.”
“So Kenney believes you murdered Mallory Norton,” said Renders.
“I didn’t murder her,” said Santopietro.“You did—for which I’m not ungrateful.”
“Kenney doesn’t know that.”
“You can be sure he’s wondering.”
“Either way, he thinks you may be jeopardized too, and he’s at risk as long as you are.”Renders grinned emptily.“Four men, all with blood on their hands, and all suspicious of one another.That’s quite the pickle.”
“Allsuspicious of one another?”
“Don’t worry, I’m on your side.What about Kenney?”
“He’s on his own side,” said Santopietro.
“Teal?”
“Wavering.”
