Land of Entrapment Read Free Page B

considering the ramifications of my words, decided to say it anyway. “They’re like addictions.”
    She glared at me. “Megan’s not using anymore.”
    “Hey, relax.” I wanted to believe her. “One of the things many modern white supremacists espouse is absolutely no drug or alcohol use. So if Megan’s with this crowd, chances are they’re not allowing her access to anything. Which is a good thing because it keeps her from completely falling under their control.
    Think about it. Did you ever see Cody drinking?”
    Melissa shook her head, realization in her eyes.
    “No. He always went for the Diet Coke.”
    “Did you see any names on the literature from Megan’s apartment? Any group affiliations?”
    “No. I was so disgusted and scared I didn’t really read it.”
    “Did you save it?”
    “Yes,” she said with a well, duh tone. “I’m an attorney. It’s evidence.”
    Before I could think about what I was saying, I said it anyway. “Let me have a look at it.” The relief in her eyes wouldn’t allow me to change my mind. I kicked myself mentally from Grandpa’s porch to Amarillo and back again.
    “Thank you. It would mean so much to me. When can you come?” She leaned forward, hopeful.
    “Um. Where? To Albuquerque?”
    “That is where I live,” she said snappishly.
    “Whoa. Hold on. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
    “How else are you going to see the stuff I found?”
    Mail it? “Melissa...”
    “You can stay at Megan’s place,” she continued.
    “I’m paying the rent and bills on it until...” She stopped and bit her lip.
    I shook my head slowly. “Hold on. As much as I think it sucks what’s going on with Megan, I don’t know if I can help. Why don’t you hire a private investigator?”
    “I tried that,” she said impatiently. “And most would have taken the case but they don’t know anything about groups like this. I even tried contacting other people who research them and they all politely told me that it sounded like I needed the police or a PI.”
    I ran both hands through my hair, extremely uncomfortable with what she was asking of me. “Hey, I don’t have any sort of affiliation with law enforcement. There’s not a whole lot I can do. And besides, you’re a lawyer. You deal with stuff like this all the time. Why can’t you just—”
    “Please, K.C.,” she said, a slight sarcastic edge to her words. “Don’t think I haven’t considered that. It would make everything so much easier.” I heard the unspoken “than having to deal with you.” She looked at me, pleading. “You know Megan’s history. You know her. She trusts you.” Melissa watched me.
    “Remember what happened the last time?”
    I did. Megan got strung out somewhere five years ago and Melissa didn’t see her for a week. She hired a PI her firm used to track her down and he found her in some dive over in Albuquerque’s War Zone. The police had to get involved because drug paraphernalia littered the apartment. Megan was arrested but Melissa managed to get her probation—
    Megan was a minor—and treatment.
    “If Megan’s caught up in something illegal, I might not be able to keep her out of prison this time.”
    Melissa faltered and glanced away, clearing her throat.
    “So you want to know exactly what she’s doing with this guy,” I said slowly, to make sure I understood what she wanted. “And you want it sort of ‘unofficial.’ ”
    Her gaze snapped back to mine. “Yes. If Megan is caught screwing up again, I have some decisions to make. I can either let it go, as much as that hurts, or report it. As much as that hurts. But if she’s not with him of her own volition, then I might be able to cut a deal with the DA if Cody’s doing anything illegal that Megan’s privy to.”
    I saw Melissa’s point, but I felt extremely uneasy.
    “What about Chris? Did you call her? Or think about calling her?” I was reaching here, knowing almost instinctively she hadn’t, because Chris