No. Again, we never spoke. Any friends of hers either hate my guts or are new friends and Ive never met them. He looked at them sternly, as if to make sure theyd heard him clearly. He placed his hands on his hips and looked to the ground. Look, Im sorry. But I really cant help you here. I hate that my son is going to have to grow up without a mother, but thats about as deeply as this bothers me. You can think Im a selfish asshole if you want, but thats the plain and simple truth. We just didnt like one another. Im not the right place to try getting information about Maria.

Rachel respected his blunt honesty but still wished she werent an FBI agent so she could slap him. What about your mother? If shes keeping your son, could she

She met Maria twice and they havent spoken in over four years. So, no. She wont be a good resource, either. Youre welcome to go speak to her, but shell be about as much help as I have been. He finally looked back up to them and asked, Is there anything else? Can I get back to work yet?

Yeah, thats fine, Jack said. Thanks for your time. The sarcasm in his tone of voice was thick.

Rachel watched as Frank Ramirez disappeared back inside the new house. Just based on the way he spoke about his ex-wife she didnt doubt anything he said but she also could not help wondering if he may be hiding something. Or if he might even be a suspect.

Thoughts? Jack asked when they were back in the car.

Other than how I think Frank Ramirez is a douchebag?

Yes, other than that.

She cranked the car and thought about it for a moment. We dont know why Maria was visiting the doctor yet, but we do know she and Bruce Webber did both have appointments with some form of doctor, and that they were both killed by stabbing. It makes me wonder if the coroner might be able to point us toward some more similarities. At least until we have access to Marias medical records.

To the coroners office, then, Jack said, already pulling up the directions on his phone.

Rachel pulled out of the construction site, feeling rather polarized about their run-in with Frank Ramirez. It felt too harsh, too realand it made her wonder if, after she was gone, Peter would have that same sort of animosity towards her.

***