“A new padlock on the door and newer windows, one of which may have been jimmied—but no evidence Stephanie had been there. I’m going to go back and do a grid search over the next few days. I’m not giving up on the idea she may have dropped something if she ran into trouble. I also saw the camera at the state highway entrance. I assume the DEA has never requested that footage.”

“No. If the wrong people found out, it could tip them off we’re onto the location. Besides, it’s a low-end camera that covers only a small area near the gate, the visits are in the dark, and we’ve got human eyes with night vision goggles watching the comings and goings—and taking photos.”

“That’s what I figured. County did request general security footage from the weekend of the disappearance during our initial investigation. According to the report, there’s no evidence Stephanie left the dorm, nor was there any activity by the back gate. In light of what I now know about your case, it may be worth another review.”

“The security cameras are easy to spot—and easy to avoid. She could have left the dorm through a window out of camera range. But if the security tape from the back gate doesn’t show any activity, there may not be a link between a cartel delivery or pickup and her disappearance.”

“I know—but my instincts tell me there’s a connection.”

“Instincts don’t take the place of hard evidence.” One side of his mouth quirked as he parroted her earlier admonition back to her.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” She tamped the urge to smile at his tease. “What’s new on your end?”

“I had lunch with Eduardo.”

“I know. I saw you.” And it had taken every ounce of her self-control to keep her attention on her turkey club wrap rather than him while she ate. “You still have suspicions?”

“More than ever.”

She turned the page in the book as he told her about the man’s unexpected visitor and their alarm-triggering conversation.

So his instincts had been spot-on.

Maybe hers were too—and a closer review of that security tape could vindicate her hunch.

“Did your people find out anything about this Miguel guy?”

“No. We assume his last name is Hernandez—that’s Margarita’s maiden name—but he’s nowhere to be found in any immigration records. Nor is he on ICE’s radar.”

She tapped a finger against the page. “No green card or visa information, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement people haven’t tagged him. That would suggest he’s here illegally but otherwise clean.”

“Or very dirty but managing to stay under the radar. I vote for the latter after the snippet of conversation I heard. That exchange could also suggest Eduardo is involved in criminal activity too.”