Justine’s heart thudded with worry. “What’s happened? The dogs? Are you hurt? Wait. You’re not quitting, are you?”
“Most people start with ‘hello,’” Will huffed.
“You never call unless there’s something wrong.”
“Quit jumpin’ to conclusions. I haven’t said anything yet.”
Justine sat back. “Sorry, you’re right. I’m catastrophizing.”
“Your cat ain’t got nothing to do with this.”
That brought a grin to Justine’s lips.
“Barney—”
“What’s wrong with Barney?”
“Justine—”
“Sorry, go ahead.”
“He’s being ornery. Acting strange and refuses to come out of his kennel. Can’t even get him off his bed to eat.”
“Did you try—?”
“Yes, I tried those special bacon treats.”
Barney never turned down a meal. He was the most food-motivated animal Justine had ever seen. “I’ll call Dr. Abernathy.”
“Now, hold on there. That money monger will charge you an arm and a leg for showing up. You’ve got good instincts. See what you think before you spend the bucks.”
“But if he’s sick—?”
“Don’t get yourself all worked up. Barney ain’t dead. Just seems a little down in the dumps, which ain’t far for an overweight basset hound to get down to.”
Justine grinned, despite the sobering topic. Will knew her too well.
“Wondered if there’s medicine or something I’m supposed to give the mutt.”
“No, but I’m glad you called. I’d feel better checking on him.”
“It’s probably best if you return home rather than staying overnight somewhere anyway.”
Was that Will’s reasoning for calling her? He’d never been overly protective before, but the last twenty-four hours had thrown them all into uncharted territory. “Will, what aren’t you telling me?”
A long sigh. “Richardson came by looking for you.”
“And?”
“I told him you were working a case.”
“The man never gives up.” Justine rolled her eyes and stared at the cab’s ceiling.
“Yeah.”
“Thanks, Will. We should be there by nightfall.”
“That trooper’s staying here again?” Will’s irritation was palpable through the line.
Trey’s presence wasn’t Will’s business, but Justine shoved down the snarky reply threatening to escape. “Yes.We have evidence to review.”
“In that case, you don’t need me around this evening. ’Sides, I’ve got personal dealings to tend to. Text when you’re an hour out, and I’ll kennel the boys. They’ll be fine until you return.”
Justine hesitated. “Everything all right?” Not that Will shared private matters with her. In the time she’d known him, their conversations had revolved around work-related topics.
“Yep.”
“I may need to leave again tomorrow though.”
“No problem. I’ll be back in time.”
“Okay. I’ll text with tomorrow’s schedule.”
“Fine.”
She disconnected and faced Trey.
“Not that I was trying to eavesdrop, but I take it from the conversation, something’s wrong with Barney?”
“Will says he hasn’t eaten, and he needs to handle a personal matter.”
Trey’s lip twitched, but his eyes remained on the road. “Does he normally abscond when he’s supposed to be taking care of the dogs and ranch?”
She gave a dismissive sigh, not wanting to encourage Trey’s skepticism. “I’d say normal flew out the window after I was stuffed into the trunk of my own car. Besides, I have you.” Heat flushed her cheeks at the words, and she averted her eyes. “I mean, he’s aware you’re providing protection detail.”
“I’m sure that was a huge relief for old Will,” Trey said, sarcasm thick in his tone. “Is he always so concerned for your welfare?”
“Will’s rough around the edges, but he has good intentions. However, it’s clear nothing I say will convince you, so change topics.”
Trey turned north and accelerated. “I’m sorry about Barney.”
Was Will using Barney as a means of checking up on her? Regardless, if the dog wasn’t doing well, she wanted to be there. “Poor guy. Maybe he’s depressed.”
“Has he been that way before?”
“Not since he first had the surgery, but that time, he had an infection.”
Justine busied herself organizing the file. “It’s like Drazin hit the brakes and gave up.”
“Did he contact you in his investigation?” Trey asked.
“Nope. Strange, right? I considered mentioning it in our meeting with him, but he was already defensive.” Justine watched the countryside passing by her window. “I should’ve pushed harder when Kayla died.”
“Hey, don’t do that to yourself.”
Logically, Justine understood the words were meant as encouragement, but at that moment, Trey’s comment struck her as one more person throwing up their hands in helplessness while her best friend was ignored by the people who should care the most.
The irrational wave overflowed before she could stop it. “Is it better to pretend no one is responsible for Kayla’s death? That it’s a too-bad situation? Nobody is taking it seriously or dirtying their hands. Not then. And not now. We all went on with our lives, didn’t we?”
Tears welled in her eyes, and she blinked them back.
“You’re right,” Trey said softly.
She balled her hands. Hating the way her emotions interfered with her professionalism. Maybe this was a mistake. She wasn’t strong enough to fight for her friend.
“Justine, I need to tell you something.”
She exhaled, talking her brain off the ledge. “Okay.”
“I deserve your blame and anger over Kayla’s death. I’ll never try to minimize that, but please know I tried to help her. And I’ve always regretted not doing more.”
An excuse. “Let’s not talk about this any longer.”
“It’s the unwelcome elephant sitting between us.”
As if on cue, Magnum poked his head through the divider and lapped Justine’s cheek. His intrusion immediately de-escalated her mood. “You always know what to do.” She stroked the dog’s soft ears.
“He’s great about that.”
“Since you brought it up, why didn’t you respond to Kayla that night? I realize she was a lot to handle at times, but she was adamant about wanting your help.”
“I know.”
“There were very few people she trusted. And in all fairness, she’d gone to the local police. They ignored her concerns about a stalker, especially after she told them she’d thrown away the few ‘gifts’ he’d left. Kayla told the officer she had a bad feeling, and he shut her down. Said he couldn’t investigate feelings. Your disregard by not showing up was the final devastation.”
Justine withheld her own regrets, because doing so meant admitting her jealousy. Kayla’s intentions toward Trey superseded her friendship with Justine. Kayla only wanted Trey’s comfort.
Not that Justine could’ve been with her. She’d been a state away at a conference. Would a better friend have jumped a plane and raced to Kayla’s side? How could Justine know that Kayla’s call would be the last?
If Justine’s selfishness hadn’t overridden her intelligence, Kayla wouldn’t have been alone and murdered. But saying those words made all the ugliness true, and Justine couldn’t bear to speak the self-condemning accusation.
Trey invaded her mental diatribe. “Let me start with a disclaimer. The night Kayla called, Magnum and I were assigned our first case together, a manhunt. We were out in the middle of a cornfield in the center of nowhere Nebraska. I couldn’t leave.”
She wanted to dispute his words. To attack him and blame him, but how could she? His reason was valid. Yet she returned to the safety behind the stony exterior of her heart. “So you ignored her?”
Trey frowned. “No, I sent Slade in my place.”
Kayla had never mentioned Slade showing up. Justine swallowed. “And did he find anything?”
“Never got the chance. Kayla refused his help, literally slammed the door in his face.”
A typical Kayla tantrum when she didn’t get what she wanted. “I wasn’t aware of that.” Apologize. Tell him she didn’t blame him, but the words stuck in her throat. Instead, she said, “No one took Kayla seriously.”
“Did you?”
Two words that drove a spear of shame through Justine. Had she taken Kayla’s stalker claims seriously? Her friend, for all her whimsical ways, did have the tendency to overdramatize. A quality Justine admired, but one that prevented her from responding to Kayla’s “emergency” calls. And she couldn’t ignore the omission of Slade’s arrival from Kayla’s story. Or was her own memory faulty?
Did Justine blame Trey? Or herself?
“You did what you had to do,” Justine said, silencing her own condemning thoughts more than replying to Trey. “Let’s focus on finding her killer.”
The remainder of the drive was unbearably quiet, and Justine exhaled relief as Trey pulled into the medical examiner’s parking lot.
Entering the building, her day was progressively getting worse.
Justine halted at the sight of Dr. Curtis and Susan Nolan conversing at the far end of the hallway. Susan’s hand rested on Dr. Curtis’s arm, and she tilted her head, exuding playful laughter. He nodded in agreement with whatever Susan said, their voices too soft to be overheard from the distance.
“She’s gotten to him,” Justine whispered, dragging Trey around the corner and out of sight.
“We could interrupt them.”
“No. I don’t want to gang up on him. Or have Susan lose it and make a scene. He said he’d do the exam and has always been a man of his word. I’ll call later.”
But Justine’s instincts warned her Susan Nolan would win.
* * *
Dusk had fallen by the time Trey turned onto Justine’s long gravel driveway. His headlights beamed off the darkened barn and house as he pulled in front of the garage doors, activating the motion-sensor lights.
He’d barely shifted into Park before Justine was out of the truck. “I need to check on Barney.”
“Wait up.” Trey hurried to climb out and release Magnum.
Justine had already reached the Dog House by the time they caught up to her. Clover did figure eights around her legs. “I think she missed me.”
“For a short person, you walk extremely fast.”
Justine chuckled. “Sorry. I’m a woman on a mission.” She unlocked the door, unleashing a rendition of barked greetings. “Couldn’t sneak up on them if I wanted to.”
They stepped through the doorway, and she flipped on the overhead light.
“Well, hello. I’ve missed you all too. Would you mind releasing the boys for me, Trey?” she called over her shoulder, beelining for Barney’s kennel.
“Sure.” Trey scanned the spotless barn, making his way to Justine while Magnum reacquainted himself with each new friend.
“Hey, buddy, what’s going on with you?” Justine knelt beside the basset hound.
Barney responded with a couple of slow tail thumps but remained lying on his side. He glanced up at Trey, blinking a brown soulful eye.
Justine smoothed his long ears in steady strokes, speaking softly. “I hear you don’t have an appetite.” She gently touched his bandaged leg. “Doesn’t appear to be in pain. I know what’ll do the trick.”
Trey leaned against the kennel as Justine grabbed dog biscuits from the cabinet, passing treats to each animal, saving Barney for last.
Magnum inched beside Barney.
“Moral support?” Justine held out biscuits, and each dog eagerly snarfed down the treats. “That’s the Barney I know.”
He blinked innocently as if to say “who me?” Barney scooted off his bed and gave a good shake, jowls swaying.
“You big faker. Were you playing Will?” She laughed.
Trey opened the door, and canines burst through. Clover, Magnum and Barney took up the rear with humans trailing.
“I thought Will made it sound as if the dog was on his deathbed,” Trey said.
Justine shrugged. “I think Barney may be at fault. Played Will like a fiddle.”
Did Will use Barney to encourage Justine’s return to the ranch? Or had Will’s personal business forced him to leave? Slade hadn’t found anything on the man, but Trey remained unconvinced Will was the stellar individual Justine perceived.
Which was why Trey needed evidence. “I’m going to grab our things.”
Justine nodded, eyes on the meandering dogs.
After gathering his duffel bag, the bag Slade provided earlier containing the minicams and the box of case files, he locked the vehicle. Will’s absence gave him the perfect opportunity to install the cameras. He set down the items on the porch.
Fireflies danced in the night air, and crickets chirped happily from the pasture.
Justine strolled along the gravel driveway, her gait relaxed, hands in her pockets. Peace oozed from her, and her smile beamed serenity. She was beautiful. Smart and compassionate. Everything Trey remembered her to be.
“I’ll be right there.” Justine gave a shrill whistle. Canines appeared from all directions, rushing back to her.
Trey waved, disappointed the moment had ended. He schlepped to the barn and hovered in the doorway while Justine tucked each canine into their kennel.
If he placed a camera above the door, he would have a great visual of the dogs’ quarters and entry.
Not yet. She’d never agree to him invading Will’s privacy without a good reason.
“Night, boys.” Justine turned off the light and locked the barn. “I smell smoke again.”
He chuckled at her reference to his thinking expression from earlier. “Sorry. Considering possibilities.”
“Like?”
“Better, now that you’ve seen Barney’s okay?”
“Much. Here, let me carry something.”
Trey passed the duffel to her and adjusted the file box. The charm of country living and hard work encompassed the old farmhouse. “I see why you love this place.”
“It has a peaceful ambience, doesn’t it? I picture a large family here. Kids running around, laughing and playing. Barbecue on the grill.” Her tone was wistful. “Someday.”
Everything she’d said spoke to Trey’s wish list too, but he dared not interrupt the precious glimpse into her thoughts. Their footsteps crunched on the gravel driveway, transitioning to swishing in the grass. Justine and Magnum beat him to the porch steps, taking them two at a time. “He must feel better too,” Trey said.
Justine stumbled forward, and Trey caught and steadied her. “Careful.”
“Clumsy me.” She bent and inspected a board. “Another thing to add to Will’s list.”
Instinct had the hairs on Trey’s neck rising, and he set down the stuff. “Let me clear the house before you enter.”
“Don’t be silly. It’s an old house and boards are always lifting.” Justine stood and gripped the screen door handle. She tugged it open, and Trey held it with his foot while she inserted her key.
A soft click sounded.
Trey snagged Justine, falling backward onto the porch floor, shoving Magnum with them.
The screen door slammed shut.
An explosion of wood and debris rained down.
Heart thundering against his rib cage, Trey turned, Justine still wrapped in his arms.
A large hole gaped in the center of the front door, and the screen hung by one hinge.
Magnum rushed to Trey, licking his face. “We’re okay, Mags.” He released Justine.
“What happened?” She scooted to a sitting position, arms around her knees.
“Wait. Keep low.” Trey got to his feet. “Mags, stay.”
The dog moved protectively beside Justine.
Trey withdrew his gun and flattened his back against the wall. He kicked open the remnants of the door.
A shotgun swung, suspended from the ceiling, its barrel aimed at Trey.
“Stay here while I clear the house.”
Justine nodded.
Trey swept through each room on the main floor, then the basement, moving swiftly. His pulse thundered in his ears. Finally, he climbed the stairs to the upper level and paused outside Justine’s closed bedroom door.
Once more, he flattened against the wall.
Gripped the knob.
And, with a fortifying breath, shoved open the door.
Silence.
Trey reached around the corner and flipped on the light switch. A soft glow emanated from the overhead fixture, filling the room.
Something blazed by Trey’s face.
He ducked and swatted at it.
The object fluttered to the floor.
Trey inspected the small black bat. A laugh escaped his nervous lips. He rushed to the bathroom and grabbed a trash can to trap the creature. “I’ll be back for you in a minute.”
He returned to the bedroom, where the queen bed, white side table and a large oval colorful braided rug took up most of the tidy area. The door to the closet was open, and Trey quickly cleared it. Nothing beyond the bat was out of order.
Exhaling relief, Trey finished the upper level and walked to the living room.
Justine stood inspecting the gaping hole in her front door. “I can’t believe this.”
“I need a piece of cardboard.”
Justine quirked an eyebrow. “I think wood might be a better repair.”
He laughed. “No, for the bat in your bedroom.”
“Thought you were going to say belfry. Wait. Did you say a bat?” She shivered. “Gross.”
Trey followed her into the kitchen, and they cut a portion of cardboard from a box in her pantry. “Be right back.”
He jogged to the second floor, slid the cardboard under the trash can, creating a seal, and hauled the unwanted visitor outside, freeing him.
Trey returned to the empty living room and walked to where a light streamed from the back room. Justine removed files from the box.
“Our batty friend is gone.”
“Thank you. I don’t like them, but the poor thing must’ve gotten trapped in my room. I’d like to say that’s a new development, but I’m afraid the attic needs repairs, and in the meantime, those creatures seem to find their way inside. Another addition for Will’s list.”
Trey leaned against the desk. “Convenient Will was called away for personal business tonight.”
Justine spun and pinned him with a glare. “Why would Will set up a snare gun?”
That was the hardest question to answer. “Okay, who did?”
“I don’t know, but it had to have happened after Will left.”
“Any other visitors?”
“Mr. Richardson came by looking for me, but I told you, he’s harmless.”
“He wants this land. That’s motive.”
“But why now?”
Exactly. Will was the best suspect. “How did the person know Will wouldn’t be here?”
Justine shrugged. “Maybe they assumed he’d gone to bed.”
She had an answer for everything, but Trey remained suspicious. “I’m just saying look at the evidence objectively.”
“I need to call Will.” She withdrew her phone. “He’s not answering. Must be asleep.”
“Or wondering why you’re not dead,” Trey inserted.
“Stop. I told you. Will wouldn’t do that.” A shrill ring interrupted them. “It’s Will.”
“Ask him about anything unusual and put it on speakerphone,” Trey insisted.
Justine frowned but did as he asked.
“Sorry, I was busy. Is something wrong?” Will’s voice sounded genuinely concerned, but Trey had heard better actors.
“Yes!” Justine launched into a speedy explanation of the snare gun.
Will grumbled a few choice words, most of which were unclear. “I left when I got your text. How’d someone get into your house to set it up?”
“Was there anything out of the ordinary today?” Justine pressed.
“Nothing except Richardson’s visit.”
Justine’s shoulders slumped.
Trey focused on her expression. Was this a regular occurrence? Had she filed harassment charges on the neighbor? He fought the urge to speak, not wanting to stifle Will. Better if he thought Trey wasn’t listening in.
“I’ll head back tonight,” Will assured her.
“No. It’ll be fine. Trey’s here.”
“Oh, good to hear Trey’s on the watch,” Will snapped.
“See you in the morning?” Justine asked.
“Yep.”
They disconnected, and she faced Trey. “Is this ever going to end?”
“Let’s talk about Richardson. Does he threaten you?”
Justine sighed. “Never.”
They walked out to the living room.
“Would he go to this extreme?” Trey slipped on a pair of latex gloves from his uniform pocket, took several pictures with his phone, then carefully removed the gun.
“No. He prefers incentives. Killing me is a little excessive, don’t you think?” Exhaustion showed on her face.
“Go rest. I’ll work on repairing the door.”
“It’ll go faster if we do it together.”
Rather than argue, Trey followed Justine to the garage to gather supplies. They worked in tandem to cover the hole.
“It’s not pretty, but it’ll do for now. I’ll order a new door tomorrow,” Justine said.
Trey placed his hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry you’re going through this.”
Justine nodded. “It’s overwhelming.”
“Would you allow me to take a few preventative measures?”
She tilted her head. “Like?”
Trey removed the cameras from the bag. “We’ll place them strategically, with views of the house and barn giving you 24/7 surveillance.” He held his breath, ready for her to argue.
“That’s a great idea.”
He blinked. Had he misunderstood?
Justine smiled. “What?”
“I’ll set them up.” Working quickly, Trey assembled the small cameras and placed them over the barn and both house doors.
He booted up his laptop and sat on the porch swing, checking the links to ensure they all worked.
Justine dropped beside him, the sweet smell of lavender wafting from her. “Wow, those work great.”
“Yep, and they’re adjustable to focus on other areas too.” Trey demonstrated the features. “The software will also record, so you can reference it later.”
She leaned closer to the screen, and Trey fought the urge to inhale deeply. “I love this. Wish I’d thought to do this a long time ago. Although, I’m sure Will won’t fully appreciate us watching him.”
Trey moved the mouse, shifting the barn camera to face the door and kennels. “There. Now we’re not invading Will’s privacy.”
“You’re brilliant.”
“Don’t tell my boss. He’ll expect me to work harder.”
Justine chuckled. “We should tell Will though.”
“Do me a favor and wait on that.”
“Trey—”
“Please. See what the footage captures first. If I’m wrong, I’ll buy the man a brand-new Stetson.”
She grinned at him. “Fair enough. Thank you for doing this. I only wish we’d had them installed when whoever did that was here.” She gestured toward the door. Her phone rang, and Justine rushed inside to grab it. “Hey, Will.” She frowned. “No problem. Tomorrow afternoon is fine. Good night.” Justine addressed Trey. “Will can’t get a ride here until later.”
Convenient. Trey called Slade, keeping near to Justine.
“Hey, everything all right?” Slade asked.
Trey explained the snare-gun incident. “Did you see anything out of the ordinary?”
“Negative. I’ve watched the perimeter and saw nothing more exciting than a cow in the pasture. Who could’ve rigged that up in the time between Will’s departure and your arrival?”
He chose his words carefully, opting for the ten code on criminal history. “Exactly. Did you run the 10-29?”
“Yep. Nothing. Percy’s a drifter, seems to bounce between locations in the area, but that’s not a crime. I can’t see him doing that, can you? It’s too close, makes him suspect number one.”
Trey frowned. If Will wasn’t behind the attacks, who was?