The chief harrumphed. Bucks, go with Marlton to canvass the area. See if anyone saw anything that might be helpful.
Bucks looked at the chief, his face glowing a pasty white in the light of the lamps. Im taking photos. He pointed to the trail of blood. You said to document everything before we lose any evidence.
Right. Stay on it. Earl turned his sharp steely eyes back on Officer Marlton. You can handle the interviews alone.
Officer Marlton sighed heavily and unfolded his arms. Fine. He trudged off, mumbling about having to do everything himself.
Shane watched him. His father, a police chief in Flagstaff, would never have stood for such disrespectful behavior from his men. First Harmon not showing up, then Bucks defying an order and Marlton making it clear he wasnt happy doing his job.
There was a rumor going around that Chief Jones would be retiring soon. Perhaps that was why the chief wasnt strict with his employees. Or it could be the grief and shock of Veronicas death.
Ive gathered what I can from Gina, Officer Donaldson remarked as she held on to the evidence bags.
Thank you, Louise. Well get Ginas clothes bagged. Would you track down Harmon and then start a search for Tim Perry? Build a profile. I want to know where hes been and what hes been doing.
Louise nodded, her usually serious expression even more grim on her pale face. On it.
Earl squatted down in front of Gina. When was the last time you saw your brother?
Her hazel eyes looked too large for her petite face. Do you mean before tonight?
Shane frowned. So you did see him tonight.
She kept her gaze on the chief. When I returned home from the potluck, he was in my bedroom. He had a knife. I ran downstairs hoping to get to the phone but he was too close so I escaped out the front door and ran this way, hoping to make it to the station, but then I found... She closed her eyes.
Why were you hiding in the shrubs when Bella and I arrived?
Her eyelids popped open. I was afraid you were Tim.
Or was she hoping she could slip away undetected?
A car pulled up. Shane yanked his gaze from Gina to see Sophie Williams, another trainer at the center, emerge from behind the wheel. Tall, earthy and willowy, the former K-9 cops normally confident demeanor was lacking as she hurried over.
Her shoulder-length blond hair was tied back in a messy ponytail, and her hazel eyes were anxious as she took in the scene. She and Veronica had clashed many times during Shanes weeks of training. He watched Sophie closely. Was her shock real? Could she and Gina have come up with a plan to off their boss?
Sophie halted beside Shane, but her gaze was on Veronica. Oh, no. Is she...? She clamped a hand to her mouth. Tears leaked down her face.
Sophie, what are you doing here? Earl asked, clearly puzzled by her presence.
I heard on the police radio that something had happened at the center, she explained. Her teary-eyed gaze moved to Gina and widened. Oh, no, Gina. Are you all right? Were you attacked, too?
Before Gina could answer, Earl filled Sophie in on the details. It was clear by the way his voice shook that he was hanging on to his composure by the tips of his fingers.
A few minutes later, Randolph Drummond, the mortician who doubled as the coroner, arrived wearing a subdued black suit, white button-down shirt and black tie. He carried a medical bag. He stopped a foot away from Veronicas body to don gloves and booties, then he squatted beside her.
Bella whined. Shane stroked her head. She let out a loud bark just as a commotion broke out near the doors. Two small German shepherd puppies raced out of the center, followed by Titus and Ryder. The older dog circled the puppies, unmistakably in an attempt to corral them.
Oh, no, Sophie said.
Gina jumped to her feet. The puppies are loose. How...?
Shane snagged Gina by the elbow before she could chase after the puppies. We need your clothes.
She blinked at him, then grimaced. Of course.
Shane turned to the chief. Veronica was microchipping the puppies tonight and was supposed to come over to the condo afterward to work with James and Hawk. K-9 rookie officer James Harrison and Shane shared the furnished condo used by out-of-town rookies. Ill call James and let him know whats going on. Maybe Hawk will be helpful. Jamess bloodhound, Hawk, specialized in crime scene evidence.
The chief held up a hand. Have him clear Ginas house before you take her home to change. Bring back her current clothing in an evidence bag.
Sir, Shane spoke up. Shouldnt she be taken to the station for questioning?
Gina let out a small gasp. You cant really believe that I...
The stricken hurt in her eyes stabbed at him, but he couldnt rule her out as the murderer, not until forensic evidence cleared her. You had a very good reason to want to hurt Veronica.
So did many other people, she shot back.
True. Including the other trainer, Sophie. Could the two women have conspired to murder their boss? Though Sophie had once been a cop, that didnt mean she couldnt have colluded with Gina. Hmm. Something to talk to the chief about later.
To Gina, Shane said, Veronica humiliated you on Friday. And from what Ive heard, she stole the fiancé of one of your best friends. He hated throwing the rumor in her face but it went to motive.
Its true Veronica did steal Simon from Jenna just to prove she could. It broke Jennas heart and caused her to resign and leave, not only the training center but Desert Valley. Gina squared her shoulders. And yes, I may have loathed my boss, but I never wished Veronica dead.
He wanted to believe her. There was something about the young trainer he found very attractive. Even now, she was standing up for herself but not in an over-the-top display of hysterics or viciousness. He respected her quiet confidence in the face of hardship.
Yet his father had always told him that the evidence never lied, only people did. Was Gina lying?
And Dad had said to never make a judgment on innocence or guilt until all the evidence came in. If your brother is truly after you as youve stated, then you should be where you can be protected.
Earl narrowed his gaze on Shane. Shes been questioned. Shes innocent until proven guilty. But youre right, shes in danger and needs protection. Thatll be your job, Weston.
Oh, man. He hadnt expected to be given a protection assignment. What did he know about being a bodyguard? Hed trained to be out on the streets, catching criminals and thwarting the schemes of bad people. Surely the chief would want someone with more experience to protect Gina. Are you sure
Earl arched one eyebrow as he cut Shane off. Yes. There was no room for argument in his tone. Then Earl turned his gaze to Gina. Dont leave town.
Gina lifted her chin. No, sir, I wont.
Sophie and Ryder joined them. Theyd managed to corral the puppies and now each had one in their arms.
Wheres Marco, the third pup? Gina asked.
Hes probably inside, Sophie said. Ill round him up and put him in the crate with these two.
I didnt see a third puppy when I was inside, Ryder said. Just these ones.
For a moment no one said anything. Then Shane asked, Could the killer have taken the puppy?
* * *
Shane thinks I could have killed Veronica! Standing beneath the bright glare of the flood lamps that illuminated the crime scene in garish detail, Gina curled her fingers into fists and pressed them into the sides of her thighs. She stared at Shane as he stepped away to call another rookiehis roommate, James Harrisonand wanted to scream. How could he think shed do something so horrible?
But it wasnt as if he knew her, despite their having spent every day together the past twelve weeks. She knew he took his job very seriously, but really?
She inwardly scoffed. What did it matter anyway? So what if the handsome officer had invaded her daydreams over the past weeks. She couldnt, wouldnt, allow herself to develop deep feelings for him. There was too much risk involved. And risky behavior was something she avoided. Besides, now that his training had ended, hed be moving on. As he should.
Forcing her mind away from what Shane thought of her, she tried to focus on the missing puppy, Marco. But the fear of Tim and where he might be made it difficult. His presence loomed, a dark shadow at the edges of her awareness.
Maybe Marco got out of the yard, she said, careful to keep her gaze from where Veronica lay in the dirt. Even though the coroner had covered her body with an opaque plastic sheet, Gina didnt want to look. The image of Veronicas lifeless eyes, so like Ginas fathers after Tim had killed him, would haunt her nightmares for a long time to come.
Instead, out of habitor out of self-defense, as her therapist would most likely observeshe shifted her gaze to the wooded area behind the training center. The puppy could be in the woods.
So could Tim. A shiver chased the thought across her flesh.
She turned to look down the residential street flanking one side of the center. Or in someones backyard. Maybe he ran out and someone took him in?
Good thought, the chief said. As soon as Harmon arrives Ill have him start searching for the pup. The woods will have to wait until daybreak since we dont have the manpower to spare.
The puppy has a distinct black circular marking on its head, between its fawn-colored ears, Gina told them. Hes a very sweet puppy. They all are.
Is there a way to check if Veronica chipped the dogs? That would give us a better time line for when she was...killed. Ryder nearly dropped the wiggling pup. Hey, settle down.
Thats Ricky, Gina told him. Mrs. Foxcroft insisted on naming the puppies. Marco was named after one of her relatives who founded Desert Valley. The other two are Ricky and Lucy. She loves the I Love Lucy show.
Sophie stroked Lucys head. I can check to see if theyre chipped. It will only take a moment. But well have to go inside.
The chief asked Ryder, Did you find the scene of the crime?
Yes, sir, Ryder replied. The trail of blood leads to the clinic.
Thats where Veronica would have done the chipping, Gina interjected, sick at the thought of Veronica facing down Tim alone.
Any sign of a struggle? Sophie nuzzled Lucy. The pup squirmed in her arms, clearly wanting to be set free again.
Ryder shook his head. Not in the clinic. My guess is she knew the killer. Otherwise, Veronica would have fought. Shes She was a fighter.
Ginas heart thumped. She didnt know Tim.
No one in Desert Valley even knew she had a brother.
Shed been careful to keep her past buried. She hadnt wanted the attention. Shed tried to keep a low profile. With her brother on the loose, having escaped police custody and out for vengeance after shed turned him in for killing their father, shed hoped and prayed hed never find her. But he had. How? What had led him to Desert Valley?
But if he came in asking for you and she didnt think he was a threat... Shane said, rejoining them and pulling her from her thoughts.
Gina frowned, hating that he was right. Tim could be charming when he wanted to be. He could have surprised Veronica, not given her time to defend herself. Ginas insides twisted. How had Tim found her? How many more lives would Tim ruin before he was stopped? Cold sweat broke out on her neck.
Ryder eyed Ginas fellow trainer and friend Sophie with a speculative gleam in his blue eyes. Where were you tonight?
Sophies gaze hardened. Home. Alone. As I said, I heard over the police radio that something was going on here.
Which means the press will have heard, as well, the chief interjected. No doubt a reporter from the Canyon County Gazette is on the way. Lets secure this crime scene pronto. He looked to the coroner. Randolph, what do you think?
My preliminary examination supports that the scene of the crime was elsewhere. Rigor hasnt set in yet, so estimated time of death is within the past hour. There are two visible wounds in the chest, consistent in size and shape to what one would expect to see from a bullet. No exit wounds. Once the...
He faltered as he straightened. In such a small town as Desert Valley, it was conceivable that Randolph had known Veronica. Since Desert Valley didnt have a crime lab, everything including the victims body would be transported to Flagstaff and processed there. Gina considered that a blessing for the visibly shaken coroner.
Randolph removed his gloves and tossed them into a plastic bag before plucking his thick glasses from his nose. His dark eyes were sad. Once the autopsy is performed youll be provided a conclusive cause of death.
Ryder gestured to the dark trail of blood. What I cant determine is if Veronica was dragged out here or if she crawled out on her own steam before she died. Even with the lamps its too dark to see impressions in the dirt. In the morning well have a better idea of what happened.
She mightve been trying to find help, Gina said. Though why wouldnt she use the phone? Either the centers landline or her cell?
Good questions, the chief said. Ryder, I want you to take the lead in this investigation.
Clearly surprised, Ryder nodded. Yes, sir. Ill do everything possible to find Veronicas murderer.
Whats the story with your brother, anyway? Shane asked Gina, drawing everyones attention. Why was he in police custody?
Gina bit her lip, loathing to air her sordid family history in public. Shed purposely kept her personal information vague when asked, but with everyone staring at her, waiting for an explanation, she had no choice but to explain.
He suffers from schizoaffective disorder. Our father enrolled him in an experimental program two years ago, but Tim didnt want to go. He was in one of his manic phases and had a psychotic break. He killed Her voice wavered. He killed our father with Dads own service weapon. The police arrested him, but he escaped custody and fled. He blames me for calling the police and turning him in. Now hes here and has made it very clear he wants to kill me, too.
Thats rough, Ryder said. The puppy in his arms licked his face.
Earl put his hand on her shoulder. We wont let anything happen to you.
Shanes gaze was skeptical. He didnt believe her. And that hurt.
Sophie snuggled Lucy closer. If Tim has Marco, do you think hed hurt him?
Gina put a hand over the pain exploding in her heart. I hope not. She gave a helpless shrug. He has killed before, so Im not certain of anything when it comes to Tim.