“And the will hadn’t been changed yet?” Sam asked.
“No,” Derek confirmed. “He was meeting with his lawyer this week to finalize it.”
The implications hung heavy in the air. Sam kept his face neutral as he asked, “And how did you both feel about this change?”
The siblings exchanged a look. “We were shocked, of course,” Leanne said carefully. “Hurt, even. But it was Dad’s property to do with as he wished.”
Derek snorted, earning a sharp look from his sister. “What?” he snapped. “Are we pretending we were fine with it? That land’s been in our family for generations. It should have stayed that way.”
Sam watched the interplay between them, noting every reaction. “I understand this must be difficult,” he said. “Just a few more questions. Where were you both the night your father was killed?”
Derek straightened in his chair, his face a mask of indignation. “Are you seriously asking us for alibis? We’re his children, for God’s sake!”
Leanne placed a calming hand on her brother’s arm. “Derek, please. I’m sure it’s just standard procedure.” She turned to Sam, her eyes wide. “I was at home in Boston. I had a Zoom call with my book club until about ten p.m. Several people can verify that.”
Sam nodded, jotting down notes. “And you, Derek?”
Derek’s jaw clenched. “I was at a bar with colleagues. We were celebrating landing a new client.” He pulled out his phone, tapping furiously. “I’ve got receipts, time-stamped photos, whatever you need.”
“You can’t seriously think we had anything to do with this,” Leanne said, her voice trembling. “He was our father.”
Sam held up a placating hand. “I assure you, this is standard procedure. We have to rule out every possibility, no matter how unlikely.” He paused, bracing for their reaction to his next request. “I’ll also need to get your fingerprints and DNA samples.”
“What?” Derek exploded, half rising from his chair. “This is outrageous! We came here to help, not to be treated like criminals!”
Leanne tugged at her brother’s sleeve, urging him to sit back down. “Derek, please. Let’s just cooperate and get this over with.” She turned to Sam, her facepale but composed. “Of course, Chief Mason. Whatever you need.”
Derek sank back into his chair, glaring at Sam. “Fine. But I want it on record that we’re only agreeing to this under protest.”
Sam nodded, keeping his expression neutral. “Duly noted. I appreciate your cooperation. It’s crucial in helping us find who did this to your father.”
As he led them to the processing room for fingerprinting and DNA collection, Sam couldn’t shake the feeling that there was much more to this story. The changed will, the secrets Garvin thought needed protection, the tension between the siblings—they all pointed to a motive far deeper than he’d initially suspected.
Jo lookedup from her paperwork as Sam emerged from his office, Garvin’s children in tow. She watched as he handed them off to Reese for processing, her eyes narrowing slightly at the tension visible in their shoulders.
Sam caught her gaze and gave a subtle nod. After years of working together, Jo could read volumes inthat small gesture. Something about the siblings didn’t add up.
As Reese led Derek and Leanne away, Sam made his way over to Jo’s desk, perching on the edge with a sigh.
“So?” Jo prompted, keeping her voice low.
Sam ran a hand through his hair. “Garvin was planning to change his will,” he said, his tone measured. “Wanted to leave the entire property to some environmental trust instead of the kids.”
Jo’s eyebrows shot up. “The whole property? Including my cottage?”
Sam nodded. “Apparently. But here’s the kicker—he hadn’t finalized it yet. Was supposed to meet with his lawyer this week.”
“Let me guess,” Jo said, leaning back in her chair. “Bruce Benedict?”
“Got it in one,” Sam confirmed. “We’ll pay him a visit, see what he knows.”
Jo nodded, her mind already racing with the implications. “The kids can’t have been happy about the change.”
“Understatement of the year,” Sam muttered. He glanced around the office then lowered his voice further. “Listen, something’s off with those two. I can feel it.”
Jo watched as Sam stood and casually made his way over to Wyatt’s desk. She couldn’t hear what was said, but she saw Sam slip Wyatt a piece of paper, speaking in low tones. Wyatt nodded, his face serious as he immediately turned to his computer.
Sam returned to Jo’s desk. “I’ve asked Wyatt to dig into Derek and Leanne. Phone records, recent travel, anything that might tell us if they’ve been in town lately.”