Jo frowned, unsure. “I doubt the other person wanted the property bad enough to kill him to stop him from selling to me. That would be crazy.”
But even she wasn’t convinced. Not anymore.
“Maybe the bust is more valuable than we know.” Sam said.
Wyatt frowned, scanning the room. “Could be they knew exactly what they wanted and went straight for it.”
Sam folded his arms, glancing at the broken lock. “But why not just break in and take the bust? Whykill Garvin?” His eyes shifted to Garvin’s lifeless body.
“Maybe they thought he wasn’t home and he surprised them?” Kevin suggested.
Before anyone could respond, Lucy began whining, pawing at the floor beside the body. Kevin noticed, raising an eyebrow.
“I think she wants us to roll him,” he said.
Sam nodded. “ME’s on the way, but go ahead. Carefully.”
Jo crouched as they turned Garvin onto his side. The back of his head revealed a second wound, deep, matted with blood. The floor beneath him was stained dark red. But that wasn’t what had Lucy’s attention.
Nestled beneath the body was a small, coiled piece of plastic. A hair tie.
“What’s that?” Wyatt crouched down, squinting at it.
Jo’s hand went reflexively to her own head, fingers brushing against the familiar spiral holding her hair in a tight ponytail. Her brow furrowed.
Sam, always sharp, caught the movement. “Could it be yours? Maybe it fell off when you found him?”
Jo stiffened. “No, it’s not mine. It’s still on.”
Sam’s gaze lingered on her for a second longer than she liked. “Could’ve been here from a past visit.Maybe you didn’t notice. In which case it really wouldn’t be evidence.”
Jo’s jaw clenched. Was he serious? Was he offering to look the other way? Like it wasn’t worth bagging?
Kevin glanced between them, waiting. Jo met Sam’s gaze, the weight of the moment heavy between them. Did he think she had something to do with this, or was he trying to protect her from being unjustly accused? Didn’t matter either way—the hair tie was not hers.
“No,” Jo said, her voice firm. “It’s not mine. I’m sure of it. I’d know if it fell out. Let’s bag it and run the hairs.”
Sam raised an eyebrow, a flicker of something—doubt? concern?—in his eyes. He gave a quick nod to Kevin. “Bag it.”
Kevin picked up the tie carefully, holding it up to the light. “Two curly hairs.”
Jo’s stomach twisted. “They’re not mine.”
Sam’s voice was calm, measured. “Of course not.” But the look he shot her said more than his words. He nodded at Kevin. “Bag it and tag it.”
The boards on the porch creaked as Medical Examiner John Dudley arrived, his gait slow and steady. The team shifted, giving him space. Lucywagged her tail at the sight of him, momentarily breaking the tension.
John set to work, his face impassive as he examined the body.
Sam stepped back, glancing at his team. “All right, folks. ME’s in charge here. Let’s head back to the station, start processing. The sooner we get this evidence logged, the closer we are to figuring this out.”
CHAPTER TWO
The heavy glass door of the old post office creaked as Jo pushed it open. The White Rock Police Station smelled of brewed coffee and worn wood, a comforting mix that always made her feel like she was stepping into the past. The reception area, with its brass post office boxes and scratched pine floors, was warm and homey. At least for a police station.
Reese was on her feet before Jo crossed the threshold. Her big blue eyes filled with concern. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good,” Jo said, keeping her voice steady, though her insides hadn’t caught up yet.