Reese glanced up from her computer, curiosity written all over her face. “So, tell me about this statue. What exactly did it look like?”
Jo leaned back, thinking. “It was a bronze elk. Tall, regal. Standing in grass. Garvin always said it had been in his family forever, but I don’t remember who made it. He was proud of it, though.”
Reese nodded, her fingers already tapping at thekeyboard. “All right, bronze elk. We’ll see what we can dig up.”
Major hopped off the desk and sauntered over to Lucy, rubbing against her as if to remind the German Shepherd who was boss. Lucy sniffed him and then laid her head back down.
Jo smiled slightly, watching the interaction. It wasn’t that long ago that they were archenemies. Now, they seemed to be coexisting peacefully.
“Bridget’s coming by later,” Reese added. “She’s bringing something from the bakery. Probably those almond croissants you like.”
Jo’s smile grew at the mention of her sister. Bridget landing that bakery job had been a godsend. “She’s doing great there. I’m really happy she’s found something she enjoys. It’s a good fit.”
Reese grinned. “She’s a natural. And hey, I’m definitely not complaining about all the free treats.”
Jo chuckled softly, feeling a little lighter for the first time in hours. Major leaped back up onto the desk, settling beside the keyboard as Reese clicked through images on the screen. Jo’s attention shifted back to the search.
“Okay, let’s see if any of these look familiar,” Reese said as they scrolled through pictures of bronzesculptures. Some were close, but none quite matched the one from Garvin’s place.
Lucy whined softly, sensing Jo’s lingering tension. Jo reached down, giving her a quick pat. “None of these feel right,” Jo muttered, frustration bubbling up.
They continued searching, Reese typing the keys around Major’s tail, which kept making its way onto the keyboard. Jo’s eyes caught on an image. She leaned in, heart quickening. “Wait—that one. That’s it.”
Reese clicked on the image, bringing up the details. The bronze elk stood tall and proud, its legs rooted in a patch of grass, like the one she remembered at Garvin’s.
Reese scanned the description. “Stanley Clifton, huh. It says here it’s a hundred years old. Clifton’s stuff is valuable—really valuable.”
Jo frowned. “Clifton... Garvin mentioned his great-uncle made the statue, but I don’t remember hearing the name Clifton. Could Garvin have been related to him?”
Reese tapped the screen. “Maybe. Stanley Clifton was apparently a big deal. His original works go for high tens of thousands.”
Jo’s gut tightened as the implications hit her. “So if Garvin’s bust was an original, we’re talking pretty good money.”
“Exactly.” Reese sat back, glancing at Jo. “But it also says that there are replicas that only go for about a hundred.”
Jo exhaled slowly, trying to piece things together. “Garvin wasn’t flashy. He wasn’t the kind of guy to brag about his stuff, but he did always say that statue was special. Maybe he didn’t even know how much it was worth… if it even is the original.”
Reese clicked through more details about Clifton’s work. “We need to figure out if Garvin’s bust was the real deal. If it was a Clifton original, we’re probably looking at a planned theft, not just some random break-in.”
Jo nodded. “That changes things. This wasn’t just about taking something off a shelf. Someone knew what they were after.”
Reese raised an eyebrow. “You think Garvin’s family would know? Any chance they could tell us if it’s been passed down?”
“Maybe. We’ll have to find out.”
Lucy’s ears perked up two seconds before Sam walked into the area. Lucy immediately went over to stand beside Sam, who gave her a quick pat on the head before looking at Jo and Reese.
“I’m heading over to Marnie’scampaign office,” Sam said, his tone casual but focused. “Figured Lucy could use some air.”
Jo and Reese exchanged a knowing glance, rolling their eyes in unison. Jo leaned back in her chair. “You want me to come along?”
Sam shrugged, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Maybe I’ll get more out of her going in solo.”
Reese snorted softly. “Oh, you’ll get something out of her, all right. But be careful—Marnie’s after more than information.”
Jo chuckled under her breath. There was no love lost between her and Marnie, and she didn’t mind not accompanying Sam.
“Did you guys find out anything about the statue?”