Page 49 of Murder in the Lighthouse

Theo took out his phone. “Then I guess I have good news. Eastlyn came through with the search warrant from a local judge. She used that detail—the one where Keith Shepherd became Felix Ward without a legal name change in court—that gets a judge’s attention when you become a murder suspect. The obvious question is, why start using another name unless you’re hiding from something or someone? And since he’s now my prime suspect in Sam Heywood’s murder, we have the legal right to check his phone records.”

Birk grinned. “I might learn to like you yet.”

Theo’s face split into a rare smile. “Same here. Right now, I need to get to the forensic lab.”

“Any reason you can’t share how Sam was killed?” Lucien queried.

“He was shot at close range with a forty-caliber bullet, probably from a Glock 29, that went straight through the heart.”

“That’s a whole lot of power for an up-close murder,” Lucien said.

Birk turned to Lucien with a nod. “But lots of law enforcement agencies carry the Glock 29.”

“You’re both right,” Theo asserted. “A powerful weapon with a helluva kick used by FBI tactical teams and Special Forces. But if you use the right ammo, you’ll get less of a kick. ”

“Which even an ex-cop in retirement like Keith might know about,” Lucien proffered.

Brogan rolled her eyes. “When you start talking about guns, my eyes glaze over. How can we help, Theo? What do you want us to do while you’re at forensics?”

“I need to know, while you were at the vineyard, if you were able to spot any areas where bodies could’ve been buried.”

Lucien shook his head. “Brogan and I were in high-traffic areas most of the time. We never got any further than thirty feet from a building.”

“Same here,” Jade said. “Birk and I were with a tour group. They kept a tight rein on us until we reached the tasting room. When we saw our chance to bolt, we took it.”

“If you were to go back, do it when you can search the grounds better. You won’t be able to use the dogs in a formal search—”

“There are dogs on the premises already,” Birk provided. “I spotted two purebred Japanese dogs in the main house.”

“Shiba Inus,” Brogan added. “I saw one from a distance. They’re feisty and loud barkers.”

“Our search would need to be tonight,” Birk pointed out. “But Trish said we should wait for word from her.”

“This comes straight from Trish,” Theo offered. “Even with the search warrant, which we’ll execute tomorrow morning between six and eight a.m., it would help to have a heads-up about any area outside that is suspicious in nature. Kenneth owns almost a hundred acres filled with grape vines. I don’t have the manpower to cover that much land unless I know where to start looking.”

Lucien exchanged looks with Birk. “I say we get there around eleven-thirty and walk the fields. If they killed two people on or near the premises, they would likely bury them in an insignificant corner of the vineyard.”

“Or toss them in a vat of fermenting grapes.”

“Either way, they’d need to dispose of the bodies nearby, thinking no one would ever come looking on their land.”

“Then they won’t expect you to show up at all,” Theo remarked with a wink. “Surprise them by finding out where the bodies are buried. I don’t want to look like a fool when I show up with the warrant. Are we good?”

“Yeah. We’re good,” Lucien confirmed. “Let us do some research on our end before we head out.”

“Keep me updated,” Theo said. “Especially if this mission ends up like your last. If you find nothing, I’ll probably postpone the warrant.”

“No pressure on us,” Birk grumbled as Theo returned to his cruiser.

“I don’t know why we’re still standing outside,” Brogan said, shuddering in the cool night air. She ushered Birk and Jade into the house and headed to the kitchen. “Jade should plan to stay overnight. It just so happens that the guest house is available. And if you guys are planning a midnight raid, you’ll need a Thermos of coffee. Better make that two.”

“You aren’t coming with us?” Lucien questioned. “Why not?”

Everyone trailed after Brogan into the kitchen. “Because you don’t need us traipsing behind you in the dark, making unnecessary noise and risking another failure. I can see you both wearing all-black with your night-vision goggles and binoculars, peering out into the rolling hills while Jade and I chat in the background.”

Birk laid a hand on Jade’s shoulder. “If you want to stay behind, just say so.”

“I’ll do whatever Brogan does. She has a point about you two going alone.”

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