Page 58 of Tough as Steele

Nate looked at Easton. “Just because he’s a good shooter doesn’t mean he thinks like a killer and thinks to pick up casings. Could’ve been a spur of the moment idea, and he didn’t think it through.”

Easton narrowed his eyes. “True. Or someone is setting Wigg up to take the fall for this murder.”

Londyn had thought the same thing. “Did your team canvas the neighbors?”

“We did, but there are only two places near enough to see or hear anything, and they didn’t. Said Wigg is an okay neighbor. Keeps to himself most of the time but has used his skills as a mechanic to help fix their farm equipment from time to time.”

“They didn’t see any unusual cars coming and going?” Nate asked.

“They said it wasn’t unusual to see different cars here. Not when Wigg fixed them on the side for cash.”

Londyn felt like they were striking out again, and she needed to do something. “I’d like to see the hide, please.”

“This way.” Bristol strode across the lawn heading for the east side of the property. She took them across a field that had recently been turned over.

Londyn’s phone dinged to signal a new email, and she stopped to look at the assault file on Charles.

“What is it?” Nate stopped next to her.

“Charles’s assault conviction. Not a simple bar fight. His girlfriend broke up with him, and he took her on a joy ride into the country and wouldn’t let her go. Her dad found out where Charles had taken her, and when the dad tried to get her back, Charles beat him up.”

Nate tilted his head. “Wonder why he wasn’t charged with assaultandkidnapping?”

“DA maybe gave him the benefit of the doubt. But we won’t. Not yet anyway. Makes him move up on our suspect list.” She shoved her phone into her pocket. “Do you know if he’s into guns?”

Nate shook his head. “We talked about them once, and he had zero interest.”

“It’s looking like we have several people involved in the kidnapping, and Charles could be the mastermind behind it all.”

Nate planted his hands on his waist. “I hate to admit it, but he could.”

“You guys coming?” Bristol called out.

Londyn started walking again, and Nate kept up with her, but they didn’t speak. She assumed he was thinking about the man who’d helped raise him and wondering if Charles could be the suspect they were seeking.

After they followed up with Ryleigh to see what she’d learned about Charles, Clarice, and Benjamin, Londyn would interview Charles. She would leave Nate behind no matter how much he might argue. He was too close to the situation.

They picked their way through a muddy field, the large clumps of soil threatening to take her down, to reach a small barn with rotted timbers and roof. It had once been white, but the paint was long faded to gray, and the worn timber framing looked like it might collapse on itself.

Bristol pointed at a small window in the haymow. “Up there. Rickety, so be careful. Brass was found under the window.”

Londyn climbed through a small opening and strode across the wood floor with gaping holes. She heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Nate following. His eyes were narrowed with concern. Maybe he didn’t want her in here. It wasn’t safe, and the protector in him likely wanted to tell her to go back. But she’d learned enough about him to know he wouldn’t tell her to stop. She had a right to be looking at this hide as much as he did, and she knew he respected that. Meant her respect for him continued to grow.

She started up a broken ladder.

He came to hold it. “Careful with your footing.”

She nodded and skipped a rotted rung that looked ready to break free. In the loft, she found a hay bale lying in front of a small window with a broken glass pane.

“There,” she said, imagining the shooter lying on his belly, a rifle mounted on the bale, with or without a tripod.

Nate eased past her and squatted by the bale. “Clear shot to the house and far enough away to allow escape before anyone at the house knew what happened.”

She nodded. “Seems like so many mixed messages here. Sharpshooter. Knows to find a protected hide. But then leaves his brass behind. Doesn’t track.”

A gust of wind hit the old building. The structure vibrated with anger, and the wood rattled and groaned.

“We should get out of here.” Nate strode through the shafts of hay, scattering them around the iffy floor. At the ladder, he turned and held out his hand.

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