Page 86 of Meant for Her

As expected, the sheriff said the death certificate claimed his father had died of natural causes. That started a long discussion about why they needed to speak with Pete Rizolli. He might know who his father still had gambling debts with. That led to their visit, which led to finding out he had just purchased two thousand acres of ranch land.”

“How does this relate to your father’s death?”

“My dad was only fifty-four with no evidence of any illness when we left for college,” Luke said. “I understand why Pete buried him without a coffin. Neither of them had any money. Being curious, I asked where Pete had dug the grave. I used a backhoe and then a shovel to dig up his remains.”

The sheriff stilled for a moment as if the thought of digging up a parent would be difficult. “What did you learn?”

“He was shot with this.” Luke placed the bullet and the cracked rib on his desk.

“I believe that the cracked rib shows the bullet slightly ricocheted off the rib and hit his heart,” Malia said.

“I see. And how can you be sure this is your father and not some vagrant that Pete buried in his stead?”

“He was wearing a Circle L belt buckle.”

A thought struck him. “Maybe the sheriff is right. You don’t think Dad is still alive, do you?” Ryan wasn’t sure who he was addressing.

Luke turned to him. “What are you talking about?”

“Dad and Pete could have buried some vagrant and dressed him in Dad’s clothes.”

“Why would he fake his death?” Luke asked.

“Because he owed the bank, as well as his gambling buddies, too much money.”

Luke sat back in his chair. “Holy fuck. That ass would do something like that. Not telling his own kids would be low, even for him though.”

“Before we go off on a tangent here,” the sheriff said. “How about I get this bone tested for DNA to see if it’s your father?”

“Sure. We have the rest of his bones at the house,” Luke said.

“At the house?” the sheriff asked.

“I only dug him up yesterday. We brought the bullet to you right away.”

“Thank you.” The sheriff slipped the baggie with the bullet into one evidence bag and labeled it. He then did the same with the rib. He lifted up the phone. “Rich, can you bring me the file for Emory Lattimore? Thanks.”

“Are you going to see who the medical examiner was?” Ryan asked.

“I already did, but the name wasn’t familiar. Damn it. I should have been more thorough.”

“Sheriff, I don’t think there is enough time in the day to check everything,” Malia said.

It was his job, but Ryan thought it best to keep quiet about that. “Now what? Do we have to wait weeks to get the DNA testing back?”

“That’s been my experience. Both of you need to be tested so we can compare your DNA to the person’s in the grave.”

Malia leaned forward. “Is it possible Pete kept the gun he used to kill this man, assuming he’s involved?”

“He gave me a falsified death certificate. That’s a crime. I’ll bring him in once I obtain a warrant to search his premises.”

“He just moved to a ranch,” Luke said. He pulled up the address and gave it to the sheriff.

“Thanks. It may take me a day to get the warrant, so hold tight. Please don’t approach him. We don’t want him running off,” the sheriff warned.

“We won’t,” Luke said.

When Luke stood, he winced. His brother was good at remembering his injuries. Ryan stood and rubbed his side.

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