Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch - B.J. Daniels [53]
He noticed then that her eyes shone with excitement. Then he looked at what she held up. A .38 pistol in a plastic evidence bag. "Where—"
"I was going through the list of names you had me put together, checking to see if I recognized any names on the list of people who owned registered .38 firearms, when Angus Cardwell drove up." She grinned. "I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask him if he had a .38. He told me he did, but he'd lost it. I asked if he'd mind if I took a look in his truck." Her grin broadened. "Don't worry, I got him to sign a release. And lo and behold, the .38 was right under the seat behind some old rags."
"Nice work, Deputy."
"Tomorrow's my day off," she said quickly. "I was wondering if you'd like me to take the gun up to the crime lab."
"You'd drive all the way to Missoula on your day off?" he asked, amused. She reminded him of the way he'd been when he'd first started working for the sheriff's department.
"Truthfully? I can't stand the suspense," she said. "You should have seen Angus's face when I pulled out the gun—don't worry, I was careful not to get any of my prints on it. He looked like he might faint. No kidding. He grabbed the side of his pickup. You would have sworn he'd just seen a ghost."
"It might take a while before the lab can run a ballistics test on the pistol," Hud said distractedly, thinking of Angus's reaction.
"I can be pretty persuasive when I need to," Liza said with a grin. "It's about the only advantage of being a woman deputy."
He smiled. Liza was cute, with dark hair, green eyes and freckles. "Call me as soon as you get the results."
"I left the list on your desk," she said as she locked the .38 in the evidence room. "I'll pick it up first thing in the morning."
"One more thing," he said, thinking about what she'd said about being persuasive. "Think you could get the fingerprints of our main suspects before you go off duty?"
She grinned. "Just give me a list."
He jotted down the names: Jordan Cardwell, Clay Cardwell, Angus Cardwell, Stacy Cardwell, Harlan Cardwell. He left off Dana's name. He could get those himself.
She took the list, read down it, then looked at him. "Just about all of the Cardwells, huh?"
He nodded, wishing now that he'd put Dana's name on it.
Liza started for the door. "Oh, I almost forgot. I found a card in that plastic garbage bag with the box of chocolates when I sent it and the doll to the lab for you this morning. I left the card on your desk. And I just took a phone message for you from the airlines regarding the passenger you'd inquired about." Hud could see curiosity burning in her gaze. "Also on your desk."
"Thanks." Hud stepped into his office and picked up the note Liza had left. His heart began to race.
Jordan Cardwell flew in yesterday—not today. He had taken a morning flight. When Dana said he'd called her to let her know he was flying out—he was probably already in the canyon. Maybe even on the ranch.
He picked up the other item Liza had left him. A wadded-up birthday card. He stared at the front. This had been in Dana's wastebasket? He opened the card and saw Stacy's name. His heart stopped dead in his chest.
He recognized this handwriting. Hurriedly, he pulled out the anonymous note he'd received in California. The handwriting matched.
It had been Stacy who'd gotten him back here?
* * *
JORDAN MUST HAVE heard Dana's pickup approaching because as she parked, the lights upstairs went off. A moment later she saw her brother rush past one of the living room windows.
When she entered the house, he was sitting in one of the overstuffed chairs, one shiny new cowboy boot resting on his opposite leg, a drink in his hand.
"Finally," he said. "I thought you got off at six?"
"Not that it's any of your business, but I had a stop to make. Anyway, Stacy told me the family meeting was at seven," she said, taking off her