“That makes sense in a weird way.” Bree sipped her coffee.
“He planted Farah’s hairs, the chalk dust, and the receipt at the Northcott crime scene. His intention was to implicate her for the murders of LaForge, Northcott, and your brother. He was then going to fake her suicide.”
“I don’t see how he hoped to make us think that, especially not with her head wound and all the evidence we found at his house.”
Ash shrugged. “He was definitely less logical at that point. He never thought you’d suspect him or search his house.”
“When will my brother’s house be released?” Bree asked.
“By tomorrow. We boarded up the broken window.” Ash hesitated. “I hate to bring it up, but there’s a bullet hole in his canvas. I did a little research. I know what that painting is probably worth.”
“Not more than his life,” Bree said. “I’ll tell him.”
Painting was Adam’s outlet. He couldn’t wait to get back to work. How would he take it?
She extended a hand. “I’ll have the case files packed up for you. Hopefully, we won’t be needing your assistance for a while.”
“Maybe if you don’t shoot anyone else.” Ash’s tone was a little sarcastic but also not. He held her hand a second longer than necessary.
Still an ass.
Bree didn’t blink. She maintained direct eye contact. “If only the bad guys would stop committing crimes.”
“From your lips.” He snorted. “I’ll need a formal interview and statement.”
“And I’ll be happy to give one, but not today.”
“The faster—”
“Not today,” Bree said. They both knew the investigation was a mop-up. The suspect was dead. There would be no charges, no trial to prepare for.
Ash’s nod was unhappy but resigned. “Your chief deputy?”
“Is off today.” Bree had instructed Todd to stay home, hang out with Cady, and play with his dog. There would be time to cross t’s and dot i’s tomorrow.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
The cold spell broke on Sunday, granting upstate New York a rare nice December day. Bree stood in her kitchen, marveling at the crowd she’d managed to gather for Adam’s birthday brunch. A year ago, she wouldn’t have been able to scrape together a carload of people, let alone a houseful. Matt’s father helped Dana in the kitchen. His mother, Anna, sipped a mimosa and watched the kids and dogs play in the backyard. Actually, Goldie and Ladybug played. Brody supervised while Cady and Todd looked on. Adam and Matt’s brother, Nolan, were having a serious conversation in the corner of the kitchen. Adam stood, crossed the kitchen, and refilled his plate.
Nearly empty plates of food lined the counters. Bree eyed another scone but decided she needed to ration her intake. There were still a couple of weeks before Christmas, and Dana showed no signs of slowing her baking frenzy. Before being banished to the yard, Ladybug had claimed an unattended omelet. Vader had been caught licking the butter. The cat showed no remorse. In other words, everything was normal.
Adam stood and crossed the kitchen to put his plate in the sink.
“How bad is the bullet hole in your canvas?” Bree asked him. “Can you fix it?”
He contemplated an elephant ear and picked one. “I’ve decided to leave it there and work around it.” He took a bite. “The painting tells a story.”
Hyped up on sugar, Kayla stormed through the kitchen door, her cheeks pink. She took Adam by the hand and dragged him from the house. “It’s time to get your present, Uncle Adam.”
Everyone grabbed jackets and followed them outside.
Matt pressed his arm to hers. “Our families get along well.”
Bree leaned her head on his shoulder. “It’s nice.”
Luke led the Standardbred from the barn.
“He doesn’t have a name yet,” Kayla said to Adam. “But I have a whole list of ideas.”
Adam walked to his horse and placed a hand on his nose. “He’s perfect.” The Standardbred bobbed his head.
“He’s a good boy,” Luke said. “We should go for a ride later.”
Adam stroked his horse. “Definitely. I can’t wait.”
“Isn’t he a beauty!” Matt’s mother clapped her hands. “Matt, where’s your horse?”
The sound of a hoof striking wood punctuated her question.
“I’d better get him before he kicks down the door.” Matt disappeared into the barn, returning a few minutes later with the Percheron. Bree was happy to see the horse walking with no limp. His leg was healing nicely.
“He’s just like Beast!” Kayla said, excited. “But Matt hasn’t named him yet.” Her voice rang with impatience.
“I should name him FOMO. He has serious fear of missing out. He has to be in the middle of everything.” Matt leaned closer to Kayla. “But you know what? Beast does fit him best.”
“Really?” Kayla jumped up and down.
“Really.” Matt picked her up and swung her onto the giant horse’s back. Beast stood politely, not batting an eye as Todd’s dog raced under his belly.
Todd caught and leashed Goldie. “Girl, he’s nice, but that’s not OK.” The oblivious young dog wagged.
Kayla bent forward and hugged the massive neck. “He’s a very good boy.”
“Oh my goodness,” Matt’s dad said. “I’ve never seen a horse that big up close. Can we pet him?”
“He’s very gentle, and he can’t get enough attention.” Matt stood back as the family crowded around the two horses, fussing and stroking, making sure both received equal attention.
“I love that you rescued them.” Cady straightened the Standardbred’s forelock. She touched a mark on his shoulder where years of wearing a harness had rubbed off the hair. “It’s beautiful when animals in need find a safe place to land.”
“Uncle Adam, you have to pick a name.” Kayla put out her arms, and Matt lifted her off Beast’s back.
Adam crossed his arms and propped his chin on one hand. “You said you had ideas?”
“I do! I do!” Kayla nearly squealed. “I have a list.”
Adam grinned. “What’s your front-runner?”
“Bullseye, because he’s brown and sweet and loyal,” Kayla said.
“I like it,” Adam said. “Bullseye it is.”
“Yay!” Kayla hugged Bullseye.
Bree touched Adam’s arm. “I thought you’d pick an artsy name.”
He shook his head. “It’s more important to Kayla. The horse doesn’t care.”
Todd and Cady approached Bree.
“We have to go,” Todd said.
“Already?” Bree asked.
“I have a window to replace at Julius’s elderly neighbor’s house,” Todd said. “Cady’s going to help me.”
Cady adjusted her ponytail. “I love a chance to swing a hammer.”
Bree smiled. “Thanks for coming.”
They said more goodbyes and left, hand in hand.
Bree looked out over the pasture, where Cowboy, Pumpkin, and Riot grazed, to the two new additions to the family. She caught Matt’s eye. They were building something here, and he was clearly a large part of it. She couldn’t even think about the snakebite without choking up.