He walked her to her vehicle.
“Want to come for dinner tonight?” Bree asked.
Matt grinned. “What is Dana making?”
“Lasagna.”
“Then hell yeah, I’m coming.” His smile widened. He didn’t kiss her in the parking lot, but she could tell he wanted to, and that was enough.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
The next day, Matt woke to the sound of a puppy whining in Greta’s crate. Greta wagged her tail and barked, eager to play with the new guest. Brody gave Matt a heavy are you kidding me? side-eye.
“Don’t worry, Brody. She’s not staying.” Matt fed all three and then took them outside. The puppy was happy to bug Greta, leaving Brody to chill. After returning the older dogs to the house, he scooped the puppy into one arm and carried her out back.
Cady was in the kennel, feeding her rescues. She stopped to pet and coo over the puppy.
“Can you watch her today?” Matt asked. “I need to go to the hospital to interview Brian Dylan.” His crimes crossed jurisdictional boundaries, and Ash had agreed to join forces with the sheriff’s department. Ash and Bree would also be present for the interview.
“I’m headed to Todd’s house as soon as I’m done here.” Cady fixed her ponytail. “He’s getting released this morning, and I don’t think he should be alone.”
“I agree.” Matt lifted the puppy higher onto his chest. She bit his beard.
Staring at the puppy, Cady tilted her head. “Does Rogers’s family want her?”
“He doesn’t really have any family.” Matt shook his head. “She’s homeless.”
Cady’s eyes twinkled. “In that case, how about I take her with me? Maybe a puppy will cheer up Todd.”
“Maybe you can talk him into keeping her.” Matt thought she could talk Todd into just about anything.
“Maybe I can.” Cady took the puppy. “Good luck.”
“Thanks.” Matt drove his Suburban to the hospital.
Bree’s SUV was already in the lot when he parked. She climbed out of the vehicle. “I was waiting for you.”
He told her about Cady taking the puppy to Todd’s house.
Bree laughed. “Todd is totally keeping that puppy. He’ll do whatever Cady wants. He has it bad for her.”
Matt rubbed his palms together. “Then my devious plan worked. I found a home for the dog and fixed those two up.”
“Aren’t you the matchmaker?”
“Todd’s a good man. Cady deserves one of those.” Matt thought they deserved each other.
“They’re a good match,” Bree said. “Hey, you take the lead with Dylan. He’ll respond better to you. He hates me.”
“Do I have to be an asshole again?”
“I don’t think so. Ash called. The state police and numerous federal agencies want information on the Hudson Footmen. Dylan wants to make a deal. He’ll be cooperative. But he still hates me.”
They took the elevator to Dylan’s floor. Outside his room, a trooper was on guard duty. Ash leaned on the wall. He looked up from his phone as they approached, then pushed off the wall.
“So, what’s the game plan?” Bree asked.
“I spoke with Dylan earlier, but he wasn’t in any shape to answer questions.” Ash addressed Matt. “I’d like you to take the lead. You’re more familiar with Dylan and the case. Also, I watched the video of your interview with Shane Bartholomew. I think Dylan will respond best to you.”
“I agree,” Bree said. “I’ll stay out of the way.”
Bree walked to the far wall and leaned on it. Matt crossed to the bedside. Ash stepped up next to him. He set a digital recorder on the rolling hospital tray.
Dylan didn’t look half-bad for a guy who’d been dead for a full five minutes the night before. He was pale and pasty but awake. One wrist held an IV. The other was cuffed to the bed rail.
“You’re going to live,” Matt said as he stepped up next to the bed.
Dylan nodded.
“I hear you’re cooperating?” he asked.
“I’m getting a deal.” Dylan licked his lips.
“I want to ask you a few questions.”
“Whatever.” Dylan sighed. “Doesn’t matter. I’ll tell you everything.”
Matt started with the least of his charges. “You made the deepfake video of Sheriff Taggert.”
“Yeah. As a favor to Oscar.” He glared at Bree. “He hated you.”