“Except, legally, it’s not.” Bree’s tone projected zero tolerance for bullshit. She gave Jager her stern face. “Matt and I are dating. There’s nothing illegal about it.”
“It might not be illegal, but it’s definitely unethical to channel county money to your boyfriend.” Jager adjusted an earring. Personal grooming was a sign of stress. She wasn’t as confident about her accusations as she was pretending to be. Jager was a lot of bluster. Unfortunately, in politics, bluster was very effective.
“Matt is a former deputy.” Bree nodded toward him. “He was a seasoned investigator long before I came to Randolph County. There is no one who doubts his expertise. We only call him in when we have a case too complex for me to handle solo. I have too many other responsibilities to be able to dedicate my time one hundred percent to any one investigation. Since there’s no room in the budget for a dedicated detective, by using Matt on a case-by-case basis, we save the county a significant amount of money.”
“That is not how the board sees it.” The muscles of Jager’s face shifted as if she were trying to say something but couldn’t decide on the right words. “You have a conflict of interest with your current investigation.”
“Do I?” Bree asked.
“You knew the victim.” Jager’s frustration all but seeped from her pores.
“This is a small town.” Bree lifted a shoulder. “Everyone knows everyone.”
“He used to work for you.” Jager pushed: “You forced him out.”
“That is true,” Bree acknowledged. “Which puts me in the unique position of having background knowledge of one of the victims.”
“I heard he was the one who published the pornographic pictures of you,” Jager said, her tone smug.
Bree shouldn’t have been surprised. Leaks happened. “We didn’t know that until the day after the bodies were discovered.”
“Prove it.” Jager pushed away from the table.
Bree’s face tightened, showing the first chink in her defense. “How do I prove I didn’t know something? It’s not possible.”
“Well, then . . .” Jager trailed off, as if she’d made her point. “Mr. Crighton and his attorney have alleged that you are targeting him as the prime suspect for his sister’s murder to distract from your own potential guilt.”
“In that regard, now that certain facts have come to light about Eugene Oscar’s life, I’ve decided we’re too close to the investigation. I’ve already called on BCI to take the case. I don’t know which detective will be assigned, but I’m sure you can find out. Someone from the Albany office is en route to pick up the files.”
Jager opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. She hadn’t expected that.
The door opened. Marge stood in the opening. “Sheriff, I need to see you. Now.”
“We’re in a meeting,” Jager protested.
“Excuse me.” Ignoring the supervisor, Bree hurried around the table and out the door. It closed with a solid thump.
Matt stared at Jager, letting the uncomfortable silence hover for two long minutes. She glared back at him for a few seconds. Then one of them broke eye contact, and it wasn’t Matt. Jager checked her phone. Then Bree pushed the door open and motioned for him. “We have to go.”
Jager leaped to her feet. “You can’t blow me off.”
Bree ignored her. Matt met her gaze. She was wearing her cop face. Only someone who knew her well would read the worry in her eyes. He rose and headed for the door, leaving the county supervisor sputtering, “I’ve never been treated so rudely.”
Bree craned her head to peer around him. “Ms. Jager, I apologize for cutting our discussion short. You can schedule another meeting with my administrator.” She pivoted on her heel. Matt followed her out of the station.
“There’s a fire at the vacant farm next to my place. The responding deputy says there’s a message for me. Fire department has been called.” She rushed across the blacktop and jumped into her SUV.
Matt slid into the passenger seat and buckled his belt. Flipping on the light bar and siren, Bree stomped on the gas pedal and sped out of the parking lot.
“I’d better call Dana.” Bree used her hands-free setting. After Dana answered, Bree said, “There’s a fire next door.”
Dana paused, then said, “I’m looking out the window. I see a thin plume of smoke. Nothing crazy.”