She nodded and put a knuckle to her mouth.
Bree joined him in the driveway. They stood together in front of Todd’s vehicle.
“We went to the gun range last night, talked to Jim Rogers.” Matt thought back over the conversation. “Maybe someone saw us and didn’t like it.”
Bree surveyed the front yard and surrounding forest. “Or didn’t like something else he was working on. We have been stirring things up.”
“That’s the job, right?” Matt imagined Todd pulling into his driveway. “Todd gets out of his vehicle and heads up the driveway.”
“Someone comes out of the woods and jumps him.”
Matt eyed the trampled grass next to the driveway. “More than one person.”
“He would have fought back.”
Matt nodded. “Todd’s no slouch in a fight. He would have left marks on anyone who jumped him.”
“Forensics will collect blood samples. Maybe some of it is from his attackers.” Bree held up the evidence bag. “One of them lost a watch.”
Matt held out his hand, and she dropped the evidence bag into it. He turned the watch over and examined the back. “There’s an engraved inscription.” He tilted it for better light. “AD EOW 6/16/1983.”
They looked at each other.
“EOW,” Matt repeated.
“End of watch.” Bree’s mouth turned down at the corners. “A memorial for a fallen officer.”
And Matt knew. “AD is Arthur Dylan.”
“Let me guess.” Bree’s brows dropped in fierce intensity. “That was Brian Dylan’s father.”
Matt handed her the evidence bag, whipped out his cell phone, and called Marge.
“Did you find Todd?” she asked immediately on answering.
“Not yet. Do you know the date Deputy Arthur Dylan was killed in the line of duty? It was in the ’80s.”
“Hold on. It’s engraved on the plaque in the hallway.” Her breaths quickened as she rushed through the station. She wheezed. “June 16, 1983.”
“Thanks.”
“Matt, find him,” Marge pleaded.
“We intend to.” Matt lowered the phone and turned to Bree. “You heard?”
“I did.” Bree was already headed toward her vehicle. “Dylan grabbed Todd, but why?”
As they approached the driveway, Cady stepped forward. Her face was pale, making her freckles stand out. “Well?”
Matt slipped his phone back into his pocket. “We think he was taken away in a vehicle.”
“Oh, no!” Cady hugged her own waist.
“We’re going to find him,” Matt said with more conviction than he felt. Would they find him alive or dead? But damn, his sister did not need any more stress in her life.
The line between Cady’s brows deepened. “Do you want me to take Brody home?”
Matt glanced back at his dog. “No. I might need him.” Dylan’s property was extensive. But if Todd was there, Brody would find him.
“I have a portable bowl and some kibble.” She ran to her minivan and took a tote bag from the back seat. Returning, she thrust it at him. “I’ll leave them with you in case you need it.”
“You saved me a trip home.” The day was bound to be long. Matt didn’t mind missing meals but wouldn’t allow his dog to go hungry. “Thanks.” He kissed his sister’s cheek. “I’ll keep you posted.”
Nodding, she turned and went back to her van, her steps dragging.
A deputy came running from across the street. “Bingo. The neighbor has a camera on his vehicles. There have been break-ins lately. Last night, starting at 10:06, a pickup truck loaded with men drove past Chief Deputy Harvey’s house three times.”
“Tell me you could see the license plate,” Bree said.
The deputy’s eyes gleamed. “Got it. The vehicle belongs to Shane Bartholomew. He lives in Grey’s Hollow.”
“Pick him up. Bring him to the station,” Bree instructed.
“What do I tell him?” the deputy asked.
Bree paused. “Tell him we need his help in solving a crime. Don’t treat him like he’s a suspect. Treat him like he’s important.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He returned to his vehicle and drove off.
Bree headed for her own SUV. Brody trotted at Matt’s side as he broke into a jog to catch up with Bree.
“We need a search warrant for Dylan’s place.” He opened the back door, and the dog jumped in.