“Uh, no,” I’d said immediately.
“Why not?” That question is asked by Federal Agent Trent Wilde.
“She’s not turning anything over to anyone until she speaks with her attorney.” I give the guy my best glare. He knows damn well she doesn’t have to hand overanything. “No crimes were committed at the scene where we found the stuff.” Well, none today. “You can’t confiscate it from her private residence.”
“She doesn’t live there.”
“She will. She’s renovating. She’s there every day.” I look over at her. “You’ve slept there before, right?”
Say yes, Lou.
She nods. “Yes.”
I knew she’d probably slept there at some point and, honestly, I’m not sure that matters. But the jewels and coins found today have nothing to do with whatever Bill Schumacher was up to, because after he left Lou’s place, he drove out to her dad’s house looking for him. Luckily, he was with Bella and her mother.
I’m hoping to get to have a chat with Sheriff Manning after this. His strange reaction to Lou’s call is perplexing, but from comments made by my colleague here, the sheriff was onto Bill. For the break-in, I assume. And if that’s the case, why didn’t he warn Lou?
Whatever his reasons, I plan to find out.
Trent Wilde isn’t giving up, though. Looking Lou in the eye, he asks in his nicest voice, “Just tell us where you put the treasure.”
Reaching my hand out, I touch Lou’s arm. “Don’t.”
“Goddamn it, McNamara. We need it as evidence.”
“Evidence of what?” I roll my eyes. “Why the hell aren’t you at the hospital questioning Bill Schumacher?”
“The brass is on that.”
Oh, so he’s low on the pecking list? I’m glad to hear it.
Wilde looks me in the eye. I watch his expression turn into a glare, then back to normal. He must realize his tactics aren’t going to work, because he finally says, “We’ll be in touch.” He’s out the door in seconds.
When it clicks shut, Lou begins to say something, but I place my finger over my lips and point up. “They’re watching and listening.”
Outside, I take in a chest full of fresh air. I turn as Lou does the same. “Remind me to never break the law. That was awful.”
Which reminds me. “Do you have a lawyer?”
“No.” She looks up at me. “I need one, though.”
“I think you’d better get one, even if it’s just to help you figure out how to handle the find today.”
“If this is the treasure from Germany, I’ll need to find out where it came from, because there were a lot of people who had their family heirlooms and priceless items taken from them.”
She’s right, the Nazis stole valuables and, rumor has it, they hid them in cellars and caves. Caves just like the one hers may or may not have been discovered in. “But your treasure doesn’t seem like something like that. It’s old. Really old. My friend that looked at the coin around your neck thought it was hundreds of years old.”
“Still. I need to find out if there’s a family out there missing their property.”
At the car, I hit the key fob and watch as the lights flash, indicating she can open her door. I beat her to it. Holding it open for her, she stops before she slides inside. “Thank you, Chase.”
“For what?”
“For coming back. Something tells me none of this would have turned out the way it has if you hadn’t come back.”
“I’m glad I was here to help.” I lean in until we’re inches apart. “I missed you, Lou.”
“I missed you too.” Her eyes flick away for a second. “Or the idea of you.”
