He pulled on a work glove and carefully lifted the lid.
She held her breath as she waited to see what was inside.
She blanched when she saw a wad of cash. A cell phone.
And a driver’s license.
Millie leaned closer, her heart pounding as she waited for the person in the photo to come into view.
Slowly, a familiar face emerged.
Valentina’s face.
But the name on the license wasn’t Valentina Reyes.
It was someone else entirely.
chapter
forty
Caleb staredat the driver’s license, his mind racing.
The photo was unmistakably Valentina. Same dark hair. Same sharp features. Same wary eyes.
But the name read Sofia Ramirez.
His back muscles tightened as concern filled him.
Who had he let into his home?
His jaw clenched as he carefully closed the box, still using the glove.
He’d need to call the sheriff, turn this over to him.
He also needed to handle this situation at the house before someone got hurt.
Should he confront Valentina himself? Or let law enforcement take the lead?
If Valentina was dangerous—if she had anything to do with the murder—confronting her could put everyone at risk.
But waiting could be worse.
He’d call Sutherland first, he decided. Then talk to Valentina before the sheriff arrived. He’d make sure it was in a controlled environment. That Naomi and Max were nearby.
A crack echoed through the woods, the sound of a branch snapping underfoot.
Hamilton’s head shot up, his ears pinned forward. A low growl rumbled in his chest.
Caleb’s hand flew to Millie’s arm, pulling her behind him as he scanned the tree line.
His other hand moved instinctively toward the gun at his hip.
“Caleb,” Millie whispered, her voice thin with fear.
“Stay behind me.” His gaze swept the dense undergrowth.
Nothing moved.
