The rooms filled with a huge amount of stuff reminded Katie of a hoarding situation, but looking closer it appeared that it was simply an incredible mess, with items like clothes, boxes, garbage, and miscellaneous knick-knacks just thrown on the floor and not put away. There were dozens of empty beer bottles as well, and several gun magazines ready for shooting.
“Looks like a frat house,” said McGaven.
Katie saw several neat stacks of check stubs from Crowne & Miller Construction on a small bedside table. She also saw several envelopes with what appeared to be money sticking out. She couldn’t open the envelopes to discover the amount, but it was clear there were good-sized stacks of bills.
“Gav,” she said.
“Find something?”
“Looks like a sizable amount of money.”
McGaven looked closer and examined what he could.
“Found the drug stash,” said Officer Andrews, coming in.
The detectives went to see.
In the corner of the living room area, there was an open wooden box and they could clearly see the drug paraphernalia and smoking pipes.
Katie scanned the room. “Officer Andrews, do you have a digital camera in your cruiser?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Can you photograph the house inside and out? Make sure to have close-ups of what we’ve found here. Please make a detailed list as well.”
“On it,” he said and left to get the camera.
McGaven looked at his partner and nodded. “Way to delegate.”
“What do you think?” she said.
“Besides Roberts needing a cleaning lady… he doesn’t seem the type to organize what it would take to orchestrate building that trap we found. He would need a clear mind.”
“And he’s too young to have known anything about the Collins house and family,” she said.
“Agreed.”
“There’s no car here, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t another person who stays here. There’s way too much garbage for one person,” she said.
Officer Andrews photographed the outside of the house and then came in to photograph each room as well as the items they had found. Katie and McGaven waited while the officer finished the task.
Simultaneously, the detectives’ cell phones alerted to a text message. Katie read the message from the medical examiner’s office. She turned to her partner and said, “Looks like the bodies are ready.”
The detectives and officer secured the house before leaving.
“Thank you, deputy,” said Katie.
“My pleasure, detectives,” Andrews said and soon got back into his cruiser and left the scene.
The detectives also readied to leave the location. Katie wasn’t sure if they had really learned anything that would help in the investigation. She started the car and drove away from the house.
“I know what you’re thinking,” said McGaven.
“Really? You’re brave,” she said and laughed.
“Seriously. You’re thinking this was a waste of time, but… you don’t want to rule out anything yet. And you’re going to ask me for a deep dive into Roberts’ background. Like… who he hangs out with… and if he has been arrested, which is most likely… anyone who he might have been in prison with.” McGaven turned to his partner. “Am I about right?”
“Close.”
