He didn’t doubt there was a connection and really liked the idea of tag-teaming with her to find it. “I’ll do some digging, as well.” The forensics software he used hadsome powerful cross-referencing capabilities. “We’ll get started after church.”
He barricadedhimself in his office for the next several minutes, a little surprised when Rock Hefner took his call.
“Don’t tell me you’re breaking the Sabbath,” his supervisor teased.
“Nah, we’ll be heading to church soon,” Owen assured with a grin. “This is a legitimate pull-your-ox-out-of-the-ditch situation.”
“Oh?”
Owen told him about the call he’d made from his burner phone and the answering buzz from the rectangular device in Brooke’s pocket—probably a cell phone.
“Well, this is a little unexpected.”
“It is,” Owen agreed. “I’m calling you to hash out our next move.”
“We need to establish a motive, of course.” Rock’s answer came as no surprise. “Preferably one that ties your neighbor to the other fraudster you’re investigating. It sounds like you’re getting close to the truth, so I’m giving you the green light to throw all your efforts into chasing down this lead.”
Owen frowned. “What about the other projects you’ve assigned me?” He’d spent his first week at work assisting with two other cases, mostly on the computer side of things.
“Consider them on hold until you wrap up this one.” Rock’s voice was firm. “Our higher-ups don’t like how close you came to a second crop duster crash at Garrett Farm. Incriminal investigations, there’s no such thing as a coincidence.”
“You think the two incidents are related?” Owen had been kicking the idea around, but he hadn’t discussed it with anyone yet.
“It’s possible.” Rock’s tone was guarded. “You’ve got a dead cell phone service area, a drone zipping around that resembles a UFO, alleged interference with aircraft navigation systems, alleged financial fraud in play, and a potentially compromised neighbor. What we need is proof, preferably before any more casualties pile up.”
“I’m on it.” Owen knew better than to make any promises, but he would do his best.
Rock grunted in approval. “Keep me posted.”
During the shortdrive to church, the twins had a whispered conversation in the backseat that was punctuated by frequent giggles.
Owen cleared his throat and caught Ryder’s eye in the rearview mirror. “Do you care to tell the rest of us what’s so funny?”
Instead of answering him, the twins dissolved into explosive laughter that probably left spit on the back of his and Halle’s seats.
“Okay, then.” He shot a puzzled glance at Halle.
She shook her head at him, smiling. “Don’t ask me. All I can tell you is they’ve been like this since they got out of bed. They heehawed so much during breakfast that they didn’t get much food in their stomachs. They’re going to be extra hungry by lunchtime.”
That wasn’t ideal. Owen was glad to know they wouldget a snack served to them during children’s church. The boys were still laughing when he drove into the church parking lot. Knowing it was time to get serious, he parked and stood them outside the truck for a father-son talk.
Halle stood by, watching them in bemusement.
“You can’t go into church acting like this,” Owen announced solemnly.
“Why not?” Cooper chortled. “It’s sorta God’s f-fault for m-making us laugh!”
“What in the world?” Owen slapped his hands down on his hips, wondering if it would take the threat of a paddling to sober up his boys.
“We prayed about Miss Garrett being our new mom,” Ryder explained hastily. “Every night in our bedtime prayers.”
“Then we saw you kiss her on the porch,” Cooper chimed in. He and Ryder exchanged a knowing look and snicker-snorted some more.
Oh, boy!Owen caught Halle’s eye again, unsure what to say. They’d been so careful around the boys, but they obviously hadn’t been careful enough.
“Come here, you sweet munchkins.” Halle squatted down and held out her arms to the boys. She didn’t seem to notice that the hem of her long, lemony dress was touching the gravel. Or that Ryder stepped on the edge of it with his sneaker when he and Cooper threw themselves into her embrace. The force of the impact nearly knocked her over.
“I love you boys so much!” She hugged them tightly. “Don’t you ever doubt it.”
