June leaned forward slightly, studying the images with the careful attention Holt had come to recognize. "What's the procedure for conducting a joint investigation across both jurisdictions?" June asked, lifting her eyes and glancing between the agents.
Agent Bradford answered. "We need a formal cooperation agreement that establishes lead authority, evidence sharing protocols, and access permissions. Director Dillinger would serve as the federal representative, coordinating between our agencies and local law enforcement."
Holt nodded. "That works for our purposes. We need to determine if this fire was deliberately set, and we need access to both the private property and the federal land to complete our investigation."
"There's another consideration," June said, her tone shifting to something more professional. "The federal land that burned is part of a wildlife preserve area, isn't it?"
Agent Murdoch's expression sharpened with interest. "Yes. It's designated critical habitat for several protected species, including the Florida bonneted bat and the red-cockaded woodpecker. We're very concerned about the environmental impact."
"Would you have someone available to assess wildlife damage and ensure our investigation doesn't interfere with any recovery efforts?" Holt asked.
"That's actually a problem," Agent Bradford admitted. "Our wildlife specialist is committed to a project in the Everglades for the next three weeks. We'd need to bring someone in from another region, which could delay things significantly."
June's eyes met Holt's across the table, and he could see she was thinking the same thing he was.
"I might have a solution," June said carefully. "Dr. Lacey Peltz is a veterinarian here in Sandpiper Shores who specializes in wildlife conservation. She's worked with state and federal agencies before on habitat assessments."
Agent Murdoch looked intrigued. "What's her background?"
"Fifteen years of experience with wildlife rehabilitation and habitat restoration," Holt replied. "She's worked with Fish and Wildlife on several coastal conservation projects. Dr. Peltz would be able to guide us through the affected areas while ensuring we don't disrupt any ongoing wildlife recovery."
"That could work," Agent Bradford said, making notes. "We'd need to see her credentials and get her cleared for the investigation, but it would solve our staffing problem."
"I can have her credentials sent to you by this afternoon," June offered.
Agent Murdoch closed her folder. "Excellent. We can have the cooperation agreement drafted and ready for signatures by tomorrow morning. Director Dillinger, you'll coordinate the on-site investigation?"
"Yes," Holt confirmed. "We'll need access to begin today, if possible."
"Shouldn't be a problem," Agent Bradford said, standing. "I can give you temporary access right away, and you’ll have the full agreement by tomorrow morning.”
After exchanging contact information and finalizing the timeline, the federal agents left. Holt waited until their car had pulled out of the parking lot before turning to June.
"It might be a bit risky to volunteer Lacey for this," Holt said quietly. "She's still in the hospital recovering from her accident."
June's expression shifted, and Holt could see something like guilt flicker across her face. "Actually, I need to tell you something about that. I visited Lacey this morning, and I probably overstepped, but I asked her about the accident."
Holt's eyebrows rose. He hadn't expected June to conduct her own interview, but he wasn't entirely surprised either. Once she was locked onto a case, she couldn’t let it go, and her mind would naturally want to gather information.
"What did she tell you?" Holt watched June as she shifted in her seat but met his eyes unflinchingly.
June recounted her conversation with Lacey, describing the two separate impacts, the sound of an engine revving, and Lacey's clear recollection that she had already slowed for the curve before being hit.
"She was hit twice?" Holt asked, his voice sharp with concern.
"That's what she said. The first impact wasn't hard enough to send her off the road, but it made her jerk the wheel. She got the truck back under control before being hit a second time," June recounted what Lacey had told her.
Holt felt his jaw tighten. Two deliberate impacts almost completely ruled out the possibility that this had been an accident. Accidentally hitting the truck once was an accident, but revving and hitting the truck again was something entirelydifferent. That was more like intent. Someone had intentionally run Lacey off the road and then sped off before anyone knew they were there, leaving Lacey at the bottom of the embankment.
"I was planning to visit her this afternoon to get her official statement," Holt said. "Would you mind coming with me? I think having you there will put her at ease."
"Of course," June agreed. "But why isn't Tom or Rad handling this? Isn't this their jurisdiction?"
Holt's expression darkened, and he glanced toward the conference room door before lowering his voice. "Because the evidence Rad collected from the accident scene yesterday has gone missing."
June stared at him. "Missing?"
"Gone. Rad locked everything in the evidence room yesterday evening. All the photographs, paint samples, measurements, and his preliminary report. This morning, when Tom went to review the file, the entire evidence bag was empty." Holt’s eyes narrowed.
