“Easy, girl,” he said, gently pulling her off the bed. “Let’s try not to disturb things too much.”
Kevin was already rifling through the wardrobe, pushing aside old coats and sweaters. “Nothing here but mothballs,” he said, wrinkling his nose at the musty smell.
Sam knelt down, peering under the bed. “Nothing here either,” he sighed, standing up and brushing dust from his knees.
They continued through the house, methodically searching each room. The kitchen yielded nothing but expired cans of soup and a drawerful of takeout menus. The bathroom was equally unproductive, though Lucy seemed particularly interested in sniffing around the toilet.
“Come on, Lucy,” Sam called, gently tugging her leash. “I don’t think Garvin hid any maps in there.”
As they made their way back to the living room, Sam felt a growing sense of frustration. They’d been so sure they would find something, but the house seemed determined to keep its secrets.
“Maybe the killer did take those maps,” Kevin suggested, running a hand through his hair.
Sam nodded, considering the possibility. “You might be right. If someone took them after killing Garvin, we’re not going to find them here.”
“Andthat gives us motive.”
Lucy, seemingly sensing their disappointment, let out a soft whine. Sam reached down to scratch behind her ears, grateful for her unwavering support.
“It’s okay, girl,” he murmured. “You did your best.”
As they prepared to leave, Sam took one last look around the living room. The crime scene markings were still visible, stark reminders of the violence that had occurred here. He shook his head, trying to clear the image of Garvin’s body from his mind.
“Let’s head out,” he said to Kevin.
They stepped out onto the front porch, the cool air a welcome relief after the stuffiness of the house. Sam was about to descend the steps when Lucy suddenly stiffened, her ears perking up.
Before either man could react, Lucy darted forward, barking excitedly. She began pawing at a patch of melting snow near the base of the porch steps.
“Lucy, what is it?” Sam called, hurrying down to join her.
Beneath the layer of fluffy snow that had fallen after Garvin’s death was another layer of icy snow, and in that icy snow was a footprint. The killer’s? It was only a partial, and there was something else. The snow was tinged blue. Sam’s heart rate quickened as he knelt down for a closer look.
“Kevin, get a photo of this, and grab an evidence bag,” he called over his shoulder, carefully brushing away more snow.
Kevin was by his side in an instant, evidence bag at the ready. Kevin took a few pictures of the partial shoe print, and then Sam gently scooped up a small amount of the blue-tinged snow, making sure to get some of the surrounding area as well.
“What do you think it is?” Kevin asked, peering at the bag as Sam sealed it.
Sam shook his head, his mind racing with possibilities. “I’m not sure. Dye from what the person was wearing? Might not be the killer’s, but if Lucy thinks it’s important, we’d better take it seriously.”
“You mean like when you don’t sort your laundry and the dye from the darks runs all over your white T-shirts,” Kevin said.
Sam chuckled. “Exactly. Maybe the killer had new shoes.”
As they walked back to the car, Sam’s mind was buzzing with questions. What was that blue substance? How did it relate to Garvin’s murder? And most importantly, could it help clear Jo’s name?
He glanced at Lucy, who was trotting alongside him with her tail held high, looking immensely pleased with herself. Despite the lack of maps, Sam couldn’thelp but feel a renewed sense of hope. They might not have found what they came for, but thanks to Lucy, they’d found something potentially even more valuable.
“Let’s get this back to the lab,” Sam said as they climbed into the car. “And Kevin? Make sure Lucy gets an extra treat when we get back to the station. She’s earned it.”
Kevin grinned, reaching back to ruffle Lucy’s fur. “You got it, Chief. One extra-large treat coming right up for our star detective.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Sam strode into the station, Lucy at his heels, with Kevin following close behind. The disappointment of not finding the maps at Garvin’s house still weighed heavily on his mind, but the discovery of the mysterious blue substance gave him a glimmer of hope.
Wyatt looked up from his computer as they entered, his eyebrows raised in expectation. “Any luck at Garvin’s place?”
