Mia finally set the dog down then moved to the island and rested her hands on the folder she’d placed there. “So what did you two want?”
Russ moved closer to her. “First off, I wanted to tell you we ID’d the owner of the truck that burned in the barn.”
“But all the VIN numbers were removed.” Ryan joined the pair by the counter. “Can’t see how you could do it that fast.”
“Belongs to Orrin Jackson.” Russ squatted to pick up Bandit and pet him.
“He owns a rural property not far down the road. He came back from vacation today and discovered it was stolen.”
“Orrin, huh.” Ryan processed the news. “He have any idea who might’ve taken it?”
“Not at this point. But his house was ransacked and his gun cabinet emptied. He’s an avid hunter, which means we’re talking about three rifles and two handguns.”
Mia’s face blanched. “So this man, the one who wants me to leave, is now armed?”
“Maybe.” Russ’s calm expression seemed more like he was reporting a traffic violation not arson and burglary that involved stolen weapons. “More likely the intruder plans to sell the weapons.”
“But you can’t be sure,” Mia said.
“No, I can’t be sure.” Bandit squirmed, and Russ set him down.
“I could be in real danger here, then.” Mia turned away but not before Ryan caught a glimpse of the raw fear in her eyes.
She was right. Guns could now be involved. Rifles. Handguns. Her life perhaps even more on the line.
Visions of Cara’s lifeless body had Ryan swallowing hard. He could never survive losing someone like that again. Never. Best to forget those thoughts on dating he’d just had and stick to the single life.
He curled his fingers into fists and faced Russ. “What do you plan to do about it?”
Russ didn’t seem troubled by Ryan’s pushiness. Just stood there and took it. “Got my team on the burglary, and I’ll do my best to resolve this investigation as quickly as I can.”
Not good enough.“What about calling in Sierra Rice at Veritas to do the forensics at Orrin’s place? The barn too.”
“Budget, man.”
“I’ll pay for them,” Mia said.
Russ shuffled back a step. “Not sure how that would work or how much it would cost.”
“Cost doesn’t matter. I want this resolved, and I’ll pay for as much as I can afford. Uncle Wally had quite the savings that he split between David and me. I’ll use that money.”
Russ gave a nod of approval and shoved his hand into his pocket. “Then I’ll give Sierra a call as soon as we finish up here.”
Such easy cooperation from Russ was unexpected. Maybe he wasn’t going to ask about that bracelet after all.
He dug a plastic evidence bag from his pocket and laid it open on his hand. A shiny bracelet settled into his palm.Right.He hadn’t forgotten or changed his mind.
He stepped closer to Mia and held his hand out to her. “We found this in the box with the hand. I’m certain it’s yours.”
Mia stared at the bracelet, and Ryan checked it out. He’d never seen this piece of jewelry before, of that he was sure.
She blinked frantically and backed up until she bumped into a stool. She sank onto the seat and clutched her hands together.
“Is this bracelet yours?” Russ shoved his hand closer.
She didn’t speak, and Russ moved into her personal space. Her head snapped up. At her pained stare, Ryan’s instincts urged him to step in between them, but he wanted to hear the answer as much as Russ did.
“It’s not m—”
