“Someone set it on the table in the lodge,” Mia said.
Sierra arched an eyebrow. “So the suspect was in your house?”
“Seems like it.”
“Then we need to process that area too.”
“You think you’ll find anything helpful?” Russ asked.
“Could be.” Her eyes suddenly came alive with interest. “We’re piloting a new program to isolate DNA in household dust.”
“Dust,” Russ said, his eyes going wide open. “You’re joking, right?”
“I don’t joke about my forensics.” Sierra grinned. “In our trials we’ve found DNA from non-occupants in over half of the samples collected from each test site. It’s a long shot and might not hold up in court since it’s such new technology, but could give you the lead you need to move your investigation forward.”
“Then bring on the dust.” Mia laughed.
“There’s another note from a threat that was made just prior to our discovery of the body too.” Russ explained about the bullseye then located the bags with the bullets and two casings. “We got lucky and recovered two casings from what looks to be the shooter’s hide. Ditto on prints and DNA for these items.”
“We can bring in our weapons expert too. He can perform a trajectory analysis but sounds like you’ve located the hide and know that. Still, he can evaluate the bullets so if youdolocate a weapon, he can confirm that gun fired it.”
“We actually have a rifle for him to look at.” Mia explained about her conversation with Nico. “He agreed to have you all pick it up and test it.”
“His cooperation might mean he didn’t do it, or he doesn’t understand how we can match bullets to rifle barrels and is overly confident,” Sierra said.
“My gut says he didn’t fire the shots,” Mia said. “But it would be good to confirm.”
“Absolutely,” Sierra said. “Text me the guy’s address, and we’ll retrieve the gun.”
Mia dug her phone from her pocket and sent the info as she didn’t want to forget. She looked up in time to see Russ hold out the last bag. Her bracelet. A jolt of fear hit her. Unreasonable for just seeing the bracelet, but the connection to her past couldn’t be ignored.
“Mia, I’ll definitely need your prints for elimination purposes on this,” Sierra said.
Mia hated thinking about being printed, but this was to prove her innocence not her guilt. “We have to get my dad and David to agree to being printed.”
Russ ran a hand over his hair. “I can ask for their voluntary cooperation, but I have no reason to insist on it. Have to say, though, if it were me, I would say no, and I suspect your dad at least will do that.”
“Likely.” She lifted her chin and eyed Russ. “But we should still ask.”
Would this finally prove that her father or David were involved in the threats and incidents? Sure, Ryan and Russ both didn’t think her family was involved. But they were the only ones who would know such a very personal thing about her like the bracelet and use it to try to scare her away from her rightful inheritance.
19
Mia settled onto the overstuffed sofa in front of the fireplace and set the empty teacup on the table. Ryan had prepared tea when he’d returned after his work check-in. He stood next to the window talking on his cell. His face was illuminated by the fading sun, casting shadows on his cheek. They’d decided dinner with David would go on as scheduled. Ryan had cleaned up and was wearing a lemony-yellow sweater that left him looking darkly handsome and intriguing.
Mia had slipped into black dress pants, a shimmery blouse, and put on her favorite heels. She hoped dressing up might cheer her for the dinner ahead. And it had—a bit. At least it gave her time to think about how supportive Ryan was being again. He might have repeatedly tried to take charge, but knowing about Cara helped Mia understand his motives.
He punched the button on his cell and slid it into his pocket. “That was Russ. He talked to Jessie. She said the barn wasn’t locked when she went in, but the man locked the door behind him.”
“Not sure why he would take the locks though. Or why lock it to begin with.”
Ryan tucked his hands into his pockets. “Good questions.”
She would have to give that some thought.
“Russ also said the medical examiner believes the victim has been dead about a week. Means visual identification won’t be easy, either.”
“But it also means he diedbeforethe fire,” she said. “And that could mean the murder isn’t connected to the threats.”
