“No, but as the new owner of the resort, I’d imagine you’ll need to press charges against Verna for the theft.”
So Verna stole money. Not something Mia would ever expect, but with a sick daughter, Verna had likely done what she thought she had to do to take care of her child. Mia understood that as much as she was disappointed in Verna.
And now, Mia would do what she had to do as well. “Thank you for letting me know, David.”
“Of course.” His tone held relief, likely from having gotten that off his chest. “I still have files to review, but when I finish, I’ll be able to give you the total dollar amount of her theft.”
“I appreciate it.” Mia ended the call with her brother and raced up the steps to the lodge to decide what to do next. She dropped onto a barstool and stared at the phone, half wondering if she’d imagined that call.
This news certainly explained Verna’s odd behavior. She could have somehow gained access to the bracelet and would definitely know it would hurt Mia. She could’ve locked the barn too. But kill someone? That was too far-fetched. Right? Of course, the murder could be unrelated.
They needed to get her fingerprints. The theft should be enough evidence for Russ to get a court order to print her. Could even be one set of unidentified prints on the bracelet or hand.
Finally! They were getting somewhere.
A knock sounded on the door.
Mia wasn’t expecting anyone, so she cautiously crossed the room and peeked out the window.
Ryan. He was back. He’d spent the night in his truck outside her door. She wished he’d come in for a cup of coffee in the morning, but he’d left, and she hadn’t known when to expect him. Now he was here.
Overjoyed to see him, she jerked the door open. “Have I got news for you.”
She told him about David’s call and the information from Sierra, her words tumbling out like the nearby rushing river before Ryan could cross the threshold. “Where do you think Verna is? Do you think Russ will arrest her? Should we go to the office and see?”
Ryan rested his hands on her shoulders, stilling her anxious fidgeting. “Slow down. Let me think.”
She didn’t want to wait. She wanted Verna in jail and paying for her crimes. “Verna could be getting away.”
“That’s a little rash. She doesn’t even know David reviewed the files.” Ryan stroked her arms as if he believed it would appease her, but nothing would stop her now.
“She may not know about David but the break-in to steal files should freak her out. Wait! Would she have paid this guy to break into the office to steal the files?”
He shrugged. “It would get rid of the evidence, I guess.”
“But she could just take the files. Or shred them. Like she was doing yesterday.” Mia clutched the front of Ryan’s denim shirt. “Oh, my gosh! She was probably destroying evidence right in front of me, and I didn’t know it. We have to get down there before she shreds even more pages.”
Mia rushed out the door without waiting to see if Ryan followed. Sierra and Chad drove off from the barn, and Mia waved as she headed straight for the UTV parked out front. She revved the engine and turned to see if Ryan was coming.
He jogged across the thick grass and climbed in. “I’m surprised you waited.”
“Sorry.” She shifted into gear and aimed the vehicle down the driveway. “I’m happy we’ve figured this out, and I can’t wait to get it resolved.”
“I’m happy too, but I think we should talk to Russ first.”
Ryan could be right, but she’d been helpless for days. She had to do something—now.
Ryan leaned forward. “Did you hear that?”
“What?”
“A dog barking.” He looked at her. “Did Bandit ever come home?”
She shook her head and slowed the vehicle to listen. An excited yipping echoed from the north end of the barn.
“Sounds like Bandit.” She craned her neck to try to see him but he was out of sight. “And it sounds like something’s wrong.”
“Shut this thing down, and we’ll check.” He jumped out.
