Renegade (Tin Star K9 Series Book 1) by Jodi Burnett (literature books to read .txt) 📗

Dylan left the Sheriff’s Office, Tackett told the Gesslers and Hague that Wendy died from a gunshot wound to the head.”

Compassion filled Caitlyn’s eyes. “How awful for the Gesslers. She was their only child.”

“Yeah, the information upset them, but Jim started rambling on about how Wendy had mentioned wanting to disappear. He said that he worried she was going to kill herself, and now that he knows she was pregnant with Dylan’s baby, he could understand why.”

“He doesn’t know for sure who the father was, and why didn’t he say something about her suicidal thoughts before now?”

“I asked him that same thing. He claims it was because he wished to honor her by keeping her secret. Jim admitted Wendy had asked him to take her to Sundance on Friday night after they left the bar. He said he dropped her off at a motel where she wanted to spend the weekend thinking.”

“So, now he admits he was the last one to see Wendy? His story changes with the wind. And what kind of idiot would leave someone who is admittedly suicidal alone in a motel?” Caitlyn searched Colt’s face. “Do you believe him?”

“I don’t know.”

“Is he trying to say that Wendy killed herself?”

“I think that’s what he was implying.”

“But she couldn’t have. You told me the killer shot her in the back of the head. Not to mention, someone buried her body.”

Colt raised his eyebrows at the discrepancy. “I know, right? And I learned another crucial piece of information today. Wendy’s postmortem toxicology report came in. Doc Kennedy found Rohypnol in her system.”

Caitlyn scrunched her brows and sat deep in silence, mulling over the new findings for several moments before she spoke. “I suppose she could have taken the drug herself if she wanted to commit suicide, but Rohypnol doesn’t seem like the best drug of choice for that purpose. We’re left to wonder, did Wendy drug herself, which is highly doubtful, or was she drugged by someone else? How did Wendy end up on the ridge at Reed Ranch? Who was with her? And where were Jim and Dylan in the hours after ten o’clock that night?”

They pulled up behind Caitlyn’s truck and Colt shut off his engine. He turned in his seat to face her. “What does your gut tell you? Do you believe Dylan could have murdered Wendy?”

Caitlyn slowly swiveled her head back and forth. “I can’t imagine it. But I want to know the truth no matter what.” She pulled on her lip with her teeth and cocked her head at Colt. “This thing with Jim makes no sense. Does it?”

Colt agreed. “We need to keep searching. I’ve been investigating the guy’s past, but I haven’t found much to go on yet. Don’t worry though, I’ll keep digging—we’ll find the truth.”

18

Caitlyn opened the door for Renegade, who hopped out and ran toward the truck. The bed listed to the left and as she approached, she realized why. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

“What’s wrong?” Colt was right behind her.

“Look.” She pointed at her back wheel. “Someone slit my tire. Damn it! Truck tires are expensive.” Caitlin jerked away and went to get the jack from its place behind the seat.

Colt squatted down and ran his fingers over the five-inch cut. “Yep, definitely done on purpose.”

Caitlin stomped back. “Who would do something like this? Seriously. Who would take the time to stop, get out, vandalize a truck tire, and then drive away?”

“Kids, most likely. Daring each other into doing stupid shit.” Colt took the jack from her. “Here, let me.”

Together, they made quick work of changing her tire. “Thanks for your help.” Caitlyn took the lug wrench from him.

“No problem.” He followed her to her cab. “Do you think I can get your gun now, Catie? And I’d like to see your safe.” He peered into the truck over her shoulder.

“I don’t have to give you my gun without a warrant, and you know it.” She had nothing to hide, but that wasn’t the point.

“You’re right, but I also know it will only take a phone call from the sheriff to his good buddy, the judge. He’ll have that warrant in a flash and then we’ll be right back where we started.”

“This sucks.”

“I know, but when they find nothing, it will clear things up.”

She rolled her eyes before clicking open the center console and pressed a combination code into the keypad on the black safe. The lock mechanism clicked and released. She opened the lid and lifted her pistol out. After releasing the magazine, Caitlyn removed the bullet she kept in the chamber before she handed the empty firearm over to Colt. “Here you go. How long do you think you’ll need to have this?”

“I’ll ask them to rush the test through, but it depends on how backed up they are.” Colt took the gun and held his hand out for her magazine. “Can you account for this gun’s whereabouts all of last Friday night?”

Caitlyn thought about it, and her chest compressed. She wished she had a concrete answer. “I know where I kept it the whole time, but I didn’t have it on me. I left it locked inside the truck while I had dinner at my parents’ house that evening.”

“Was Dylan there for dinner?”

“Yes, but he left before I did.”

“And was your gun in the console when you got home that night?”

An unwelcome chill coursed through Caitlyn’s body, and her eyes flew to meet Colt’s. “To be perfectly honest, I don’t know for sure, though I can be reasonably certain it was. The thing is, I didn’t bring my gun into my house with me when I got home. Usually I do, but it was late, and I was carrying a bunch of leftovers from my mom.” Caitlyn chewed on her lip, remembering the events that took place. “It was there in the morning, though. I am certain of that.”

“I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about, then. Does Dylan know your combination?”

“No. The only other