Anger heated Bree’s blood. “How the hell did he get bailed out?”
“He and his three pals”—Ash listed all the names that Shane had implicated in Todd’s beating and kidnapping—“barely warmed the holding cells before a hotshot lawyer showed up.”
“Let me guess. The Hudson Footmen sent the attorney.” Bree was disgusted.
“We can’t prove they sent him, but we’re working on it.”
“Damn it. Who knows if they’ll show up for trial?”
“No need to worry about that.” Ash paused. “Very early this morning, Shane’s body—along with the three other men’s—were found in a vehicle in the Hudson River. All four men are dead. Their vehicle went over a three-hundred-foot cliff.”
Shock slashed through Bree’s exhaustion. “Cause of death?”
“Don’t have autopsy results yet, but that’s a long drop.”
“They were murdered.”
“Probably,” Ash agreed.
Bree considered Shane’s confession and his link to the paramilitary group. “Do you suspect the Hudson Footmen were responsible?”
“It’s possible they didn’t approve of Shane’s blabbing,” Ash said.
“If he survives, Dylan will be at risk. They’ll want him dead.”
“He’s out of surgery. He’s going to make it.” Ash headed for the door. “We have a guard on his door, and when he’s transferred to the prison, he’ll be put in solitary.”
But would that be enough to keep him alive? That likely depended on how much he knew about the organization. They’d been willing to kill four men for much less.
Ash left.
Morgan stood and offered her hand. “We’re working on the takedown orders. I’ll keep you posted. You’ll call me if you need me?”
“Yes, and thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Morgan picked up her briefcase. “I’ll see you at the K-9 fundraiser.”
“You’re coming?”
“Of course. The community supports the sheriff’s department. The community supports you,” Morgan said.
“I hope so. We really need that dog.”
Brody deserved an actual retirement.
Bree escorted Morgan to the rear exit. After closing the door behind the attorney, Bree peered down the hallway. She could see reporters gathered in the lobby. She ducked out of sight before she was spotted and hurried to her office, where Matt and the puppy waited. “The press is here. I’m sneaking home to sleep for a few hours.”
They left through the back door together.
“Not making a statement?” Matt carried the puppy out.
“No. I’ve had enough.” It felt cowardly, but Bree knew the questions would segue into a discussion about the deepfakes, and she didn’t have the energy. She’d deal with them another day.
He walked her to her vehicle.
“Want to come for dinner tonight?” Bree asked.
Matt grinned. “What is Dana making?”
“Lasagna.”
“Then hell yeah, I’m coming.” His smile widened. He didn’t kiss her in the parking lot, but she could tell he wanted to, and that was enough.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
The next day, Matt woke to the sound of a puppy whining in Greta’s crate. Greta wagged her tail and barked, eager to play with the new guest. Brody gave Matt a heavy are you kidding me? side-eye.
“Don’t worry, Brody. She’s not staying.” Matt fed all three and then took them outside. The puppy was happy to bug Greta, leaving Brody to chill. After returning the older dogs to the house, he scooped the puppy into one arm and carried her out back.
Cady was in the kennel, feeding her rescues. She stopped to pet and coo over the puppy.
“Can you watch her today?” Matt asked. “I need to go to the hospital to interview Brian Dylan.” His crimes crossed jurisdictional boundaries, and Ash had agreed to join forces with the sheriff’s department. Ash and Bree would also be present for the interview.
“I’m headed to Todd’s house as soon as I’m done here.” Cady fixed her ponytail. “He’s getting released this morning, and I don’t think he should be alone.”
“I agree.” Matt lifted the puppy higher onto his chest. She bit his beard.
Staring at the puppy, Cady tilted her head. “Does Rogers’s family want her?”
“He doesn’t really have any family.” Matt shook his head. “She’s homeless.”
Cady’s eyes twinkled. “In that case, how about I take her with me? Maybe a puppy will cheer up Todd.”
“Maybe you can talk him into keeping her.” Matt thought she could talk Todd into just about anything.
“Maybe I can.” Cady took the puppy. “Good luck.”
“Thanks.” Matt drove his Suburban to the hospital.
Bree’s SUV was already in the lot when he parked. She climbed out of the vehicle. “I was waiting for you.”
He told her about Cady taking the puppy to Todd’s house.
Bree laughed. “Todd is totally keeping that puppy. He’ll do whatever Cady wants. He has it bad for her.”
Matt rubbed his palms together. “Then my devious plan worked. I found a home for the dog and fixed those two up.”
“Aren’t you the matchmaker?”
“Todd’s a good man. Cady deserves one of those.” Matt thought they deserved each other.
“They’re a good match,” Bree said. “Hey, you take the lead with Dylan. He’ll respond better to you. He hates me.”
“Do I have to be an asshole again?”
“I don’t think so. Ash called. The state police and numerous federal agencies want information on the Hudson Footmen. Dylan wants to make a deal. He’ll be cooperative. But he still hates me.”
They took the elevator to Dylan’s floor. Outside his room, a trooper was on guard duty. Ash leaned on the wall. He looked up from his phone as they approached, then pushed off the wall.
“So, what’s the game plan?” Bree asked.
“I spoke with Dylan earlier, but he wasn’t in any shape to answer questions.” Ash addressed Matt. “I’d like you to take the lead. You’re more familiar with Dylan and the case. Also, I watched the video of your interview with Shane Bartholomew. I think Dylan will respond best to you.”
“I agree,” Bree said. “I’ll stay out of the way.”
Bree walked to the far wall and leaned on it. Matt crossed to the bedside. Ash stepped up next to him. He set a digital recorder on the rolling hospital tray.
Dylan didn’t look half-bad for a guy who’d been dead for a full five minutes the night before. He was pale and pasty but awake. One wrist held an IV. The other was cuffed to the bed rail.
“You’re going to live,” Matt said as he stepped up next to the bed.
Dylan nodded.
“I hear you’re cooperating?” he asked.
“I’m getting a deal.” Dylan licked his lips.
“I want to ask you a few questions.”
“Whatever.” Dylan sighed. “Doesn’t matter. I’ll tell you everything.”
Matt started with the least of his charges. “You made the deepfake video of Sheriff Taggert.”
“Yeah. As a favor to Oscar.” He glared at Bree. “He hated you.”
Bree acknowledged his comment. “I know.”
Dylan’s mouth turned up in a sneer. “I thought the video was funny.”
Matt nodded. “You also sent the harassing emails to Sheriff Taggert and set up the threatening graffiti at the farm next to hers.”
Dylan shifted his gaze to Bree. His eyes glowed with sick glee. “Did you like the drawings? I enjoyed painting them.”
Bree didn’t respond.
Matt moved on. Dylan was almost gloating, and Matt let him. “How did you meet Stephanie?”
Dylan cocked his head. “She approached me at a bar. She was hot. She didn’t tell me who she was until later. By that time, I was pissed at Oscar. He was going to rat me out in Kenny McPherson’s civil lawsuit.”
“Why did you and Oscar target him in the first place?”
Dylan rubbed the edge of the sheet between his fingers. “Kenny was the first dude Oscar’s ex dated after their divorce. I think they only went out one time, for coffee. Oscar used to follow her. He thought it was hilarious that Kenny and his ex were oblivious to the connection.”
“And after you helped him, Oscar was going to put the blame on you.”