Cross Her Heart (Bree Taggert #1)(14)

Brody trotted across the tile and disappeared into the bedroom.

“You don’t have to cage your dog,” she said.

“It’s fine. Brody doesn’t mind his crate. It’s his den, not a punishment.” Though Matt hadn’t used it often since the dog retired, but he sensed the dog made her nervous.

She walked a circle around his kitchen.

Matt started a pot of coffee. “Have you eaten?”

“I’m not hungry, but I’d appreciate some coffee.” She stripped off her wool coat and hung it on the back of a chair, along with a slim purse. Standing at the french doors that overlooked the backyard, with its kennel and dog runs, she rubbed her arms. “How many dogs do you have?”

“There are six in the kennel, but only Brody belongs to me.” Matt came to stand beside her. “When I built the kennels, my goal was to train K-9s. Before I could get the business going, my sister filled the kennel. She runs a dog rescue organization.” He handed her a mug.

She wrapped both hands around it. “Thank you.”

“You don’t like dogs?” he asked, glancing sideways.

Her brows drew together.

“I was bitten as a child.” She clamped her mouth shut as if embarrassed by the admission, but he could tell there was more to the story. She stared down at her coffee. “The deputy said you found my sister.”

“Yes. I’m so sorry.”

She nodded, a short choke sounding deep in her throat. She swallowed. “Can you tell me about it?”

“I was supposed to drive Justin to his NA meeting. He didn’t answer the door, so I went in. I found her on the bedroom floor.” Matt didn’t give details. She’d ask when she was ready to hear them.

She shuddered and closed her eyes for a few seconds. When she opened them, she’d composed herself. “But Justin wasn’t there?”

“No,” Matt said. Did she think he’d helped Justin get away?

“Why was Erin at his house? And where is Justin?”

“I don’t know.” Matt pictured the scene.

Bree’s eyes narrowed. “That makes no sense.”

He shrugged.

She was quiet for a few minutes. “You’re no longer with the sheriff’s department?”

“No. Brody and I were shot three years ago.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” She gave him a sympathetic look. “What do you do now?”

“It was friendly fire, so there was a settlement. We won’t starve.” Matt flexed his hand. The pink scar in the center of his palm stretched as he opened his fist. He’d taken a bullet in the back too. Ironically, that one hadn’t hit anything vital. The nerve damage in his hand was permanent. “I can’t shoot with my right at all. Unfortunately, it’s my dominant hand. No more law enforcement for me.”

Overshare.

He cleared his throat. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

She shook her head. “I called the ME’s office. They’ll call me when I can see Erin.” Her voice faltered. She looked away, her eyes troubled.

“Let me go with you,” he offered. “No one should have to do that alone.”

She glanced up at him. For a minute, he thought she was going to turn him down.

“Thank you. I’d appreciate that.” She took a long, shaky breath. “I haven’t seen the kids yet. I don’t know what to say to them.”

“All you can do is be there,” he said.

“On that note, I should go.” She turned and set her mug on the kitchen island. Pivoting to face him again, she said, “What’s going on with the sheriff’s department and this chief deputy?”

“They haven’t had a sheriff for some time. The previous one was corrupt and committed suicide. Since then, the department has lost half its deputies.”

“Chief Deputy Harvey didn’t run for office?”

“No,” Matt said. “He doesn’t want the job. So far, neither does anyone else. The whole department needs to be rebuilt.”

“Do you have any faith in his ability to solve my sister’s murder?”

Matt was honest. “I don’t know. I think he’ll try, but he doesn’t have much investigative experience.”

She met his eyes. “Do you think Justin did it?”

“No,” Matt said with no hesitation. “He isn’t the violent or abusive type.”

“Addicts can be unpredictable.”

“Justin took all the responsibility for their separation. He was determined to stay sober and win Erin back.” Matt paused. “He still loved her.”

“The evidence against him is strong.”

“I know.”

Bree pressed a knuckle to her mouth for a moment. Lowering her hand, she straightened her shoulders. “I’m going to find the truth, with or without the chief deputy.”

“I want to find Justin. I don’t think he killed Erin.” Matt could think of no scenario in which Justin would harm his wife—or anyone else. Justin’s nature was not violent.

“The significant other is always the primary suspect. Statistically, there’s a good chance he’s guilty,” she challenged. “My father killed my mother.”