Bucking Bronc Lodge 04(57)

Trees shook in the breeze, then a shadow moved.

She froze, prepared to scream for Miles, but the man moved into view and she realized it was the mailman.

She exhaled a sigh of relief, then paced the yard, her senses alert for strangers. Five minutes passed, then ten, then fifteen. Where was Miles?

What if the killer had been waiting and ambushed him? She hadn’t heard a gunshot or any commotion...

She stepped back up to the doorway and called his name. “Miles, are you okay?”

Footsteps pounded on the wood floor, then he appeared, frowning.

Jordan wanted to rush to him and throw her arms around him, to feel him next to her, living and breathing. “I was worried.”

“Sorry.” He shrugged. “The woman’s not here, but I did a quick search to see if there was any clue as to where she is or where Dugan might go.”

“Did you find anything?”

He shook his head. “No. I even checked the man’s message machine but there was nothing.”

“How about a cell phone or computer?” Jordan asked.

“No cell. If he had one, the killer must have taken it. I looked at his computer but didn’t find any references to Janet Bridges.”

“If she was hiding from Dugan, maybe she changed her name or they used a code.”

Miles worked his mouth side to side. “Probably. I have to call this in and get a forensics team to process the scene.” He called the number, identified himself, then explained about the body and gave the police the address.

“Yes, he was dead when I arrived. No sign of the killer or the woman Janet Bridges.” He explained his reasons for being there as he carefully sidestepped the body.

Minutes later, a siren wailed and a police car careened down the street and into the drive. Miles peeled off his gloves and jammed them in the inside pocket of his jacket, then took Jordan’s arm and escorted her around front to meet the police.

He stowed his weapon and identified himself as soon as the uniformed officer exited his patrol car.

“Detective McGregor. I called in the murder.” He flashed his badge and the two officers approached. “This is Jordan Keys.”

“Officers Rameriz and Stoner,” the heavier cop said by way of introduction. “What were you two doing here?”

“The man who lived here was friends with a female who was once close to Robert Dugan. We thought she might know where he was headed.”

Another car drove up, and a man wearing a gray suit and wire-rimmed glasses strode toward them carrying a medical bag. “Assistant medical examiner Carson Pullman,” the man said. “Where’s the body?”

Miles gestured toward the house. “Kitchen. In the back.”

Officer Stoner followed the medical examiner while Officer Rameriz took their statement. “Did you touch anything inside?”

Miles shook his head. “I did a sweep through in search of the woman and to make sure the house was clear, then put on gloves and checked the computer.”

Rameriz raised a brow. “How did you get in?”

“We knocked on the front door but there was no answer, so we walked around back. The door was open.”

“Unlocked?” Rameriz asked. This time he angled his head toward Jordan for confirmation.

“Yes,” she said. “And before you ask, no, I didn’t go inside. When Miles spotted the blood, he told me to stay outside while he made sure the killer was gone.”

Rameriz gave a short nod and closed his notepad. “All right. Thanks for calling it in.”

“You’ll get a forensics team to process the scene, won’t you?” Miles asked.

Rameriz nodded. “They should be here any minute.”

“I did a preliminary check of the man’s computer, but didn’t find anything. Ask them to look for any references to a woman named Janet Bridges. Also any family member’s name, or mention of Robert Dugan.”

“You think she was helping Dugan?” Rameriz asked.

Miles made a hissing sound. “I don’t know. Her girlfriend claims she was running from him. My guess is, he tracked her here and killed this guy to try to find her.” He tipped his Stetson as if to shade his eyes. “Whether or not Connor gave her up before Dugan offed him is the question. And if we find her, she might have information to help us nail Dugan on the other murders.”

“You’re sure he did this?” Rameriz asked. “Maybe Janet Bridges killed Connor and she’s joined Dugan.”

Jordan considered that possibility. “At this point we can’t be sure,” she admitted. “For all we know, he killed the boyfriend, then forced her to go with him.”

Rameriz chewed over her suggestion. “I’ll have the team search the computer, his car, his phone records and see what we can find.”