Page 23 of Hideaway Reunion

“No, sir,” Roni said. “It’s outdoor storage as you can see, so I can’t vouch for any wildlife, but we do our best to keep things clean and organized in there.”

“Can I ask what prompted this search?” she asked the chief.

Vanbeck intervened with a smug, patronizing smile. “We have a sworn statement from a witness who saw you steal a major cache of ECMs from the construction site last night. As lead counsel for the developers, who are now clearly unable to stay on schedule, I felt a responsibility to be present.”

“Quiet, Mr. Vanbeck,” the chief scolded. “You’re representing a private corporation and you’re here as a courtesy. I can revoke the privilege at any time.”

Brayden shifted, putting himself between the attorney and Veronica. He moved with such an intense, lethal confidence that Vanbeck instinctively took a step back. “I’m aware of our rights,” he said. “You have no legal standing to participate in a search. You’re standing on private property at the owner’s discretion, but I assure you, if you set one foot past that threshold, I will have you arrested for criminal trespass.”

“Careful, Mr. Leggett,” Sergeant Kinney warned. “Mind your manners, Mr. Vanbeck.”

Brayden jerked his chin in the affirmative while Vanbeck’s face turned red.

“I hope whoever gave you this sworn statement is prepared for a massive civil lawsuit for defamation,” she grumbled.

Morton led the way into the shed and Veronica gripped Brayden’s hand, not caring much about public opinion right now. She needed the comfort, and the reminder not to blow her top.

“What’s that statement say?” Morton called out.

Caldwell flipped a page on the paperwork. “Says she dragged an industrial crate here to the shed. Came out without it.” He gave the size and description of the crate.

They listened as the deputy shifted things around. “Got it.”

Veronica turned her gaze to the ocean, her heart in her throat despite Brayden’s reassurances. Beside her, Brayden might as well have been turned to stone, his focus on the attorney.

“Crate is documented. Location matches statement. Ready to open,” Morton said.

She heard more movement and some clicks that were probably latches flipping open. Then nothing more than a long silence.

“What is this, Vanbeck?” Deputy Morton bellowed as he walked back into the morning light. He held up an evidence bag full of small hardware. Nuts, bolts, washers, and more, from shiny and new to used and rusty.

Veronica didn’t dare look at Brayden. Items like that were exactly what her sister Natalie collected for her various mixed media sculptures and design.

“No sign of the high value goods you claim have been stolen.”

“We have a witness.”

Morton stepped forward. “And you will present your witness for another interview. Immediately.”

“Of course,” Vanbeck agreed absently. “Where are the ECMs? Those modules are essential for our business here.”

The deputy shook the bag. “No idea. There’s no tech here. Just a crate full of junk.”

“No. That’s impossible!” The attorney broke Brayden’s rule and stormed into the shed to look for himself. “It was... it was supposed to be⁠—”

“Supposed to be what, Mr. Vanbeck?” Veronica asked, her temper barely restrained. She didn’t know how Brayden had pulled this off, but she was forever grateful.

He touched her back now, reminding her to stand down. Losing it now could trash his plan.

“You seem remarkably well-informed about what was supposed to be in a private garden shed,” Caldwell observed. “We should discuss that.”

“No,” Vanbeck exited the shed, face pale and brow furrowed in confusion. “My information came solely from the statement.” His bravado and composure completely disintegrated. “I... I only meant the tipster was very specific⁠—”

“The tipster was a liar,” Deputy Morton grumbled. He went back into the shed and dragged out the crate, a cloud of dust trailing him. He glared at Vanbeck. “This is a waste of time, and county resources. There are no high-value stolen goods here.”

“But they must have moved it!” Vanbeck accused. His gaze landed on Brayden. “The security consultant did this. He must’ve found the goods and moved them. Search his car! Search the house!”

“The warrant is specific to the garden shed based on your witness statement, Mr. Vanbeck,” Caldwell said.