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Blake leaned forward, placing his palms on the table to keep himself steady while easing the tension in his side. “And?”
“Remember Charlie Gallagher? The former South Star employee who tried to kill you during the apartment fire?”
Blake nodded.
“Scarlett requested a comparison against the DNA collected during Gallagher’s autopsy. The partial profile is consistent with his.”
Gwen’s brown eyes widened. “We have proof that Gallagher was involved in Scott Mitchell’s murder?”
“It puts him in the picture,” Lincoln answered. “Doesn’t prove he killed Mitchell, but it gives us another solid connection.”
Emmett folded his arms.
“So Gallagher may have been close enough to Mitchell during the attack to leave his blood on a collar.”
“Exactly. And Scarlett found something else.” Lincoln glanced at his notes. “There was a tiny fragment of synthetic fabric embedded in the dried blood. The fibers are consistent with the kind used in certain protective work gloves.”
“Something a hired killer might wear,” Draven observed.
Lincoln nodded. “Possibly. Scarlett’s being careful about what conclusions she draws.”
Blake stared at the table. “Gallagher worked for South Star. One of the men arrested after the farmhouse attack worked for them, and now Crestview received money from a Whitaker-controlled company shortly before Devon was taken.”
“Different companies,” Gwen chimed in. “Same people pulling the strings.”
“That’s what we’re trying to prove,” Lincoln replied.
Blake looked at Emmett. “Whitaker’s been cleaning up anyone who might expose Meridian. Mitchell and Carol Jenkins knew too much. And once Carol inadvertently brought Devon into the mix, Devon found something he couldn’t afford to let anyone see.”
Emmett nodded grimly. “Which means he needs to know exactly what she uncovered.”
“And whether she gave it to us,” Blake added.
His stomach twisted. Whitaker would question her. And if Devon refused to answer—
“What about the property?” he asked, forcing the gut-wrenching thought aside.
Jethro stepped forward.
“I’ve been looking at the surrounding area.” His deep voice rumbled. “There’s a wooded stretch along the north side. Gives us a decent view of the building without putting anyone too close.”
“Can you cover the entrances?” Emmett asked.
“Most of them. The loading area is partially blocked by an adjoining structure, but I can watch the main entrance and the eastern side.”
Emmett nodded. “Good. I want you watching for anyone coming or going. If Devon’s inside, we need to make sure they don’t move her before we’re ready.”
“Agreed.” Jethro’s dark brown eyes remained steady.
Gwen pointed toward the rear of the building. “The old rehabilitation center had a service entrance here. According to the renovation permits, they replaced the door and upgraded the locks.”
Lincoln looked her way. “Please tell me you’re not about to suggest blowing it off its hinges.”
Gwen arched a brow. “Would you prefer I knock politely?”
“I’d prefer not having to explain to a judge why half a building is missing.”
“Relax, Detective.” The tiny blonde grinned. “I know the difference between opening a door and leveling a structure.”
