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“You were scared.” Terra patted her hand. “I believe you. But do you have any idea who could have taken the knife and then dropped it in the alley?”
She frowned. “No. All I know is that night I heard the back door shut as I was entering the room. The thing is, I put the knife in with the others. I panicked. But I’ve been thinking about the mistake I made, and it’s important.”
Terra shifted, trying to hide her impatience.
“I’m trying to tell you that the knife didn’t belong here to begin with.”
“What do you mean?”
“I catalogue each item. When I had the chance, I went back through the data and that knife is an artifact, yes, but it isn’t ours.”
Terra hid her surprise. “We need to find out who dropped the knife in the alley. It could be someone who never even came into the museum. But the proximity makes me wonder...”
“We had a couple of tour groups that day.”
Maybe someone wanted to mislead the investigation, like she suspected. Make them look closely at the museum. Or dropping the knife could have been a mistake. Criminals inadvertently leaving evidence behind was how law enforcement found them. Terra pulled up a picture on her cell of Leif Morrisey at Owen’s and showed it to Valerie. “Have you seen this man before?”
Valerie’s eyes widened. “Yes. In fact, I answered some of his questions on the Native American displays. He asked if we had other artifacts—from the Middle East—but we don’t have those.”
Terra’s cell rang, and she let it go to voice mail.
Could the knife have come from Jim’s collection at the cabin? She could imagine Leif following Jim to the cabin or meeting him there and killing Jim. Leif must have intended to slip the knife into the collection at the museum but dropped it.
“We’ll look at the security videos again.” They had been focusing on the volunteers and employees.
An elderly man with white wisps of hair and spectacles cleared his throat. Terra hadn’t realized he’d entered the room. “The sheriff’s offices ... well, Detective Tanner has a copy of the security footage. Oh, excuse me, I’m Dr. Bellinger. Curator and manager.” He thrust out his hand.
“USFS Special Agent Terra Connors.” Terra smiled. “Okay, then, I’ll check with the detective. I appreciate the information. Please contact me if you think of something else that could help.”
Terra exited through the back door and found herself in the alley. Sure enough, the back of Bar Wars was conveniently located across from the museum. Star Wars collectors, clandestine meetings between possible artifact traffickers? The murder weapon dropped in the alley between the two?
What had Leif been up to? Planting a murder weapon? Searching for the package? Looking for a connection between the bar’s collectors and the museum and the artifact? Whatever the reason, his search had killed him.
And too many others.
Her cell buzzed. She glanced down and read the text from Jeremy. He’d learned something more and wanted her to call when she was free. She listened to the voice mail that had come in earlier. Marcus Briggs wanted to meet with her to talk strategy? He must be as good as Gramps made him out to be. He could want to get a better read on her support of her grandfather so he could know what he could count on, or what he was up against.
Terra rubbed her scalp as she headed to her vehicle. She was much too popular today. She still felt shaken from last night’s experience. Early in the conversation with Valerie, a distant drum had started beating in Terra’s head, and now the pounding had closed in and decided to stay. She’d contact Jeremy later and instead stick to her original plan to stop by her apartment. She needed her own space. Before heading out, she called Jack but got his voice mail, so she detailed her meeting with Valerie, including that the security videos should be reviewed again. She also let him know she needed space today and would reach out to him tomorrow.
With no more news from her superior, Terra headed home. On the drive, she thought about her conversations with Owen and Gramps. It was probably best if she were removed from the case. She suspected the additional agencies—the FBI Art Crime Division in particular—could possibly take over soon. And she wouldn’t have to work with Jack anymore.
She wouldn’t have to see him again.
At her apartment, the place felt strange and empty—and also lonely without Sudoku. She texted her neighbor Allie to see if she was home. If so, Terra would be over soon to see if Su remembered her. When she didn’t receive an immediate text back, she showered and changed into jeans and a fresh T-shirt.
Adrenaline rushed out of her, and she sank onto the sofa and let the tears fall.
All the recent events charged at her.
The images, the emotions that took front and center related to Jack collapsing. All the blood. Then the tender and yet passionate kiss—years of pent-up emotions finally liberated—and Terra’s subsequent statement, declaring an end to any hope of a future for the two of them.
Who was she kidding? She still totally cared about the guy. Okay, well, she would admit to herself in this moment ... she still loved him.
Loved?
Had she ever truly stopped?
In his letter, Jack had told her, “I love you enough to let you go.” At the time, she’d thought he’d simply chosen his career over her. He’d hurt her, but she got it now. Jack had believed she deserved better than him or what he could give her. He believed he wasn’t good enough. And look, he’d come full circle. He’d proven himself . . . well, to himself. He’d moved beyond the lack of self-worth and profound pain his father had left him with.
