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“Okay.”
He eased into the chair beside her. “What did you find?”
She opened the planner to the page where Val’s name had been written. “I can’t help but wonder why Val met with Matthew. Could you question him about their meeting?”
“Of course.” He’d not only talk to him about Matthew but also poke around and see if the guy still had feelings for her. Jealousy was always a good motive for murder.
“They could have met over his father’s business.” Her chin lifted. “Have you heard anything about Wheeler Land Management?”
Brett hadn’t expected that. “A while back, I heard something about the FBI keeping tabs on their auction house. Some believed rustlers from other states were selling cattle there. I didn’t pay much attention. Marshals don’t usually get involved unless the FBI needs help.”
“Do you have a friend in the FBI you could call?”
“I do, and I will.” He let out a long whoosh of air as he glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall. “I promised Gabe I’d be at the office around noon.” Besides, he wanted to check with Char and Coop about how they found Big Bertha and hopefully her boyfriend. If they got a confession from them about shooting Ted and Olivia, that would lessen the charges against Dania. But he didn’t tell her that. He didn’t want to get her hopes up. “I’d better scoot.”
“Will you do one more thing for me?” She gave him a sheepish look.
“Anything.” There was no way he’d refuse her.
“Would you ask Vanessa to meet you here? I really think she’d help us, but I can’t very well go to her office.” She glanced at the planner. “She would know what some of these meetings were and if Val isn’t forthcoming with information, she might be able to tell us about his appointment with Matthew.”
He rubbed his chin a moment. “Why don’t I question her alone in her office? As a criminal lawyer, for her to meet with you, she would be committing a felony.”
Dania took a deep breath. “I didn’t think of that.”
“I also wanted to talk with Matt’s secretary. I could meet with both of them.” He could imagine not being more involved would be tough for Dania. She was anxious to do something. But the fewer people who saw her, the better.
“I think talking with Sherry would be a good thing.” She paused, then added, “But talk to them separately. If Vanessa is there, Sherry might not say as much as she would if she were alone.”
“You got it. This isn’t my first rodeo.” Relieved that she agreed, he grabbed his keys off the wall peg. Seeing Gran’s keys to her Tracker, he grabbed those as well. No sense in leaving temptation behind. “Please stay here. Don’t answer the door. And if I call on Gran’s landline, I’ll let it ring once and hang up. Then I’ll call again and you can answer.”
“Got it. And I promise, I won’t answer the door.” She pointed to Matt’s planner. “I’m going to pore over this. I merely scanned it before, but this time, I’ll look for details and anything that makes me question.”
He wrote his cell number on a sticky note and gave it to her. “Call me if you think of something.”
Jasper tried to follow him. Brett stopped and stroked the golden retriever’s head. “You need to stay here, buddy, and take care of Dania.”
She patted her leg, coaxing the dog to come to her. Jasper rushed to her side. She took hold of his collar and rubbed behind his ear. “That’s a good boy.”
As Brett pulled out of the driveway, he saw the curtains in Rex’s living room window move. At least Brett had someone else watching Gran’s house. If anything happened, he’d know where to go for answers.
* * *
Parking in front of the county courthouse, where the marshals’ district office was on the second floor, Brett pulled his cell phone out, found Vanessa Cromwell’s office number, and called her.
The secretary answered. “Cromwell Law, this is Sherry. How may I help you?” Her friendly tone must help make prospective clients more comfortable.
“I’m Deputy Marshal Brett Rollins. I’m sure you’ve heard that Dania Black escaped. Since her late husband used to work for Ms. Cromwell and you, I believe, were his secretary, I’d like to meet with you and Ms. Cromwell sometime today.”
“Deputy, stop by the office anytime. I’m always available. Ms. Cromwell isn’t in the office right now, but I expect her back shortly. She has a full afternoon, but no matter who she’s with, I know Ms. Cromwell will be happy to meet with you.”
“Does this afternoon work?”
“Yes.”
“Good, I’ll see you then.” He hung up and got out of the car. He pressed Sheriff Kennard’s number and started walking.
“Sheriff’s office, Kennard speaking.”
