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“The one on the security system you said couldn’t be beat? No!”
Christian took a stiff inhale. How on earth had someone gottenthrough the door without the key fob?The fob... “Tad, do you have your key fob?”
Silence hung thick in the air as Christian’s Bronco bumped over the ruts in the dirt road, the drop-off only inches from his tires. He rounded the bend, and the road—if it could be deemed one—widened. “Tad?” he pressed.
“Okay, fine. I don’t have it.”
“Where is it?” Christian asked as he headed for the main road that led back to Jeopardy Falls.
Tad swallowed, the slippery, gulping sound echoing over the line. “I think the woman I spent last night with after the gala took it.”
“Riley mentioned she might attend the gala, but she couldn’t make it.”
“It was well attended.”
“And the woman you mentioned?”
“I met her at the gala.”
“She’s not local?”
“I’ve never seen her before last night.”
“So she just strolled into the gala?”
“Yes. It was a semiprivate affair. I sent out invites but welcomed anyone, given it was Friday Night on the Town.”
Their small town had instituted the night on the town for one Friday a month about a year ago, and it had really drummed up business for the eclectic downtown shops.
“Let’s shift back to the gallery,” Christian said. “I’m assuming you used Alex’s fob to get into the building?”
“No. I can’t get in.”
“Why not?” Christian pulled out onto the paved road.
“I can’t reach Alex, despite the fact she’s supposed to open this morning.”
“Okay ... so walk me through what happened with the fob.”
“I woke up and that ... woman was gone, and the fob wasn’t where I’d left it. I searched my place, but it’s not there, so I rushed to the gallery. I stopped at Alex’s place on the way, but no answer. She is so—”
“Settle down, Tad. Let’s think this through. Do you think Martha would let you into Alex’s place if you explained the situation?” Maybe the landlady would understand. Jeopardy Falls was a small enough town where everyone knew everyone, which was still taking time for him to get used to. To be known. Well, known at what he was willing to show, which wasn’t much.
“I’m not leaving my gallery. Not until I get inside and see what damage is done. You get the fob from Martha.”
Christian furrowed his brows. “If you can’t get in the gallery and the alarm didn’t go off, how do you know it’s been robbed?”
“Because I can see the three front cases through the porthole windows in the door. They’re open and empty.” A sob escaped Tad’s throat, though he tried to cover it with a cough.
Christian exhaled. “All right. I’ll call Martha, but she might not feel comfortable letting us in.” It was a lot to ask. “Actually, I think in this case, it’s best to have Sheriff Brunswick to reach out to Martha.”
“That’s a good idea,” Tad said. “Give him a call.”
“Wait?” Christian tapped the wheel. “He’s not there yet?”
“No.”
“Did he give you an ETA?” Maybe Joel was on another call. Their county was large, and with only him and one undersheriff, they had a lot of ground to cover.
