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“Because Catherine didn’t transport those bodies herself, and she certainly didn’t dig four, five-feet deep graves in hard ground with a bunch of tree roots crisscrossing all over the place. She needed an accessory.” Brook didn’t like the resistance that she was getting from the newly minted detective. Had she not had a personal relationship with Theo, Brook would have requested Raines instead, but that’s not how this evening had panned out. “I’d like for you to cover the back. While you’re there, you might want to take a look inside the garage.”
“We don’t have a warrant.”
“I’m not saying you should search an eight-car garage, Detective. I’m simply suggesting that you glance in one or two of the windows as you’re walking past to cover the backdoor. You should know that looking through windows is covered by the plain view doctrine.” Brook’s cheeks were starting to lose sensation. She’d also made sure that her leather gloves had been left inside the van. She currently had her hands inside the pockets of her dress coat, much like Bit. His blue gaze was bouncing between her and Hadley as they continued to argue, which needed to stop if they were going to use their time wisely. “I’m well aware of what the general consensus of profiles is among homicide detectives. And yes, there are times when a profile can be completely off-base. That isn’t the case here, Detective.”
Brook and Hadley had originally come an understanding and a mutual respect. She hoped that was still the case.
“Nolan Kolsby hasn’t been home to his apartment in two days. There’s a reason for that, and I’d like to find out why.”
Hadley had on a winter jacket with the same beanie that she’d worn as an officer. She hadn’t made the full transition to detective, at least in her mindset. Brook had no doubt that the woman would excel in her field, but the shift to investigations was a complete one-eighty. It took time, and that was one thing that they didn’t have on their side.
“Fine. I’ll take the back.”
“You have Bit’s number, so please text if you happen to stumble over anything on your way around the house,” Brook said, wanting to emphasize how important it was that the detective look in all the windows of the garage. “Bit, let me do most of the talking when we get inside the house.”
At least, Brook hoped that they made it over the threshold.
“No worries, Boss. You lead, I follow.”
They finally made it to the grand entrance where Brook rang the doorbell. A quick glance at Bit revealed that his nose and cheeks were red, and his eyes were glassy from the cold. Even standing, his leg jostled in nervous energy.
“What is it?” Brook asked as they waited for someone to answer the door. She’d gotten pretty good at reading the team, and Bit had something on his mind. “Spit it out, Bit. Now isn’t the time to keep your thoughts to yourself.”
“Vests.”
“Vests?”
Brook was used to Bit’s wayward thoughts, but he’d lost her on this one.
“Bullet proof vests with the ability to read our vitals. We need them, Boss. I’ll order them tomorrow,” Bit murmured, lowering his voice even more as the door began to slowly open. “If we live that long.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Brooklyn Sloane
December 2022
Tuesday — 7:53pm
“Whatthehellareyou doing here?”
“I’d like to speak with Nolan, please,” Brook stated, having already positioned herself in the doorway. Unless Brett literally shoved her back with the heavy door, she could successfully make it into the foyer. “He called me a few moments ago.”
“He…” Brett let his words trail off as he glanced over his shoulder. “Peg, call my father. Now.”
Thankfully, Bit didn’t contradict her. He was directly on her heels with his cell phone in his right hand. He should have kept his dominate hand available, but such training wasn’t inherent in him. She’d been easing him into field situations, and she realized that this could technically be called the deep end.
“Mr. Kolsby, I don’t know what your problem is with Nolan calling me. I told him that I was in the area and could stop by,” Brook fabricated as she took another step farther into the foyer. Brett frowned as he unconsciously stepped back so that his personal space wasn’t invaded by her. “Nolan is here, isn’t he? I hope I didn’t misunderstand the conversation.”
“Brett, your father raised you better than to leave guests standing outside in that kind of weather,” Peg admonished as she pushed him aside to open the door a bit wider. She had on her winter coat, scarf, and gloves with a set of keys in her hand. “I was just leaving for the evening, but please, come in. Don’t mind Brett. A lot has happened this evening that maybe you can help us understand.”
“You don’t see what is going on here?” Brett asked with agitation. “It’s obvious that they set this up. The police are at Catherine’s house right now. Did you call Dad like I told you to? I’ll call him. He can send one of his lawyers over here.”
Peg sighed in exasperation as she motioned for Brook and Bit to enter the house before closing the door behind them.
“Again, I apologize for Brett’s behavior.” Peg set her keys down on the entryway table before reaching for the buttons on her coat. “I’ll let Nolan know that you are here and make the two of you some hot cocoa. Unless you prefer coffee or tea. You’ll need something to take the chill off.”
“You don’t need to do that, Peg. Really,” Brook stressed as she motioned for Bit to keep his jacket on. “You were heading home, and we don’t want to keep you. We won’t be long. We just need to have a quick word with Nolan.”
