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Anthony suddenly leaned forward, returning his mug to the table. “Unless he didn’t want anyone to know what he was doing.”
“Why do you say that?” Kaden demanded.
“The security cameras were switched off.”
Kaden sucked in a sharp breath. “By Burke or someone else?”
“I watched the tape,” Anthony answered. “It was Burke who turned them off.”
“Why?” Lia asked in confusion.
“I don’t know, but there was a hidden safe in his office that was left open.”
Kaden stiffened. “Was there anything in it?”
Anthony shook his head. “Empty.”
That did it, Kaden silently decided. The chances that Burke’s death was nothing more than a tragic accident had gone from small to zero. There had to have been something inside that safe. Something worth killing for.
So, why was the Pike Sheriff’s Department pretending nothing unusual had happened? They should be doing a full investigation. Or, better yet, calling in the state officials to take over. There had to be some department that had the resources to discover how Burke had died and who was responsible.
“Tate didn’t think any of that was suspicious?” Kaden growled.
“He said it was an accident and that was that. But he looked . . .” Anthony grimaced. “Tense. Like he was disturbed by Burke’s death.”
“I suppose that’s not surprising,” Lia murmured. “They were friends, weren’t they?”
Anthony was shaking his head before she finished speaking. “Not friends like I have. I think they went golfing together and showed up at the same fancy parties, but when they were together they seemed weird.”
Lia blinked. “Weird?”
“Antagonistic.” The deputy looked proud at being able to use such a big word. As if he’d practiced it. “Like they could barely stand to be in each other’s company.”
Kaden tapped a finger on the edge of the table, considering Anthony’s assessment of the mayor and Burke’s relationship. It sounded like two men bound by expediency rather than genuine companionship. Was it just because they were both rich and powerful? Or was it something else that held them together?
Kaden ground his teeth together. More questions without answers.
“Was there anything else?” he asked.
“Yeah. When I was examining the body, I found a scrap of paper in his hand. It looked like the corner of a manila envelope. I’m guessing he was holding the envelope and the killer ripped it out of his hand.” Anthony leaned back to unzip his thick coat. Then, reaching into an inner pocket, he pulled out a stack of photos. He handed them to Kaden. “Here are the pictures I took of the crime scene.”
“Thanks.”
Kaden took them with a surge of surprise. It was one thing to have the deputy share information about Burke’s death. After all, the mayor was writing it off as an accident. But to get official crime scene photos . . .
As if realizing he was risking his job, Anthony shoved himself to his feet and snatched his hat from the table.
“If anyone asks how you got those pictures, I’m going to claim I don’t have a damned clue,” he warned.
Kaden held up the pictures. “Can I ask what you hope we can do with them?”
“I know Tate is covering up something, just like I know there’s a killer in Pike.” Anthony shook his head in frustration. “But Zac would have my ass if I did anything that might jeopardize the perp getting convicted if there ever is a real investigation.” He glanced from Kaden to Lia. “I’m a deputy, I have to follow the rules. You don’t.”
* * *
Tate waited until midday before returning to the meatpacking plant. As he’d hoped, most of the employees were gathered in the lunchroom for their break . . . including the receptionist.
Moving to the desk, he hit the button that would unlock the door to the inner offices. There was a buzzing sound, followed by a soft click as the door swung open, and Tate hurried through the opening and down the hall. He had every right to be there. He was the acting sheriff. It was his duty to make a thorough search of the area, even if Burke’s death had been an accident.
