More often than not, Randy had been off duty at the time of each killing, including being off the evening of the fire. He recalled hanging up from his call with Brittany to find Randy standing in his doorway. The man had known he was going to the grocery store, had heard him tell Brittany he’d probably see her there, so he could’ve easily slashed her tires.
If he was the one who left the note at her apartment, he’d known her well enough to guess she’d want to check on her horse. He wouldn’t have had to follow too close.
It pissed Joel off when he thought of Randy ‘assisting’ with his investigation all this time. He’d royally screwed up there, trusting the guy because Ryan had assigned the ranger to help him from the start. He didn’t blame Ryan, he blamed himself for overlooking something he never should’ve missed.
Impotent fury doubled when he recalled Randy showing up at the hospital to check on Brittany after having attempted to burn them alive. His concern had appeared genuine at the time, and he’d managed to fool everyone.
Reining in his emotions, Joel gathered the paperwork and texted Aaron he was on his way over. His jaw ached by the time he strode into the sheriff’s office to present the evidence. After Aaron reviewed everything, he led Joel to the desk of the man reviewing the emailed photos.
“You were spot on with those footprints,” he said.
“See here?” The tech pointed to a digitally enhanced close-up of the photos side by side. “Notice how the tread on the left side of the heel is not so deep and there’s a gouge from the sole?”
Aaron and Joel both leaned in for a closer look.
“It matches perfectly with this first photograph.” The technician spun in his chair to face them with a solemn expression. “I’d say it’s ninety-nine percent likely you’ve found your man.”
“He left early today,” Joel informed the officers. “Said he was sick.”
“Want to come with me to go check?” Aaron offered.
“Hell yes.”
“Figured you would.”
Joel glanced at his watch as he got into his truck to follow the sheriff over to Randy’s house. Seeing as he was supposed to pick up Brittany in twenty minutes, he pulled out his phone to call Mark, then swore when he remembered the stable manager’s number was programmed into his phone, not the loaner he was using from the police.
Aaron’s squad car left the lot. A second and third car followed. Indecision made Joel hesitate. Once they took Gifford into custody, she’d be safe and it wouldn’t matter if he was a few minutes late. Then again, right about now, he’d much rather see her face than Randy’s.
He texted Aaron that he’d catch up to them later and made the turn for Highlands.
Chapter 32
She shouldn’t be watching the clock. Shouldn’t be counting the minutes until Joel arrived. And yet…it was twenty-three minutes until five p.m. Mark had left for his meeting, everyone else had left at four, and she and Casey were feeding the horses before Joel picked her up.
Lifting one of the bales of hay Casey had brought back from his dad’s place to tide them over until an emergency load arrived, she followed him into the main corral.
“So, this thing with Morgan, is it serious?”
She shrugged and tossed the bale into the feeding trough.
“He’s very protective of you.”
And she loved that about him. “He’s just doing his job.”
Casey laughed as he sliced the baling twine from both bales. “Park ranger duties do not include being a bodyguard.”
Colorado nudged her in the back and she moved out of his way. She ran her hand along the gelding’s back before walking toward the gate.
“Come on, Britt, it’s me.”
“Why do you think I’m not talking?” she teased.
“Well, for the record, I like him.”
She latched the gate after he’d gone through. “Yeah. So do I.”
He grinned, then they both turned at the sound of an engine to see Randy’s blue truck rolling to a stop in front of the charred remains of the barn. As he stepped out of his truck, he stared at the pile of rubble. “Wow.”