Cat's Claw (A Pecan Springs Mystery)

suppressed a gasp. George Timms was
dead
? She said the first thing that came into her mind. “Suicide?”
    “Not suicide, no,” China replied. “I found his body down by the creek. Looks like a mountain lion kill. There’s no weapon anywhere. And no sign that anyone else has been here in the past couple of days.”
    “Where’s
here
?” Sheila demanded irately. She turned the key in the ignition. “And what the hell are you doing there?”
    “It’s the party place George Timms built last year, a few miles to thewest of our house, off Limekiln Road. McQuaid told me about it last night. On my way to town this morning, I decided—on an impulse, I confess—to check it out.” China took a deep breath, speaking cautiously now. “I’ve had a quick look around, Sheila. I think you ought to get a search warrant for this place. There are some items here that might be relevant to your investigation into the computer shop break-in—the blackmail end of things.”
    “I see,” Sheila said, pulling out her notebook. “What, specifically?” The search warrant request required the police to state what evidentiary items they would be looking for.
    China paused, then gave a succinct description as Sheila, only half-believing what she heard, took notes. “I’m guessing that some of this stuff is on Timms’ computer as well,” China added, “which might be the reason he was so anxious to retrieve it. Now that he’s dead, you won’t be making a case against him. But there’s a distinct possibility that another person or persons might be involved, and if so—”
    “I understand,” Sheila said. Who could’ve guessed that the case might go in this direction? “I’ll ask Bartlett to get the warrant. We’ll have to coordinate with the sheriff’s office, but that shouldn’t be a problem.”
    “Great,” China replied, sounding relieved. “You headed out here?”
    “As quick as I can get there,” Sheila said. “Where’s here?”
    “West on Limekiln about fourteen miles, two miles past the turnoff to our place. Turn right on Paint Horse Road, go approximately two miles, left on gravel at a pair of mailboxes, to the end of the road. You’ll see my car and Timms’ Corvette—and by that time, the county mounties will no doubt be here.”
    “Thanks,” Sheila said. “Look for me in twenty minutes or less.” She clicked off, then reached down and grabbed the light and slapped it on the dash. She swung away from the curb, keying in Bartlett’s cell phoneas she drove. She caught him as he was heading for the station and relayed the news.
    “Jeez.” He whistled incredulously. “A
cat
? I can’t think of a worse way to go.”
    Sheila shuddered, agreeing. “I got a tip that there are some items out there that might be relevant to the blackmail case. I need you to draw up a warrant and get Judge Porterfield to sign off on it. Here’s what we’re looking for.” She picked up her notebook and detailed the items on the list China had given her. “Oh, and coordinate with the sheriff’s office. They’ll be investigating the death, and they’ll need to know that we’ve got a related case.”
    “Gotcha,” Bartlett said briskly. “I’ll bring the warrant out myself.” He paused. “Guess I need to cancel the morning’s briefing.”
    “Roger that,” Sheila said. “It might be a good idea to put the team on standby. It’s possible that we’ll need them at Timms’ place. Oh, and bring your camera when you come, Jack. I want to get on-the-spot photos of whatever we find, and the sheriff’s guys will be busy with the body.”
    She closed her phone, hit the siren, and pushed down hard on the accelerator.

Chapter Thirteen

    Sheila stood beside the deputy, looking down at the twig-covered body of George Timms.
    “Mountain lion,” the deputy said. His face was grim. “Looks like a big one.”
    The other deputy unhooked his radio from his belt. “We need Parks and Wildlife out here. Ask them to bring a team and get a hunt under way.” He looked back at the drag marks in the leaf litter. “Dogs, too.”
    “You need to talk to the volunteer who coordinates our Search and Rescue Unit,” Sheila said. “Martha Meacham. She’ll know whose hounds are available for deployment. She could probably have some dogs out here in a couple of hours, with backup, if you need it.”
    “The sooner the better,” the first deputy said, and took out his clipboard and tape measure to sketch the scene. “But