Scattered Graves

and Peeks were killed. I think Peeks retrieved your bullets from a target after you left because he and his fellow conspirators were planning to kill someone and to frame you. Somewhere along the line the shit really hit the fan and the plans changed.’’
‘‘I see where you’re going with this,’’ Garnett said. ‘‘Let’s suppose they did need bullets fired from my gun. If it were me doing it, I’d find a way to get into the reference collection that’s kept by Ballistics. They keep spent bullets from every officer’s gun on file for comparison with bullets fired during a police action.’’
‘‘Good idea,’’ said Diane. ‘‘I should have thought of that.’’
‘‘All this is plausible,’’ he said. ‘‘But how can we prove it?’’
‘‘Bryce and Rikki are the keys,’’ she said. ‘‘We have to find out from them somehow.’’
Garnett was silent a moment, quietly nodding his head. He rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands.
‘‘At least this gives me some hope,’’ he said. ‘‘I know how paranoids feel now. I was thinking that Izzy and Janice were in on some plot against me, along with everyone else.’’
Diane smiled. ‘‘Just keep the faith. We’ll figure this thing out.’’
Garnett looked better when she left than when she had arrived—a good sign. Diane went to find Janice Warrick.
Janice was at her desk going over some of the same crime photos that Diane had pored over earlier. Diane pulled up a chair and sat down.
‘‘Do you know what this is?’’ Janice showed her a picture of the bloodstain under the hallway chest.
‘‘I think so. That’s why I wanted to talk with you.’’
Diane went over the scenario again. It was received better each time she presented it. Frank thought she was nuts at first. Garnett
Janice was excited about
was cautiously optimistic. it. Either she was getting really good at explaining her theory or Janice knew something Diane didn’t.
‘‘I hope this is helpful,’’ said Diane, silently urging her to share.
‘‘It is.’’ Janice leaned closer. ‘‘One of the things we found in Peeks’ apartment was a small jar of spent bullets. We gave them to Ballistics, but they weren’t a priority. It just looked like he collected used bullets. But now . . . I’ll check the Ballistics reference collec tion for anything missing.’’
Diane felt a remarkable sense of relief. Secretly, she herself had thought she was a little nuts.
‘‘I spoke with Garnett,’’ said Diane. ‘‘I thought he needed a boost, and I know you have to walk a pretty fine line. Actually, I do too, but they watch you more closely.’’
Janice’s grin surprised Diane. She was all geared up to defend herself for meddling.
‘‘I was also hoping Garnett would remember some thing. We’ll see,’’ added Diane. ‘‘Did you get a chance to speak with Curtis Crabtree?’’
‘‘Haven’t been able to find him. We have an APB out.’’ Janice grinned again. ‘‘I feel this coming to a good end.’’
Diane could see that a good end included commen dations to Janice for solving Rosewood’s case of the decade. Diane hoped it came to pass.
‘‘I need to talk to Chief Monroe. Do you think he’s in?’’ said Diane.
Janice looked a little suspicious. Diane was sure Ja nice didn’t want her thunder stolen. Diane didn’t blame her. Janice had to work hard in a sometimes hostile male-dominated police force to get to where she was. She needed credit when credit was due her.
‘‘I think he is,’’ said Janice. ‘‘He’s been fielding calls from reporters. Having two leaders killed within a couple of days has brought us a lot of attention. It’s very high profile. The chief is thinking about letting the FBI take a look at Jefferies’ computer.’’
‘‘Anyone who can crack it will be good,’’ said Diane. She didn’t say that it would piss David off, not to mention Frank.
Diane went upstairs to the office of the chief of police. Acting mayor Edward Van Ross was with him.

Chapter 40
    ‘‘I’m glad you came by,’’ said Mayor Van Ross. ‘‘I was going to call.’’
    Even though it was Chief Monroe’s office and the chief was sitting behind his desk, it was Edward Van Ross who motioned to a chair and indicated for Diane to sit down.
    ‘‘I haven’t spoken with Vanessa yet,’’ said Diane, taking a seat. ‘‘Already, the ‘Danger, Will Robinson’ part of the contract has been violated.’’
    Edward smiled. ‘‘That