Page 15 of Killer on the Homestead
“Uh-huh.” Gracie glanced at Duncan, gave Rosalie alookthat implied things Rosalie wouldnotacknowledge. “Some case.”
Rosalie scowled, but she didn’t argue with Gracie because she knew all about protesting too much.
But she did find herself looking back at Duncan. He stood with his parents, was about two inches taller than his dad and a few more than his mom. All three were looking at Deputy Stanley, and if the scowl on Duncan’s face was anything to go by, he didn’t like what he was hearing.
Duncan had been out of his element for a bit there. Hard to blame him, though Rosalie would have if he hadn’t snapped out of it once his parents arrived on the scene. She’d watched him very carefully put all hiswhat the hellaway behind a demeanor that was firm and authoritative. He didn’t let Copeland start asking questions until he was sure his parents were ready. He hadn’t let anyone run roughshod over them.
She didn’t care for the fact that she respected it.
“No reason for you to still be here.”
Rosalie looked at Copeland, who’d come to stand next to her. He was clearly about to leave too. “The Kirks are friends of mine.”
“The parents or the baseball player?”
“Both, thank you very much.”
“Small towns,” Copeland muttered with some disgust. Because he was Mr. Big City Hotshot. Except he’d landed here and stayed. So far. “I’m headed back to the department to put some stuff together. Stay away from my murder scene.”
She smiled at him, batted her eyelashes. “Well, ofcourse, Detective.”
Copeland muttered curses all the way to his car. But he said something to a uniformed deputy—notStanley, thank God—and Rosalie knew he’d leave someone posted until they were sure they had all the evidence and pictures taken they needed.
But she could get access to anything she needed. If not through Copeland, then through Hart. Oh, his loyalty would be to the Bent County Sheriff’s Department, but with the right familial pressure, she could get what she wanted.
With that knowledge tucked away, she walked across the yard to Duncan. He was standing alone now, his gaze on where the body had been. Caution tape now marked the spot, and a lone deputy who stood watch.
Duncan turned that dark gaze to her when she approached. He offered a wry smile.
“How are they holding up?” Rosalie asked, nodding at the house.
“Mom’s…upset. Dad’s…upset. I guess that’s really all there is to say. They’ll feel responsible because it happened on their property, even if it had nothing to do with them.”
Rosalie’s heart twisted. What a terrible thing. “Was it one of your cousins?”
Duncan shook his head. “No, I guess this was a friend of one of the second cousins. Had some trouble back in North Dakota, so came here to get his life straightened out with Owen. That’s the cousin.”
“Maybe trouble followed him?”
Duncan nodded. “Sounds like. Owen talked to your detective. I imagine they’ll look into that.”
Rosalie nodded. “Mind if I talk to Owen?”
Duncan studied her. “He’s been through a lot, but… Well, I don’t know that detective. And neither do my parents. But they know you. We trust you.”
Odd that he included himself in thatwe. Odd that it should make her feel something flutter inside of her. Like pressure, when she didn’t believe in pressure.
Because Rosalie Young always got her man. “Good, because I intend to look into this.”
“Whatever the fee, I’ll pay it.”
Rosalie shook her head. “No need. My sister and my cousin live just across that access road. I’m working on this for my own peace of mind over their safety.”
“What about you?”
“What do you mean ‘what about me?’”
“You live there too. You should be safe too.”
