Page 38 of Deputies Under Fire
“Me, me, me,” Tyler gushed, using a slightly different inflection from what he’d called Leslie.
Eden sneaked in another quick kiss to Tyler’s cheek, and then she went back into the nursery. Rory had already put on his boots and was in the process of strapping on his shoulder holster.
“About an hour ago, Dispatch received an anonymous call saying there was a body by the welcome sign for town. Judson and Garrison responded,” he said, referring to their fellow deputies, Judson Docherty and Garrison Zimmer, who was a rookie. “And they did indeed find a body.” He paused. “It’s Carter.”
Eden had to do a mental double take, and she shook her head. “Carter?” she repeated. “Does Ike even know him?”
“We’ll soon find out because when Judson and Garrison got to the scene, Ike was there,” Rory explained.
Oh, mercy. “Did Ike kill him?”
Rory groaned and scrubbed his hand over his face. “To be determined. I’m going out there now, but if you’d rather stay here—”
“I’ll get dressed and go with you.” Yes, part of her did want to stay with Tyler, but this was their investigation, and she also wanted a chance to talk to Ike.
Especially since Ike might be on the verge of being arrested.
Eden tried not to speculate as to what had happened. Instead, she hurried to the bathroom to get dressed while Rory made his way downstairs. When she joined him less than five minutes later, she found him in the kitchen with Dutton, Grace, Nash, Leslie and Tyler. Tyler was in a high chair and was making a mess with his oatmeal.
“Rory told us,” Grace said, and even though she had her baby cuddled in her arms, it was obvious she was champing at the bit to be involved with the case. Thankfully, she didn’t insist, though. “Bennie dropped off a cruiser about a half hour ago,” she added a moment later.
Rory nodded his thanks and took the keys that Grace motioned to on the table. “We’ll let you know the details as soon as we have them,” Rory assured her, and then he shifted his attention to Dutton. They didn’t say anything to each other, but a look passed between them.
A look of dread, mixed with relief.
Because if Ike was indeed the killer, they could arrest him so he couldn’t harm anyone else. But it wouldn’t be easy for them to grasp that their father had tried to kill his own son.
Dutton handed them to-go cups of coffee and two wrapped breakfast sandwiches. Eden took them, knowing she’d need the coffee but no way would she risk eating with her stomach churning the way it was.
However, Rory did start eating one as soon as they were in the cruiser. Maybe because he knew this was going to turn into a hellishly long day and that he’d need the fuel.
They drove away from the ranch and toward the sign that was only a couple of miles away. Unfortunately, it wasn’t near any houses or businesses, so there probably wouldn’t be any eyewitnesses. Still, they might be able to get some sort of confession from Ike or info from someone who’d driven past and saw something suspicious going on.
They were still about a half mile from the sign when Rory got a text, and the message from Detective Vernon appeared on the dash.
Search warrant executed. CSIs are going through Diedre Bennington’s home, office and vehicle. She’s not at her residence, but a housekeeper let us in.
Where is she?Rory texted back.
Apparently, at the gym. She’s on her way to the house now. Will let you know if anything turns up.
Rory sent him back a thanks and glanced at her. “I’ll fill him in, too, on Carter’s death once we know what’s going on.”
Yes, because SAPD would need to get involved in that as well since Carter lived in San Antonio.
The moment the sign came into view, Eden saw that the deputies had already blocked off both lanes and put up a detour sign, which would basically mean any through traffic would have to do a U-turn and find another route. She also saw theircruiser parked behind Ike’s truck, which was on the narrow shoulder of the road. Ike was sitting on the tailgate, and he was staring at the body.
It was Carter, all right.
The man had been propped up against one of the posts that held the sign, and his head had lolled to one side. Even before she got out of the cruiser and went closer, Eden could see the blood all over his shirt.
Rory parked the cruiser, and they fired glances around them as they made their way to Garrison, who was already walking toward them. Judson was next to Ike, and it was obvious the deputy was guarding him even though Ike’s hands hadn’t been restrained. Restraints were the protocol if a suspect was aggressive or likely to attempt escape, but apparently, Judson and Garrison hadn’t felt the need for such measures.
“I didn’t touch him, and the ME and CSIs are on the way, but I’m certain he was stabbed and bled out,” Garrison told them right off.
Like Mellie and Brenda. And they had also been left in a sitting position at the barn. Since the barn no longer existed, the killer must have chosen this spot for the dump.
But, no…
