Wrecked (Josie Gray Mysteries #3)(24)

Two of the file drawers had been open when she entered his office the morning before. She started with the drawer on the left, which was filled with legal and policy guides. The next drawer contained client files, surprisingly thin. Although it appeared the majority of his information was scanned and stored online, she did find the names of twenty-one clients who weren’t in his mail merge file or the client database. She collected those folders and packed them into the plastic crate.

The last file drawer seemed to contain files specifically for current clients. They would focus first on the missing clients from that group.

After spending another fifteen minutes checking through desk drawers and searching closets, they were ready to go back to the department to begin sifting through documents. Before they left, Josie found the key to Dillon’s post office box in his desk drawer and took it with her. She occasionally picked up his mail for him and knew that his box was number 246.

Josie locked up the office and Otto drove to the post office, where she retrieved the mail with no issue. Seated in the car again, Josie flipped through the pile of bills and came across a letter addressed to Dillon from the United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas.

“This looks like a summons for federal court,” she said.

He glanced at the envelope. “Better open it.”

Josie quickly read through the letter and said, “Dillon received a summons for the district court in El Paso. The case is against a Walter Frank Follet.”

“Wally Follet,” Otto said. “That’s one of Dillon’s clients. I remember seeing the name in the database.”

“He runs the salvage yard. Wally’s Folly.”

Otto nodded and glanced at Josie. “I know who Wally is. I’ve never had a run-in with him, but I can’t imagine him ever winning businessman of the year.”

Josie turned in her seat and looked at him. “A federal indictment? Motive for a murder and kidnapping?”

“If a guy like Wally thought it would keep him out of jail? Absolutely.”

*

Back at the police department, Josie logged on to the Internet to find the number for the district attorney prosecuting the Follet case.

She reached a secretary first and introduced herself, explaining that she might have information regarding the Follet case. A minute later a man came on the line.

“So, you know Wally Follet?” he asked. His tone was congenial, almost joking. She was caught off guard by his candor. She had expected an attorney to be more reserved.

“Actually, I’m calling about a case that may be related. I’m the chief of police in Artemis, Texas. I’m investigating a murder and the probable kidnapping of Dillon Reese. I found the court summons for Mr. Reese in his mail.”

There was silence on the other end for a moment. “Well, there’s a bombshell. I can be there in about four hours. That work for you?”

Josie raised her eyebrows at Otto and said back into the phone, “See you then.”

*

Five hours later, Josie and Otto shook hands with Gary Hardner, assistant DA with the District Court of West Texas. In his midthirties, he wore a gray suit that was at least a size too large for his slender build, a red tie, black shades, and sported a trendy haircut with just the right amount of hair product.

“How ya’ll doing? Appreciate you taking me in on short notice,” he said as he took off his sunglasses and tucked them into his suit coat pocket.

“We’re glad you came down,” Josie said. “We’ve got a terrible case we hope you can shed some light on.”

Hardner followed Josie and Otto up the stairs to the office and declined coffee. As they sat at the conference table Josie noted that he had not brought any files or a briefcase with him. Not a good sign, she thought.

“Tell me what you have,” he said.

Josie nodded to Otto.

“The body of Mr. Reese’s secretary, Christina Handley, was found in her desk chair at the office yesterday morning by Chief Gray. Ms. Handley was shot once in the chest. The shot was from a side angle. We think either by someone firing off a quick shot, or by someone who didn’t know what they were doing with the gun. All of the computers in the office are gone, as well as the desktop calendars and some file folders. Mr. Reese has not been heard from since about eight in the morning, the day before yesterday. There was one text message sent yesterday evening, although we’re concerned the text wasn’t sent by him. Our fear is that he’s been kidnapped.”

Hardner gave Otto a skeptical look, as if he had been listening to an amateur’s account of the case.

“Sounds to me like a domestic gone wrong. Nice-looking secretary, jealous boss, she gets shot. He takes off with the company secrets, and sets up a new life in the Cayman Islands.”

“I think that’s highly unlikely,” Otto said.

“See it all the time,” Hardner said.

His demeanor pissed Josie off.

Otto glanced at her, probably gauging her reaction, and then turned back to Hardner. “How much do you know about Dillon Reese?”

Hardner gave a dismissive tilt of the head. “He’s the accountant for the accused. We’re after his records, and the phone communications he’s had with Wally.”

Josie understood that he didn’t know the Artemis PD, or even their reputation, but she expected to at least be treated with respect. He was the kind of person who dismissed others’ questions as if they weren’t important, thus keeping his own information safe. In return he would expect full disclosure. Meanwhile, the Artemis PD was facing a horrendous crime and getting no help in what could be a critical lead.