Chapter 39
THIRTY-NINE
Deputy Chris Anderson prepared for his assignment to conduct surveillance on Tyler Brandt and opted to dress casually, like any other twenty-seven-year-old.
He was given instructions that he didn’t have to stay in the car; he could get out and follow on foot if he deemed it necessary.
He was excited that the detectives asked for him to assist in their current investigation.
The deputy watched the young man, who seemed jumpy and kept glancing around as if expecting someone to leap out at him.
Chris made notes of what he saw and the time.
From what the detectives had told him, this didn’t seem like the personality of the man they had described. He thought that might be important.
Tyler backed out of the driveway and drove slowly down the street. Chris eased away from the curb and followed at a moderate distance. Tyler took a left turn at the main street going west instead of east. It didn’t appear he was headed directly to the restaurant.
Chris followed.
Tyler never raced or blew through signals; he kept to the rules of the road. That alone seemed strange. Most people don’t adhere so precisely to the law. It made Chris watch every detail of what Tyler was doing that much closer.
They drove for about twenty minutes before Tyler pulled into a driveway of a small older home in a nice little neighborhood.
It was located at 1616 Merry Lane. Chris looked at his notes from McGaven.
This was the home Shelby had rented for two years.
He looked up and saw Tyler going toward the house, diverting around to the backyard.
Chris hesitated. Should he follow him? It would make his cover easily blown.
After deliberating back and forth, Chris got out of his car, making sure his weapon was secured and ready at any given moment. He checked around the immediate area as well as up and down the street. All was clear.
Chris jogged across the road and went around the opposite side of the house to Tyler. Moving quietly and hyperaware, he kept his body against the house and moved with precision.
Daring to peer in one of the windows, keeping to the side of the frame, Chris leaned forward and looked inside.
Tyler was in the living room area and appeared to be looking for something.
He wasn’t ransacking the house, but looking under every cushion, in every drawer, and on every shelf.
He seemed to become more frustrated the more he looked without finding what he was seeking—he slammed a cabinet hard, causing the dishes to jump and rattle.
He sat down on the couch running his hands through his hair.
Chris watched and looked at his phone for the time to record his observations. He took a few photos for reference.
Tyler got up as if he had an idea and began turning over photos, opening the backs of their frames.
He moved to two larger hung paintings and took them down, looking for something on the back of them too.
This time he didn’t return the paintings, but tossed them aside.
He then returned to the kitchen and began pulling out dishes, glasses, and containers.
They shattered on the floor, but it didn’t stop his momentum. He was obviously on a mission.
Chris moved his position to another window where he could see Tyler more clearly.
The young man went into Shelby’s bedroom and sat on the bed looking at the wall and top of the chest of drawers, actively searching for something.
He slowly stood up in front of the dresser.
He didn’t explore the drawers or the ornate boxes on top—he just stared as if there was supposed to be something there, but wasn’t.
Chris took a few more photos on his phone to help back up his report.
Next Tyler spun around and flipped the mattress against the wall. He took a knife from his pocket and began slicing the mattress. The intensity of trying to find whatever it was made his behavior seem almost crazy.
Chris kept his position and wondered what was going to happen next. Whatever it was, he was about to find out.