Chapter 36
THIRTY-SIX
While the detectives waited for the deputies to arrive at the Collins property, Katie decided to have Cisco sweep the area for anything they might’ve missed.
She let Cisco out and it was clear the dog was absolutely happy and wanted to work.
He circled around and gave a couple of happy barks.
She put a basic search harness on him since the area was open and without many trees or thick areas.
“Do you need me to cover you guys?” said McGaven.
“I think we’re fine. You’ll be able to see us. I just want to do a sweep in case we missed something.”
“I’ll wait for the deputies,” he said as he pulled a shovel from the Jeep. “I didn’t sign up for this today.” He laughed.
“You’ll be home in time to spend the evening with Denise and Lizzie.” Katie smiled. She thought how nice it would be to come home to a family waiting for her. Her cards had been dealt, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t change it.
“Okay, Cisco,” she said. “Such.”
They began at the barn site and conducted a spiral search, gradually making the circle bigger.
She spent more time than usual at the building areas, letting Cisco check each nook and cranny, then started to fan out.
With each circle becoming bigger and bigger, they found themselves at the dug holes.
Cisco showed interest in the disturbed earth, but nothing that would qualify as an alert.
Katie and Cisco spent about an hour searching and nothing seemed interesting to the dog. She brought him back to the Jeep, gave him water, and put him inside.
The two officers had arrived and had begun digging in the holes to see if there was any more evidence related to their investigation.
“Anything?” said Katie.
“No,” said McGaven who was now covered in loose dirt. “You want to try?”
“I don’t think so.”
“So you get the easy job following around a German shepherd?” He half smiled.
“It’s difficult. I just make it look easy.”
“I have something,” said Deputy Andrews.
The detectives went to see. The deputy too was covered in a light dusting of soil. Katie leaned down to have a closer look. It appeared to be some type of old lock.
“Let’s see if we can find what went with this—like a box or maybe some type of leather satchel.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“What are you thinking?” said McGaven.
“Not sure. But what do you need a lock for?”
“To protect something valuable.”
Katie smiled. “Yes. Like…?”
“Coins, jewels, or cash money,” he said.
Katie nodded. People still buried their treasure or money even today. It was a good way to hide valuables.
“Could this be part of the family secret?” McGaven asked. “Maybe that’s why the family members were murdered?”
“People kill for a lot less. But greed and money is pretty much number one.”
They both thought about it.
“Maybe we’re getting closer to the motive?” she said.
The detectives and officers dug up the remaining areas that had been excavated—and there was nothing more in the holes. Katie documented the old locking mechanism, noting the location, and then secured it in a crime scene container attaching the chain of custody.
“Maybe John can find out the age and origin of the lock?” she said.
“I bet he will.”
Deputy Andrews took the evidence and would check it in to the forensic department. Katie drove the Jeep back to her house so that McGaven could pick up his truck and go home to his family.
“Have a great evening,” she said.
“You too!”
Katie put Cisco in the house but returned to her vehicle once again. She couldn’t shake a nagging feeling and headed to the police department to research more about the Collins family.