Chapter 42
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Officer Vivian Johnson turned down the lane, and when they reached the Broderick property she was happy to see the gate was open. She drove up the driveway and parked outside the front entrance.
The place was lit up like a used car lot in a bad neighborhood. They got out of the vehicle and went to the front door, which was slightly ajar. “That’s odd,” Tyler said. “You think there’s an intruder?”
“I don’t think anything,” she said. “Remember? Facts, not speculation.” She pushed the door open and called out, “Hello? Anyone home? It’s the police!” There was no indication that the door had been forced open, but she still thought it was smart to proceed cautiously. She peeked inside, but nothing in the house seemed amiss. No one was in sight. She looked back at her partner and shook her head.
“What?” He raised a quizzical eyebrow. “Should we go in? Take a look around?”
She considered for a moment. The house was enormous, literally a mansion. If there was an intruder, there were countless places to hide. No one had called in a break-in. Continuing further felt wrong. Not to mention that she didn’t need a complaint from the homeowner that they’d entered the premises illegally. That one was sure to make the community chat line. “No, I want to make a phone call to the homeowner.”
“Dana Broderick?”
“No, the brother. Ian Broderick.” She fished her notepad out of her pocket and read the numbers to Tyler, who made the call. Ian answered after two rings.
Tyler handled the call professionally, explaining that they’d gotten a call from a Mr. Brayden Broderick, reporting an errant drone on the property, and that the two officers were now on site. Ian’s voice came over the speakerphone. “I’ll open the gate.”
“Sir, your son opened the gate for us. We’re at your front door.”
“You got past the gate?” He sounded incredulous.
“Yes, sir. It was open, and when we arrived, the front door was ajar as well.”
“And you’re with Brayden.”
“No, sir. No one is with us. We haven’t seen him.”
“I’ll be there in a minute.” They heard the sounds of Mr. Broderick swearing and then explaining the situation to his wife. As they got closer, they could hear their voices in stereo, both on the phone and in person.
When the couple came into view, Vivian told her partner, “You can hang up.” Sheepishly, he clicked off the call.
“Can you tell me what is going on?” Ian sputtered, his phone in hand. He was within arm’s length of them now, so close Vivian could smell his cologne. His wife stood right behind him.
“We’re following up on a phone call reporting a large drone spotted on your property in the back of your house.” Vivian gestured. “Can you take us there, sir?”
“Follow me.” Ian turned to lead the way, talking as he led them through the house. He said he couldn’t believe his son called without getting permission. “And who left the door open?” He himself had made sure it was locked, with the security system engaged. He turned back to address Vivian and Tyler. “The fact that you two could have just walked inside is alarming. That should not have been the case.”
Tyler said, “Do you believe the entrance was tampered with? That someone broke in?”
Ian shook his head. “No. I’m sure it was just Brayden. He left it open and then took off. He’s so irresponsible.”
And yet, Vivian thought, the kid had known to call the police at the first sign of something alarming. Unlike, say, his parents, who brushed off Dana Broderick’s disappearance.
When they got to the kitchen in the rear of the house, Ian led them to the back door. He flipped a switch, and the entire yard lit up like a ballpark during a night game. The group stepped outside.
The area was immense. Just outside the door was an inlaid brick patio with a seating area and an outdoor fireplace. Beyond that was a statuary garden, and behind that, a charming guest cottage next to a Victorian-style greenhouse. Vivian was used to the palatial homes in the area, but this estate was excessive, even for River Point.
Ian shrugged. “I don’t see a drone.”
Neither did Vivian, but what she did see was the back of a young man as he ran into the woods. She pointed. “That your son?”
“Where?”
Vivian didn’t stop to clarify, but took off running in that direction, with Tyler right behind her. This was probably going to be the most eventful night they’d had in a while.