“Star Oil Company is based out of Tulsa. According to her sister, Jan, who lives in Bozeman, Neva owned the home in Big Rapids. But working for Star Oil as a consultant required so much travel that she finally decided to rent out the house. That’s why it appeared empty of her personal effects. She had made a trip home this week to gather the rest of her things and settle some accounts. Jan and her husband had planned to move the bed and furniture out for their college-aged daughter next week.”

Terra absorbed the news and let the moment of deep sorrow pass.

“I’m curious about those accounts she mentioned and what her dealings with Jim Raymond could be, though we have our suspicions. I’d like to know what she really did for the company.”

“We’re in process now.”

“I know it takes time.” Terra would do some digging of her own too. But they needed more information. Where and why did Neva travel? After flashing their credentials at the gate, Terra steered into the low-security federal prison, then entered the parking lot. She found a spot at the back.

Jack sighed. “This Joey DeMarco. Tell me about him before we get out of the vehicle.”

Ned had done most of the talking on the flight, and Terra hadn’t wanted to discuss their investigation in front of him. “He’s the mastermind behind a big scheme to dig up the pots and sacred cultural items. He had a network of people and auction houses on the dark web through which he sold the items. A few ended up being resold on eBay. That’s ultimately how he was taken down. I worked undercover for eight months on the case. Testified, as I mentioned, six months ago. Joey . . . he’s not what you would expect.”

“How so?”

She opened the car door. “You’ll see.”

They got out of the vehicle and walked toward the entrance to the sprawling complex surrounded by a double-fenced perimeter. Once again, they flashed their credentials and then signed the required paperwork.

A man stepped through a side door. “Special Agent Connors? Detective Tanner?”

“Yes.” They spoke in unison.

“I’m Agent Bill Janssen, Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Services.”

Terra shook the man’s hand. “Thanks so much for approving and coordinating this.”

He gave a bland smile. “I’ll take you to see Mr. DeMarco and will be supervising your visit today.”

Terra wasn’t sure if that meant he would listen to their conversation, but she would take what she could get. Part of her wondered if this would lead them nowhere.

Agent Janssen led Terra and Jack down a sterile hallway into the facility that housed almost two thousand criminals guilty of mostly white-collar crimes. Janssen opened a door and ushered them into a small room with a table and chairs.

Terra took a seat while Jack remained standing at the edge of the table.