“Monty said he’d bring Aeneas to the office, but then he’s returning home to rest since it’s Saturday.” She pointed to the back seat. “Your gun, wallet, phone, and coat are in the bag. Officer Zello brought them to the office this morning and said the scene had been processed. He had your truck towed to Zac’s Garage but said it looked like it might be totaled.”

“Zello? Should he still be on duty?”

Laurel sped up where the road had been partially cleared by a snowplow. “I don’t know. He’s a good officer, but he did withhold information.”

“He’s also a suspect.”

True. But it was easier to keep an eye on him while he was working. She looked over at Huck. He was pale, but his breathing was normal. “Do you want to swing by and get Aeneas and then have me take you home?”

“No. I want to work this case.” He looked out at the misty day. “Why were you at the office so early?”

“I thought I’d start going through the phone records. But then my boss called and I had to update him, and Officer Zello came by to give me your belongings, and then it was time to pick you up.”

“Let’s go see the records, then.”

Laurel’s phone rang and she pressed a button on the dash. “Snow.”

“Hi. It’s Monty. Is Huck with you?” The captain coughed wildly. “Sorry.”

“Yes. I thought you were going home to rest?” she asked.

He coughed more. “I will when you get here. We have another body.”

* * *

Laurel drove into the subdivision with its mature trees and worn wooden fence, winding around to see the emergency vehicles, lights still on, parked by the middle home in a cul-de-sac. The houses in Bluebonnet Field were seventies style, some eighties, but well kept up. They appeared to be located on one-third acres, so there were houses flanking the one with all the activity.

She parked behind a Fish and Wildlife truck and stepped into the cold, skirting a police car to reach the front lawn. The sight in front of her pierced her chest with icy fingers.

“Damn.” Huck pulled on his coat over the scrubs, his gaze on the dead woman. Aeneas bounded up, and Huck snapped his fingers. The dog immediately dropped to a sit, his head high and his gaze on his master.

Monty loped more slowly toward them as local officers secured the scene with crime tape that flapped crazily in the wind. “State crime scene techs are already here processing inside the house.”