“Jason did. He was trying to help Mr. Brewerston, and he wanted to take over the business.”

Connections and lines. Laurel’s mind started to draw links and possible associations. Dr. Keyes had said a dark-haired person had been with Tommy in the waiting room when he’d brought Mr. Brewerston to appointments. He hadn’t mentioned age or name. She’d assumed he’d meant Davie. “Tell me right now, or I’m going to arrest you. Did you or did you not have a gun this past summer that you showed to Davie?”

Tommy’s head sank. “Yeah. I had a gun, and I told him it was mine. We shot at trees out on Maple River Road.” He talked to the table. “I’m sorry. It was just fun. We didn’t hurt anybody.”

“Tommy?” Laurel whispered. “Whose gun was it?”

He bit his lip. “I just borrowed it. He didn’t mind. It’s Jason’s gun.”

Laurel jumped up. “Stay here.” She ran through the Fish and Wildlife office and up her stairs, nearly plowing over Nester, who stood guard at the entrance to the conference room.

Davie and his mother looked up, both wide eyed.

“Davie? How did you know about the study at Washington Tech University?” Laurel gulped in air, trying to breathe.

His mouth opened and then closed. “Um, Jason told me. Him and Haylee really needed the money to keep the business afloat, and he was taking any odd job he could. He got to stay in the study, even though I had to leave. I guess I was mad about that, too.”

Laurel’s ears rang. Oh God.

She turned. “Nester? Get everybody out to find Abigail Caine as well as Jason Abbott. Trace Abigail’s phone and call me the second you have her.” She barreled out of the office and down the stairs, running to her SUV and speeding out of the parking lot.

Laurel was halfway to the center of town when Nester called. “Did you find her phone?”

“Yeah. It’s just coming in. It’s on, and the signal is strong from downtown Genesis Valley. Here’s the address.” He rattled it off. “It’s a specialty wine and dessert store. I have everyone actively searching for Jason Abbott now. Units just arrived at his house as well as his place of business, and, so far, nobody has sighted him.”

“Keep trying.” Laurel spun a U-turn and drove as fast as she dared to the center of town, seeing Abigail’s SUV parked in the lot fronting a building that housed several businesses that ranged from a nail salon to a specialty wine store. Abigail’s back hatch was open. “Hold on.” Laurel stopped and jumped out of her rig, running over to see Abigail’s purse next to a box of wine. She looked wildly around and then ran across the icy ground to the wine store, yanking open the door.