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Lorraine smiled. “I think you’re got yourself a wonderful dog, but if things change, let me know. The vet sent along a package of his preferred dog food and a record of his shots and medical history. He’s a healthy boy.”

She and Ford walked Lorraine back to her car, with Hemsworth trotting along beside them, no leash required.

Ford surprised Jolie by bringing up the tire tracks at the pond to their neighbor. “We had a visitor to the pond last night. Someone on an ATV. Do you know if there are more homes behind the woods that border our properties?”

Lorraine frowned. “Dani Richards’s property is just beside mine, but she wouldn’t trespass on your land, and I don’t think she owns an ATV. There’s nothing beyond her. Not for a long way. Those woods go a few miles and up into the mountains before there are any more roads or properties. It’s mostly wilderness, and I’ve never heard of any regular hiking or ATV trails out here. Did they cause any problems? Is the man who bothered Thea still in jail?”

Jolie nodded. “He is. We also found game cameras trained on the pond, but not at angles that would help a photographer or even a hunter. They appeared to be trained on the pond itself.”

Lorraine frowned. “That’s odd. Any idea why?”

Ford nodded. “Jolie was checking out the bottom of the pond yesterday and realized there’s something on the bottom. A cylinder of some kind. She wasn’t able to get it out on her own and we don’t know if it’s leaking anything toxic.”

Lorraine nodded. “You need to remove that. But there might be something else in the pond. If you had a visitor for the first time since you’ve been here the night after you found that cylinder, it’s doubtful it’s a coincidence.”

Jolie agreed. “Exactly what we thought. We left the cameras in place and we’re acting as if we don’t have a clue today. I didn’t find any more human-made things in the pond.”

“Our lands aren’t easily accessible to anyone else. It doesn’t make sense that someone is using it for a garbage dump. Do you think they’re hiding something there?”

Ford squeezed Jolie’s hand. “Probably.”

Lorraine patted Hemsworth’s head as they arrived at her car. “I’m glad you’ve got another good protector here. Make sure you’re careful, and let me know if I can help. If you want my troop to patrol the area, we can do that.”

Jolie smiled. “You’re already been a big help. Hemsworth here is going to be a great addition. Thank you so much for finding him for us.”

The older woman smiled. “Dogs are my soft spot. I’m always happy to help them find loving homes. You’re all going to be happy together. Bring him over anytime to play with my pack. Socialization is important for them all.”

Once Lorraine had driven away, Jolie turned and wrapped her arms around Ford. Hemsworth sat on his haunches beside them.

“Do you think it’s something dangerous?”

Ford held her firmly. “Maybe. Or something valuable.”

“Then why would they hide it? Especially in a pond?”

He shrugged. “No idea. It’s a strange place to hide anything. But the fact that no one has paid much attention to that pond for years, maybe decades, means it’s a secure hiding spot. The pond isn’t big enough to lose the cylinder. And the cameras help them know if anyone spots it.”

“What do you think we should do now?”

He ran his arms up and down her back. “Not sure. Today should have shown anyone watching that we’re ignoring Cyril for now. That means they might just ignore it like they have been.”

“But they might not.”

He sighed into her hair. “No. They might not. Now that they think we might have spotted Cyril, they could want to retrieve it. Which we could just let them do. Then it’s over.”

“Except if a criminal has hidden something, letting them take it means they’re getting away with a crime.”

He chuckled. “You weren’t supposed to be smart enough to figure that out.”

She poked him in the chest. “Hey, I’ve watched my share of TV.”

He laughed and kissed her hair. “Okay, Matlock, let’s talk to the others and figure out what we want to do next.”

Chapter16

Battle Stations

Ford was glad when the group headed to the farmhouse to regroup over supper. He was tired of thinking some asshole was watching Jolie. He wanted her safe in the farmhouse for a while.