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“But he knew they were people. In fact, he probably even knew it was Sophie, Jules, and Amelia, given he could hear themsinging. But he still kept them locked up in a barn with a shotgun trained at them.”

Max narrowed his eyes. “Yes, he did.”

“But why?” pressed Tilly. “If he knew who they were, if he knew they were harmless and drunk, why keep them locked up like that?”

Max tapped his fingers on his desk. “Because… he didn’t want them loose around his farm.”

“Right,” said Tilly. “Which makes me think that there’s something at the farm that he didn’t want them seeing.” She leaned forward. “I’ve just seen McKeefe in a shiny new car. Definitely pricier than his insurance would pay for.”

“Alright,” Max said. “And what are we going to do about at this?”

Tilly thought for a moment, then nodded. “We need evidence, clearly. Getting a warrant based on a gut feeling is a practical impossibility. My guess would be that our best bet is surveillance.”

“Agreed,” Max said. He was already reaching for his phone. “I’ll collaborate with the surrounding forces and we’ll see what we can do.”

“I can—” Tilly started.

“No, you can’t,” Max interrupted. He paused, looking at her. “And why can’t you?”

She was about to lose her temper, about to tell Max that she wasn’t involved with Sophie anymore, that this had nothing to do with the Farmers anyway. Then she saw that his lips were twitching in a smile.

“Crap,” she said.

“You’ve already worked an extra shift this week,” said Max. “I don’t have the budget for the overtime, I’m afraid. But if it’s any consolation, you won’t have to sit in a cold car all night watching a dark farm.”

Tilly nodded. “Understood. You’ll keep me posted, though, right?”

“Of course I will,” Max said. “Let me get all this set up. I’ll have a brew if you’re making one.”

She heard him on the phone as she was making tea. She had no idea if he knew that Mila had told her about everything, and, she was ashamed to admit, she’d been so preoccupied with her own problems that she hadn’t had time to think about Mila’s.

Not that she was rolling in cash and could give it away to anyone who needed it. Still, though, a fresh pair of eyes might find a solution that Max and Mila hadn’t thought of yet.

“All done,” Max said as she bought tea to him and sat down again. He looked at her thoughtfully. “That was some quick thinking.”

“It was just… lucky,” she said. “I happened to be standing there when McKeefe was parking and once I saw him I started thinking about the gun again and, well, it all sort of started to make a bit of sense in my head.”

“We’ll have to wait for confirmation, of course,” said Max, picking up his cup. “But I think you could be on to something here. Good work.”

She felt herself blush. “Thanks.”

“That’s exactly the kind of thinking that gets you promoted,” Max said. He looked a bit sad at that. “I should know. I don’t think like that at all.”

Tilly was surprised. “You’re not saying you’re a bad officer, are you?” she asked. “Because you’re really not. You’re amazing. When I see you with people around here, how you communicate, solve problems, you’re brilliant at your job.”

He grinned. “We can’t all be high-flying detectives. And I’m just feeling a wee bit sorry for myself, that’s all.” He sighed. “No promotions in the near future for me, I’m afraid.”

“Oh,” Tilly said. “I’m, um, I’m sorry.”

His eyes twinkled. “I know that you know. You don’t have to walk on eggshells. Mila told me that she talked to you.” He drank some tea. “And it’ll all work out, I’m sure. It usually does. If need be, I’ll move Ag into one of the cells here. As long as she’s got a piano in with her, she’ll be alright.”

Tilly laughed. “I hope you’re kidding.”

“I very much am, don’t worry.” He looked back at his paperwork. “Alright, back to work. I’ll let you know as soon as I know something.”

She stood up. “Great, and, um, don’t forget—”

“That you’ve got the afternoon off tomorrow for your concert,” Max finished with a grin. “Billy would kill me if I forgot. Mila’s dying to hear you as well, not to mention Ag and Dash. They’ve really taken a shine to you.”