Page 20 of Beyond Her Reach (Bree Taggert #10)

At six o’clock, vehicles filled the parking area of the trampoline park. Matt scanned the exterior of the building, which looked like a giant warehouse painted in primary colors.

He sent a text. “I let the family know we’ll miss dinner.”

“Thanks.” Bree circled the lot. “I’d still like to be there before the kids go to bed.”

“Me too, and I need to go over to Cady and Todd’s place.”

“Worried about Cady?”

“Always,” Matt said. “But I also need to work with Turbo. He’s driving Cady nuts.

He’s too smart for his own good.” When Matt’s injuries had forced him to leave his job as a deputy, he’d intended to train police K-9s.

He’d bought a house with acreage and built a kennel.

But Cady had taken over the space with her canine rescue operation before Matt could invest in a single dog.

A few months ago, Cady’s rescue had taken in a Belgian Malinois that needed to be rehomed.

Too many people bought purebred dogs without truly understanding what they were getting themselves into.

“How is Turbo?”

“Supercharged as ever. He might have the most potential of any dog I’ve ever worked with.

If we can harness his powers for good, he’ll be an incredible working K-9.

Last week, he went over the six-foot fence like it was nothing.

He also let himself and two other dogs out of their kennels.

They broke into the break room and destroyed the couch. ”

“Parkour dog or Houdini dog?”

“Both, apparently,” Matt said. “How did your request for money to hire an officer to be his handler go?”

“About as you would have expected.” Bree sighed. “The county board of supervisors doesn’t see the need for another K-9 or officer.”

“We can raise the money for the dog’s training. The public will donate for a dog.”

The public does love dogs.

“Your sister was instrumental in getting those funds, but we can’t ask her to commit to that task, not with her baby due any day.”

“You’re right,” Matt agreed. “I’ll take it on, but with my considerably less honed public relation skills, it’s going to take more time.”

“Cady raised that money with a couple of big events.”

Matt’s sister was creative, organized, and skilled at blasting open rich people’s wallets. “After we solve this case, I’ll make raising that money my primary focus.”

“That would be great, but I’m still a deputy short. Either I pull Juarez from patrol, or I hire an experienced K-9 handler. Either way, I need an additional deputy and a specialized vehicle. I can’t add a K-9 without the approval of the board of supervisors.”

“We’ll figure it out.” But in the meantime, Matt would continue to work with Turbo.

As Bree turned off the engine, he scanned the light posts. “I see multiple security cameras.”

“I hope they work.”

They went inside. Voices and laughter echoed in the high-ceilinged space. A middle-aged man was checking in a group at a counter. He eyed Bree’s uniform. “I’ll be right with you, Sheriff.”

Bree raised a hand in acknowledgment.

“We should bring the kids here,” Matt said. “Looks like fun.”

Bree laughed. “I’m sure they’d love it.”

A few minutes later, they stepped up to the counter.

“What can I do for you, Sheriff?” the man asked.

“I need to speak with the manager,” Bree said.

He tapped his chest. “That would be me.”

Bree introduced Matt.

“I’m Robert Lenny,” the manager said.

Two little girls raced by, their delighted squeals piercing Matt’s eardrums in a good way.

“Is there somewhere we can talk privately?” Bree asked.

Robert’s brows wrinkled with worry. “Sure. We’ll go into my office. Is something wrong? We’re not over capacity or anything.”

Bree smiled. “You didn’t do anything. We need your help.”

Robert called another employee to take over the registration counter. Then he led the way down a narrow hallway, past the restrooms, to an office the size of a horse stall. A fiftyish woman sat behind a computer.

Robert gestured to her. “This is my wife, Heather.”

Four people crowded the space. Bree sidled in next to the desk. Matt stood in the doorway.

“Do you recognize this man?” Matt pulled out his phone and showed them a photo of Harrison Gibson.

Robert and Heather leaned in to scrutinize the screen. Robert frowned. “I don’t know. A lot of people come here.”

Heather cocked her head. “He’s been here, all right, and it was recently. I wish I could remember which day.”

“That’s Ok .” Matt shoved the phone into his pocket. “Do your security cameras work?”

“They do,” Heather said with pride.

“We’d like to see the feeds from Monday afternoon,” Matt said.

“Easy peasy.” Heather tapped on the keyboard. “For what time?”

Bree pursed her lips. “Let’s say noon to six p.m.”

Heather’s fingers hovered above the keys. “Exterior and interior?”

“Yes, please,” said Bree.

“We have five outdoor cameras: front and back door plus three in the parking lots.” Heather tapped away. “Inside, there are fifteen cameras.”

“That’s a lot,” Matt commented.

“We cover every inch of this space. Trampolines aren’t risk-free. We require everyone to sign a waiver, but we also want all activity recorded in case there’s an injury.” Heather paused, looked up. “I can copy all one hundred twenty hours for you. It’ll take a few minutes. How do you want it?”

“Thumb drive or email,” Matt suggested. “Either would be fine.”

“Thumb drive will be easier, if I have one.” Heather opened a desk drawer and rummaged for a USB stick. “Here we go.” She scrolled and tapped. “We can look at the front door feed while we’re waiting.”

“Thanks,” Bree said.

“It’s about the murder, right?” Heather lowered her voice. “Did the killer come here?”

“Heather!” Her husband looked appalled. “I apologize for my wife. She’s a true crime junkie.”

“What?” Heather protested. “I’m helping.”

“I’m afraid I can’t comment on any of our active investigations,” Bree said.

Heather opened a window on her computer. “Here’s the registration desk feed for Monday.”

Matt and Bree crowded behind her.

“Let me see that picture of the guy again,” Heather said.

Matt held his phone over her shoulder. She squinted at it, then turned back to her computer and fast-forwarded past a dozen people entering the building. She paused the video. “Here he is.”

Harrison approached registration. Barely tall enough to see, Marina’s boys peered over the counter. They watched Harrison pay and sign waivers before leading the boys away.

Arrival time: check.

“Can you fast-forward to four o’clock?” Bree asked.

“Sure.” Heather moved the slider at the bottom of the screen, then let the video play, forwarding from customer to customer as people checked out, until after five o’clock. “I don’t see him. I’ll go backward from four o’clock.”

She repeated the process in reverse until Harrison appeared. “Found him!”

Matt checked the time. “Three thirty-two.”

A full hour before he’d said he left.

“The download is done.” Heather plucked the drive from the USB slot. “You’ll be able to find him on more than one feed, I’m sure. Can we do anything else for you?”

“No, thank you for your cooperation.” Bree accepted the USB drive and slid it into her pocket. “Thank you both.”

Matt led the way out of the office. They didn’t speak until they were back in the SUV.

“Are we calling Harrison in for another interview tomorrow?” Matt asked.

“Yes.” Bree started the engine. Then she just stared out the windshield for a few seconds. “Why did he lie about the time he left the trampoline park?”

“People usually lie to us because they have something to hide.”