Page 118 of What She Saw

“Maybe Colton is an incompetent con man.”

“Or he set it all up to hunt women.”

The mayor’s face paled. “Hunt women? Jesus, don’t say that out loud.”

“Either way, I want to search Colton’s property.”

Briggs sucked in a breath and blew it out. “I’ve heard from everyone from Rotary, the church, and the diner. Everyone has a story about how that festival failed.”

“There’s no downside to searching Colton’s house. If I’m wrong, then we’ll move on and keep looking for the women. You’ll be the first to know what I find.”

“What about the tips on the bodies?”

“We’ve sent volunteers north of the town and festival site. So far nothing.”

“Shit. Finding them would help.”

“Wishing won’t make it so. I need to search Colton’s house.”

Briggs shoved out a sigh. “If I make this happen, I don’t want any of this leaking to the media.”

“It won’t.”

He tapped the rolled newspaper against his thigh. “What the hell is everyone going to say if you prove I brought this to the community?”

“Guys like Colton find their way into places like Dawson. They arrive with a plan to exploit good, trusting people.”

He shook his head. “I shouldn’t have trusted him.”

“He’s a hell of a salesman.”

“You didn’t buy it.”

“I’ve seen his kind before.”

Briggs met his gaze. “What if you’re wrong?”

“Colton’s festival caused untold damage to the Nelson farm. The garbage is gone, but the fields are rutted and worn bare. The roads are so furrowed, they’ll have to be regraded. I have seven sexual assault claims, twenty robberies, and twenty mugging charges. I doubt anyone will get that upset if I search his house.”

Mayor Briggs rubbed the back of his neck. “The festival was supposed to be a moneymaker. Now we’ll be lucky if we break even.”

“I need a search warrant. You and the judge are friends.”

The mayor nodded. “Can you do it while Colton’s not home? I don’t want to make a thing out of it in case you’re wrong.”

“I’m not wrong.”

Briggs ran his hand over his thick gray hair. “Why did you set your sights on Colton?”

“It started with a feeling.” Before the mayor could rebut, Taggart held up his hand. “And a string of broken promises and a disregard for security were major red flags.”

“There’s a big difference between ‘con artist’ and ‘killer.’”

“I can’t prove anything until I search his house. I must start somewhere.”

“Okay, fine. I’ll call Judge Owens and tell him to grant the warrant.” Briggs ran his hand over his hair. “I don’t know if I want you to be wrong or right about this.”

“If I’m right, we’ll find those girls.”