Arresting Developments

“The court apportioned some of the estate for the house’s upkeep and appointed a trustee to look after the house. And before you ask, no, I can’t share the trustee’s name because I don’t know if that’s common knowledge.”

Dex raised a brow. “I imagine it takes a lot of money to maintain a large house, especially in an environment like the Everglades. That trustee probably has access to a very generous bank account.”

Holder shrugged. “Your words. Not mine.”

“I know what it costs to maintain a large estate. I don’t guess I really need your answer to that question. It does, however, make me wonder if the trustee could be culpable in the murder.”

“In a normal murder case, I might agree with you. But in this one, there’s one fact you can’t explain away.”

“Which is?”

“Amber herself, in the interview the morning her grandfather was found dead, admitted she was the only other person in the house. She said no one else had been there for weeks. Kind of hard to argue that someone else might have killed the old man when she swore no one else had been there.”

Dex was inclined to agree with him, but somehow saying that out loud would have made him feel like a traitor to the woman who had worked so hard to save him. He owed her the benefit of the doubt and was determined to keep an open mind.

The door to the interview room popped open and Garreth stepped outside, closing the door behind him. He stopped in front of the desk. “Miss Callahan has decided to retain my services until I can help her interview and hire a criminal case attorney. I’ll need a copy of the original police report.”

Holder held the folder up. “I figured you might. Keep it. I’ll print myself a new copy.”

“Thank you.” He turned to Dex. “Assuming you still plan to foot the bill—”

“I do.”

“Excellent. Then the calls I made in the interview room weren’t a complete waste of time. I started the ball rolling to arrange bail. Now we just have to wait for a judge to call us back.”

Holder shook his head. “Not going to happen on a Saturday. Miss Callahan will have to cool her heels in jail until Monday, and even then, I highly doubt a judge will grant her bail. She’s a proven flight risk.”

Dex exchanged an amused look with his lawyer. “I think you underestimate Garreth’s abilities, Detective.”

Holder shrugged. “Maybe. I doubt it. I guess we’ll see. But I—” The phone on his desk rang. When he saw the number on the display, he shot Garreth a frown and took the call.

Garreth gave him a smug look and turned to Dex again. “When you’re done here, Miss Callahan has requested to speak with you.”

Dex immediately stood but Holder signaled him to wait.

When he hung up the phone, he shook his head. “I can’t believe what I just heard.” He filled them in on the details.

Dex laughed and clapped Garreth on the shoulder. “You’ve still got it, my friend.”

“I suppose this means your answer is yes, to both conditions?” Holder asked, not sounding happy at all.

“Are you kidding? This is the coolest thing to happen to me in ages. I’m all in.”

“This is ridiculous,” Holder muttered as he shoved out of his chair. “But I don’t guess I have a choice. Hold up your right hand, and repeat after me.”

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