Page 86 of Hell Hath No Fury

In the garage, Matthias stood back and let Fergusson and Lukan examine and photograph the shovel.

“I don’t care what you say, Honeywell. I liked Baker for this.” Before Matthias could respond, Fergusson held up a palm. “I have to admit, having this shovel suddenly show up gives me some doubt.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Fergusson planted his hands on his hips. “The forensics unit was meticulous when they went over this house, including the garage.” He pointed at the shovel. “This was never mentioned in their report.”

Bingo.“Because it was planted after they left. Eric couldn’t have done it, because he’s been in custody the whole time.”

“Jones’s killer isn’t very bright. Instead of assuring me of Baker’s guilt, he’s convinced me to dig deeper into our other suspects.”

Matthias knew all the manipulation tactics, like telling a suspect he bought their story only to get them to drop their defenses, but studying Fergusson’s face, Matthias believed him. “There are a few other details you’ll want to take into account.”

“Such as.”

“Ask yourself how someone managed to access first Eric’s car and now his garage.”

“I have a feeling you’ve been giving this considerable thought.”

He had. “Eric uses the same four-digit code for his garage door opener and his security system. His birthday.”

“Moron,” Lukan said.

“Our suspect may have known the code or knew his birthday and figured it out.”

Fergusson considered the possibility but gave a doubtful shrug. “If—and I’m only sayingif—the suspect broke into Baker’s car to plant the bag of glass, he could’ve stolen the garage door opener. Or cloned it.”

Matthias had thought of that option as well and dismissed it. “I doubt it.”

“Why?”

“Your scenario hints at this guy planning ahead. Intending all along to plant the shovel. But if that’s the case, why not do it before the crime scene team searched the house?”

From Fergusson’s expression, he reluctantly agreed with Matthias.

Lukan raised a finger. “There’s another trick I saw a few times when I was investigating home robberies. The thief would wedge a piece of wood between the garage door and the weather stripping, then use a coat hanger to grab and disconnect the emergency release lever.” He pointed upward at the red handle hanging from a cord.

Matthias met Fergusson’s gaze. “Sometimes the simplest explanation is the best,” the trooper said.

“Old school.” Matthias pictured the maneuver Lukan had described. “Doesn’t take a rocket scientist.” But it did require more than a passing knowledge of Eric. They knew where he worked since that was likely where they’d broken into the Prius. They knew where he lived. Matthias waited for Fergusson to suggest Emma was responsible. Or Nell. But Nell was in the wind, hopefully in Akron, which was a good thing right now.

Fergusson kept any such suspicions to himself. He turned to his partner. “Package that shovel so we can get it to the lab. I doubt we’ll get any prints off it, but you never know.” His gaze shifted to the basement door, then to the open garage door. “I don’t expect we’d get more than smudges from the keypads, but I’ll go out to the car and grab the kit just in case.” He started toward the garage entrance. “While I’m at it, I have a few more questions for Mr. Baker.”

ChapterTwenty-Six

Matthias was pleased to learn that Eric was wising up. When Fergusson told him he had more questions, Eric didn’t need prompting from either Matthias or Emma.

“Not without my attorney present.”

Matthias brushed his upper lip with his fingers to conceal his grin.

Once the troopers had collected prints from the keypad, they packed the carefully wrapped shovel into their trunk and departed.

Matthias made another half-hearted attempt to talk Emma into letting him drive her to Ohio. She refused, as he’d known she would. Resigned, he gave her a long kiss, held her tight, and whispered, “I love you and need you to be careful,” into her ear.

“Back at you,” she replied.

He and Eric watched her pull out in the Prius and disappear around the next turn before they retreated into the house. Matthias offered to cook dinner while Eric showered to remove the jail dirt and hospital germs.