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enforcement arrived, they needed his, too. It felt kind of creepy having your fingerprints on file with the state police. “They said they’d call the county attorney and get a warrant if necessary.”
    “Oh.”
    She looked nice today in dress slacks and a pink sweater. He glanced at her shoes. Women’s shoes, not sneakers or boots. Obviously not farm attire.
    “You don’t help with the horses much, do you?”
    Her eyes went wide. “Neal never asked me to. I handle pretty much everything in the office. He even turned over the bank account a few weeks ago, so I make the deposits and write checks and all that.” She swallowed convulsively. “Do you need help out here?”
    Scott studied her. She looked frightened. “Are you afraid of horses?”
    “A little,” she admitted. “I’ve never been around them much. They’re so…so big.”
    Scott laughed. “They’re big, all right. And some of them can be temperamental, especially stallions. But they’re also smart and love to have fun. They each have their own personality and quirks, just like people.” He nodded toward the paddocks behind the barn. “You should get to know them, maybe help me take care of them. A lot of people would jump at the chance. We’ve got some real celebrities here.”
    Doubt clouded her features, but she said, “I’m sure you’re right.” Suddenly her face cleared. “Before I forget to tell you, a volunteer group from the university will be here after lunch to help groom them. They come every Friday afternoon.”
    That made sense. The university boasted an equine research center as part of its veterinary medicine program. Scott had instructed student volunteers over at Shady Acres more times than he could count.
    He glanced through the doorway at the dark, heavy sky. “I hope it clears up.” The clouds looked as though they had settled in for a while. He looked back down at Becky. “Would you do me a favor?”
    “Of course.”
    “I’m sure Haldeman kept files on each of these horses, with vet records and the like. I want to take a look at them. And if you can find anything else that might help me figure out how things work around here, I’d appreciate it. Oh, and Detective Foster said if you run across anything in the office that might help with their investigation, you’re supposed to call Trooper Whitley. I put his card on the desk inside.”
    Becky glanced toward the house. “Are you going to live in there, like Neal did?”
    Scott had considered the question several times yesterday. Though it wasn’t a bad idea to have someone on-site at night, the thought of moving into Haldeman’s bedroom was not an appealing one. Scott rented a cottage from Mr. Courtney on the far side of Shady Acres, and he’d come to the conclusion that it was close enough. “I don’t think so. Sam and I did okay last night. Oh, yeah.” He snapped his fingers as he remembered a detail the dog certainly had not forgotten. “Could you feed Sam? I didn’t have anything to give him over at my place.”
    Becky’s smile made her eyes shine even in the gloom inside the barn. She was a pretty woman. Sweet and wholesome-looking. When she spoke, affection for the dog warmed her tone. “I always feed Sam when I get to work, while Neal’s out feeding the horses.” She bent again and roughed the yellow fur on the dog’s neck. “Come on, boy. Let’s go get you some breakfast.”
    She nodded in Scott’s direction as she popped her umbrella open. With a quick glance at the menacing sky, she dashed out of the barn and splashed across the wet driveway toward the house, Sam running ahead of her.
    Scott watched until the door closed behind them. What was he thinking, encouraging her to get involved with the horses? If she helped care for them, he’d be forced to spend more time with her.
    Maybe she’d forget his suggestion. Better for everyone if she stayed in the office and let him handle the horses.

     
    Seated in front of Neal’s two-drawer file