Matty thought she saw a fleeting look of disappointment cross Vivis features, but if it was there at all, it was gone so quickly, she couldnt be sure. They said good-bye and she walked Vivi to the door. She was still standing on the patio a few minutes after seeing Ians truck disappear down the drive when Dashs truck pulled up.

As if he sensed her need to avoid talking about Brad, he let her know hed run into Ian and Vivi on his way up and heard the latest. After that, he said nothing more. They made a light lunch together, played with the dogs a bit, and then packed up to make the afternoons large-animal rounds.

After visiting the third farm, Dash waited until shed closed her door then turned to her and asked, "Okay, Matty, whats on your mind?"

She blinked at him. "Nothing?" She sounded about as convincing as she felt.

"Bull. I know you well enough by now to know something is going on in that complex mind of yours. I know what Ian and Vivi told me, and I intentionally gave you some space to think about what they said, but there is something else bothering you and its been bothering you for a while now."

She met his gaze, his dark eyes unwavering on hers, but filled with concern and kindness rather than frustration. And it occurred to her that he was worried about her. He wasnt mad about the fact that she wasnt talking; he wasnt hurt. He was worried. And sitting there in his truck, something shifted inside her. Dash wasnt the kind of man who was governed by his own needs or wants, but by what was right and what was necessary. And right now, he believed she needed to talk, not because he needed to hear what she had to say, but because something was eating her.

She motioned for him to start the drive to the next and last farm. It would be easier to talk while he was driving. After a moments hesitation, he complied, starting the truck, and pulling out of the farms drive onto one of the county roads. As soon as they hit the pavement, she told him everything. Some he already knew, but she started from the beginning, with the weird phone call from Brad when she was still in DC, the strange letter hed left her, the newspaper in the cupboard, the pictures, the visit from Alex Traynor, and the research shed done on the people in the photos. And the one photo with no identification on it all.

By the time she was done, theyd pulled into the next farm. Dash killed the engine and they sat in silence. Matty watched as the owner of the property emerged from the shadows of a big red barn and started toward them.

"Matty," Dash said. It sounded like he was at a loss for words, and she kind of understood that. She didnt know what to think about it all either.

"I know, Dash. Its a lot. And to be honest, I know I should probably have told Ian and Vivi by now," she paused and then told him of her fear-her probably irrational fear-that the information might sway them to an easy answer, even if it wasnt the right one.

"Ive known Ian a long time. He was a Ranger for over a decade before he came back here. I have no idea where hes been or the things hes done-I doubt anyone, other than maybe Vivi, does-but I do know that you dont have the kind of career he had by taking the easy way. And as for Vivi, she started college at sixteen, was a homicide detective with the Boston Police and a county medical examiner before coming here. Shes also an FBI consultant and a professor in addition to the work she does for the state crime lab. 'Easy isnt really her MO either. I think you need to tell them."

Matty looked at Dash for a long moment. In her peripheral vision, she saw the owner of the farm, an older man in a button-down shirt and jeans, standing by the fence waiting for them, looking unsure about what was delaying them.

Slowly she nodded. "I know. It just feels," she hesitated, searching for the right word. "It just feels big, I guess. But I know I need to tell them. I even knew it earlier today when I chose not to say anything."

Dash reached over, picked up her hand to kiss it, then gave it another reassuring squeeze. "We have this call to finish, then we can go home and clean up. You have some time. Sit with it for a while, get used to the idea. We can call them over after dinner."

She squeezed his hand back and gave him a small smile. "Youre a good man, Dashiell Kent."

His lips tilted into a grin. "Yeah, well, on occasion, I like to think I can do the right thing."

Matty laughed at his self-deprecation and leaned over to brush a kiss across his lips. "Now, lets go take care of that mans cows before his feet start growing roots."

CHAPTER 18.

AFTER THE FARM VISITS, Dash and Matty had gone back to her place to clean up and have dinner, then Matty had bitten the bullet-so to speak-and invited Ian and Vivi over. Now Dash sat beside her, absentmindedly running his fingers over the stem of his wineglass, as he watched his friends take in everything she was telling them.

"This is the only picture with no name on it," Matty explained as she handed a photo to Vivi, who sat across the table from her. Ian, sitting next to Vivi, leaned over to take a look.

Carly, Marcus, and the others hadnt been able to make it to the house that afternoon to search for evidence because of a multicar accident that had required their attention. Dash thought maybe that was a good thing, since, judging by Ian and Vivis interest, they wouldve probably wanted to come back anyway, once theyd heard the new details Matty was sharing now.

And he was very glad, though not entirely surprised, to see no censure in either of his friends behavior when they found out that Matty did, in fact, have additional information that she hadnt shared earlier. Both of them seemed to take everything in stride and focus on the main task at hand, collecting the information Matty had and understanding it in the best way they could.

So far, shed gone over everything with them, including the visit from Brads former employer, Alexander Traynor, and her suspicion that there was some kind of issue with one of the accounts or funds that Brad had handled. Then shed brought the pictures down and walked them through what shed found out about the subjects. Dash had no doubt Vivi and Ian would be able to dig up more information on them, but what Matty had found was pretty amazing considering shed only used public search engines.

Right now, they were all examining the picture of the young woman, the only photo with no name written on the back.

"And you have no idea who she is?" Ian asked.

Matty shook her head. "I dont and I havent seen any other pictures of her around the house, so Im thinking she wasnt someone Brad knew personally."

"Or someone he knew well," Vivi interjected. "Its possible he might have met her recently."

"Matty, do you mind if we take these?" Ian asked. Dash knew Ian didnt really need to ask. He had a search warrant for the house that just hadnt been executed yet, but it was nice of him to go through the motions.

She lifted a shoulder. "No, go ahead-but if you dont mind, I would like to make copies of them?"

Ian motioned for her to go ahead and both women rose, gathered the pictures, and headed into the office where Brad kept a printer with a scanner.

"Did you know about this?" Ian asked as soon as the women were out of the room.

Dash shook his head. "Not until today. She told me this afternoon." He saw the question in his friends eyes, but he didnt want to betray Matty and what shed shared with him about her past. But still, he felt the need to defend her. "Matty had a different kind of childhood. One where law enforcement wasnt very, well, wasnt very good, or effective, or even really around much in a good way. She trusts you and Vivi, but old prejudices-especially those ingrained at such a young age and in such brutal ways-die hard. She just needed some time," he said.

Ian eyed him for a moment then nodded. "She has an edge to her, doesnt she? And I mean that in a good way. Vivienne is tough, but Matty strikes me as a different kind of tough. Shes a survivor. I dont know what her childhood was like, but I can imagine. Shes done remarkable things with her life."

Dash couldnt agree more but didnt want to push the conversation any further; he simply nodded. Ian must have sensed his sentiment, so the two men sat in a comfortable silence, sipping their wine until the women returned.

Matty and Vivi came out of the office laughing about something, which Dash took as a good sign. But before she was halfway across the room, Mattys phone rang and he saw her frown as she read the number on the screen. She hesitated for a moment, met his gaze, then motioned with her free hand that she was going to take the call. He nodded as Vivi sat back down at the table.

"Hello, Douglas," Matty said. That got Dashs attention. He felt the tension rise in his body, even as Matty leaned casually against the counter. He was pretty sure it was a ruse; he was pretty sure this conversation wasnt one she wanted to be having.

"Her dad," Dash said as an aside to Vivi and Ian. They probably already knew, but they seemed to sense something was going on, so he reminded them, with just those two words and his tone, how complicated the relationship was between father and daughter.

"How are you?" Matty asked then paused as, presumably, Douglas answered. "Yes, I can only imagine how you must be feeling . . . No, I hope I dont ever have to go through it, too," she said, her eyes rising from the counter to meet Dashs. "I cant imagine what it would be like to lose a child," she added.

She waited a few more moments in silence and Dash could hear an occasional muffled voice filter through the phone. He had no idea what Douglas was saying to his daughter and Mattys face was worryingly blank.

"Hows Sandra?" Matty finally asked, then waited again as she listened to Douglass answer.

"You have an appointment to talk to the police tomorrow?" Her eyes moved to Ian, who gave a short nod. "Good, Im glad to hear that," she said. "Marcus Brown, the deputy chief, is a good guy and Carly Drummond has also been involved in this situation since the beginning." She paused again as Douglas must have asked a question. "Yes," she answered. "The sheriff has been involved and hes good at his job, too. And if it makes you feel any better, his fiancee is a former Boston Police homicide detective and a medical examiner. She also works for the FBI and the state crime lab. Windsor might be small, Douglas, but there are good, smart people here," she finished.

Dash caught hints of smiles from both Vivi and Ian. He often dealt with peoples perceptions of a small-town vet-which werent usually complimentary-and imagined it was probably even worse for small-town cops. He also figured that whether or not a cop-or vet-was good or bad had more to do with the person than with where they lived.

"Im not sure, Douglas," Dash heard Mattys voice, bringing his attention back to her. "Marcus and Carly are going to be here at the house tomorrow going through a few things and I may be out . . . Yes, I understand, of course you can come by. Im just not sure Ill be here, but please, feel free."

Dash watched Matty cut off a sigh before speaking again. "Yes, you can call me. As to the rest, well, lets just take it one day at a time." That seemed to mollify Douglas a bit, and after another moment, she ended the call and rejoined them at the table. She didnt say anything when she sat down next to him but did take a large sip of her wine.

Dash took her hand in his. "Everything okay?"

She bobbed her head. "I guess. He wants to spend some time with me. I know Ill probably sound selfish saying this, considering he just lost his son and all, but Im just not sure Im ready for that. As his daughter, I know Im not ready, but as a human being, it seems cruel to deny him some comfort."

"You dont have to do anything you dont want to," Vivi said. "At least when it comes to your relationship with your dad," she added, ever practical.

"He doesnt know any of what youve told me today, about the second victim, does he?" she asked Ian.

Ian shook his head. "No, we were waiting to see if we found anything today, but since we didnt get to look through Brads things this afternoon, we held off. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks know were investigating and they know we havent ruled the death anything other than suspicious at this point, but they dont know any more than that. Marcus will walk them through everything tomorrow," he added.

Matty sat in silence for a long moment, absentmindedly twirling her wineglass between her fingers. Bob wandered into the room, took a look at everyone, then turned and wandered out. A few seconds later, Dash heard the Lab climbing the stairs. Since Matty had moved in, all the dogs had taken to sleeping in the master bedroom rather than the kitchen where Brad had relegated them. Dash was about to let a small smile touch his lips as he thought of the changes in the house in just the short time since Mattys arrival, but the sudden tightening of her hand in his brought him back.

"Matty?" he said, concerned.

Mattys eyes met Dashs then traveled to Vivi before landing on Ian. "She is going to blame me," she said.

Ian frowned. "Who is going to blame you?"

"Sandra. If theres any possibility that Brad was murdered, she is going to try to blame me," she explained.

"Thats ridiculous," Dash said instantly.

Her eyes swung around to his. "Is it?" And he remembered her telling him about what had happened with her grandmothers estate, and then there was Sandras spiteful behavior at the house the other day.

"And why would she think that?" Vivi asked, leaning forward and resting her elbows on the table.

Matty cast Dash a look, silently asking him to intercede, so he did. "For a few reasons. First, Sandra hates Matty because she is a living reminder of her husbands infidelity. And then there is the fact that, when Douglass mother died, she left the bulk of her estate to Matty rather than to Douglas or Brad. And last but not least, Brad left his entire estate to her, too."

"I had no idea he was going to do that," Matty jumped in.

"Of course you didnt," Dash reassured her as he shot Ian and Vivi a look communicating just how ridiculous it would be to suggest otherwise.

"I . . ." Matty paused, shook her head, then took a deep breath. "Honestly, it was probably more of a surprise to me than anyone else. I didnt know Brad at all. We never talked, never met. At least not more than once or twice. I still cant fathom why he left everything to me."

"How much are we talking about?" Ian asked. Dash frowned at his friend. He knew Ian had to ask, had to understand what kind of motive Sandra might say Matty had; but he didnt like traveling down that road.

Matty lifted a shoulder. "I dont know what he has left of the trust my grandmother left him because she did leave him something, just not what she left me. I also dont know what his personal financial situation was. But I can tell you that when he received the trust, there was somewhere around twenty-seven million in it."

Dash almost choked. She hadnt been kidding when shed said she was set for life, as were probably many generations after her. If Brads portion of his grandmothers estate was only a fraction of what Matty had received, he couldnt begin to guess what she was worth.

Ians eyes shifted to Dash. "I take it you didnt know you were courting an heiress?" His sardonic tone poked fun at Dashs obvious surprise.

Dash shook his head and Ian let out a little chuckle.

"Dont be mean to him," Vivi said, bumping her shoulder against her fiance. "Its not every day a man finds out the woman hes dating could buy the town he lives in," she added.

"I dont mean to be crass," Matty said, "and I appreciate you all making light of the situation rather than taking it as potential motive, but I just want to be clear about a few things, Ian."

Ian, ever the sheriff, leaned forward-all business now. "Twenty-seven million is a ton of money," Matty said. "And I know Sandra will use that against me. But you need to know a few more things. Not things that would give me more motive, but things that will counter her arguments-arguments I know she will make."

She paused to take another sip of wine, then a deep breath, and spoke. "As for the money, I have a lot of my own. Twenty-seven million isnt anything to laugh at, but I think my entire net worth is somewhere close to one hundred thirty million, between the properties and other assets. Another twenty-seven million isnt going to change my life all that much. Brad also asked that I donate half of his estate to charities."

Dash blinked. The fact that twenty-seven million probably wouldnt change her life was an astonishing statement.

"Did he specify which charities?" Vivi asked. Her eyes darted to Dash for a moment before returning to Matty.

"No, and I cant believe he didnt. He was involved in a lot of things, from animal rescue to disaster relief. But he left it up to me. Its actually not even a requirement, but he made the request in his will that I consider it. Of course I will-Ill probably give his entire estate away-and I feel like I have a good idea of some of the causes he would have liked me to consider, but it still surprises me that he trusted me that much, that with everything that went on between our families, he placed that responsibility in my hands without really having any idea what Id do with it."

"Maybe he knew you better than you think?" Ian suggested.

Again, Matty shrugged. "Im not sure how he could, but regardless, thats the story with the money."

"What else?" Vivi pressed.

"I arrived in town on the day you said both Brad and the other man were killed. Im not sure what their actual times of death were, but if you need to track my whereabouts, I was driving up here from DC. I made several calls on the drive-on my Bluetooth," she clarified when Ians eyebrows went up. That small diversion brought smiles to everyone for just a moment.

"I called my agent at nine in the morning from somewhere north of DC and then my mom about an hour after that. And then, just as I was coming into Windsor, I was on the phone with my friend Charlotte. You should be able to track those calls if you need to. Ill give you whatever permission you need to look at my phone records."

"And what time did you get here?" Vivi asked.

Matty frowned. "I think it was around two oclock in the afternoon. Actually," she said, drawing her head back as she seemed to remember something. "When I pulled off the Taconic, I passed the gas station and I saw the two of you talking," she smiled, pointing to Dash and Ian. "I remember because you both looked so unlike the dressed-up suits I see all the time in DC."

Vivi laughed, "They do, dont they."

Ian shot her a look.

"Hey, I happen to like the rugged small-town cop look," Vivi added with a grin as she leaned over and curled her arm through her fiances. Ian looked at her for a moment and Dash recognized the look in his eyes. He was pretty sure it was the same one he got when he looked at Matty. He squeezed her hand.

"I remember that day," Ian said. "Yeah, two sounds about right. I had Rooster, my dog," he said to Matty. "And we were talking about the upcoming pancake breakfast and who was going to be back in town for the event."

Dash chimed in as his memories were jogged. "It was definitely around two-when I left you, Ian, I came straight up here because Brad had scheduled a two-thirty appointment."

Ian nodded. "Thats good to know-thanks, Matty for providing the information. I dont think well need to look into it, but if Sandra pursues you as a potential suspect, well be ahead of the game."

Matty glanced back and forth between Ian and Vivi. "I," she hesitated. "I know I should have said something sooner about all this," she continued with a sweeping gesture to the pictures, "and thank you for not berating me for that. But I just didnt want to make things worse for Brad. I didnt know him, but it seems like he was a good guy. I think we both paid for the sins of our parents, so to speak, when it came to any relationship he and I might have had, and I guess maybe I was just trying to make amends to him for not taking the olive branch I think he tried to extend when he was alive. He called a couple of times, but I just never . . ." Her voice trailed off. "Did you ever find his phone?" she asked suddenly.

By her tone, Dash knew she was remembering the many frustrated calls she had made to Brad in the past few weeks. None of which were efforts to extend a truce between them and the regret rang clear in her voice.

Ian glanced at Vivi, who reached across the table and laid her hand on Mattys free one. "We did. It was on him when he died. And as to the rest, you told us now, so now we can put what weve learned in the context of what we already knew and we can also use it to inform where we look from here. It would have been good to know all of this right away, but despite everything, he was family and sometimes we do funny things when it comes to family."

Ian raised his hand and rubbed it up and down Vivis back, as if to give her reassurance, and Dash knew why. The serial killer that had killed so many women, the man theyd caught earlier in the year, had been like a cousin to Vivi, someone shed known her entire life.

Dash gave Mattys hand a reassuring squeeze. "I second what Vivi said. Now that they have this information, they can use it however they need to. So," he said, releasing Mattys hand and rising, "I dont mean to be a killjoy, but I have an early morning tomorrow and Matty is planning to come with me, so we should probably think about bringing this night to a close."

Taking Dashs cue, everyone else rose as well. It was true, he and Matty did have an early morning, but more importantly, he thought she needed some downtime. She wasnt a woman used to sharing and shed had to lay a lot out on the table today. Not just what shed found out about Brad, but also her relationship with her father and the reality of just how tense her interactions with Sandra could be.

She was also dealing with the very real possibility that Sandra would try to point a finger at her for Brads death. There wasnt a shadow of a doubt in Dashs mind that Matty was not involved, and it looked like Vivi and Ian agreed, but still, knowing that her fathers wife might make the accusation, and that her father would be caught in the middle, couldnt be easy for Matty.

A few minutes later, after saying good-bye to Vivi and Ian, Dash followed Matty up the stairs. By unspoken agreement they said nothing and crawled into bed, finding a quiet kind of comfort in each other.

A powerful wind blew Mattys hair across her face as she stood on her patio watching Dash drive away. Theyd spent most of the morning together, driving from farm to farm, meeting Dashs clients and handling all sorts of matters-from shots for cows and sheep to emergency stitches on one of the local performance horses. Theyd also stopped for lunch at Franks Cafe in town and had even done a little bit of comfort shopping-well, at least she had. Shed picked up another beautiful quilt at the store on Main Street, this time for Nanette. Now Dash was off to handle his afternoon appointments at the clinic and she was going to spend her time alone cleaning the house and writing.