Joy to the Wolves (Red Wolf #1) - Terry Spear Page 0,70

I get. If this is related to the man who rented the reindeer, I’ll talk to him. I might not press charges, but we’ll see.”

“Be safe.”

“You too, Brooke.” He gave her a kiss, then headed back out.

She went to greet her customers with a cheery smile and a welcome.

“Are the reindeer here today?” one of the ladies with two kids in tow asked.

* * *

Josh had already sent the information to Adam about the black pickup truck and the owner. Adam was on his way to the guy’s house. After checking to see if Roger Thornton had a son who might have stolen the reindeer, since Josh still thought it could be a teen prank, he discovered Roger had one sixteen-year-old son named Lucas. Josh drove to Roger’s place of business. The company was owned by the man who had hired the reindeer for the Christmas party. Coincidence? Josh didn’t believe in coincidences.

He parked at the brick-and-glass building and got out, then walked inside and said to the receptionist, “I’m here to see Roger Thornton.”

“Do you have an appointment, Mister…?”

“Detective Wilding.” Josh pulled out his badge, showed it to her, and then tucked it away.

“What’s this about?” she asked, her hand on the phone.

“This is between Mr. Thornton and me.”

She pushed a button and said into the phone, “A Detective Wilding is here to see you, sir.” She glanced up at Josh. “He wouldn’t say what it was about, sir… Right away.” She hung up the phone and motioned to the door near her. “Go right on in.”

“Thank you.” Josh opened the door, stepped inside, and shut the door behind him. He noted the man behind the desk—fortyish, temples slightly graying, dark sandy hair, glasses, and soft gray eyes—as he rose to greet Josh from behind his mahogany desk, the leather chair swiveling slightly.

Josh expected hostility or genuine disbelief, which would mean he truly had nothing to do with it. One other scenario came to mind—the suspect would be surprised, yet a hint of recognition would appear—just as he realized who the guilty party really was.

Mr. Thornton offered his hand, and Josh shook it. Then he motioned to one of the leather chairs while remaining behind his desk as if the furniture shielded him from an arrest. “What can I do for you, Detective Wilding?”

Josh preferred to stand, but he took a seat. “I have surveillance footage of your truck parked in front of Cerise’s Gift and Antique Shop after it was closed.”

At first, Mr. Thornton’s demeanor was apprehensive, but when Josh mentioned the truck, Mr. Thornton frowned, looking puzzled, but then it was as if the light dawned. He clearly knew who the driver was, but he didn’t say.

Mr. Thornton cocked a brow. “And?”

Josh sat against the leather seat back. “We have a good shot of the license plate from a nearby shop’s surveillance video.”

“What’s the crime in that?”

“A reindeer calf was stolen.”

Mr. Thornton’s jaw dropped.

“Your parent company had rented reindeer from the same ranch for your Christmas party. Two days later, someone driving your truck drops the reindeer calf off at the antique shop and places him in the courtyard but doesn’t properly shut the gate.”

“The calf’s alive, isn’t it?”

“Found and cared for and returned to the reindeer ranch, yes.”

Mr. Thornton relaxed a little, either relieved the reindeer hadn’t come to harm or relieved his son, if that was who had used the truck, wasn’t in even more trouble.

“Still, it’s theft and animal endangerment. Not only that, but the security video had been tampered with at the reindeer ranch.”

Again, a hint of worry flickered in the man’s eyes.

“Who was driving the truck that night? You didn’t report it stolen, so we have to assume you, or someone in your family, was driving that night,” Josh said.

“Do I need to call my lawyer?”

“My brother and I own the ranch. We can make a deal. Yes, the calf was safe, thankfully. The gate wasn’t shut properly, and the calf could have left the courtyard and been hit by a car. Breaking into a security system is also a crime. I don’t mind offering community service for the crimes, but I need some straight answers.”

Mr. Thornton smiled. “You’re fishing. You don’t have any proof of anything. You want my alibi for the night in question?”

“No. I suspect you weren’t driving the truck, but your son was. So I’ll need his alibi. I’ll be in touch.” Josh rose from his seat and handed Mr. Thornton his card. “If you want to talk