“Maybe he’s been planning an antidrug program with the principal or something.”
“That’s my job.”
Stella pursed her lips, looking thoughtful.
“I’m dropping off some information at the school for the principal this afternoon. I’ll see if I can get some answers from him,” Mattie said.
“Be careful, Mattie.”
“I will.” She intended to be careful, but she also intended to get to the bottom of it.
Stella stared out the passenger window, lips pursed. “This is some serious shit,” she muttered under her breath.
Chapter 26
Leaving Robo in the car in front of the high school, Mattie entered the building, a manila envelope containing information about the antidrug program in hand. She was relieved to find Brennaman standing at the front counter, apparently filling out some forms. He tilted his head to look at her over the top of reading glasses perched partway down his nose. He gave her a teasing smile.
“Deputy Mattie Lu, you came to see me.”
“Yes, sir, I wanted to bring by the materials I mentioned. I’m glad you’re here.”
“If you could just put them down here on the counter, I’ll get to them when I can.”
Mattie laid the packet down next to him. “I have a quick question for you. You know Patrick O’Malley, right?”
“Why, yes. Patrick does work for me around here.”
“Did he work for you the past couple weeks?”
“Hmm . . .” He leaned on the countertop and peered at her over his glasses again. “Yes, he tore down and cleared out some old sheds out back. You know the ones, Mattie. You kids used to hang out there when you were up to no good.”
Mattie decided to let that slide. “Can you vouch for him being here last Friday morning?”
“I was at a meeting, so I don’t believe I can.”
“Perhaps your secretary?”
“Oh, yes. Betty may have seen him.” He walked toward the back and called down the hallway. “Betty? Could you come out front for a moment?”
Looking as harried as she had before, Betty came down the hallway. “Yes?” she said.
“Betty, can you tell us if Mr. O’Malley was here at work on Friday morning?”
“Of course. I gave him his paycheck like I always do on Fridays.”
“Thank you.” Brennaman raised a brow at Mattie. “Is that all you need?”
“Yes, thank you, Betty. That’s all I need from you right now,” Mattie said, as the woman hurried to leave. “Just another quick question for you, Mr. Brennaman.”
“I have work I should be doing, Mattie.”
“This won’t take but a moment.” She took a second to organize her words. “Deputy Brody initiated patrol and established a police presence here before and after school last May.”
She paused, hoping he’d jump in. She wasn’t disappointed.
“Yes, he did. We talked about that before he started. I think it helped keep down the roughhousing and carrying-on we get, especially at the end of the day when energies are high.”
“So he was able to mingle with the kids then?”
“Yes, he did a great job. Spent time with the various groups, seemed to get to know them.”
This was all news to her. She decided to take a chance. “That might be when he met Grace.”
Brennaman appeared to be thinking back. “Yes, I believe so. He used to visit with her group now and then, although they aren’t the troublemakers. I’m pretty sure I remember him talking to Grace sometime in the spring.”
Mattie controlled the electric jolt that shot through her and remained calm.
“And has he had some discussions with you this summer about continuing that police presence in the fall?”
Brennaman frowned slightly. “No, not really. He stopped in before we tore down those buildings and asked if he could nose around out there. Said he remembered some things back there from his high school days and wanted to take another look. I told him it was all trash and he was welcome to anything he might want. It would save Patrick some time and me some money.” He smiled.
Mattie covered her tracks. “Oh, I’ll have to talk with him. He must be waiting for me to follow up with you about next year. So you haven’t been having regular meetings this summer?”
“No, he just stops in now and then.” He glanced toward the back room and then kept his voice low as he went on. “I think he likes to visit Betty. He likes to flirt and tell her jokes.”
Mattie smiled and nodded as if she found the gossip entertaining. What she really felt was exhilaration; she’d been able to get the information she sought and apparently without arousing suspicion. She reached to shake his hand. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Brennaman. I’ll leave you alone so you can get back to work now.”
He held onto her hand as if keeping her from leaving and then released it as he started speaking. “So tell me, Mattie, why were you selected to manage this big dog?”
“I passed a fitness test. It’s important that a dog’s handler can keep up with him.”
“Do you have experience with dog training?”
“A little bit, with pets growing up, but Robo was fully trained when I got him.”
Brennaman frowned. “I wouldn’t guess you’d had experience with pets growing up, with your childhood background.”
Mattie’s cheeks warmed. “Some of my foster families had pets.”
“Even so.”
She wasn’t sure what he was getting at. Was he doubting her ability to handle Robo or trying to undermine her confidence? “Robo and I had three months of training at K-9 Academy this summer. We know what we’re doing.”
He studied her over the tops of his readers. “I certainly hope so, Mattie, if we let you bring him into school like you’re proposing.”
“I can vouch for Robo’s good behavior, sir. I’m confident we can handle the program.”
Brennaman gave her a dismissive smile and a short wave. “I won’t keep you. Thanks for stopping by, Mattie. I look forward to seeing more of you around here.”
Once outside, she realized she’d broken into a sweat. Geez! He could still get to her. She hoped she could get over that when she started spending more time with him. When it came to confidence, she could talk the talk, but could she walk the walk? She hoped so. She needed to put her past behind her and move on.
Unsettled, Mattie hurried to the cruiser. As usual, Robo’s greeting lightened her mood.
“We’ll just have to show him, won’t we, Robo.”
She headed to the station, thinking about what she’d learned. Both Tommy and Brennaman thought they’d seen Brody talking with Grace. It sounded like he was a real flirt when it came to women, though she’d never experienced it, and Grace had been an attractive girl. She realized she could ask Angela Walker what she knew about Brody and Grace.
She reached for her cell phone and dialed Cole Walker.
“Hello, Mattie,” he answered.
“Hello. I was hoping I could catch Angela with you. I have a quick question for her.”
“Sure. She’s right here.”
Angela took the phone, and they exchanged greetings.
“I hear that Deputy Brody spent some time at school last spring,” Mattie said, “running patrol and meeting some of the kids. Did you ever meet him?”
“No, but I know who you’re talking about. He mostly spent time with the kids who get in trouble.”
“Do you know if Grace met him?”
“Not that I know of, but she could’ve.”