“We’ll start upstairs,” Deke announced, glancing at Killian and Rawley. Then he turned back to Mrs. Winchester, whose knuckles were white around the doorframe. “Ma’am, we need all laptops, cellphones, tablets—any electronic devices in the house.”
She pushed the door closed, took a small step back, eyes wide. “Why are you taking my things? I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Everyone in this house is under suspicion,” Deke said evenly. “Either you hand them over, or we’ll seize them.”
Her lip trembled. She reached into her coat pocket and produced her smartphone, placing it in an evidence bag Rawley held open. “My laptop is in the bedroom,” she whispered.
“Lead the way.”
She guided them up a wide, winding staircase. A panel of stained glass halfway up scattered colored light over the walls. At the top, she paused before a white door and hesitated, as if steeling herself.
Inside the bedroom, afternoon light lay across warm hardwood floors and an oak desk where a silver laptop waited. Mrs. Winchester pointed. Deke lifted it and placed it in a bag. Each time, areceipt was written and handed to her. “Where’s your husband’s?”
“In his office, but he probably has his phone with him,” she said.
Deke nodded. “We’ll get it later. Now, the kids’ rooms, please.”
She exhaled and led them first to Derrick’s. He sat up in bed that was strewn with comic books and model planes, blinking owlishly at the intruders.
“Derrick,” Mrs. Winchester said softly, “these men have a warrant for your phone and laptop.”
Derrick’s shoulders dropped. “Why me?”
Deke produced the warrant. “It’s not just you. We need every device in the house.”
“Will I get them back?” His voice wavered on hope.
“Maybe,” Deke replied. “But don’t expect a quick turnaround.”
Derrick let out a defeated sigh. “I guess I’ll have to play video games, then.”
“For a while,” Deke confirmed. Derrick put the smartphone and a slim laptop into a large paper bag, and flopped back onto the bed, scowling but subdued.
Next, Mrs. Winchester led them to another door. She opened it gingerly. Inside, Tommy leapt off his mattress, scattering a rumpled blanket.
“Marlee! I told you to knock!” he snapped at his stepmother in the hallway. Then his eyes widened when he spotted the men with protective vests on with Livestock Agent embroidered on them. “What the hell is this?”
“These men are from the Montana Department of Livestock,” Mrs. Winchester said. “They needyour phone and laptop.”
Tommy crossed his arms. “Tough shit. I’m not giving you anything.”
Rawley stepped forward, broad-shouldered and calm. “We have a warrant. Hand them over.”
Tommy’s chin jutted defiantly. “No way.”
Killian’s voice was slow and even, “Actually, you will. Don’t make it harder on yourself.”
Deke watched Tommy’s defiance flicker. “You’re eighteen,” he reminded quietly. “If you resist, you could be charged as an adult.”
Tommy sneered. “Charged for what? I didn’t do anything.”
“Then you won’t mind handing over your devices,” Deke said.
Rawley sighed, feigning exhaustion. “Kid, I’m too tired for this. Put the phone and laptop into these bags.”
After a tense moment, Tommy’s shoulders slumped. He retrieved his phone and laptop and tossed them on the bed.
“There,” he muttered.
