She shot him a look but didn’t answer.
“Someone made sure this unit was taken care of,” he said. “It’s been paid for ever since. We need to know if this unit has been held since Ward’s arrest, or is this a fresh rental. Hopefully, we will find a clue."
Charlotte’s jaw flexed. "Someone wants us to find something.”
Alex didn’t like what that implied.
The drive to the facility took just under an hour, long stretches of open highway giving way to industrial lots and commercial buildings. The storage facility was isolated, tucked within an old freight yard. Rusted trailers dotted the property, the kind of place no one noticed unless they wanted to.
Alex pulled into the lot, parking beside Noah’s SUV. Olivia and Ethan were standing near the gated entrance, talking in low tones. Noah got out of the SUV, adjusting his holster as he stepped up beside Alex.
Brad joined them, flipping through his notes. "I pulled the rental records. This unit was last accessed four days ago."
Charlotte frowned. "By whom?"
Brad exhaled. "That’s the problem. Once you have a key, no one keeps track. No ID, no verified payment method. Just monthly cash deposits, using their drop box under Graves’ name. The warrant gives us access to the unit as well as any registration paperwork.”
Olivia crossed her arms. "Great. A ghost account."
Brad frowned. “Maybe we will find a fingerprint.”
Ethan checked his weapon before glancing at Charlotte. "You ready for this?"
She nodded once.
Noah opened the door to the office and the front desk. The young man, who appeared to be college-age, greeted them.
“I’d like to speak with the manager,” he said, flashing his badge. "South Dakota U.S. Attorney’s office. We need access to unit 308. We have a warrant."
The young man paled and started to shake.
“You’re not in trouble.” The corners of Noah’s lips turned up. “That is, unless you committed a crime. Did you?”
The kid ran toward the back.
Alex chuckled. “You couldn’t resist, could you?”
The manager, a tired-looking sixty-something man with nicotine-stained fingers, walked through the door behind the desk. “I hear you want to see a unit.”
Brad placed the search warrant on the desk. “Number 308.”
“You sure you wanna go in there? People leave weird shit in these places."
Brad gave him a pointed look. "We’re sure. The warrant includes any paperwork for the rental.”
The man grumbled, “308,” and opened a file drawer. “I need to make a copy.”
“We want the originals.” Noah held an evidence bag open.
With the paperwork confiscated, the manager said, “Follow me.”
The team followed the manager down a long walkway. “308.”
“Thanks, we’ve got it from here,” Alex said.
With Waverly County Police at the periphery, Noah and Ethan stood on either side. Brad sandwiched Charlotte and Olivia with Alex, who took point.
Alex held up the key. "Moment of truth." He double-checked that Charlotte and Olivia were behind him. He inserted the key into the lock and turned. The hasp clicked open. He pulled the lock free and rolled up the door. A stale, dusty smell hit them immediately.
