Hi araddy,
Thank you for your question.
For user account in dept.com, we should create it on DC in dept.com domain.
By my understanding, we have install Exchange 2013 in expo.com domain, there are no Exchange that install in dept.com domain. If I misunderstanding, please be free to let me know.
If that, If that, we should create link mailbox for user in dept.com domain. In the Exchange forest, for each user in the accounts forest that will have a mailbox in the Exchange
forest, create a mailbox that is associated with an external account by the following link:
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj673532(v=exchg.150).aspx
The more details could be referred by the following link:
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa998031%28v=exchg.150%29.aspx
If there are any questions regarding this issue, please be free to let me know.
Best Regard,