Page 44 of Beneath Still Waters

“We won’t know until we get there. Do you want to come back here, or do you want to stay in Cody?” He stared straight ahead, his face unreadable.

“I don’t know.” That was one thing her heart and mind had been unable to reconcile. Even prayer hadn’t given her an answer yet. “I guess I’ll know after I talk to him.”

“Did you say Brendon gave you a note?”

She fidgeted with her blazer. “Yes. He feels I need at least another month of therapy. With him. At least twice a week. But just because he recommended it doesn’t mean my boss will agree to those terms. I’m on leave. There’s only so long they’ll be willing to pay me without getting something out of it in return. They could suggest I take on a desk position until I can physically get back to my job. I don’t know.” Sitting at a desk all day sounded like the worst torture.

“I hate desk duty. Some people are really good at it. They like the detail and helping without putting themselves in danger. It’s a good fit. I’m not one of those people.”

“I could tell from the moment I met you.” She laughed. “Your shoes look like you never give them a day off. You don’t do doughnut runs.”

“Runs, yes. Doughnuts . . . occasionally. I like staying healthy. Fit. But it’s not an obsession or anything.” He shot a glance at her.

“I know. If anything, I’d say you are one of those guys who likes moderation in all things.” When had they become friends?

“Pretty astute. If you don’t come back, I think you should request investigator training. You’d be good at it.”

She let the compliment settle over her. Police work hadn’t been a culture that offered her pats on the back. It was a job, not a pageant. “Thanks. I’m still pretty new. I don’t think they’d even let me ask for that yet.” She folded her hands in her lap. Where could the conversation go after that?

Before long, the deep growth of trees denoting the farm where Heath and Kevin lived came up on the right side of theroad. Ferd laid her hand over her weapon.If I need this, can I use it? What if they jump us?

Duke pulled to a stop in front of the old house and turned off the engine. The goose was nowhere in sight. “Their truck is there. You know what’s odd about it?” He frowned as he stared at it.

“I hadn’t thought about it before, but you’re right. It doesn’t fit. Everything else around here is old, but that truck is brand new with tinted windows and it’s sparklingly clean.”

“Exactly. I just noticed that. Not sure why it didn’t occur to me last time. Not that people who have old, run-down houses can’t have new pickups, but it seems odd.”

“Especially with the cost. If I had to make repairs on my house but still needed a truck, I’d buy a used one to save a little money so I could still make the repairs.”

Duke slowly nodded. “That’s my way of thinking too. Wonder what it means, if anything?”

“I think we’re both at the point of really wanting that break in this case, the thing that makes everything else make sense. Trouble is, none of the suspects stand out to me above any of the others.”

“Agreed. Let’s go talk to them.” Duke got out of the car.

Ferd followed him as they headed to the front stoop. The steps creaked loudly, and Duke’s knock was so loud in the quiet that birds flew from their perches in the trees above.

Heath answered the door, holding it mostly closed. “Yeah? Did you figure out what happened behind my barn?”

Duke paused and waited until Ferd stood beside him. “No, but we did just witness you roughing up Carl Johanson at his houseboat. Care to share with us what is going on, or do I need to arrest you both for assault?”

Heath frowned and rolled his eyes. “There was no assault. The man can’t handle a few questions?”

“What right do you have to be asking him anything?” Ferd stepped forward.

Duke’s arm snaked out in front of her, stopping her. “She has a valid question.”

Heath stared at Duke’s hand as if he wished she would’ve stepped into his space, so he could’ve taught her a lesson. A shiver ran down her back. He didn’t appreciate being questioned.

“I think you’d better tell them, Heath,” Kevin said from somewhere behind him.

“Fine.” He stepped back and opened the door.

Inside, the room was dark with a bank of computer screens set up. Kevin sat in front of them, pecking at a keyboard.

“Give me a minute. I’m finishing an email to my supervisor, letting them know what’s going on.”

Supervisor? Weren’t they farmers?