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“On the surface,” I say absently, then turn to face the deputy. “Deputy…”
I let the word trail off, making it clear I have no idea what his unimportant name is. However, the guy grins a dopey, innocent grin, and I grow curious.
“It’s Deputy Charles Howser,” he says proudly, rocking back on his heels, completely oblivious and unoffended by the subtle barb.
“How long have you lived here or worked for the sheriff?”
“Been here six months, and been on the force for three weeks.”
I look at Donny, who narrows his eyes. “He puts us with his newest officer. Coincidence? I think not.”
“Likely his most innocent one, judging by the overwhelming stench of corruption everyone else was giving off. Where’s Leonard?”
Leonard walks around like he just heard his name, eyeing us. He joins us immediately as Elise resumes her role, distracting the deputy. But I interrupt.
“Why is the sheriff holding a town meeting if he’s hiding the fact a serial killer is targeting the town?”
“Oh, because we had some weird stuff happen last night. A lot of random doors were found open this morning to houses—at least fifty or so. Some mirrors were found missing, but that’s about it. Weird, huh?” he asks, but doesn’t give us time to respond. “The sheriff is holding a meeting to find out who did it.”
That makes no sense at all.
“It’s way worse now than it was,” Leonard tells us quietly. “The sheriff put on a show when we came to town. He’s been hiding a lot. And now he feels in control for some reason, acting as though he can also control us.”
“Because of the Godfather,” Donny states, reading my mind.
I turn back, interrupting Elise and the deputy again. “We’re going to go make those rounds now,” I tell him, timing it perfectly with Craig’s emergence from the cabin.
He’s holding a large stack of flyers, and Howser’s eyes widen in fear
“But the sheriff said—”
“When the sheriff is my boss, I’ll listen to him. But he has no authority over us or this investigation. At this point, his inclusion is merely a courtesy from my people. We outrank him. Do you understand?”
He doesn’t understand. I can tell it in his pitifully torn look.
Instead of explaining, Craig and I walk off, and Elise hobbles to the cabin to set up shop. Donny and Leonard take half the flyers, and they set off as well.
“When is Lana coming in?” Craig asks as we ignore Howser calling for us to ‘please stop walking.’
“In two days, at most. Possibly sooner. She didn’t want Hadley to have to ride alone. Lisa should be here any minute.”
“Hadley’s seal of approval? Never thought I’d see the day.”
“It’s surprisingly abrupt, but they seem to have bonded after what they both suffered.”
“Nothing forges a quicker bond than a sexual sadist nearly killing you both, then escaping on a stroke of luck.”
My stomach tilts, and I glare at him.
“Too soon?”
Muttering a few names for him under my breath, I snatch the staple gun from his hand and post the flyer on a pole.
We spot a woman coming out of the grocery store, tugging her child’s hand, and I tilt my head as several others start running out, getting out quickly. A few are even panicked as they race away.
Craig and I both dart across the street, hands on guns, when I see the wall in the back.
