“Okay.”

I take the stairs two at a time to the top. Tomasetti and Lois bring up the rear. Then I’m through the door, and as I tread down the hall, I feel the cool, damp air coming through the broken window. Outside, the tornado sirens wail their eerie song. Though it’s late afternoon, it’s nearly as dark as night, so I turn on the Maglite.

I reach the reception area and look around. My heart sinks as I take in the damage. The blinds flap in the wind coming in through the window. Rain sweeps in with every gust. Water glistens on the floor. An aluminum trash-can lid is lodged between the blinds and the sill. Shards of glass, chunks of wood, and other small debris—leaves and twigs and trash—litter the floor. There’s paper everywhere.

“Looks like we dodged the bullet here,” comes Tomasetti’s voice from behind me.

“Computer and radio are dry.” It’s the only positive comment I can come up with.

“Oh my God.” Lois looks a little shell-shocked as she walks over to her desk. “Want me to call that glass guy up in Millersburg about that window?”

Usually we require three estimates on any work done for the township. Since time—and security—are at issue here, I reply with, “Get him down here within the hour. If he can’t replace the glass today, I want it secured some other way. Lois, if you smell any gas or smoke, get out and call the gas company and then call me.”

“Okeydoke.” She rounds the reception desk and gets behind the phone console, which is eerily silent.

“I’m going to go down to the trailer park to see if anyone’s hurt,” I tell her. “Call me if you need anything.”

Outside the window, the rain pours down, slapping against the concrete like a thousand angry fists.

About the Author

Linda Castillo is the New York Times bestselling author of the Kate Burkholder novels, including Sworn to Silence, which was recently adapted into a Lifetime Original Movie titled An Amish Murder starring Neve Campbell as Kate Burkholder. Castillo is the recipient of numerous industry awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, a nomination by the International Thriller Writers for Best Hardcover, the Holt Medallion, and a nomination for the RITA. In addition to writing, Castillo’s other passion is horses. She lives in Texas with her husband.

Visit her Web site at lindacastillo.com. Or sign up for email updates here.

Also by Linda Castillo

After the Storm (July 2015)

The Dead Will Tell

Her Last Breath

Gone Missing

Breaking Silence

Pray for Silence

Sworn to Silence

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