“Nope.” Pulling my chief-of-police face back in place, I turn to face him. “Just the heat, I think.”

It’s not a very good lie, because the temperature hovers somewhere around eighty degrees and there’s a pleasant breeze. I wish I’d told him I’d tied one on last night.

“I’m used to it,” he says easily. “LaShonda’s been throwing up for four months now. Her first trimester was—” He cuts off the word in mid-sentence.

A tense silence ensues, as if all the oxygen has been sucked away. I stare at Glock, willing him to take the words back. My mouth is open, but I can’t seem to close it. All I can do is stand there, stupid and mute, certain my well-guarded secret is written all over my face.

Glock raises his hands. “Hey, it’s none of my business.”

My stomach is still quivering when I cross to him. “You find something?”

He holds up a baggie containing a dozen or so dirt-covered .22 caliber cartridges. “Looks like they’ve been here awhile.” He motions to the place he’d been searching. “People have been shooting out here, but I thought these might be worth a look.”

“You find bones?”

“A lot of them.” He points to the corner of the structure. “Looks like whoever euthanized the animals just piled up the carcasses and left them to rot.”

“Might be why all these cartridges are here.” I think about that a moment. “Nolt’s remains showed no sign that he’d been shot, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Let’s bag them just in case.”

We’re interrupted by the crack of our dispatcher’s voice on the radio. “Chief, I’ve got a ten-ten over at McNarie’s Bar.”

Glock and I exchange looks. “Fight,” he mutters. “We done here, Chief?”

“I just need to finish up that far north side.” I cock my head, alerted by some inner voice that he’s reluctant to leave me. “Go ahead and take the call. I’m out of here in a few minutes.”

He hesitates.

“Glock, for God’s sake, I’m a cop.”

He looks uncomfortable, then sighs. “Look, Chief, I know you’re as capable as the next guy, and I don’t want to get in the middle of anything … personal, but Tomasetti asked me to keep an eye on you.”

Now it’s my turn to sigh. “Of course he did.”

“In light of the shooting the other night, I thought it was a good idea. You know, buddy system.”

I pat the .38 strapped to my hip. “And just between us, I’ve got a .22 mini Magnum in an ankle holster.”

“Damn, Chief, I’m impressed. Kind of jealous, too.”

I laugh outright. “Take the call before McNarie beats the shit out of someone.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Turning away, he jogs toward his cruiser, speaking into his lapel mike as he goes. “Ten-seven-six.”

*   *   *