I was about to ask how exactly he’d deal with it, but before I had a chance he ended the call.

When I glanced up, Cindy was looking at me expectantly. “Day said he would ‘handle it,’” I used air quotes, unimpressed by my exchange with the sheriff. “He sounded pretty panicked, so I hope that means he’s taking it seriously.”

Ron shook his head and pressed his back against the wall. “I hope it means they’re not just going to yell at the deputy and call it a day.”

At this Cindy’s face hardened. “It is not our job to tell the sheriff’s department how to deal with an isolated issue.” She really stressed the word isolated, as she looked between Ron and me. “I am telling you, as your boss that you need to let Day do his job and when it’s appropriate for us to get involved, we will. I am not looking to piss off Day. His special crimes investigators are some of our best partners in the highly sensitive cases.”

Like Ron and I didn’t know that.

I stood there with the tension suddenly heavy and uncomfortable, taking in what Cindy was saying.

Ron spoke first. “So this office’s position is that we wait until there’s a crime to prosecute?”

Once again, Cindy spoke over me. “No, this office’s position is that we’re not going to overstep and possibly burn a bridge with a department that we have worked hard to build a relationship with, unless we absolutely have to. We are not there yet.”

I was in no uncertain terms being told to mind my business. “Whatever you say, boss.” I tried to sound cordial, because in the end, she had the last word. If I was being honest with myself, I had no idea how to deal with any of it either.

Cindy left without responding to what I’d said, which was probably something I’d have to deal with later. The frustration was rolling off Ron, but we’d gotten our marching orders. I sighed and sat down at my desk, closing my eyes for a moment. “Cindy’s right. At this point there isn’t much we can do other than keep an eye on it.”

Ron opened his mouth and then closed it, as if he knew he’d just hit a wall. “These things escalate and they are never ever a one-time thing. You know that, Easton. I mean you watch the news, you read. You pay attention.”

I glanced at the pile of folders I needed to review for court later and wanted to curse. None of us needed this shit right now. “I do, I also know, as you do, that we can’t just make demands from the sheriff’s department, especially when not much has happened.”

As soon as I said it, Ron’s face went stony. Then I realized how flippant I’d just sounded.

Fuck.

“I know this is not nothing, and that it’s going to scare a lot of people in the community, Ron. I know that. I’m not saying we should ignore it. I’m saying you and I can’t take this on, no matter how much we’d like to.”