“That confirms it’s a concerted effort. That there are others involved.”

“I’ve been asking a lot of questions. Too many, probably.”

“Someone noticed.”

I consider that a moment. “Dan, had I died in that coop—and I was, indeed, an Amish widow from another state—my death probably would have gone unnoticed and unreported.”

“That’ll put a chill in your damn spine.” He heaves another sigh. “I guess it’s safe to say you’ve officially pissed off Schrock.”

“I turned down his advances. Maybe that ruffled his ego.”

“Do you think he made you as a cop?”

“No. He thinks I don’t know my place.”

“Or whoever you’ve been talking to went to Schrock or mentioned it to someone who did. Any ideas? The woman at the quilt shop?”

“I can’t see her going to Schrock.” I take a long swig of tea. “Dan, I’ve talked to a lot of people since I arrived. It could have been any of them.” I sigh. “Guess I wasn’t being as subtle as I thought.”

“That son of a bitch is using some pretty heavy-handed intimidation tactics. If he’s responsible for half the shit that’s going on, he’s dangerous as hell.”

“There’s no doubt in my mind.”

“It goes against my better judgment to leave you in there.”

“Dan, I’m just now getting to the meat of this. Just a few more days. I’ll be careful.”

Suggs groans. “Something like this happens again and you’re out. You got that?”

“I got it.” I choose my next words carefully. “Would you do me a favor and not mention this to Tomasetti?”

“Oh boy,” he mutters. “Are you two…”

“Um … well…”

“I have no reason to mention any of this to Tomasetti. But I have to keep Betancourt up to speed.”

“I’d appreciate it if the two you kept it between you.”

“I’ll do my best,” he says.

“Thanks, Dan.”

“If I were you, I’d start sleeping with that thirty-eight under my pillow,” the sheriff tells me.

“I plan to,” I reply. “Talk to you tomorrow.”

“Night, Chief.”

*   *   *

Fear and sleep make incompatible bedfellows. Throw post-hypothermic exhaustion into the mix and you have a long and excruciating night. To make matters worse, I bedded down on the sofa. I couldn’t bear the thought of someone breaking in and not hearing them from the back bedroom. When I finally dozed off at five A.M., I had my .38 in my hand, the hammer back and my cell in the other.

Lucky for everyone involved, the men never showed.