“The closer to the truth, the better,” he says.

“Okay.”

“Suggs and I will brief you when you get up here.”

“In the interim, I’ll e-mail you everything I’ll need in terms of my background and things I’ll need once I arrive.”

“Great.”

“I’m obviously going to need to rent a place while I’m there. As close as possible to the Amish community. If you could look into that.”

“Sure thing.”

“A lot of Amish homes don’t have electricity. I’d appreciate it if you could find me a place that at least has electricity. At the very least I’ll need to charge my phone.”

“Of course. I’ll get right on it.”

“I’ll be driving my official vehicle to New York. I’ll need a secure place that’s out of sight from the public to park it while I’m there. I’m sure it’s overkill, but I don’t want anyone to see Ohio plates parked at the sheriff’s department.”

“I thought of that, actually. We got an impound garage.”

“That’ll work.” I think about transportation and not for the first time I’m reminded of just how complicated the assignment is going to be. “The Amish use drivers when they need to travel long distances. Here in Ohio we call them Yoder Toters. If you can manage it, I’m going to need to make contact with someone who regularly drives the Amish.”

“Shit, Chief, I don’t know anything about the Amish there in Roaring Springs, but I’ll get with Suggs. I’m sure he’ll get us what we need.”

“I’ll have two firearms with me. I’m assuming that won’t be a problem.”

“We’ll get all the official paperwork handled when you arrive. Might be a few forms for you to sign.”

“In the meantime, I’ll continue working on my story. My background. My family situation. Why I’ve relocated to Roaring Springs at this point in my life. Why I’m not married.”

“Maybe you’re a widow? Husband killed in a buggy accident, or something?”

“I like the widow part, but my dearly departed husband probably shouldn’t have met his demise in any way that would have hit the newspapers. Chances are, no one will be checking out my story, but if they do, it has to be something believable and untraceable. An illness would be better. Cancer or something.”

“Gotcha.”

“I’ll figure out the details before I get there, put everything on paper for you and Sheriff Suggs.”

We fall silent, everything that’s been said ringing over the line. “Do the Amish in that part of New York have a newspaper of any sort?” I ask after a moment.

“As a matter of fact, they do. The Bridge is printed every other week right in Roaring Springs.”

“I’d appreciate it if you’d pick up a copy for me.”

“No problem.”

“I’m going to get things rolling here,” I tell him. “Hopefully, I’ll be there in a day or two.”

“I’ll call Suggs and let him know. He’ll be glad to hear it. In the meantime, Chief Burkholder, if there’s anything you need to get things moving, give me a call and I’ll make it happen.”