Following the emotional reunion between the Coopers, the paperwork, and tying up loose ends, Tess made it home as the sun was rising. Cold and tired to the bone, all she could manage was taking off her boots and jacket and falling into bed. But needed sleep was interrupted a few hours later when the phone rang. It was Steve Logan.

“Sorry to wake you.”

Tess, stiff, bedraggled, and still exhausted, sat on the edge of the bed. “It’s okay. What’s up?”

“The gun you found in the knapsack. The guy didn’t do a very good job destroying the serial number. We were able to figure it out and run the numbers. All kinds of bells and whistles went off. Gun was reported stolen years ago and used in three murders. It was actually a cop’s duty weapon—”

Tess came wide-awake, her brain exploding with recognition. “It belonged to Isaac Pink.”

“Well, uh, yeah, how did you know?”

Tess ran a hand through her hair, blinking away the last bit of sleep. “Because I know that case. Isaac Pink was a cop killed because he was sheltering a witness.” She went on to explain to Steve the possible connection to Cyrus Beck.

“I’m not quite sure what to do with that. Do you think Cyrus Beck had something to do with Pink’s death?”

“I wouldn’t say it was impossible. And I’m sure Bass would be quick to make such a connection. Have you contacted LAPD?”

“I did. They’re sending a team up here, just not sure when. With the gunman still outstanding, this situation is fluid.”

“I’d like to talk to them.”

“I’m sure they’d like to talk to you. One other thing: do you remember me asking Livie Harp to come to the station today to be fingerprinted? It’s routine. She shot and killed a man; you know we need to identify her officially.”

“Yeah, I remember that.”

“She hasn’t shown up.”

Tess looked at the clock. It was close to 11 a.m. “What time was she supposed to be there?”

“Two hours ago.”

“Do you think she doesn’t want to be identified?”

“I don’t know what to think.”

–––

Oliver hadn’t been able to sleep. After tossing and turning, he finally gave in and got up. He opened the Bible but found that he couldn’t concentrate. A check of the clock told him he could head for the hospital; by the time he got there, visiting hours would have begun and he could look in on Tami. All the way to Medford, Oliver replayed the events of the day before. As much as he did want to check on Tami, more than anything, he wanted to sit down with Tess and unravel all the problems they’d encountered. He refused to believe that their relationship was not fixable.