“Well, there is no way this guy is Jim Smith. Coroner turned him over, straightened him out. Height and weight are close, but that’s it.”

Tess frowned. “So what do you have?”

“This guy checked into the hotel as Walter Ferguson.”

Tess felt her heart drop, her mouth go dry. “Oh no. That’s the agent Bass sent. What you’re telling me—”

“Chevy said that Ice liked to think of himself as a chameleon. Jim Smith killed Ferguson and sure as shooting, he’s going to try to pass as Agent Ferguson.”

Tess froze as that sank in. Smith was after Chevy, and the only way Tess could get word to Chevy and Livie was through Oliver. Tess quickly said good-bye and called Oliver as she hurried back to her car, praying she’d get to him before the fake Agent Ferguson did.

47

Oliver brought a hand to his chin, scratching his beard, hoping this request from Agent Ferguson wouldn’t take long. He heard his phone but wanted to finish with the agent first. He’d check messages in a minute.

“Yeah, she’s with Livie Harp. Harp’s home is very secure; no one is going to get to her there.”

“Can you take me to this Livie Harp?”

“Now? Can’t it wait a bit?”

“No, it can’t. And I was told that you were the only person to speak to. I certainly don’t want to arrive there out of the blue and frighten the girl. After all, she has been through a lot.”

“Yes, she has.” Oliver knew he was the only one who had Harp’s phone number. Realizing that he’d have to wait to see Tess, Oliver swallowed his disappointment. He didn’t want Chevy frightened either.

“I can call them—”

“I’d rather go in person. A phone call is too cold, impersonal.” The agent smiled.

Resigned, Oliver said, “Okay, sure, I can take you there. Let me grab my coat.”

When he returned to the porch, Agent Ferguson was on the bottom step.

“My car is in your church lot.” Ferguson gestured toward the lot, indicating Oliver could walk in front of him. Oliver lived on the church grounds, and the parking area was a short walk along a stone path. He started up the path, Agent Ferguson on his heels.

As they approached the lot, Oliver saw a gray sedan. The only out-of-place vehicle there, it must be the agent’s. He was headed toward it when a Rogue’s Hollow PD SUV pulled into the lot and parked next to it.

Tess. Oliver’s heart skipped a beat.

“Ah, the chief is here,” he said to Ferguson without taking his eyes off Tess.

She stepped out of the car and started toward them. Something was wrong—Oliver could see that right away. There was something in her body language that made Oliver tense up. He felt the agent at his shoulder.