The memory brought on a happy hum as she continued down the street and stepped into the station. But the sound died in her throat when she saw what was awaiting her in the lobby.

Sheila nodded her way. “This gentleman has been waiting to speak with you.”

The man stood. He was tall and fit, with a bearing that said cop or military. Wearing cargo pants and a dark T-shirt under a light jacket, he was either undercover or off duty.

“Chief O’Rourke?”

“That’s me.”

He held up his ID. “Agent Alonzo Bass, FBI, out of Phoenix, Arizona.”

Tess studied the ID for a moment. “Hello, Agent Bass, you’re a long way from home. How can I help you?”

“It’s Lon, and I have a situation to bring to your attention. Is there a place we can talk?”

“Sure.” Tess nodded and pointed the way to her office. Once they were inside, she closed the door. “Does this have anything to do with the incident here in July?”

“Yes and no. It has to do with a case wrapping up in Mesa, Arizona. It’s not big news yet, but it will hit tomorrow.” He opened the briefcase he had with him and pulled out a standard FBI press release. “As to what happened here three months ago, I know Marcus Ledge. I’ve talked at length about the incident you two were involved in and done my own study of the area here. He says you’re to be trusted, that you’re good at what you do. That goes a long way with me.”

“Hmm.” Tess studied him for a moment, remembering DEA Agent Ledge and his corrupt partner. Then she directed her attention to the press release, which concerned a sting operation and the shutting down of a child trafficking ring based out of a mansion in Mesa. Four minor girls and one adult female were liberated, and eight adults arrested.

“Wow. But what does this have to do with me?”

“One of the rescued girls, the eighteen-year-old, is going to be our star witness. She was closest to our target, and she acquired an iPad with information implicating a high-powered person involved in this ring. There’s a lot of money tangled up in the case and possibly a lot of politics. My partner and I have been tasked with keeping the girl safe.”

“You? Wouldn’t that normally fall to the US Marshals?”

“Ordinarily, yes. But when this hits the media and you see who our main target is, you’ll understand why we’re going outside channels.” He stood, hands in pockets, jiggling keys and change. “Chief, my research of Jackson County in general and Rogue’s Hollow in particular turned up a few things besides sterling endorsements of you and the way you work. There’s a battered women’s shelter here in town, correct?”