There was a knock on the door and a man came in. Charlie Trimble was dressed in khaki pants and a striped button-down shirt.

“I know it’s late but I saw your light on, Sheriff—” He broke off when he saw the other people with him.

“I’m sort of busy, Charlie.”

Trimble looked keenly at Annabelle. “Ah, the daughter. Still looking for your father?”

Annabelle did not like the emphasis the man put on the last word.

“No, he’s actually not my father.” She turned to Alex. “He’s the man I was telling you about. The reporter looking to make a fast scoop.”

“I see. At the expense of national security, I don’t think so.”

“National security?” said Trimble, taken aback. He glanced at Tyree. “What are they talking about?”

“Apparently Ben isn’t who we thought he was.”

“I know that,” said Trimble excitedly. “But I think I do know who he is. I’ve got the story all ready to go. But I—”

He shut up as Annabelle shoved her ID in his face. Alex did the same. “Trimble,” she began, “you’re not going to print one syllable of anything having to do with this matter.”

Trimble said in a defiant tone, “Don’t think you can intimidate me.”

“We’re not trying to intimidate you, just give you a fair warning,” said Alex.

“Warning, about what?”

“If you print your story and something happens to our guy, your butt will end up at the Castle.”

“The Castle? What castle?”

“Leavenworth.”

“Leavenworth? That’s for military crimes. I’m not in the military.”

“Actually,” said Alex, barely able to conceal a smile, “it’s also for national security crimes. And just for the record, you’re anything I want you to be.”

“What about the first amendment?”

Reuben towered over him. “What about the second amendment?” he said menacingly, the pistol in his belt clip clearly visible.

“I . . . I mean, uh, nothing, nothing.”

Annabelle hooked him by the arm. “Trimble?”

“Yes?” he said shakily.

“Go home. Now! Before you get hurt.”

The journalist nearly shot out of the room.

She turned to Tyree. “I think it’s time we go to see where a bottom turns into an ass.”

Chapter 71

CHAPTER 71

TYREE LED THE WAY in his patrol car with the van behind. About a quarter mile from the farm he pulled off and the van slid in behind him.

Getting out of the car, he said, “We’ll make the rest of the way on foot. Don’t want to spook anybody. We got time before the miners come.”

They threaded their way through the woods until they came to the outskirts of the farm and set up an observation post near the house, which was dark. Abby’s pickup truck and the Mini Cooper were parked out front.