“We need you to protect Duns from any negative fallout. He didn’t want to leave the crime scene, so he gave us his vehicle. He also doesn’t have an explanation of how he found the crime scene.”

“I’ll take care of that. He’ll be fine.”

“Thanks. We didn’t share any details, but he knows we know who murdered Kramer. I promised to tell him more when I could.”

“You’ve got enough to do. I’ll take care of that too.”

“Holly, it’s not my intent to dump all of this on you.”

“I consider this a team effort. I’m just doing my share.”

He sensed some unease in her. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“Nathan, hold on a minute.”

Nathan waited on hold for a few minutes before she returned.

“Holly, what’s going on?”

“I’m closing my door, hang on.… Lansing just called. He knows you’re involved and he’s not real happy about it.”

He looked at Harv.

“I didn’t tell him,” she added.

“We know that.”

“He’s concerned about your further involvement.”

“With all due respect, we don’t report to Lansing.”

“Technically, neither do I. My boss is in Los Angeles. In fact, Lansing said it was my call. He made it clear this operation is outside the normal chain of command and that I’m to report directly to him on all matters related to Montez. He also made it clear that letting you and Harv proceed involves risk for all of us, and that my political capital is all used up.”

“So you’re on the hook if we screw this up.”

“I made a deal. It’s the price of your admission.”

“The hell it is. You’re not taking the fall for anything. Period. If Lansing wants to get in the mud with me, he’ll regret it.”

“Nathan, please.…”

He heard the stress in her voice. The last thing he wanted to do was contribute to it. “I’m sorry, Holly, I didn’t mean that. I’d never do anything to damage your relationship with him.”

“It’s okay. We’re all on edge. I just can’t stop thinking about that monster having Nichole Dalton and her daughters. It’s really tearing me up.”

“Yeah, me and Harv too.”

“Grangeland’s already in Salt Lake. I’ll have her meet you there.”

“Grangeland’s in Salt Lake?”

“Early this morning Lansing asked me to send one of my agents out there to do an assessment of Kramer’s body. Grangeland was the perfect choice. She has a master’s degree in forensic science. Plus, I had a feeling you’d end up there. She’ll get you into the ME’s facility.”

“Thanks, Holly.”

“We’re just pulling into Bullfrog’s airstrip,” Harv said. “We’ll be airborne in ten minutes. Can we call you after we land?”