The rest of the deputies are out in the field, working various angles. I can hear Sheriff Goddard in his office down the hall. He’s loud when he’s on the phone, and now he’s embroiled in a conversation that involves securing a warrant for the home of Frank Gilfillan, the leader of the Twelve Passages Church. Evidently, the judge on the other end doesn’t see things the way the sheriff does, and Goddard isn’t taking it well. So far, we’re batting zero and the frustration level is rising.

“Kate, for God’s sake, are you listening?” Auggie asks.

“I’m listening,” I reply, lying.

“My son’s life is at stake here. If he’s tried as an adult and convicted, his life is all but over.”

For an instant, I entertain the notion of telling him I’ll do what I can, just to get him off the phone. Then Sheriff Goddard comes through the door, looking like he’s had the crap beaten out of him, and saves me from stepping into that particular pile. “Look, Auggie, the sheriff just walked in. I’ve got to go.”

“Will you at least think about what I said?”

I hit END and frown at Goddard.

He frowns back. “Looks like your day might be heading in the same direction as mine,” he says.

“You mean to hell?”

“Thereabouts.”

I smile. “Any luck with the warrant?”

Goddard sighs. “Judge says the Twelve Passages is a church and they got the right to worship any way they see fit.” Another sigh. “It’s a damn cult, if you ask me.”

“Judge isn’t a member, is he?”

Goddard gives me a look, as if I might be serious, and then erupts with a belly laugh. “I don’t think so, but I swear to God, nothing would surprise me these days.”

“Did you talk to Gilfillan?”

“We did, and let me tell you he’s a weird son of a bitch. Got a weird belief system and bunch of damn weird followers. A lot of them aren’t much older than our missing teens. He’s recruited some Amish young people, too.”

That snags my attention. “Does he have a record?”

“Not even an arrest.”

“Hard to ignore the Amish connection.”

“Well, it ain’t over till it’s over.” He glances at Tomasetti. “You guys have any luck with Karns?”

“He’s worth keeping on the radar,” I tell him. “He shoots nude photos of kids, has an unusual interest in the Amish.”

“Maybe I’ll have better luck getting a warrant for his place.”

“Judge isn’t an art fan, is he?”

He chortles. “Chief Burkholder, you’ve got a mean streak.”