“That’s not true—at least not all of it. Her name is Alena Savard. She’s a dog trainer—she’s got a cadaver dog that’s almost psychic. I heard about her; I went up to see her when Marge couldn’t do the job; she came down and helped me out one night, that’s all.”

“You went to see a witch?” Kegan said. “Boy, I knew you were desperate, but—”

Danny turned to her. “Did you know about this too?”

“She didn’t know anything,” Nick said. “I couldn’t tell her—I couldn’t tell you—I promised Alena I wouldn’t tell anybody.”

“Why?”

“It’s complicated.”

“We had an agreement—no more secrets.”

“I had an agreement with Alena too, and hers came first—this happened before you were even assigned here. Look, Danny, I can’t talk now—I have to go.”

“You’re not going anywhere, mister. If you’re withholding information about a criminal investigation, I can have you arrested.”

“I’m not withholding information—I just don’t have time to talk right now. If Alena’s involvement has become public knowledge then her life could be in danger.”

“Then take me to her. I’ll post an agent—I’ll provide protection.”

“She’s got a thousand acres up there—how many agents are you planning to post, and for how long? She doesn’t need an armed guard, she needs to help us solve this case—that’s the only way she’s going to be safe long-term. She’s a recluse, Danny—I need to go up there and convince her to come down, and it’ll be a lot easier if you’re not with me. C’mon, let me go—it’ll be dark soon. I need you to trust me.”

“Trust you? Are you out of your mind?”

“I need until tomorrow morning—give me until then to convince her to come down. There’s a lake in the mountains up above Endor called Dogleg Lake. Ask anybody in Endor—they can tell you how to find it. Meet me on the west bank at sunup and I’ll explain everything— and bring the crew with you.”

“Give me one reason why I should trust you.”

Nick turned to Kegan. “Tell him, Kegan. Tell him I might be stubborn or obsessive or just plain crazy sometimes—but he can trust me.”

Kegan shrugged. “He’s right, Danny, you can trust him. He’s right about the ‘just plain crazy’ part too, but you probably already know that.”

Danny glared at Nick and slowly shook his head. “Sunrise—the west bank of Dogleg Lake. And you’d better be there, Nick—because if you’re not, I’ll get a warrant for your arrest.”