That’s the way it is in small towns, isn’t it? Everyone knows everyone or at least has heard of someone. People greet you on the street, offer you directions freely, and if you were inclined to sit a few minutes, they’d share some of the town gossip. Was that why they were here? Or maybe it was the harsh reality that in a tight-knit community like Walton, the young girl left to die in the muddy marsh could’ve been their daughter, sister, or friend.

Was that what stole the color from Lane Kent’s soft features? Charlie’s nerves buzzed at the notion he’d be getting those answers from her later today. He ground his molars. He’d do good to remember the woman—the witness—was married.

Married. The word—the thought—had chased Charlie out of the Way Station Café last night but lingered at the back of his mind into the early morning hours. If Lane was married, then where was her husband? Would he know that his young, beautiful wife stood at the brink of despair . . . no. Charlie wrestled the thoughts out of his mind. He had no right to let those kinds of questions consume his thoughts. Assumptions. That’s what they were. He didn’t know anything about Mrs. Lane Kent or the man she was married to. And no matter what he thought he recognized in her eyes, his attention needed to be on the investigation.

Charlie scanned the crowd. It didn’t take a criminal mind to wonder if the killer was among them. His eyes landed on one of the men he had met at the Way Station Café the night before. Wilbur. His arm was wrapped around the shoulder of a silver-haired woman he tucked protectively into his side. The simple gesture opened up something inside Charlie’s chest.

“Can you tell us who discovered the body?”

The reporter’s question brought Charlie’s attention back to his job. Where it should be. Expectant eyes waited for an answer.

“That information will not be released.” Sheriff Huggins tucked his thumbs into his gun belt and rocked back on his heels. The extra skin around his jaw flexed in frustration. “Folks, we’re going to make this investigation as transparent as possible, but remember that tragedies like this can rip apart communities. Please respect the process, and as soon as we have new information we’ll let you know.”

Charlie fell in step next to Sheriff Huggins. The reporters’ shouts for more answers landed on deaf ears as the two men walked into the station.