Charlie recognized the sheriff’s look of concern. It was the same one he wore when he held Lane in his arms near the river yesterday. Paternal. Protective. Like he knew the real reason behind the anguish Charlie had seen pooling in Lane’s green eyes.

“Lynch?”

“Sorry, sir.” Charlie needed to rein in his thoughts, which lingered on Lane. What was wrong with him? She was married—off-limits. But why hadn’t he seen any proof of her husband? He hated to admit it, but he had looked that morning in the Way Station Café. For a pair of shoes, the lingering scent of aftershave, something that said a man lived there. Sheriff Huggins cleared his throat. “She was in a bit of a rush. Had an event or something she was running late to, but I was able to get a quick statement and the memory card from her camera. Lane—Ms. Kent said she didn’t take any pictures yesterday and the ones on the card are about a week old.”

“Right. The campaign.” Sheriff Huggins folded his arms across his chest. “That’s going to make our job more challenging.”

“Campaign?”

“Lane’s father is Judge Raymond Sullivan and he’s currently the front-runner for a senate bid.” The sheriff released a sigh before moving behind his desk. “It means there are a lot more unfamiliar faces in Walton.”

Realization spread through Charlie. “Which means less chance of a stranger standing out.”

“Frost”—Sheriff Huggins pulled a business card from his desk and held it out—“I have a friend, David Padello, in the FBI out of Savannah. That’s his card. He’s agreed to help us if we need it. And we may need it.”

The FBI allowed city, county, and state officials to operate their own investigations unless called upon, but Charlie also understood the feds liked to extend their assistance to the point of overstaying their welcome. He couldn’t imagine what Walton would look like overrun by suits and sedans.

“I also want you to make copies of the memory card from Lane’s camera. Maybe we’ll get lucky.” Conviction was missing from the sheriff’s tone and expression in that last statement.

“I’m on it.” Frost hurried out of Sheriff Huggins’s office.

“Do you think Frost can handle this investigation?” Sheriff Huggins stared past Charlie. “He’s a genius when it comes to computers and technology but a little vague when it comes to common sense.”

“He seems eager.” Charlie had detected an energy buzzing through the younger deputy. Maybe that’s why Sheriff Huggins stuck him in a small room, away from the others, where he could unleash his enthusiasm to attack the case without coming off as unsympathetic.

“Tell me, Lynch, how many baby-faced Marines fresh out of boot camp are ready to face war?”

“Sir?”