Stop talking, and stop shaking, he answered. His voice was calm, and he moved like molasses. Just trust me.

With infinite patience, Callaway shifted the board toward Harleys leg. The snakes tail rattled a little more loudly this time.

Want to tell me what the plan is here? Harley hissed, on the brink of leaping out of the way and taking her chances the snake wouldnt bite her.

In answer, with a suddenness that startled Harley, Callaway slammed the board down between her leg and the snake. There was a hollow tong sound as the snake struck the board. Then Callaway kicked a shower of stones and dirt at the snake, and when the dust had settled, the snake was gone.

Harley let out a deep breath she had been holding for a while. Well, she said, swallowing hard, I guess I owe you one.

Callaway adjusted his hat. Youll pay me back, he assured her. In the meantime, what do you say we get the hell out of here?

Back in the sunlight, Harley took a long swallow of water as she caught her breath. She was still thinking how close she had just come to death, considering the distance to the nearest hospital.

Thank you for not leaving me there, she said.

Callaway shrugged as if he hadnt done anything out-of-the-ordinary. I considered shooting it, but I prefer to keep my hearing. Besides, I had to check if I was still quick enough.

Glad I could help out, Harley answered dryly.

Callaway planted his hands on his hips and stared into the mine. Candy isnt our killer, even if she does know something, he said. And if we arrest her, we could spook the real killer.

We need that phone, Harley answered, studying him from the corners of her eyes as she thought about the calm purpose with which he had approached the snake. He had moved slowly, but without hesitationand certainly without fear.

Ill work on getting the warrant, Callaway answered. He gave Harley a worried frown. You alright?

She did her best to put on a brave face. I almost just died, but otherwise yes.

Callaway shrugged. Nothing new about that, is there?

As they hiked back down the canyon, Harley thought about the shelf in the mine and the strength it would take to carry a body up it. Callaway was rightthe evidence just didnt point to Candy. That didnt mean she wasnt hiding anything, but it did suggest she might not be the killer.

It was time to expand their search, see whether any other young women in the area had suffered similar fates to that of their two victims but hadnt yet been linked to the case.

She decided to start in Flor Blanca, the town of her childhood. It was the area she knew best, and it might help her get her bearings in a state that still felt surprisingly foreign to her.