“Strange stuff going on tonight.”

Mona looked up to see Pickles approach. “Tell me about it.”

Craning her neck, she glanced toward the hall leading to the basement. “Where’s Baldy?”

Pickles leaned against her desk. “In the chief’s office.”

Mona lowered her voice. “Was the chief really drunk?”

“She’s been under a lot of stress with these murders.” He sighed. “Ain’t the first time a cop turned to booze.”

Mona doodled on her message pad. “I wish she was still chief.”

“You and me both.”

“I hate all this weird shit. Working for Detrick sucks.”

The switchboard trilled. Turning her radio down, Mona slid the headset over her ears and hit Talk. “Painters Mill PD.”

“This is Ronald Duff with the Indiana State Police calling for Chief of Police Kate Burkholder.”

“Chief Burkholder isn’t in.” Mona still couldn’t bring herself to tell people Kate was no longer chief. Breaking that kind of news to the public wasn’t her responsibility. She supposed she was hoping everything would get straightened out and Kate would return. After tonight, it sure didn’t look that way.

“You know how to reach her?” the man asked.

“Sheriff Detrick is here. Can he help you?” She’d been instructed by the sheriff to pass all the chief’s calls to him, which Mona had been doing.

“That would be fine. Thanks.”

“Can I tell him what it’s regarding?”

“I found a better image of the victim here in Indiana, and I wondered if he wanted me to fax it.”

Satisfied Detrick was the correct person this man should speak to, Mona transferred the call.

Wind and snow buffet me as I slide into the Mustang and slam the door. I can’t believe what just happened. I’m shaking so hard I can barely get the key in the ignition. I know it sounds crazy, but I think Detrick is the killer. All the evidence points to him, and after what Jonas just told me . . . Detrick must have planted the evidence found at Jonas’s farm. If he gets the chance, he’ll kill Jonas to cover his tracks.

That’s when I realize I’m in over my head. I can’t handle this on my own. Not only am I no longer a cop, but my integrity has come into question. Detrick has done everything in his power to discredit me—and quite effectively. If I start making accusations, people will think I’m disgruntled over losing my job.

I didn’t want to call John until I had rock-solid proof implicating Detrick, but I can’t put it off any longer. Jonas is in real danger. It’s going to be a hard sell, but I need John’s help. I dial his number as I head out of town.

Though it’s after midnight, he picks up on the second ring. “You okay?” he asks.

“I’m in trouble.”

“Now there’s a surprise. What happened?”

“Promise me you’re not going to call me crazy and hang up.”

“You know I have a soft spot for the mentally disturbed.”