“Chief, I just got a call from some guy out on Dog Leg Road. Says there’re loose cows on the road.”

I think of the last time we got the call about Stutz’s livestock, and I smile. “Dispatch Skid, will you? Tell him to cite Stutz this time. He’s had ample time to get that fence fixed.”

“Roger that.”

I end the call and lean back in my chair. From where I sit, I can hear Glock and Pickles arguing the pros and cons of criminal profiling. I hear the drone of the switchboard. The scratch of Mona’s radio. Being here, in this place, feels right. This is where I belong. Here, with my officers. In this town.

I’ll continue to live with my secrets. I know there are worse fates. I think of my nephews, Elam and James. I think of Sarah and the baby she’s carrying. I think of Jacob and the ugliness that has passed between us. I think of my own isolation, my inability to connect, and I realize the time has come for me to reach out. They are my family, and I want them to be part of my life.

I think of John for the dozenth time today, and I wonder where he is and what he’s doing. I wonder if he thinks of me as often as I think of him.

My phone buzzes again. I look down and see a 614 area code with “BCI” on the display. I pick up, already anticipating the sound of his voice. “I was wondering when you were going to call,” I say.

“I hear you got yourself reinstated.”

“They came begging yesterday.”

“I hope you weren’t too easy.”

“I held out for a raise.”

“Good for you.” He pauses. “I was in the neighborhood and was wondering if you’d like to go to lunch.”

“Columbus is a hundred miles away, Tomasetti. How can you just be in the neighborhood?”

“I told the brass I needed to handle some case-related paperwork down there.”

“We could probably hustle up a report or two.”

“I told them it would be an overnight trip.” He lowers his voice. “Just between us, I’ve got a big crush on the chief of police.”

My lip hurts, but I smile anyway. “I hear the diner’s got a pretty decent pot roast.”

“In that case I’ll pick you up at the station in fifteen minutes.”

“I’ll be here,” I say, and disconnect.

Sworn To Silence Cover

Title

Copyright

Acknowledgments

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37