“Wait.” He stops me. He pulls out a pair of gloves and hands them over. Once I’ve put them on, he nods, granting me permission. I reach for the envelope and slowly open it, pulling out a 5x7 photo. It’s a picture of Adam and Kelly with the lake house behind them and the water in front. He’s wearing boxers. She’s wearing a thong, but she’s topless. The closeness of his body covers her chest. Her legs are wrapped around him. His hands are cupping her butt. Her hands are around his neck. Their lips are connected in a passionate kiss. They look happy.

Sheriff Stevens lets out an awkward cough. He pulls out an evidence bag and carefully slides the gun into it. I start to slip the photo back into the envelope, but instinctively, I stop. Someone took this photo, and it looks like Adam and Kelly weren’t even aware they were being photographed at that moment.

I turn the picture over and written on the back in Sharpie marker are the words, “END IT OR I WILL.” I look at Sheriff Stevens. My eyes grow wide.

He groans. “Things just got a whole hell of a lot more complicated,” he says shaking his head.

“Someone knew about Kelly and Adam. This is a threat. This is proof that Adam didn’t do it.” My voice is full of enthusiasm. “This is a huge break. It’s reasonable doubt.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, but I will admit this bodes well for Adam.”

I slide the picture back into the envelope. Sheriff Stevens bags it up. “We’ll get it tested for fingerprints.”

“What about handwriting analysis?”

“We’ll need handwriting to analyze it against,” he says raising an eyebrow.

“Of course.” I’m getting ahead of myself. I need to slow down and really think this all through. But wait—if this was hidden… Adam had to have known about this. Adam must have put it here.

“You ready?” Sheriff Stevens walks toward the front door. I nod and take the folder from the counter on my way out.

Outside Deputy Hudson is still leaned up against his car.

Sheriff Stevens closes the house up and turns back, giving me a sympathetic look. I lower my chin a little. It was hard seeing Adam happy with Kelly. He was supposed to be happy with me, not another woman. Sheriff Stevens puts his hands on my shoulders and rubs the sides of my arms. It’s completely inappropriate, but it feels nice, almost comforting.

“You did great. I’ll get someone here to pull a sample of that scotch to test, and I’ll get the lab started on the photo—”