“Yes, sir.”

Hamilton moaned as the paramedics worked on him. Blood soaked into the white snow. Matt knew he’d hit him at least once, but didn’t know where.

“I’ll kill him,” Hamilton said. “You can’t keep that cop safe forever. I will kill him!”

Matt walked away. Kara and Michael followed. “He’s never getting out of prison. He killed a cop and nine other people—more if we tie the homeless men and his father to his killing spree. He’ll be sitting on death row until he’s dead.”

Kara looked upset, and so did Michael. Matt needed to fix this, but he didn’t know how.

“You did the right thing, Michael.”

“I know.”

“I want him dead, but I want him dead the right way.”

“There is no wrong way,” Kara said. She took a deep breath, let it out. “Well,” she said, her voice a hair lighter, “you fibbies sure know how to have fun. And here I thought you were all a bunch of pricks with sticks up your ass.”

“Only the feds in LA,” Matt said and caught her eye. She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She had to deal with not only Andy’s death, but her case in LA. He didn’t say anything, but he might be able to help get Thornton off her back. Quietly.

Matt cleared his throat. “Now, paperwork.”

Michael groaned, and Kara laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Michael said.

“I’m on vacation. That means no paperwork. I’m ready to give my statement whenever you’re ready to take it.” She winked, and walked over to where Ryder Kim was helping one of the victims.

But instead of taking a break, Kara dived in and helped the medics and cops create order.

Matt had learned to expect nothing less from Detective Quinn.

51

Friday, March 12
Liberty Lake
Morning

Andy Knolls had a funeral worthy of a hero.

Every cop in the Spokane Valley, and many from other parts of the state and adjoining Idaho, came to pay respects to the fallen officer Friday morning. His fiancée took condolences, but she looked shell-shocked. Matt had tried to talk to her earlier, but she didn’t want to discuss Andy or how he died.

Brian Maddox gave the eulogy, which hit Matt harder than he thought. Matt had known Andy Knolls for less than a week, but he had been a good cop and an even better man. He had a large family, and even more friends. He saw Kara’s grandmother sitting in the large church with a woman even older than her, but Kara wasn’t with her.

Everyone was mourning. Tears flowed freely, even on the rigid faces of law enforcement. They had caught Andy’s killer, but Andy was still dead.

Matt would do anything to bring Andy back. To erase the pain that filled the church as his friends and family grieved; to erase the sorrow in his own heart. He’d buried too many good men and women, heroes who gave their lives for others. But Andy’s death hit him harder than most.