The old shaman put his head into his hands and sobbed with self-pity and shame. He didn’t ask the Eagle for help and guidance and he didn’t want it now. He wanted out of the task. Why couldn’t it let him be? Right now, in the face of a greater darkness than he had ever conceived could be abroad in the world, he couldn’t find that pure place in his heart to accept without question the love of the Spirit. Yet that boy’s hand on his shoulder had made his legs work again, had calmed his dangerously racing heart, and he knew that the boy and the girl would not be hugging on the sidewalk when he left the restaurant. He glanced across to their table and saw through his tears what he knew he would see. The tiny, soft eagle feather below the girl’s chair moved in the draught from the closing door. He had not been alone in here. But he was very, very alone now.

Gerry opened the door and stared at Craig, then past him at the unmistakable police Crown Vic in the street as though he were seeing a ghost. ‘But how … I didn’t call you guys yet.’

Craig tried to piece it together. Why was Gerry Farrel, the head teacher from Silver Junior, answering Katie Hunt’s door? And what the hell was he babbling about?

‘Were you going to call us for something, Mr Farrel?’

Gerry was still staring.

‘Well … yes.’

‘Is Mrs Hunt home?’

Gerry clued in, and realized it was a coincidence. He ushered Craig inside, embarrassed and flustered. ‘Sure. I’m sorry, Staff Sergeant. Come in. How are you?’

‘Good. How’s Silver’s youth doing? My last visit turn them into decent citizens?’

‘Nope.’

‘Yeah? Guess it’s up to you then, huh?’

Gerry laughed quickly and nervously, then let his smile evaporate. He put a hand out to Craig’s chest as he moved forward in the hall.

‘We got a big problem here. I know it’s none of my business, but if you’ve come with bad news about Sam, she’s in pretty bad shape. In fact I don’t know if I should call the doc or not.’

Craig looked at the closed sitting-room door and could hear the noises of sobbing and comforting going on.

‘Can I know what this is about?’

Gerry nodded and led Craig up the lobby to the kitchen. He looked over his shoulder at him, then pushed the door open. Gerry stood to one side and let Craig enter the room, standing behind him as the policeman surveyed the carnage.

‘Who did this?’

Gerry looked at his feet. ‘Sam.’

‘And he’s where?’ He asked this knowing the answer.

‘Gone. He legged it when they caught him.’

Craig turned back to Gerry, his eyes steady and emotionless. ‘Who’s they?’