“Yes, I understand, but I got a call about a murder, and this is one where I’d like to have you with me.”

“Why me? I’m just a secretary. I’m not a deputy anymore. Jerry would flip if he found out you brought me to a crime scene.”

“I’ll explain when we get there. I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t need you.”

“Why not Ajax? He’s your partner now.”

Darrell sighed. “Look, Rebecca, you can say no if you want. If you’re not up for this in your condition, then I get it, of course. I feel bad even asking, but I really want your help.”

I wasn’t going to say no, not after Darrell and his family had been a lifeline for me for most of the year. He knew that. It took me a while to get dressed, and then Darrell helped me out to his cruiser. It wasn’t even seven in the morning, earlier than any of the churchgoers would be out, so the streets were empty. As we drove, the day brightened, revealing the palette of reds and yellows in the trees. Soon enough, the leaves would be falling, burying us the way the winter snow does.

Darrell didn’t say much along the way. I asked him twice more what had happened, but I realized he wasn’t going to tell me until we got there. I wasn’t sure if he was keeping it a secret for some reason, or if he was simply having trouble processing whatever it was. He had a queasy look I’d seen on his face before.

It was a look that said there would be blood.

Based on the route we took, I thought at first that Darrell was taking me to his own house, which was down the dirt road near Norm’s place, and next door to my father’s old house.

“Are the girls okay?” I asked with concern.

“The girls are fine.”

“Is it Norm? Or Will?”

“No. It’s not them.”

That gave me a small sense of relief. When we got to the crossroad, Darrell turned the opposite way, driving in the shadows of the forest for several miles. He finally pulled into a driveway at the house belonging to Ajax and Ruby. Several cars had arrived ahead of us. Neighbors. Friends. But ours was the only squad car. I could see Ruby herself at the base of the porch steps, with her nine-month-old son in her arms. Her red hair blew wildly, and her face was a pale mess of tears.

“Oh my God,” I murmured, turning to Darrell. “Ajax?”

He replied in a clipped voice. “Yes.”

“Dead?”

“According to Ruby, yes.”

“What on earth happened?”

“I don’t know. That’s what we need to find out.”