Page 66 of In Cold Blood

“Geesh, Noah. Do you ever let up?”

“I could ask you the same thing.”

In many ways, they were like two peas in a pod. Noah had considered that perhaps the reason they butted heads so easily was that they were more alike than he cared to admit.

Bright headlights cut through the surrounding dense woodland, illuminating the twisted branches as a vehicle made its way up the winding driveway. The beam danced and flickered, casting elongated shadows as it drew near.

“They’re here.”

A white High Peaks Police Department Chevy SUV rolled into the driveway right behind his truck, lights flashing blue and red. The headlights shone directly on his truck, casting a brilliant white light and illuminating the path.

“Great,” Hugh said unenthusiastically before he downed the remainder of his drink.

Noah went out to meet them.

An officer stepped out, taking in the eerie beauty of the forest before making his way over to the truck.

“Good evening.”

“Can’t say it’s good.”

He turned and looked at Noah. “You really are a dead ringerfor him. Sorry. Bad choice of words. Officer Morgan.” He stuck out his hand. They exchanged a firm handshake.

“Noah Sutherland.”

The officer looked past him.

“Hey, Hugh,” Morgan said.

“Aaron.”

His father knew them all. New. Old. Even though he’d left behind his position with the county, having Ray as a part of the PD had only increased his familiarity with law enforcement staff. “I was just telling my son here that it’s nothing. We can clean it up.”

“I wouldn’t exactly call this nothing, Hugh,” Aaron said, backing up and taking a few photos. “Better to be safe than sorry. How about we go inside so we can talk and…”

Right then Noah heard tires crunching over gravel.

It was a black cruiser with the familiar yellow emblem on the side and the words High Peaks County Sheriff. The vehicle pulled up behind Aaron’s SUV.

Deputy Thorne climbed out of the Dodge Charger.

Hugh ran a hand over his head. “County? Oh, that’s all we need. Did you phone her?”

“You’re damn right,” Noah said. “I figured she should be aware. It’s related to Luke.”

Hugh sighed and headed back in with Aaron.

Noah remained.

“Thanks for coming.”

“No problem. I was in the area.” She stopped in her tracks. “Well, that’s going to cost a small fortune. I hope you took the best insurance.”

“Always,” he said. “Parish not with you?”

“I’m there if he needs assistance. I’m not his assistant. If you get my drift,” she said, taking her flashlight and washing it overthe truck to get a better look. Callie skirted around, got down on her knees and shone the light underneath, then rose and looked at him over the hood. “Anyway, Parish is interviewing people. Doing the rounds. You know, boots on the street kinds of stuff.” She paused. “Well, look. I’ll have local PD dust it down and get some prints off this, though I imagine whoever did it took precautions.”

“Right,” Noah replied.