Page 33 of Inside Silence

When he’s gone, I shut down my computer, shove my phone in my pocket, and fit my ball cap on my head.

“Everything okay?” Brenda asks when I pass her office on my way out. “It got pretty loud.”

“I know.”

“Anything I can do?”

I flash her a tired smile. “Yeah, find me a couple of new deputies. We’re in desperate need of new blood in here.”

“We only have budget for one,” she reminds me.

“Well, I need at least two. I’ll put in a request with the county commission.”

Maybe I can get my dad’s help with that. He still has a bit of clout.

I’ll stop by there first.

“Two?”

“At least, Dad. Even if it is one additional full time and one part-time deputy. The mayor called this afternoon, getting on my case to solve this murder because he’s afraid it’s going to hurt the fall tourist industry with a killer on the loose.”

The man had been overly dramatic, which tends to be his MO, but he’s not entirely wrong. This will have an impact on some of our small businesses that rely on the additional income tourism brings in.

Edwards County is known for its phenomenal fall colors and it brings out the tourists in droves. Anything from outdoor enthusiasts to day-trippers from the bigger cities start flocking in once the colors change. This is why the campgrounds and rentals are generally booked up for the end of September, early October.

The mayor’s point only enforces why I need the extra hands on deck.

“Do you want some coffee and dessert?” Phil pokes her head out the kitchen door.

“Not tonight, I still have got something I need to take care of, but thanks.”

“Okay, but it’s been a while since you stopped in for dinner, and you need to eat anyway. It would be good to see you.”

“As soon as I get a breather, I’ll call. I promise.”

I return my stepmother’s smile and thumbs-up, and watch her disappear back inside.

“So, what’s happening with the investigation?” Dad asks, returning to the subject of my visit.

“The one promising lead we had has not panned out so far. I heard from the detective in Coeur d’Alene last night. The guy we thought was our victim’s secret lover turned out to be a bust. He’s been in Taiwan the past couple of weeks on business, and that has been confirmed.”

It was a blow when Althof dropped that bit of news, because it meant we’re back to square one.

“Not a total bust,” Dad offers. “It’s likely he used that condom with someone. That’s still a lead to pursue, even if there isn’t an obvious love interest for you to focus on. Since the wrapper was in the victim’s cabin, it’s safe to presume his lover came to visit him there. Talk to the neighbors again. Talk to Milt Sterling and get a look at any renters whose time at the cabins overlapped with your victim’s time there. Follow up. Boots on the ground, sweetheart.”

I shake my head and smile at my dad’s pep talk.

“Right, but I need more boots to do that,” I point out.

He chuckles and claps me on the shoulder.

“I hear you. Guess I have my work cut out with the county commission.”

Nate

* * *

To say I’m angry is an understatement.