Page 39 of Inside Silence

I look up to find my father standing in the doorway of my office.

“Dad. What are you doing here?”

I’m equal parts annoyed and relieved he’s here. I’ve been doing this job for several years now, and I do a damn good job, if I say so myself. But this is a lot to shoulder.

“Thought you might want to use me as a sounding board. Talk through things, bounce ideas off me. Whatever you need.”

He takes a seat in the chair across from my desk and looks at me with concern.

I hate this. I really do. Asking for help or accepting it is hard for me. But I have to recognize the limitations of this department as well as my own, and something has to give.

“Do you have any reason to think these two cases are connected?” he asks.

I shake my head. “Nope. And until I learn differently, these are two separate investigations.”

He grunts.

“I’ve decided I’m calling in the CID,” I add.

Dad nods, studying his folded hands. “Don’t think you have a choice, Savvy,” he agrees.

“I know.”

“But—if you don’t mind me making a suggestion—run the investigation into Ben’s death yourself. You’ve dealt with him before, you know his background, all the people he regularly associates with. You’re better equipped to investigate that case, and let the CID handle the Watts Lake murder. Divide and conquer, and if it turns out the cases overlap you can join forces. More eyes on the ball.”

“That’s what I’m aiming for.”

Dad’s lopsided grin makes an appearance.

“Phil told me not to come. Actually, she told me to quit meddling in business that wasn’t mine anymore. She said you’d have a handle on things and don’t need me looking over your shoulder.” He pushes up out of the chair and leans forward on the desk. “Phil is a wise woman, and I should’ve listened. However, me showing up here is not because I doubt your professional capacity in any way, but you’ll always be my daughter, and I’ll always want to look out for you.”

I flash him a smile of my own as I get up from my chair and round the desk.

“I know, Daddy, and I love you for that.”

A brief shadow passes over his expression before he straightens up and turns to face me. I lift up on my toes and kiss his stubbled cheek.

“I’ll leave you to it.” He moves toward the door where he stops and glances back over his shoulder. “But you know where to find me.”

As soon as he’s gone, I bite the bullet and make the call.

Next, I summon KC to my office.

“I need you to make copies of everything we have on the Watts Lake case and get a file ready for the CID.”

He looks puzzled. “CID?”

“Yes. They’ll have a team here in the morning.”

“They’re taking over?”

“I called them in for support, and they’ll be taking lead on the Watts Lake case, yes.”

My young deputy does not look happy, and I can’t really blame him. He’s put a lot of hours in on that case, even attended Franklin Wyatt’s initial autopsy. He’s eager, and a bit cocky at times in his youthful enthusiasm, so I can see how stepping aside would not sit well with him.

Truthfully, my pride is a little dinged as well, but I can’t let it get in the way of doing what is best for the case and the victim. I guess that’s why they pay me the big bucks. Ha.

“It’s bullshit,” KC reacts, shocking me a little since I’ve rarely heard a curse word from his mouth. “We could’ve done it. Worked double shifts or whatever. We never get cases like this and now you’re giving it away. That’s bullshit,” he repeats vehemently.