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Cedar Creek, Nevada

Wednesday, June 28, 1995 6 Days Prior . . .

HIS YEARS AS AN INVESTIGATOR HAD SHARPENED HIS SURVEILLANCE skills. Although his work frequently sent him out of Harrison County, there had been plenty of times when Marvin Mann had to tail a Cedar Creek resident through town. It took a herculean effort, and some serious skill, to stay anonymous when tailing a subject through a small town. Over the years Marvin had become a master. Although following Sheriff Sandy Stamos out of town and into the foothills was dangerous, it was not difficult. He knew Stamos’s family owned a remote cabin out in the mountains. Details about the location, however, had never been made public.

Marvin wasn’t going to get to choose where he cornered Sandy Stamos; he only knew it couldn’t happen in Cedar Creek. Sheriff Stamos was investigating Baker Jauncey’s death, and Marvin was sure there were people keeping close tabs on the sheriff. And calling him was not an option. Marvin had tapped too many phones to believe the sheriff’s department was clean. Plus, Marvin couldn’t predict how Sandy Stamos would react if he told him what he knew over the phone. The sheriff might show up on Marvin’s doorstep asking questions, which would put Marvin in as much danger as Baker Jauncey had been before his death. Speaking to Stamos at his family’s remote cabin was his only option.

As the sun set and painted the horizon in a purple glow that backlit the Sierra Nevadas, Marvin saw Sheriff Stamos’s headlights come on. Marvin kept his own lights off, stayed at a safe distance, and continued to follow.