Page 33 of Edge of Steele
“Paper hot air balloons that we hung in our classroom. They’re decorations for a party we’re gonna have soon.”
“What color was yours?” Ryleigh asked.
“Pink and purple.”
Finn looked in the mirror. “Your favorite colors.”
“I guess.” She looked out the window.
Man, she was a tough act. Finn reallydidhave his hands full.
Ryleigh turned around in her seat and faced the dash. She would wait for Avery to talk to her next time and not try to start a conversation. Who knows, Avery might not say a word. Which was sad, because Ryleigh really wanted to help the child relax and find some joy in her day. She hoped Avery had fun when she was in her known environments like school and daycare and especially at home. But maybe her grief still usurped her joy at this point.
Finn navigated through the small town with people walking dogs and riding bikes. An idyllic area, and here sat a traumatized child who couldn’t enjoy any of it right now.
They arrived at the large box of a house with two stories and a wall of windows in the front. After pictures Finn had shared of Felicia, who’d been a quirky dresser, the plain traditional style was just as unexpected. Finn pulled into the garage, and they all got out. Avery ran ahead and inside without a word.
Finn looked at Ryleigh. “I’m sorry for Avery’s rudeness but not surprised. She’s really hurting. I’d call her on it, but I don’t know if that’s a good idea or if it’ll harm her more.”
Ryleigh couldn’t even imagine having to make such a decision. “Have you considered counseling for her?”
“Way ahead of you there. She’s going but just sits and looks at the counselor. Not a word out of her, so no progress yet, but I’m not giving up.”
Ryleigh was about to comment when Russ pulled into the driveway. “That’s my ride. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Let me know if you’ll be later than six-thirty. I like to make sure Avery eats by then.”
“You don’t have to hold dinner for me. Just go ahead as you usually do, and I’ll find something.”
“I’m glad to have you join us. Just call if it’s going to be late.”
“Will do.” Feeling like an old married couple and not hating it, she fled to Russ’s patrol car and got into the passenger seat. He was on the phone and held up a finger.
She buckled her seatbelt and then sat back, looking at his computer set up. A laptop was fixed in a holder with a navigation screen mounted next to it. The radio played dispatch calls that came over loud and clear. No calls nearly as urgent as the bombing, unless you consider a bull getting out of his pasture urgent.
“Get back to me if it turns up anything helpful.” He ended the call and placed his phone in his pocket before backing out of the drive. “That was my deputy who’s running the ViCAP search. He struck out with the use of a photoelectric cell in the state. He’s expanding his search nationwide.”
“I really think that’s the kind of detail that would make it into ViCAP.”
“Agreed.” He set off at a clipped speed. “Give me details on your search of Gates’s house.”
She gave him a report, including the talk with the neighbor. “I’ll get Sierra over to Gate’s place first thing in the morning.”
“About that. I gave Jenkins a call and asked if they could bring additional staff so they could process the logging office too, after we lock it down tonight. He said he would try, but it was up to Sierra as she runs the trace evidence department.”
“Would be great if you had more forensic staff to keep from stretching her group too thin.” She looked at him. “No offense to you, of course.”
“Hey, none taken. I’d love to have the budget for that.” He cocked a half smile. “We could call in the state, but then I’d have to call ATF, and I’m not ready.”
“You’re seriously not worried about blowback on that?”
“Why? All it could do is end my career as sheriff.” He chuckled.
He made light of it, but she didn’t get that vibe from him. “Seems like the job is kind of important to you, though.”
“Yeah. I’d like to think I’m good at it and I still make a difference, so I’m not ready to leave. But if my decision costs me the job, so be it. In this business you have to do what you think is right no matter public opinion. I think this is the right move that the local voters would appreciate. Especially if they knew my motive is to find and stop a killer.”
“But you haven’t told the public that a bomber is at large,” she said.
