Page 51 of The Burning

Having already answered his question, I hold his gaze, saying nothing.

Chambers gives a helpless shrug. “At what point, Chief Burkholder, were you going to share the information with the rest of us?”

“I probably would have shared the names with the task force today. At this point, I’m still trying to determine if any of the individuals on the list are relevant to the case.”

Chambers nods slowly, as if weighing the information for logic and honesty. “The witness also claims he saw your vehicle at your brother’s farm yesterday. For the record, did Mr. Burkholder mention he’d argued with Swanz?”

“As I already told you, Swanz had done some work for him,” I say. “He didn’t say anything about an argument.”

I can tell by his expression he’s enjoying my discomfort. “Do you think that’s suspicious? I mean, for your brother not to mention something like that?”

“I think it’s worth asking him about,” I say.

Chambers tosses a look at Rasmussen I can’t quite identify, and my heart thumps in my chest.

“Does your brother have an alibi for the night Swanz was killed, Chief Burkholder?” Chambers asks.

“At the time I spoke to my brother, I didn’t know about the argument, so I didn’t ask if he had an alibi,” I say. “I should remind you that none of the individuals on the list are suspects or even persons of interest.”

Chambers laughs and cuts an I-told-you-so look at Rasmussen, then raises his hands in surrender. “There you go.”

“Kate, as I mentioned earlier, Bogart went to the media.” Growling beneath his breath, Rasmussen leans forward, sets his elbows on the table. “He insinuated that you’re covering for your brother.”

“Or maybe Bogart is disgruntled about the OVI conviction,” I say, “and he’s using this incident to get back at me.”

“He’s claiming you’re covering not only for Jacob, but the Amish community,” Rasmussen adds.

“I’d tell you that’s ridiculous, Mike, but I think you already know that,” I say.

“If some unflattering story runs, Chief Burkholder”—Chambers changes the timbre of his voice, assuming the faux persona of an ally playing devil’s advocate—“it’s not going to bode well for any of us. It’s sure as hell not a good look for you.”

Rasmussen frowns at the BCI agent. “Neil, that’s the thing about being a cop in a town the size of Painters Mill. Everyone knows everyone. Sometimes, paths cross when they probably shouldn’t.”

“Okay.” Chambers nods. “And then we have John Tomasetti assigned to the case. That’s another crossing of paths that won’t play well if the media decides to push it.”

“Agent Chambers,” I say slowly. “If you’ve got something on your mind, I suggest you put it on the table right here and now.”

“Appearances matter, Chief Burkholder, especially in this day and age when law enforcement is under a microscope. I think we can all agree you used poor judgment that could easily be misconstrued by the public at large.”

“I appreciate your concern, but my reputation speaks for itself.”

“If we were in any other jurisdiction, you’d be off the case,” Chambers says. “Guaranteed. Tomasetti, too. Lucky for you that’s not my call.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” the sheriff says diplomatically. “We’re not exactly drowning in manpower, for God’s sake.”

“This might be tough to swallow, but I’m not wrong,” Chambers argues.

Rasmussen sighs. “Kate, Neil makes a valid point.”

“I don’t disagree with him,” I admit. “That said, none of this has been verified. I don’t believe we’ve reached the point in which I need to recuse myself from this case.”

The sheriff turns his attention to Chambers. “She’s got a spotless reputation. She has a good working relationship with the community as well as the local Amish. They trust her. That alone makes her uniquely valuable to this investigation.”

“A good investigator is a good investigator,” he says. “Whether they’re dealing with the Amish or not.”

Frowning, I lean back in the chair, and cross my arms in front of me.

“Let me put it this way,” Rasmussen begins, with uncharacteristic testiness. “You show up at an Amish farm with questions about murder and you’re going to get stonewalled so fast your head will spin.”