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I guess Milo would know.

His brother, Mack, had died in a prison riot.

Mack had been imprisoned for stalking and killing three young women. He’d only gotten caught doing what he was doing because one of those young women’s mom had come home unexpectedly. She’d shot him, but the damage to her daughter had already been done.

The two had been taken to the hospital, only for Mack to live despite having a fairly fatal wound. Though, inevitably, Mack died in that prison riot after surviving through seven life-saving surgeries.

Milo had to come home from the Army to take care of Mack’s son, Lyle. Lyle, who had been tortured by his own father. For years Milo had tried to get past Lyle’s hard shell, only for the ranch Milo bought to become the healing place that Lyle needed.

Lyle now worked with Milo, helping the troubled youth.

Most of those youth left to become functioning members of society.

But there were some that were too far gone.

And, apparently, boys like Leo that were fucked in the head while putting on a show to pretend that they weren’t.

“Jessamy has said that a time or two in my company,” I admitted. “Each time I arrest her, she says that her brother is the one responsible. I guess I should’ve listened.”

“He’s sneaky,” Milo said. “Each time you came to follow up on whatever happened with Jessamy, and I couldn’t corroborate, I’d watch him closely for a few days. He never slipped. But that doesn’t mean that he didn’t do it. Just like I always told you.”

I scratched at my head, then straightened up. “Let me talk to the kids that stayed over. They’re the ones that would’ve had the most access. Did you see anything out here before you went to bed?”

“I was out here from eleven until about one when I went to bed. Got up at six, which is when I found them,” he answered. “So a five-hour window.”

“All right, lead me to the kids.”

Eight

If women are bad at parking, it’s probably because they’re constantly lied to about what eight inches is.

—Jessamy’s secret thoughts

Jessamy

I walked into town, despite Black’s assurance that he would get over to the house at one point today and give me a ride back into Bear Pass.

It was an hour walk, but ultimately didn’t seem that far because I was listening to an audiobook and enjoying the new snow.

I always enjoyed seeing the animals’ tracks that went through it.

I especially liked to see the young play in the snow, padding around as if they didn’t have a care in the world.

The first place I went was to where I’d parked my car, but of course, it was missing.

My next step would be the sheriff’s department, but before I could get there, a familiar strawberry-blonde stepped into my path.

“Can I talk to you?” the exasperating woman asked.

I pointed to myself. “Me?”

Zee smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Yes, you.”

I frowned. “Do you remember who I am?”

Because there was no way that she could. If she did, she wouldn’t risk being in my vicinity, let alone talking to me.

“I remember exactly who you are.” She sighed. “Just five minutes of your time? Please?”