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Evan backed into the front door.

“You knew Emily had it,” she continued. “That’s why you asked Rylie about the sweatshirt’s pockets after Emily died. You thought she might have put the key inside it.”

“I was a deputy. I knew things about the investigation.”

“That key was never listed in the report.”

“My father must have mentioned it.”

“Then he knew Emily gave it to Rylie.”

“I don’t know.”

“You just said he mentioned it.”

Evan reached for the doorknob.

Sheriff Tate returned with his phone. “You’re free to leave.”

Judy looked at him in surprise.

Sheriff Tate handed the phone to Evan. “But don’t leave town.”

“You can’t order me to stay.”

“No. But if you run, it’ll answer several questions.”

Evan snatched the phone and opened the door.

Max stepped forward.

Evan stopped.

I called him back. “Max.”

My dog returned to my side, but his gaze never left Evan.

Evan walked onto the porch.

Judy followed him as far as the doorway. “Tell Robert I’ll call him.”

Evan kept walking.

“And tell your father I’m coming to see him.”

That stopped him.

He stood at the edge of the porch with his back to us.

For one second, I thought he might turn around.

He didn’t.

He walked to a dark green pickup parked along the road and climbed inside. We watched until he drove away.

Sheriff Tate closed and locked the door.

Trigger looked at Judy. “You let him leave.”