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“Trigger?”

“Military name,” he said. “Long story.”

“I’m a homicide detective. I hear long stories for a living.”

He nodded. “I like her.”

“You decided you didn’t five minutes ago,” Rylie reminded him.

“She seems reasonable.”

The man behind Judy extended his hand toward Sheriff Tate.

“Detective Carson. I was promised food.”

“I promised you nothing,” Judy said.

“The Magnolia Ladies promised me another pie.”

“They promise everyone food,” Nora told him.

Carson smiled. “Then I’ve found my people.”

Will placed his evidence case near the wall and introduced himself.

Wolf moved toward them.

“Wyatt Maddox. We can give you a table in the back room.”

“Thank you,” Judy said.

Her gaze moved past him.

Toward the bar.

Toward me.

She stopped.

The smile left her face.

I put down the glass.

For several seconds, we stared at each other.

Rylie looked from Judy to me.

Trigger looked delighted.

Wolf quietly stepped aside.

Judy said my name.

“Mason?”

Nobody in Eagle River called me Mason.

Nobody anywhere called me Mason.