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“Was her death investigated?”
“My dad wasn’t the sheriff yet.”
Every person looked at Sheriff Tate.
He nodded slowly.
“I was a deputy. The county sheriff handled it.”
“Who?”
“Walter Mills.”
Another Mills.
The name struck the table like a dropped weapon.
My captain’s father.
I kept my expression controlled.
“What did the investigation conclude?”
“Accidental drowning.”
“Did you believe that?”
Tate looked at his daughter before answering.
“At the time.”
“What about now?”
“Now I’m wondering why a serial killer drew the camp symbol beneath a message about where his killing began.”
Rylie’s face lost color.
I stood.
“Did Emily have family in Eagle River?”
“Her father was a deputy,” Tate said.
“Name?”
“Daniel Ross.”
“What happened to him?”
“He left the department several months after Emily died.”
“Where did he go?”
“I don’t know.”
“You were both deputies, and you don’t know where he went?”
“He didn’t tell anyone.”