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He is already reaching for his phone.
“I’ll have Holt compare every name in Sage’s notebook against Price, Patrick, and Navarro.”
“Tell Trent to check the parking lots. Nobody enters this floor without Cruz’s approval.”
Kane leaves.
Taylor watches him go.
“What do you want to do with the bag?”
“We take it somewhere secure.”
“The sheriff’s department has an evidence room.”
“No.”
Sheriff Cruz stands in the doorway.
I didn’t hear her approach.
She looks from me to the backpack.
“You don’t trust my department?”
“I don’t know your department.”
“Deputy Cole nearly died helping you.”
“Which proves I trust Cole.”
Her gaze hardens.
“This is my county.”
“And someone sent Patrick Dalton to that ranch before your deputy arrived.”
“You think one of my people warned him?”
“I think Navarro paid Greg, Price, and Patrick. I think he had men waiting at Iron Ridge when my team returned to Nevada. I think every person who helped my daughter has either disappeared or died.”
Sheriff Cruz looks at Sage.
Then at Marisol.
Her anger doesn’t disappear.
It changes direction.
“I have a secure interview room in the sheriff’s substation across the street. No windows. One entrance. Cameras in the hallway.”
“Who has access?”
“Me and two deputies.”
“Which deputies?”
“Cole and Ramirez.”