Page 16 of Rules

"Without a doubt," Holly hung up.

The morning creeps toward noon as we process the scene. Every fragment of evidence is cataloged, every potential witness interviewed. The picture that emerges is frustratingly incomplete—four men, all in black, with ski masks and gloves. No distinguishing features, no vehicle spotted. They appeared like ghosts and vanished the same way, leaving destruction and pain in their wake.

My phone rings as I'm examining a footprint outside the back entrance. It's the hospital.

"Sheriff Trenton."

"Sheriff, this is Dr. Langley at County General. I have Elmer Henderson here. He woke up insisting to speak with you. Says it's important."

"I'll be right there."

At the hospital, I find Elmer in the ICU, propped up in bed, his weathered face a patchwork of bruises, one eye swollen shut. Despite his injuries, he reaches for my hand with surprising strength.

"Sheriff," his voice is raspy, painful. "Sit," he points to the nearby chair. "Four of them. Came in through the back." His breath catches, and he winces. "I was about to do paperwork."

"Take your time."

"They didn't say a word. Not one word. Just started smashing things." His good eye fills with tears. "Last thing I remember was seeing them at the jewelry case. One had me take a setout of the case." Elmer grimaces. "The sapphire set. Art Deco, nineteen twenties. That's all they took. He put them into his pocket before he gave me the shiner."

"Any idea why they'd want that specific piece?"

"None. It's valuable, but certainly not our most expensive item." He hesitates. "Sheriff, I don't think they came for the set. They went straight to destroying the place. I think the set just caught his attention." He takes a labored breath. "They didn't even try the safe."

"Mr. Henderson, can you think of anyone who might want to hurt you or your wife? Any disputes, angry customers, former employees?"

He shakes his head slowly. "We've been in business thirty-five years. Never had an enemy in the world."

A nurse appears in the doorway. "Mr. Henderson, Mrs. Henderson is out of surgery. Doctor says she's stable. Your daughter's with her."

Relief washes over Elmer's battered face. "Thank God."

"I'll let you rest," I stand, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I'll be back to talk to Mrs. Henderson, tomorrow."

Back in my truck, my phone rings announcing my son, Tim.

"Hey, Dad. Just heard about the robbery, are you still good for dinner tonight? Dianna's making her chili. She says she can have a bowl ready if you just want to do a drive by."

For a moment, I considered taking him up on the drive by offer. There's too much to do, too many pieces to this puzzle that don't fit. But sometimes the best way to handle a situation like this is to take a break from it.

"Yeah, I'll be there. Might be a little late."

"Good, looking forward to it. Oh, and Dad? Dianna invited her friend Janice. You remember her from the Christmas party? Blonde, works at the hospital?"

I bite back a groan. Another setup. "Tim, I'm not in the mood. Now's not a good–"

"Just dinner, Dad. No pressure." He chuckles. "But since you brought it up, it wouldn't hurt you to consider dating."

"Yes, son it would."

An image of Ruth flashes unbidden in my mind—her copper hair catching the light, her laugh, the feel of her pressed against me. I push it away forcefully.

"No date and no talk of dating, deal?"

"Fine. See you tonight."

Driving back to the station, my thoughts oscillate between the break-ins and Ruth. Two seemingly unrelated threads that keep tangling in my mind. Two break-ins in less than a week. Both knew when the owners would be there. Both took nothing of financial gain. Seems destruction was the only goal.

I park in my reserved spot outside the station, staring at the building without really seeing it. I need to see Ruth about her security system, if she even has one. The thought of seeing her again—being close enough to smell her tropical scent, to see the hurt in her eyes from our last encounter—sends equal waves of anticipation and dread through me.

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