Page 40 of Rules

"Tobias." The use of my first name gets my attention. "You can't help anyone if you're not at your best."

She's right, but there's no time for self-care. Not with a murderer loose in my town and the council breathing down my neck.

"I'll grab something after the meeting." I reach for the pharmacy case file. "What else?"

Holly hesitates. "Ruth called."

My head snaps up. "What did she want?"

"Information about security systems. She's worried about the shop. But I don't think that's the real reason she called." Holly watches my reaction carefully. "I told her someone would call her back."

My chest tightens at the thought of seeing Ruth after three days of actively avoiding her. After finding Sophia, I couldn't bear the thought of Ruth being targeted. Distance seemed the only protection I could offer.

"Thanks." I return to the file, hoping Holly will take the hint.

She doesn't. "Don't you want to know why I think she called?"

"No," I don't look up. "I'll have Brooklyn stop by the shop."

"Coward," Holly mutters as she turns to leave.

She's right about that too but right now I can't allow myself to think about Ruth, even though that's the one place I feel like I can stop and just breathe. Shaking my head I returned to the file, forcing that copper headed beauty out of my mind.

The town hall is packed by the time I arrive. Standing room only, with residents lining the walls and spilling into the hallway. The seven council members sit at the raised table, Mayor Wilson in the center, his normally jovial face tight with concern.

As I make my way to the front, I scan the crowd. Familiar faces of business owners, many with fresh security systems installed. The Millers, who found Sophia. Erin from forensics, who didn't need to be here but came anyway. And there, halfway back, copper hair gleaming under the fluorescent lights, is Ruth.

Our eyes meet briefly before she deliberately looks away, her posture stiff. The coldness in her gaze hits me like a physical blow.

"Sheriff Trenton." Mayor Wilson's voice booms through the microphone. "We're glad you could join us. The council has called this emergency meeting to address the recent violent crimes in our community. The citizens of Whispering Pines deserve answers."

I take my place at the podium, thankful that my back is to the crowd.

"Thank you, Mayor Wilson, council members. I'm appreciative of the two hour notice of this meeting." My voice sounds steadier than I feel. "I understand your concerns. In the past ten days, we've had four violent break-ins and one homicide. I want to assure everyone that we're pursuing every possible lead."

"What leads?" Councilwoman Davis interrupts. "It's been three days since that poor girl was found, and we've heard nothing about suspects."

It's immediately clear to me this is a shark tank and I'm a piece of meat on the hook being lowered into the water. I didn't mean to come in today fighting but I'm also not going into the depths without speaking up for myself and my crew.

"I'm sorry Councilwoman Davis, why would you hear about suspects? We've found it greatly cuts down our chances of catching suspects when we release their information to the public. See then they know we're on to them."

Councilwoman Janet Davis looks embarrassed. Probably not the best play right out of the gate but come on.

"Cut the crap, Tobias." Councilman Paul Reeves leans forward. "People are terrified. Businesses are losing money because no one wants to go out. What are you actually doing besides sitting in your office having coffee?"

I took a breath before speaking and gave Reeves a look that I usually reserve for the worst criminals.

"Funny, I see people out and about all over. The break-ins have never happened in the middle of the day. They happen when stores are opening. Let's not add any more fear to an already fearful situation." A few in the crowd voiced their agreements. "Now, if you're done attacking me. I'll happily lay out what the office has been doing." I outline our enhanced patrols, the coordination with neighboring counties, and the forensic evidence being processed. The face to face meetings with each business owner in town. With each point, I feel the crowd's approval growing.

"Blah, blah, blah," Reeves says. "Sounds like a bunch of smoke to me. What you're trying to not say is you're no closer to solving these crimes?"

"That's not what I said."

"But it's what we heard." Mayor Wilson's tone is gentler but no less critical. "Perhaps it's time to consider outside assistance. The state police have offered additional resources."

The implication is clear: they don't think I can handle this. Maybe they're right.

"We're working with all available resources," I counter. "But I want to be honest—these perpetrators are highly organized and professional. They leave no evidence and plan their attacks meticulously."

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