Chapter 4 - THE SHERIFF’S SMILE

Rick Barnes was a man who loved cameras.

That told me everything I needed to know.

People who are truly powerful don’t need attention.

They don’t need applause.

They don’t need everyone watching.

They simply move.

Barnes was different.

He wanted people to see him.

He wanted them afraid.

The next morning, he held a press conference.

Every television station in Colorado was showing his face.

“My department acted according to protocol,” Barnes said.

Protocol.

That word almost made me laugh.

My son was lying in a hospital bed.

And this man was hiding behind a word.

Sarah stood beside me watching.

“He’s lying.”

“Yes.”

“How do you know?”

I looked at the screen.

“Because he isn’t worried.”

She looked at me.

“What?”

“A person who accidentally hurts someone feels something.”

I pointed at Barnes.

“He feels nothing.”

On television, Barnes continued.

“We are investigating the circumstances.”

I shook my head.

“No.”

Sarah looked at me.

“No?”

“He already knows the circumstances.”

That afternoon, I went to the sheriff’s office.

The building was exactly how I expected.

Big office.

Expensive furniture.

A wall full of awards.

A man building a statue of himself.

The receptionist looked surprised.

“Can I help you?”

“I’m here to see Sheriff Barnes.”

She looked at my clothes.

“You have an appointment?”

“No.”

She smiled politely.

“He’s busy.”

I smiled back.

“Tell him Dennis Irwin is here.”

She picked up the phone.

A minute later, her face changed.

“He said send you in.”

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Barnes was sitting behind his desk.

He didn’t stand.

He just smiled.

“Mr. Irwin.”

I closed the door.

“You know who I am.”

He leaned back.

“I know everyone in my county.”

“No.”

I stepped closer.

“You know more than that.”

His smile became smaller.

“You’re just a janitor.”

I looked around the office.

“You really believe that?”

“I believe people are exactly what they show.”

I nodded.

“That’s your first mistake.”

Barnes laughed.

“You think you’re intimidating me?”

“No.”

I walked closer.

“I think you’re nervous.”

His expression changed.

Only for a second.

But I saw it.

“You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”

I looked him straight in the eyes.

“You’re right.”

I turned away.

“You don’t know who you’re dealing with.”

When I reached the door, Barnes spoke.

“Dennis.”

I stopped.

“You should be careful.”

I looked back.

“Is that a threat?”

He smiled.

“No.”

A pause.

“A warning.”

I left.

But outside the building, my phone buzzed.

Unknown number.

One message.

STOP DIGGING.

A second message appeared.

THE BOY WAS A WARNING.

I stared at the screen.

Then another message arrived.

NEXT TIME, WE WON’T MISS.

I looked back at the sheriff’s office.

And I finally understood.

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Rick Barnes wasn’t afraid of me.

He was waiting for someone else.