Chapter 25

“Where’s Gideon?” a muffled voice asked from behind a thick scarf.

“Good morning, Officer O’Dell,” Jesse said, without a hint of surprise at the sudden arrival. “You just missed him.”

Emma rose on instinct, retreating from the newcomer’s way in order not to intrude on what was obviously official business. She watched Officer O’Dell unwind the scarf from where it covered his face and was surprised to see the youthfulness of his features beneath the gray hair. When his gaze flickered to her, the friendliness she saw there made her eyes widen. Gideon and Jesse were friends with a cop. Another good omen.

“I’m just here to give you an update on what we’ve found out,” he said, turning back to Jesse. He shook some of the snow from his hair before reaching into his pocket and extracting a rumpled envelope. “Considering it’s not good news, maybe it’s better I’m not around when Gideon hears it.”