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“Heavenly, I know. It’s ridiculous out here. I always feel like I’m a million miles away from anywhere. I bet you’d have slept later if it weren’t for the racket.”
Sloan squinted. “What is that?”
“That would be Lester.”
“Lester, the handyman? The guy who blocked the news vans for us yesterday?”
“That’s the one. He drove up last night. He’s in charge of the property here. That’s really his full-time job now—taking care of Margolis Manor and the winery. Reid has him putting in a new fence to keep the mountain lions out of the vineyards. Sorry if he woke you. Lester knows no other gear than go-go-go.”
“I needed to get up anyway. Probably would have slept until noon in that bed.”
“Breakfast will be ready soon.”
“Let me shower and I’ll come right over.”
CHAPTER 56
Cedar Creek, Nevada Friday, August 2, 2024
MARVIN WASN’T SURE IF IT WAS THE WEATHER OR THE STRESS OF the past screaming at him through the years that caused his hip to ache, but he walked with a slight limp as he headed up the steps of the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. He smiled politely at the woman behind the front desk.
“Hi. I need to see Sheriff Stamos.”
“I’m not sure the sheriff is available, but I’m sure a deputy can help you.”
“I need to speak with the sheriff. Can you let him know that Marvin Mann needs a word?”
As the owner of the largest private investigation firm in Harrison County, Marvin had a good working relationship with Eric Stamos. He wondered if that relationship would be stronger or nonexistent after today. Marvin placed his PI badge on the counter for the woman to see.
“It has to do with all the nonsense going on around town with the media.”
She paused a moment and then nodded.
“Let me check for you.”
She disappeared through a door behind the reception desk and Marvin paced the lobby for a few minutes, noticing that his palms were sweaty. He’d kept his secret for nearly thirty years, but the ten minutes he waited in the lobby of the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office felt like the longest part of the journey.
“Marv,” Eric Stamos said as he came through the side door. “I thought you and the Mrs. moved to Florida.”
Marvin smiled. “We tried, but the humidity chased us away. Plus, the mosquitos are the size of plums and they’ve got geckos everywhere you step. I’m still a working man anyway, and not ready to retire just yet. That’s what’s brought me in to see you this morning.”
“Yeah, what’s going on?”
Marvin glanced at the woman behind the desk and then lowered his voice. “Can we talk in private?”
Eric, too, looked at the receptionist and then back to Marvin. “I’m in the middle of something, Marv.” Eric pointed outside. “As I’m sure you can tell. Can this wait until next week?”
Marvin shook his head. “I don’t think it can, Sheriff. I believe it’s waited long enough.”
“What’s it about?”
“Your dad.”
CHAPTER 57
Bend, Oregon Friday, August 2, 2024
TWENTY MINUTES AFTER SHE WOKE, WITH HER HAIR WET FROM HER shower, Sloan walked to the side entrance of the main house. Nora met her at the sliding glass door and handed her a coffee mug spiraling with steam.
