There was a long, heavy silence on the line.

Then the sheriff let out a dry, dismissive laugh, the laugh of a man reaching for a confidence that was already gone.

“You think anyone in this county takes your word over mine?” And down the hospital hallway, the elevator chimed, and the doors slid open, and six federal agents stepped out onto the floor, led by a special agent in charge.

And walking behind them, no longer wearing his gun belt or his brass badge, carrying a cardboard evidence box and looking utterly terrified, was Deputy Cole.