Page 167 of Forever Dead

“Where are you?”

“The station. Chuck Danners is acting Sheriff. He cleared me to review copies and leave him my notes.”

“Did he also clear the visit to Ellison’s house?”

Selena paused. “Yes.”

“That doesn’t change your status with us.”

“I know.”

“What have you found?”

“A stitched fragment that may have come from the mask. Nora had a section of skin removed. We’re considering whether he took it as replacement material.”

“Considering?”

“We haven’t confirmed the material or the sequence. Curtis Halle worked on a kill floor, so I’m including other occupations where someone would learn those skills.”

“All right. Send your notes to Chuck. I’ll have our contact coordinate the records work with him and State Police.”

“Can Tanya do the cross-reference?”

“I’ll check her availability. The results go to the investigators running the case.”

“I can help them assess it.”

“You can explain what you’ve already found. You are not to use the results to visit anyone.”

Selena considered the names on the board.

“Meg, if something needs following up—”

“Give it to the acting sheriff. No interviews, no more scene visits. I’m making that explicit because I don’t want us arguing later about what you thought I meant.”

“I’m asking for information.”

“And I’m arranging for the case to get it. Your medical leave is a separate matter. If you end up in an active situation when you haven’t been cleared for duty and something goes bad, it’s your head and mine.”

There was nothing unreasonable in the distinction. Selena disliked it anyway.

“Send the notes,” Meg said. “Then go back to the motel and rest.”

“I’ll send them.”

“Selena.”

“What?”

“I’m glad Connor could talk to you.”

For a moment, Selena had no answer.

“Me too,” she said.

She ended the call.

For several seconds, the room seemed too quiet.